For most, one of the best parts of having a dog – besides the constant, loving companionship – is taking them on their daily walks. It is not only a great way for you and your dog to get some much-needed fresh air but to also get in some easy exercise. But, if you’re using a traditional leash, that simply attaches to their collar, these walks could be causing them harm. This is because the pressure a leash place on a dog collar can hurt their throat and neck. That’s why it’s time to switch to a harness. A dog harness, unlike a leash and collar, disperses pressure over a larger area of the dog’s body, reducing the strain on their neck or back. But, knowing which type of harness is best for your dog can be a daunting and difficult task. To help you, here is a breakdown of the 4 most popular types of dog harnesses.
Back-Clip Harness
The Back-Clip harness positions the D-ring (where the leash connects/latches onto) on top. The main advantages of this harness are that there is more control over your dog than a flat collar, the D-ring placement on top keeps the leash away from your dog’s legs, preventing them from tangling in the leash during their walk, and the D-ring is placed further away from the neck, protecting it from any unnecessary pressure. The major downside to this harness is that the D-ring positioning on top can make pulling problems worse. So, if you’re dog is more inclined to pull on walks, this may not be the right harness for them. This harness works best on dogs that are already comfortable, somewhat easy walkers.
Front-Clip Harness
The Front-Clip harness has a similar design to the Black-Clip harness, but the D-ring is positioned on the chest of the dog rather than the back. This harness has an additional anti-pulling measure with an added Martingale loop on the front. The main advantages of this harness are the location of the D-ring on the chest, which prevents pulling, the ability to lay the leash on either side of the dog, giving you additional control, and an overall higher level of control than any collar could. This type of harness is best for dogs that get a little too excited on walks and tend to pull their owners along for the ride. The downsides to this harness are how easily the leash can get tangled in the dog’s legs and the ability to potentially cause bad chafing, especially it doesn’t properly fit.
Dual-Clip Harness
The Dual-Clip harness is the most flexible and versatile option on the market. It features two D-ring positions, one on the back and one on the front (chest). So, the owner has the choice to either use one ring or to use both rings at the same time. If one D-ring is used, the harness will act like either the Back-Clip or Front-Clip harness. If you choose to use both of the D-rings, you’ll have to use a double-ended leash that will allow you to successfully connect to both at the same time. The double D-ring set up gives you maximum control over your dog, though it is an adjustment to use at first. The main advantage is the versatility of this harness since it’s almost an all-in-one option. The downsides are that it is often bulkier and more expensive since you have to also have a double-ended leash as well.
Head Halter Harness
If you’re dealing with an extreme puller, this is likely the best option for you. The Head Halter harness is designed to allow you to exert the most control over your dog with the least amount of force and energy. Head Halters look similar to muzzles, but don’t be mistaken, they are not the same. This harness does not prevent your dog from being able to drink water, eat, bark, or bite. Instead, the harness being placed around their mouth prevents them from being able to pull with their whole body weight. This harness also targets a particular pressure point in your dog’s jaw that doesn’t hurt them but causes the collar to have maximum effectiveness. Some of the common downsides of this harness are that out of control dogs are at higher risk of hurting their neck, some dogs will take days or weeks to adjust to it and it could leave marks on your dog’s face if they are super pullers.
So, if you’re still using a leash and collar with your dog for walks, it may be time to reconsider. As laid out above, there are multiple advantages to each of these harness options, all of which provide more comfort for both you and your dog. We highly recommend making the transition to a harness!
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