What Is A Dog Harness?
A dog harness is a type of leash attachment primarily made up of straps that go around the dog’s torso. It is used to guide, hold, or lift the dog. Compared to the traditional dog collar, a dog harness offers a safer, more secure, and more comfortable way of hooking up your dog to its leash. Rather than concentrating the weight and pressure of the leash around the neck area, the harness distributes it over a larger surface area of the dog’s body (the chest and shoulders), which helps to prevent neck strain and choking. The dog harness offers plenty of benefits that help to overcome most of the shortcomings of the dog collar, making it a more popular option.
The dog harness gives you better control of your pet and helps to discourage pulling behavior, making it a highly useful tool to have in your dog training equipment.
- Large Dog Harness - Recommended Breeds: Medium to Large Dogs, such as Golden Retriever, Siberian Husky, Labrador, German Shepherd,...
- No Pull, No Choke - Our non-pulling dog harness is specially designed with 2 metal leash rings for safer dog walks. Use the chest...
- Easy to Use - This hassle-free overhead harness is easy to put on and take off with its 2 fast-release buckles. Slide the harness over...
- Fully Adjustable - This adjustable harness features 4 easy adjusting straps around the body. You can use its 2 neck straps and 2 chest...
- Safe and Comfortable - Your dog will enjoy the daily walk in this comfort dog harness! Made of sturdy nylon oxford and padded with soft...
- Perfect Fit: Sizing does NOT directly correspond to your pet's breed or weight; Ensure the ideal fit by MEASURING your pet with our...
- Comfort All Year: Made with a soft and breathable air mesh, this lightweight, fast drying harness ensures maximum comfort for your pet...
- Enhanced Visibility: Featuring two reflective bands, this harness increases your pet's visibility during morning and evening strolls,...
- Triple Security: Our harness provides three layers of protection with a secure hook and loop fastener, a sturdy buckle, and double...
- Easy to Use: Enjoy hassle-free walks with this simple, easy-to-wear vest harness. Just let your pet step in, clip the harness, and you...
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- [UPDATED VESION, EASY TO PUT ON & TAKE OFF] This dog harness has 3 buckles( One is on the neck with Lockable, two are on the chest), NO...
- [NO PULL WITH 2 HOOK LOOPS] There are 2 sturdy metal hook loops for leash attachment. If you use the front hook on the chest, it will...
- [REFLECTIVE MATERIAL] The reflective material will be really nice when it gets dark. Also, your dog will be saw easily. This reflective...
- [USEFUL & SOFT HANDLES] You will like this handle on the back,it is helpful in controlling dogs a bit closer to you when they are...
- [100% BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE] If any products quality really exits, a refund or replacement will be available.
- ATTENTION: Sizing on this dog harness does NOT directly correspond to your pet's breed or weight. Please MEASURE your dog by printing...
- ALL WEATHER MESH: This dog harness is made with soft breathable air mesh for all sizes of dogs. The lightweight pet harness is perfect...
- REFLECTIVE WEBBING: 3M Scotchlite reflective material on the straps of this dog harness enhance your dog’s visibility during those...
- PERSONALIZED FIT: Adjust the neck and chest straps on the Step-In Flex dog vest no-pull harness to get the perfect fit for your small,...
- STEP IN CLIP & GO! Step your dog into Voyager's simple and easy walk vest dog harness. Style it with a matching Voyager Dog Leash....
- Effective No-Pull Solution: The PetSafe Easy Walk Harness helps create pull-free walks by using a martingale loop design that applies...
- Designed for Comfort & Fit: Features adjustable comfort straps and a breathable harness design with less coverage, keeping dogs cool,...
- Simple to Use & Trainer Recommended: Includes an easy color-coded fit and quick-snap shoulder buckles for fast on-and-off application,...
- Global Mission, Local Care: With U.S. roots and worldwide reach, PetSafe delivers vet- and trainer-recommended solutions and...
- Over 25 Years of Trust: Since 1998, PetSafe has created safe, innovative, and trusted products that bring joy, enhance pet lives, and...
What are the Benefits of A Dog Harness?
If you’ve never used a dog harness before, you might be wondering whether it is really worth it to make the switch. In this section, we are going to take a look at some of the key benefits of a dog harness.
Gives You Better Control of Your Dog
One big downside to using a traditional dog collar is that it is harder to control or manage your dog without increasing the risk of injury. If you want to direct your dog in a certain direction or want to prevent them from doing something, especially if you have to do it quickly, applying force on the leash can cause the collar to dig deep into the dog’s neck leading to neck injuries or chocking.
On the other hand, a dog harness minimizes the risk of injury to the dog by distributing the pressure over a larger area and gives you better control of your pet by directing the dog’s movement through its chest and shoulders. In addition, some dog harnesses come with a handle, which allows you to easily and safely lift your dog. This is very useful when assisting your dog over barriers or when you want to keep them in check.
Discourages Pulling
With a leash and a collar, the dog learns that pulling allows them to move forward. With time, this habit can become ingrained and you end up with a dog that is constantly pulling on its leash. However, with a harness, pulling doesn’t achieve the expected result. When the dog pulls, what often happens is that their front paws end up in the air and the tension on the lease directs them back towards the owner. As a result, this discourages pulling behavior.
Avoids Putting Pressure on Your Dog’s Neck
If your dog suffers from neck injuries, restricted airways, a collapsing trachea, proptosis, or spinal cord issues, it is highly recommended that you avoid using a collar. A dog harness can help avoid the development of such issues.
A Harness is More Secure
Due to the way dog harnesses are designed, they fasten more securely around the dog’s body which helps to prevent unnecessary accidents as is the case with dog collars. Dogs, especially those whose neck is the same size as their heads, can easily slip out of their collar and run into traffic or attack other people.
What are the Cons of a Dog Harness?
Same as with any other product, the dog harness has its downsides. However, there are a lot fewer negative things to say about the dog harness.
Can be Uncomfortable for Your Dog
Since harnesses are bulkier than dog collars, they can prove to be uncomfortable to your dog. Your dog can take time to get used to one.
May Not Have A Place for An ID Tag
It is very important for your dog to always have ID tag containing your address and/or contact details when outside. Unfortunately, some dog harnesses don’t have a place to attach an ID tag. So, ensure that you find a harness with a ring for a tag
Less Convenient
Unlike a dog collar which can be easily and quickly slipped on, fastening a dog harness can be cumbersome and often takes time.
When It Is Absolutely Necessary to Consider A Dog Harness
There are a number of situations where a dog harness is more of a necessity than an option. These include;
- If your dog suffers from tracheal collapse. A dog collar applies more pressure to the neck region and can worsen the condition.
- If your dog is a brachycephalic breed. These types of dogs have a flatter face, and thus face a higher risk of respiratory issues.
- If your dog suffers from orthopedic disease. If your dog often struggles to get up after lying down, a dog harness can be very helpful.
- If your dog belongs to a breed with risk factors for spinal problems. Dogs with long bodies are at a particularly higher risk of developing spinal cord issues. Thus, by minimizing the pressure on the neck and back and providing adequate support, you can help alleviate these issues.
As you can see, there are plenty of benefits to purchasing a dog harness. You just need to ensure that you find the size and type for your dog to ensure maximum benefits.
Choosing a Dog Harness – Best Ones and How to Use
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