In an ideal world, our dogs would walk nicely next to us and ignore all distractions to trot merrily by our sides. If this were the case, walking your dog with a plain leash and collar would probably suffice.
However, the reality is that the world is full of distractions and even the most well-trained dogs pull on the leash from time to time.
When we use walking set ups that connect directly to our dogs’ neck and attempt to pull them along, we are unintentionally causing great discomfort and potential injury to our dogs.
“But aren’t harnesses made for pulling?”
Historically speaking, yes. However, harnesses, like all other manmade tools, are constantly being modified and updated for different use case scenarios.
Today, many harnesses are specifically designed to discourage pulling and instead allow the owner to have better control in a pulling scenario without risking injury to their dog.
Regardless of what walking gear you choose, loose leash walking is a skill that must be taught, practiced, and consistently reinforced. No harness or any other tool will replace the need for training this crucial life skill.
This article will discuss five reasons why harnesses are the safest tool for walking your dog- reactive or not!
#1: Harnesses protect your dog from painful neck injuries
Just like our necks, dog necks are very sensitive, full of delicate nerves, muscles, and soft tissue. When a human tugs at the leash, our dogs experience acute pressure on their necks, which can cause them to pull even harder to escape the physical pain.
This can create a very frustrating and dangerous situation as the owner pulls harder on the dog’s sensitive neck, escalating the pain and causing the dog to thrash and panic.
Misinformed and uneducated dog “professionals” often recommend sharply yanking or jerking a dog’s head upward or sideways, known as a “leash correction” or “leash pop” to curb unwanted behaviors.
Because these movements cause the dog intense pain, many dogs do temporarily yield and stop the unwanted behavior to escape the pain.
These unethical trainers then declare their method “effective” and simply instruct the owner to increase intensity if their dog chooses to resist.
However, this does not in any way teach the dog the correct way to behave on walks, it only creates a very negative and painful experience for your dog. For reactive dogs in particular, leash corrections only serve to make the situation worse.
It’s neurologically impossible for your dog’s brain to learn a new skill while they are fearful or in pain.
Teaching your dog the skill of loose leash walking is a gradual process that begins off leash using positive reinforcement and structured behavioral shaping.
When working with reactive dogs, we have the unique challenge of teaching them loose leash walking skills in addition to coping skills to help deal with triggering situations.
Giving your dog whiplash and neck injuries with “leash pops” because you didn’t take the time to train properly, is cruel and unethical.
If you have been misinformed by a trusted professional, know that you are not alone. My knowledge on this topic is from personal experience after having been led astray by a “trusted professional” and unintentionally injuring my own dog with these methods.
Please don’t beat yourself up, but it is imperative you cease any sort of neck injuring “leash corrections” immediately.
#2: Harnesses keep your dog’s airways clear.
Neck squeezing tools such as slip leads, choke chains, prong collars, flat collars, and martingale collars, apply acute pressure to our dogs’ airway when they pull on the leash.
This pressure makes it very difficult for the dog to breathe and reduces the amount of oxygen flow to the dog’s brain and body.
Dog brains, just like human brains, need a steady flow of oxygen to function properly.
If a dog can’t think straight due to lack of oxygen, they will not be able to respond to any cues or directions from the human. This is especially important to note if you have a reactive dog. Cutting off a reactive dog's oxygen supply will only increase the dog's stress response.
Often when a dog pulls during walks, it is because of excitement, or distress (reactivity). Both cause a spike in adrenaline and cortisol within the dog’s bloodstream as the fight or flight response is triggered.
When we reduce a dog’s oxygen by using neck squeezing tools, we inadvertently escalate the situation and push the dog’s sympathetic nervous system deeper into the fight or flight response.
All reactivity training relies on your dog being able to tune into your cues and make a conscious decision to respond. When your dog's brain is pushed into fight or flight mode because of lack of oxygen, they are physically incapable of decision making and can only react on instinct.
