Collars vs. Harnesses

We’re often asked which is best for a dog - a collar or a harness. In most cases, a harness is the safest choice for walking your dog as their behaviour can be controlled more easily - the harness covers the dog's chest, shoulders, and upper back, dispersing pressure over a larger surface area which helps to prevent pulling and jumping. Harnesses don’t put all of the pressure on the dog’s neck, which is key for dogs with neck or respiratory issues.

There’s no doubt that collars are more convenient - they can just be slipped onto your dog without having to worry about straps and buckles, and they tend to take less time for your dog to get used to. They also provide a convenient place for your dog’s ID tag.

It’s definitely worth persevering with a harness though, as it not only provides more safety and security, being much harder for your dog to slip out of, but seems to cause less lead tangling too, as they connect the lead closer to the dog's body.

At best, let your dog wear both - a collar for their ID, and a harness for their lead.