collars vs. harness

[Cindy]

My dog slipped her collar today! It was a heart stopping moment, I just got her and we have had no obedience training yet

Anyway, I got her a harness. I have heard that harnesses may do a number on shoulder bones/muscles. On the other hand, collars can cause problems with a weak throat. My last dog had a weak throat.

I am conflicted, what do you think is better?

[davet]

I have never heard of a collar doing a number..probably so if you swungg said dog in the air ..It takes a little longer to train to a harness but they are just as good and besides if the pup takes off after a squirrel you can more safly stop him without choking said pet

[Tambrey]

We just got Ceileigh a Sporn collar and I LOVE it...she wears the regular collar all the time, and when we go for a walk, I attach the harness part of it...she controls herself with the walk and there is no pulling or dragging along...
you do not leave the extended part on, so with a hyper puppy ready to go for walkies, it takes a few minutes to get it on the first time, until she learsn tath if she sits still, she gets to go out sooner...
and BTW...the directions to say to put the attachment on, THEN thread the sherpa lining onto them...HAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAA...that is soooo funny...try to thread those things on ONCE and you will know why I laugh...I am going to SEW the darned things onto the attachment!!

http://www.finepetstuff.com/id21.html

We got ours at PetSmart for abour $20.00

[Marty]

I haven't heard that about harnesses. If you are uncomfortable with it, you might want to look into a martingale collar. They work on the principle of a choke chain, but stop when it gets too tight, and will not choke the dog. They are highly recommended for dogs whose necks are large...my Bassets will back out of a regular collar, and I know that feeling.

[k9Karen]

I use a harness with Allie because she pulls so hard when she sees something she want's to get to, or will pull out of the collar at the drop of a hat if it starts to annoy her. It's made life for both of us much easier. The others do fine with a regular collar, she's the only one who rebelled. She the deaf one, and when she doesn't want to obey, she makes sure she doesn't look at me, so I've had to be creative to try to deal with her. She's also a stubborn little Leo (see post to mamaof4soon in Kevin's Room. Daughter and dog have very similar Leo personality traits!).

[Traci]

Just read a new study that collars can be detrimental to dogs with ocular problems (glaucoma, etc)....the pressure from the collar can increase intraocular pressure, which can lead to eye damage and vision loss. (not that your dog applies, but something to think about).

Harnesses do not cause problems with shoulders or muscles, unless the harness is too tight or left on for long periods of time.

[Cindy]

Thanks again!

[momPaws]

When Honey was younger I alwys used a harness with her and it worked great- it would slow her down when we were walking and she didn't pull like she did with a collar. Like you said - no choking.