How to Choose the Right Harness for Your Dog

Choosing the right harness for your dog is an important decision. It needs to be comfortable for your dog but also provide you the control you need in the training and re-enforcement of loose leash walking if needed or other behavioral issues. The choices can be daunting but with a little thought and consideration you can make a great choice for you and your pooch. Read below to learn about the pros and cons of the main types of harnesses.

Back-Clip Harness

On the back-clip harness, the ring that the leash clips onto is located on the top of the dog’s back. Back-clip harnesses are the most agreeable type of walking equipment for many dogs to adjust to. The harnesses are especially useful for small dogs with delicate throats easily damaged by collars. Back-clip harnesses are for calm dogs trained not to pull on the leash, as the design does little to discourage pulling. When back-clip harnesses are used with an untrained dog who likes to pull, they create a sled-pulling action, with the owner dragged along in place of the sled.

Pros:

• They are easy to put on and comfortable for a dog to wear.
• The leash doesn’t tangle under the front legs as often as with collars or front-clip harnesses.
• They protect the fragile neck area.
• The cute factor! Back-clip harnesses are widely available with decorative patterns and embellishments.

Cons:

• They offer little control if a dog has behavior issues, such as pulling on the leash, jumping up or displaying aggression.

Front-Clip Harness

Front-clip harnesses have the leash attachment in the center of the dog’s chest. Trainers often choose front-clip harnesses to lessen the dog’s pulling on the leash. The chest clip gives the owner control over the direction the dog is moving and allows for the dog to be redirected to face the owner if needed.

Pros:

• They give more control over pulling on the leash, jumping up or other poor leash manners.
• They provide directional steering, allowing for the dog to be turned around when needed.

Cons:

• Although front-clip harnesses provide more control than most traditional collars or back-clip harnesses, dogs with serious behavior issues, such as aggression, may need a walking tool offering additional control, such as a head halter.
• The leash on the front of the chest can tangle under the dog’s front legs if too much slack is given.

Tightening Harness

There are variations of the body harnesses that will tighten and add pressure if the dog pulls. The slight tightening can be uncomfortable for the pet, which causes him to lessen or stop the pulling and walk on a looser leash. The tightening harnesses can be beneficial for hindering pulling in the more determined pet. However, it’s essential to check on the type of tightening the harness causes, as some variations can cause a sharp pain when the dog pulls, which is not recommended. If you use a harness that tightens, ensure it is a gentle, non-pain-inducing pressure. Pain-inducing harnesses should be avoided because pain is associated with a host of risks, including increased aggression.

Pros:

• Most harnesses that add slight pressure to a dog when he pulls don’t cause pain, making them a valuable device for pullers.
• They are generally easy to put on a dog.

Cons:

• As with most pull-discouraging devices, the dog doesn’t necessarily learn to walk on a loose leash. Instead, they learn not to pull in that specific type of walking equipment. For this reason, a tightening harness is simply a training tool to use while you’re training your dog to walk on a loose leash. It can also be a lifelong management tool if the owner prefers to walk his dog in a harness rather than a collar.
• Some tightening harnesses can cause pain. Pain can create negative associations with the harness and surrounding elements, such as other dogs and people. 

Gentle Leader

The Gentle Leader slides over the head and muzzle. When the dog pulls, pressure is applied from the back of the neck causing the dog to pull backward instead of pulling forward. It controls the dog’s head. Whatever direction the head goes, the body must follow.

Pros:

• You get definite control of your dog on walks
• Inexpensive
• Dogs adapt to it quickly and you don’t have to be a dog trainer to get him to respond to it

Cons:

• It is a restraining device, not a training tool You will have to use it every time you walk your dog.
• Dog may go through some spastic behaviors when leaning how to wear it.