The Advantages of Having a Dog Harness
Some dogs get so excited about going out on a walk that they love pulling on the leash. That’s why a dog harness is a great little tool pet owners can use to deal with dogs who pull! It is recommended in getting a dog harness. It gives the owner control during their walks and doesn’t harm the pup. What could be better? Your dog may need more than just a simple collar and leash to wear for a walk or an outing. They may need to use a harness as well. A harness helps with control and safety issues.
What Is a Dog Harness?
A dog harness is a contraption, usually made of cloth, that goes around a dog’s torso and has a clasp at the front, on their chest. There’s a ring on the back of the dog harness where you can attach a leash, just as if it were a collar.
Dog harnesses are extremely useful. They are also known as a body harness. Dog breeds that are very large and muscular, especially, benefit from wearing one. If they’re not leash-trained yet, wearing a harness gives more control to the owner when they take their dog walking and makes sure they can’t hurt them accidentally.
Harnesses release the pressure the collar puts the dog under, and so reduces the chances of getting trachea problems. Even small, designer dogs can benefit from wearing it. Police dogs, German Shepherd dogs, American Pit Bull terrier dogs, and Saint Bernards are just some of the dogs for example that wear a harness. Even smaller breeds benefit from harnesses. Dogs that get excited and pull on their leashes and constantly need to be yanked by their collars can develop serious trachea problems.
Small dogs are among the ones who need dog harnesses the most. Their frail necks can become seriously injured if they’re being yanked by the leash. To avoid any nasty neck and back problems, harnesses are perfect for dogs who are small but have big personalities. Breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs, Pekingese, Chihuahuas, toy Poodles and miniature Yorkshire terriers are often suited to harnesses as their necks are so delicate that too much pressure from a collar can easily compress their airways.
Types of Harness for Dogs
There’s a wide variety of harnesses out there, but they all have one purpose: to keep you and your puppy safe and comfortable during your walks. Dog harnesses are made in different styles designed for whatever the individual dog’s needs may be. Some are simple straps. Others have more material covering a larger area of their back or chest. There are also different styles with alternate attachment points for the leash than the traditional body harness has.
One kind of harness is the one that clasps on the back. This is the most sold model and ideal for small dogs with back and trachea issues.
Another kind is the one that hugs the entire chest. Vets recommend this dog harness for athletic and large breeds of dogs. Yet another option is the no-pull harness. It tightens just enough when your dog pulls to let them know this behaviour is not a-okay.
How to Put On a Dog Harness?
The most common model of dog harnesses is the back-clasp one. To put it on, lay the harness on the floor (open), put your puppy’s paws through the hoops, grab the harness by the two clasp pieces and buckle it up. Don’t forget to adjust the fabric strips to fit your dog comfortably. Some dogs won’t want to have a harness. Use treats and positive reinforcement when putting on the harness to distract them. You can also use the whistling technique to train them to stay quiet while you put on their dog harness.
Harness Sizes
The most important thing when it comes to harnesses is size. Measure your dog’s ribcage and make sure you only look at harnesses that will fit him like a glove. A too-tight harness will hurt your dog and cut off circulation, while a too-loose harness will let your pup wiggle out of it and potentially run away.
If your dog pulls on his leash a lot, a harness with a front leash attachment is recommended. If your dog has a short coat of skin irritation problems, choose a harness with padding. But one thing all owners should check is if the stitch work on the harness looks durable or flimsy, always choose high-quality stitching.
Dog Training
A dog harness is very useful when training a dog to walk on the leash and doing obedience training. It gives you a lot more control than collars do, while not hurting your puppy (unlike the popular choke collars and shock collars). This is why so many professional dog walkers put the pups on a harness: because it makes them easier to control, especially when they have five or more dogs to take care of.
Although dogs can be trained to follow the rules of good behaviour when on a leash, wearing a harness gives you more control when training your dog. Dogs are creatures of habit, and bad habits once formed, can be difficult to reverse. Some dogs dislike any kind of collar or restraint. If a harness is fitted properly and is the right size and style for the dog, it is more difficult to wriggle out of than a simple collar might be. There are safety reasons for using a seatbelt for a dog riding in a car or truck. A harness is an easy way to attach the seat belt to the dog to keep them safe while you drive. In case of an accident, the dog will be held securely in place.
It is a good idea to remove the harness after an outing. Constant wear may be annoying to the dog. It can also rub the fur, irritate their skin on areas that the harness rubs and matt the fur.
Finally…
Harnesses with handles have advantages over those that don’t have handles. If you’re walking your dog on the street and for some reason want or need them to stay close to you, you can hold their vest by its handle.
Doing so is much better than yanking at their leash and collar since it doesn’t choke your beloved pet. It holds them back by their chest, not their neck.
Having control of your dog on walks is essential for a happy dog and a happy owner, and the right type of walking equipment can help. Taking the dog for a walk has countless benefits both for the dog and for its owner. Dog walking relieves stress; it is a great form of exercise and promotes an overall healthier lifestyle. Body harnesses are a great tool because of the comfort they afford the dog and the ease with which most dogs adjust to them.
Harnesses are great. Unlike collars, dog harnesses let your dog move more freely without getting choked by a collar. But this free movement is all up to you. The best thing about harnesses is that they give you the control during your walks together which means security and safety.