By using a properly fitting harness instead of a collar, we keep our dog’s airways clear and allow proper flow of oxygen throughout our dog’s body. With a healthy flow of oxygen to the brain, reactive dogs stand a much better chance of responding to the handler's cues.
Using a harness prevents panic and escalation when our dog is experiencing an exciting or upsetting distraction while out on a walk.
#3 Harnesses prevent tracheal collapse.
If a dog consistently pulls while wearing a traditional flat collar or other neck product, this can cause the trachea to collapse.
The trachea is a sensitive tubelike structure made up of soft cartilage located within the dog’s throat and connects directly to the lungs.
Repeated pressure on the trachea causes the soft cartilage to collapse and restricts the dog’s airway.
Symptoms of tracheal collapse include a honking cough, coughing when picked up or when collar is pulled, wheezing, and vomiting or gagging triggered by coughing.
Smaller breeds are especially suspectable to tracheal collapse, as their delicate physical structure cannot tolerate any sort of rough handling.
However, the trachea is a delicate structure and any dog of any breed or size can suffer this injury.
Tracheal collapse is a deteriorating condition that worsens over time and needs immediate medical treatment. In some cases, surgery may be necessary and lifelong medication required.
Prevent the risk of tracheal collapse by using a well- fitting harness instead of a collar to walk your dog.
A collars only real use is to look cute and hold tags, it’s not safe or appropriate for walking gear for dogs that pull.
#4 Harnesses provide better control.
A well fitted harness and proper, consistent loose leash training can provide the owner with better control of a rowdy or reactive pup.
Choose a harness with both a front and back clip. For relaxed snuffle walks on a long line, use the back clip to allow your dog more freedom of movement. If you need more control or your dog is struggling with pulling, switch to the front clip.
When a dog pulls while attached with the front clip, you can guide them back towards you instead of being dragged along behind them.
A harness should fit your dog’s body snuggly, with no room to wriggle out or loose enough to cause chaffing. A general rule when fitting a harness ( or collar ) on your dog is that you should be able to fit two fingers beneath the strap.
A good walking harness should fit snuggly and allow full freedom of movement. Many dogs need time to adjust to moving in a new harness, so be sure to slowly introduce the harness and reinforce with praise and treats.
Reactive dogs are often very sensitive in general, so be sure to allow your dog time to adjust to a new harness before going out on a walk.
My favorite type of walking harness is the 2 Hounds Freedom No Pull Harness set that includes a special double connection leash. This harness uses a double connection of both front clip and back clip simultaneously.
This allows you two points of connection to gracefully guide your dog back towards you in a smooth, arcing movement. This type of harness also tightens evenly around the dog’s body to help discourage pulling.
This smart design allows the owner to quickly get control of an excited or reactive pup in a safe and humane way.
The convertible Euro Leash, included in the set, is adjustable so you can lengthen or shorten the leash depending on the situation. If you have a reactive dog, this harness is a must have.
Available in two stunning jewel tones, this harness set is available for purchase in our online shop.
#5 Harnesses prevent escape.
As previously mentioned, dogs often pull during walks because of excitement, distress, or arousal. These emotions trigger the dog’s fight or flight response.
Overcome with adrenaline, many dogs will frantically flail and wriggle out of their collars. Even a snug collar can be escaped if a dog is sufficiently terrified.
Every year, thousands of pets slip their collars and go missing, many to never return home again. A well fitted harness attaches snugly across the belly and the chest, making escape nearly impossible.
While it is possible for harnesses to break or tear, a well-made, properly fitting harness should hold steady against any wild escape attempts.
Be sure to regularly check your harnesses and leashes for any signs of damage to prevent potential escapes.
Despite their prevalence, collars and other neck products are not the safest or most humane walking tools available. If you have a dog struggling with reactivity, ditch the neck squeezing products and purchase a well fitting, double clip harness.
Untold numbers of dogs have been severely and permanently injured by these products. Keep your pup healthy and safe by switching to a well-fitting, front and back clip harness. Next week I will share some more of my top favorite harnesses, head collars, and walking set ups, including set ups that are best for reactive dogs. Like and share friends!
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