Harnesses...........How do you choose which one.

Are all harnesses the same? and why should I buy one for my dog.

HARNESSES…………. How do you know which one to buy?

It's a minefield out there when it comes to buying a harness for your dog or puppy.

So many advertised as Training harnesses,

Stop your dog pulling harnesses,

The advertising is fantastic, and why wouldn’t you believe what they say!

They sound just what you need, right !

So many pretty matching leads too, (now don’t get me wrong, I do like a matching harness and lead, Purple is my favourite colour.

Believe me when I say that harnesses do not stop your dog from pulling, neither does a collar and lead.



So what does ?

Training, Training, TRAINING.

A harness is just a comfortable tool for your dog to wear. It keeps him safe, it helps him walk in balance and it is a positive piece of kit to use along with your training.

Even better if it has a front attachment too. Then you can use a lead with two clips. One on the back and one on the chest.

This really helps to take the pressure off the dog’s neck and you can guide him by turning your dog's body not his head.



MYTH BUSTER……Harnesses do not encourage you dog to pull either. unless you want your dog to pull for sport and then you train them to.



Don’t get me wrong, I certainly do not condone collars and leads……………..BUT how many dogs do you see pulling and choking on a collar? 

Maybe your dog does! 

Starting with a harness greatly reduces the harm that may be caused by pulling wearing a collar. Your dog is not born knowing how to walk nicely on a lead.

There has been so much research into the damage caused by a dog wearing a collar if he pulls, actually it's quite scary. Even more so with a slip lead. Even a head collar can cause injury to a dog's neck.





So once your dog or puppy has learned to walk with a loose leash, collars and leads are perfectly fine, although I still walk mine in their harnesses, you never know when they may yank on that collar.

Just to complicate things even further, some dog's find even the gentlest of harnesses punishing. So they may need to learn to walk nicely on a collar and lead.

Guess what…………..Training training training will achieve this too. All done with positive reward.



So how on earth do you know what harness to buy so you can help teach your dog and puppy loose lead walking?


  • Y shape harnesses are the best, they don’t restrict movement across the shoulders and are really comfortable for your dog or puppy to wear. 

    T touch

    true love

    harness
    perfect fit

    Some examples are “Perfect Fit- True Love, Tellington TTouch harness, there are many more out there.


  • Buying a harness that can fasten at the neck is great for floppy eared dogs such as Spaniels, These dog's can find the going over the head part really uncomfortable and spending a lot of time desensitising them to this will work wonders.


  • Any harness that works using tightening under the front legs, or around the body causes pain or discomfort are certainly not good.


My true story might help you relate.

Many years ago I had booked some driving lessons, actually 10 lessons, in the hope I would pass my test.

The first lesson was OK, I was nervous and I didn’t have a clue about driving a car. The instructor was very patient and explained as we went along. I thought I did well. I was looking forward to next week.

The second lesson I got told off for making an error, something we had gone over the week before. I had forgotten. That felt like a real blow.

The third lesson I was too scared to learn, in case I made another mistake, and guess what, I made plenty and again told off. Now I wasn’t slapped or anything like that, just verbally told off.

The fourth lesson filled me with dread and I really did not want to go.

Even though I had paid for 10 lessons,

I quit.



How do you think I felt about the next lot of driving lessons I needed to book?

I gave myself a good talking to. Found a new instructor that was really lovely. Helped me in a positive way, did not cause me any pain or discomfort, and really praised me when I got things right, and laughed when I got them wrong.

I had a fantastic relationship with him, and looked forward to my lessons.

And yes I passed my test, the first time. 




Not quite the same as your dog wearing a harness that causes pain or discomfort. Every time he makes a mistake ( pulling) it hurts or is uncomfortable.

Will he look forward to his next lesson ?

Is he/she only walking without pulling because it is painful or uncomfortable when they do?

Why would you want to cause your dog or puppy pain or discomfort ?

You wouldn't.

It may seem that the harness works fine, but this is just a quick fix.

What do you think may happen when you don’t use that particular harness?

Do you think they will walk nicely ? 

Have they actually learned to walk nicely ?


If you think about it, your dog is only walking nicely because otherwise it hurts or is really uncomfortable :(

Another big ask………..

What do you think your relationship will be like with your dog or puppy.

I know what mine was with my first driving instructor.


Categories: Dog Training, Puppies, Romanian Rescue