Why Pet Harnesses Are (Usually) Better Than Collars

You love your fur baby, so you don’t want to risk potential injury with a collar. But you also need them to behave on walks and in public. We feel the same way about our four-legged family members, and we understand how confusing the harness vs. collar dilemma can be.

We dove deep into the world of harnesses and collars to help you understand the nuances, discover top product picks, and protect your furry pal.

A lot of dog owners don’t even realize that not all pet harnesses are created equal. Understanding the two main types of harnesses will help you choose the right one for you and your furry friend.

The body harness was first developed for working dogs who pulled heavy loads. It’s designed to evenly distribute pressure from a leash throughout a dog’s body, making it more comfortable for the dog to pull.¹

Small dogs, cats, and puppies whose fragile necks and spines could easily be hurt by a sudden sharp pull on a leash are prime candidates for body harnesses. These harnesses are also great for older arthritic dogs who need help standing up—a body harness won’t force too much pressure on any one spot.

A body harness with a chest plate is also our first pick for use as a car restraint, as it can evenly distribute the force of impact from a crash. Additionally, body harnesses can help level the playing field for owners of large, unwieldy dogs. In uncertain situations, body harnesses can shift your point of contact with the dog to its center mass, making it easier for you to direct them.

Body harnesses may be uncomfortable for dogs with certain skin conditions that make their coats more sensitive.² Additionally, if you have a dog that likes to drag you down the street on walks, a body harness may make the problem worse. Yes, it gives you more control, but it also makes it easier for them to pull you along. This is where a front-clip harness comes in to play.

A front-clip harness for dogs is designed much like a body harness, but it may fit slightly differently, because it has a leash clip on the chest plate of the dog harness as well as a leash attachment at the back. The horizontal straps on front-clip harnesses often partially restrict movement of the shoulders.

Front-clip harnesses are a good training tool if your large dog’s excitement causes them to leash-walk you more than the other way around. Huge, hyper yellow labs, we’re looking at you. A front-clip harness has a chest-centered leash anchor point to direct your dog. This means that every time your dog pulls, their forward momentum turns into rotational energy. In other words, it makes them turn to the side and it slows them down. They quickly learn that pulling results in turning a direction they didn’t want to go.

A front-clip harness is intended for use as a training tool, not a long-term solution. If your dog has learned not to pull and complies with a body harness, a front harness might actually be harmful to them.

Because most front-clip harnesses fit around your dog’s shoulders rather than their neck, using one for an extended period of time can actually interfere with and permanently alter your dog’s natural walking gait.²

Keep in mind that most dual-function harnesses (like the Ruffwear Front Range Harness) are designed to allow freer shoulder movement. This may slightly reduce their training effectiveness, but it makes them more appropriate for long-term use.

In most cases, a dog harness is the safest choice for walking your pet on a leash, controlling behavior in public, and riding in the car. But a collar can also be appropriate under certain circumstances.

Most experts strongly discourage the use of choke collars, prong collars, and shock collars.³ A plain nylon or leather collar is the safest, most humane choice for your pet. Remember that the bigger your pup is, the wider their dog collar should be.

For safety reasons, it’s important for your pet to always wear ID tags, even at home. But collars are usually a more comfortable option than harnesses when your pup is just hanging out around the house. Collars are also less likely to get caught on kennels and other objects, making them a safer choice when a dog must be left alone.

It’s not uncommon for pets to be wary of new gear. Here are a few tips to teach your dog to get along with a new harness.

1. Test out the harness before its public debut. Help your pup try on the new harness before heading outdoors to ensure a proper, comfortable fit.
2. Associate the dog harness with treats or play. During training time, put treats or toys on or near the harness to help your puppy make positive associations with the new harness (just don’t lead your dog to believe it’s a new chew toy).
3. Feed treats through the harness. This one is sneaky. Hold up the dog harness with a treat on the other side of the neck hole so your dog has lean through the neck hole to eat the treat. You can also place a toy on the other side of the neck hole. 
4. Reward touch points. If your pet is sensitive to touch, gently touch the areas of their body where the harness will touch, and reward them with treats or play.
5. Practice touching with the harness. Once your pet is comfortable with being touched by hand, use the harness to touch different places on the dog’s body, and reward them with play or treats after each touch. 
6. Put the harness on for meals and playtime. Once your dog is comfortable with the harness, fasten it on before dinner and playtime. You can take it off afterward. This routine teaches them that wearing the harness leads to good things, mentally preparing them for its use during walks and car rides. Continue rewarding them with praise, treats, or play every time they don the harness.

• Best Outdoor Safety Gear for Dogs
• The Best Pet GPS Trackers and Collars
• Best Pet-Friendly Home Security System
• Best Car Safety Products for Pets
• Best Pet Harnesses
• Best Pet Gates

1. Simpawtico Dog Training, “Choosing a Dog Harness–Best Ones and How to Use”
2. Pet MD, “Surprising Dog Harness Dangers to Avoid” 
3. American Kennel Club, “10 Unexpected Ways You Could Be Hurting Your Pet”, PETA.org, “What are the Dangers of Using Choke and Prong Collars?”, “Prong and Shock Collars and Electric (‘Invisible’) Fences”, American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, “AVSAB Position Statement: The Use of Punishment for Behavior Modification in Animals”
4. Pet MD, “Why Flat-Faced Breeds Need Dog Harnesses Instead of Collars”