Collars vs. Harnesses: Pros and Cons of Collars and Harnesses

A dog harness wraps around your dog’s chest so you can walk your pooch without worrying about putting undue stress on their neck. You can find harness options for both large and small dogs. Some harnesses go over a dog’s head, whereas others fit under your dog’s front legs. No-pull harnesses, also known as front-clip harnesses, include a leash attachment point on the dog’s chest—this prevents the dog from moving forward by turning them sideways should they attempt to pull on the leash. Dog trainers and owners can find the proper harness for pets by taking measurements of the animal’s head, neck, and chest to ensure the straps fit snugly without causing discomfort.

A dog collar goes around your dog’s neck so you can attach a dog leash and ID tag to them. The most common type of dog collar is a flat collar—a leather or nylon band that closes with a clasp or buckle and lays flat against the dog’s neck. There are many different types of dog collars, including martingale collars, slip collars (aka choke collars), halters or headcollars, prong collars, and e-collars. Choosing a dog collar often comes down to selecting the right training tool for your dog’s needs.

Harnesses can be a great way to manage your dog when they’re out of the house. Here are some advantages of harnesses.

1. 1. Better control: When walking a particularly strong or large dog, a harness can provide better control than a collar.
2. 2. Multiple attachment points: Most harnesses have several leash attachment points. A front-clip harness allows you to attach a leash to the dog’s chest, which can prevent leash pulling. A back-clip harness places less strain on your dog’s neck than a standard collar.
3. 3. Prevents Injuries: Harnesses are great for dogs who have a history of neck injuries, glaucoma, or spine issues. They can also be a good option for a dog breed whose head is narrower than its neck (such as Greyhounds and Whippets) and may easily slip out of a flat collar.

Though harnesses are great for preventing injuries caused by your dog straining at its leash, they do have some drawbacks.

1. 1. Requires more strength: If you’ve got a heavy dog who likes to pull, it may be harder to train them with a harness, which requires more strength to control.
2. 2. Restricts movement: It’s also important to make sure harnesses fit correctly—a poorly fitted harness can cause harmful chafing, restrict movement, and even cause breathing difficulties. Harnesses can also be tricky for long-haired or shaggy dogs, so make sure their hair isn’t caught up in the straps.
3. 3. Not a substitute for a collar: Lastly, a harness isn’t a perfect substitute for a collar, to which you can attach dog tags for identification. When you’re not walking or training a dog, you may want to keep the collar on for identification, just in case they get away.

There are several reasons why you may choose to put a collar on your dog.

1. 1. Serve as Identification: Dog collars are one of the simplest ways to identify that a dog has an owner. You can attach ID tags and medical tags to your dog’s collar so they can be identified and returned if they ever get loose.
2. 2. Ease of Use: Dog collars are also easy to put on and take off and can stay around your dog’s neck at all times.
3. 3. Greater Control: Depending on your dog’s breed and temperament, it may also be easier to train them with a collar, which offers a greater degree of control with less strength.

Before deciding on a dog collar, you may want to consider these potential drawbacks:

1. 1. Neck injuries: Collars can place undue stress on your dog’s neck, trachea, and thyroid. If your dog pulls consistently during leash walking, it could lead to severe neck injuries.
2. 2. Not suitable for all breeds: Brachycephalic breeds such as French bulldogs and pugs, who have an increased risk of respiratory problems and tracheal collapse, should never wear a choke collar or a collar that pulls at their neck.

Your dream of having a dog who understands words like “sit,” “stay,” “down,” and—crucially— “no” is just a MasterClass Annual Membership away. The only things you’ll need to train up a well-behaved pup are your laptop, a big bag of treats, and our exclusive instructional videos from superstar animal trainer Brandon McMillan.