Cons:
Non-padded harnesses can be bad for short coated dogs
If you have a dog with a very short coat such as a Pitbull or Doberman, having a harness with bare nylon straps could lead to chafing. For dogs with thin fur you always want to make sure that the straps behind the dog’s front legs are soft and padded.
All dogs – regardless of breed – tend to have slightly thinner hair behind their front legs (in their doggy armpit, so to speak). For dogs with a long and lush coat this will not make a difference in choosing a harness, but for short-coated dogs the wrong harness can easily lead to raw spots. Regularly check the fit of your dog’s harness and make sure it is comfortable for your dog, especially if you are planning on having him wear it for longer walks or hikes.
I recently worked with someone who said they didnt want to use a harness on their dog after their initial experience using a harness; I had asked why, and they mentioned that the harness had rubbed the dogs hair off on his shoulders. The harness was a very poorly fitted Easy Walk harness, and did cause hair loss where it was rubbing. However, this is not a problem with ALL harnesses, it was an issue with the type of harness, harness fit, and how they were using the harness, pulling on the dog while on walks which added to the irritation the harness was causing. However, this is a very clear example of everything discussed in this blog. Not all harnesses are created equal, and you want to be careful when choosing the equipment you use with your dog!
Sense-ation harness: This harness is definitely a step up from the easy walk harness but still not ideal. It doesnt have the additional martingale loop like the easy walk, which keeps it from loosening quite as much and makes it easier to fit properly. Like the Easy Walk the sense-ation harness sits across the dogs shoulder blades which can impede movement.
Those of you who have worked with me or poked around my website know that I am pretty consistent in recommending harnesses for dogs. Whereas harnesses used to be looked at as additional equipment to use if your dog couldnt walk on a flat collar, harnesses are now considered the new norm for leash walking by many trainers. I like harnesses because they prevent damage from being done to the dogs throat; many experts now are saying to avoid attaching the leash to equipment around dogs throats because they can damage the thyroid, esophagus, and trachea, and throw the dogs physical alignment off. Even if your dog walks politely on leash if they are startled they may pull forward, and its natural human reaction to pull when we ourselves are startled, so it saves the dog from an accidental collar correction due to handler error.
This does not necessarily mean that all harnesses are created equal; some harnesses are designed for small dogs, some for larger dogs, and some simply arent designed well at all. When I am looking for a harness for a dog the most important thing after correct sizing that I look for is that the straps of the harness sit far away from the dogs joints. If the straps sit on or too close to the dogs shoulders it can impede movement which at best will be uncomfortable for your dog and at worst could cause future injury and keep young dogs from developing properly. See the photo below of Phoebe in her balance harness; the straps are sitting far and away from the shoulders.
If you have a particularly strong dog you want to make sure that the harness has both a front and back leash attachment, and may want to consider purchasing a double ended leash such as this one. Please remember, no piece of equipment (including prong, choke, and shock collars, which I do not recommend anyway) alone can teach your dog how to walk politely. If you dont teach the dog the skill first you will always be relying on that particular piece of equipment.
Dog Harness vs. Collars | Ultimate Pet Nutrition – Dog Health Tips
If you’re debating harness vs collar or both and want to know if dog harnesses are safe or if it is safe to leave a harness on a dog all the time, this guide is here to help.
Dog harnesses are designed to allow less pull on the neck when being led on a leash and to distribute the weight of the pull more evenly around your dog’s chest and shoulders. When choosing a harness, as well as choosing the right style, it’s important to think about its safety, durability and comfort to make sure you get the best harness for your dog.
While your pet is able to wear a harness all day as long as it is the right fit and comfortable, this is not advisable for a number of reasons. Read on to find out the pros and cons of harnesses, how long your dog should wear one and more safety tips.