What Are the Benefits of Using a Dog Harness Over a Dog Collar?

Both the dog collar and dog harness are effective in dealing with canines, depending on the situation. For instance, the dog collar is effective in helping with training commands, such as "Come" and "Heel," for they enable you to apply slight pressure to the neck to let the animal know he hasn't obeyed your commands. However, the harness has the upper hand when it comes to training the dog not to pull on its leash when it is walking with you. In fact, the harness has the advantage in a variety of other situations as well.

  1. Works Better on Smaller Dogs

    • A dog harness is the preferred restraint for owners of smaller dogs, such as chihuahuas. According to the Clickpets website, this is because the dog lacks the neck strength to handle the collar, since it wraps around the animal's neck. Additionally, because of the diminutive size of a smaller dog's windpipe, a collar is more likely to interfere with the dog's ability to breathe.

    Greater Control During Walking

    • A harness can make walking the dog a safer, more secure experience for the walker. As the Vet Info website states, it offers the walker, rather than the canine, a greater sense of control over the dog. A dog can more easily pull on -- or even wiggle out of -- a leash on a collar. The animal is also more likely to spin around in a collar, entangling himself in the leash. In addition, the dog is more secure on a harness because of the many contact points around the dog's torso and shoulders, and also because the harness is designed so the canine faces the same direction as the owner.

    Supports Injured/Handicapped Dog

    • Harnesses provide greater support to an injured or handicapped canine than a collar. According to the Pet Zone website, it supports the dog during walking, standing or climbing stairs. You can use it to aid the animal in these activities during recover from an injury, especially when walking up the stairs. Some harnesses even facilitate the dog's walk up the stairs by allowing you to lift it from both the front and back simultaneously.

    Facilitates Movement During Sledding

    • A harness makes canine movement easier during a maneuver such as sledding. Because it has more room than a collar, it allows the dog to run and to pull a sled at the same time without creating discomfort to the animal, as the Pet Zone website points out.

    Stronger Restraint During Travel

    • A harness is preferable to a collar during travel with your dog, says the Pet Zone website. It restrains your pet, keeping it from moving around the car or jumping out. Its design allows you to connect it to your seat belt. Also, a harness cannot choke a dog during travel, even if the device catches on another object.