How to choose a dog collar or harness

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I have been caring for your pets for more than twenty five years as a Zoo Keeper, an Animal Services Officer, Veterinary Technician and a professional pet sitter with an Associate of Science degree in Animal Science.

Pet owners often use a collar for the purpose of restraining their dog or cat such as when walking. Collars should not be used for restraint. Your dog or cat can easily escape from a standard collar and martingale and pinch collars can cause injury. Pinch and Martingale Collars  should be used only by trained professionals and standard collars should only be used for the purpose of  attaching your pet’s identification. A harness is the proper tool for restraining your dog or cat and attaching a leash. You should avoid step in and expandable mesh harnesses. The expandable material in the mesh harnesses can  not hold your dog securely and the step in harnesses are difficult to fit properly. An H style harness is usually the best option. Remember it needs to fit tightly to work properly. Think your dog is so well trained you don’t need to keep them on a leash?

If you desire a harness with greater control look for one with the leash attachment in the front rather than on the top. An excellent example is the Freedom no pull harness from Wiggles Wags and Whiskers.  I am not affiliated with the company and have never received any compensation from them.

Choose the appropriate size harness for your dog or cat by measuring the circumference from around the belly to the top of the shoulder and adding five percent. You can do this easily with a flexible tape measure. NEVER leave your pet on a tie out without being supervised.

What’s your favorite harness!?

19 thoughts on “How to choose a dog collar or harness”

  8. Have had comments about trouble with rss. Checked with my computer advisor and he says it’s Ok. If you have any suggestions as to how the process can be improved I’m all ears. Please let me know your suggestions.

  11. Gentle Leaders work through two principles: leverage and repression. They don’t TEACH anything – learning theory is based off of consequences, both good and bad. Gentle Leaders do not provide consequences; they provide enough torque in the handler’s arm to PHYSICALLY FORCE the dog into a specific position.

  12. House training Beagle

    I own a head halter but I haven’t used it in years. The male dog I put it on was extremely upset about it to the point of becoming frantic, I could not distract him with food, so I took it off. I guess some would say I gave in, and I would do it again. The next day he was very painful and had trouble eating. Not too much later I witnessed an obedience class being offered by a large chain pet supply store. A young German Shepherd bitch wearing a head halti was frantically throwing herself around on the floor fighting the halti and screaming. The instructer ignored her behavior, I told them to stop, that she would get hurt. I was asked to leave. I know that there are many dogs that quietly accept these halters. But they need to used with caution and there should be warnings of the possibilty of injury both mental and physical.

  13. Head halters such as the “Gentle Leader” are training tools and should only be used by trained professionals in a controlled environment.
    The reason that the “Gentle Leader” or other similar halter type device does not substitute for a harness is that the harness and the halter are designed for two different purposes. While the halter is designed to move the head of your pet in the direction you want them to go, it is a training tool and should not be used outside a controlled environment and by a trained professional since it may cause injury or allow your pet to escape should it become frantic. The harness is specifically designed to restrain your pet safely while keeping it from escaping or being injured. If you like a harness that will give you greater control look for one with the leash attachment in the front of the harness as opposed to one with attachment on the top. here is one I recommend. https://freedomnopullharness.com/

  17. Great article. I have often wondered which was better the leash or harness. What do you think of those that cover the dogs mouths. I really get sad when I see those on dogs, but I once read it is a good training tool, as it is similar to what a Mother dog’s training is like?

  18. The device to which you refer is a halter. They are training tools as you mentioned, but should only be used by an experienced trainer as they have the potential to cause injury if not used properly.

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