A majority of vets recommend the use of a harness instead of a collar: here’s why
If you are reading this article, there is a pretty good chance that you either have a dog or are planning on adopting one. So after reading the title you might ask yourself ‘Is there even a difference between a collar and a dog harness?’. The answer to that question is a quick and resounding ‘yes’. A harness might make the difference between serious harm and mild discomfort if a dog gets it (or the leash connected to it) stuck on something. The design of a harness distributes the force that is put upon your dog when a leash is tight more evenly. This meant that if your dog is stuck it does not get a huge shock right in the neck but a smaller one across its entire torso. Not only is this less force per square meter it also brings force upon a body part that is better designed to absorb it, so the fragile neck of your dog is protected. Don’t you feel better about going on walks already?
Better safe than sorry: why you should clean a harness regularly
Some people clean dog collars, harnesses and leashes every so often. Others clean them every day or maybe not at all. Well, there is a reason that cleaning your dog collar and especially a harness is important. A wet or very dirty harness can cause some serious skin irritations that can even cause infections because it rubs the skin raw and the fabric contains a lot of bacteria. So in order to minimise the chance of that happening, you might want to take of the harness as your as you and your dog have finished your walk. When you have removed the harness either hang it up to dry if it is wet of clean it and then dry it if it is dirty. Simple things like this make the wearing of a harness or collar a lot more comfortable for your best friend.
When should I switch to a harness immediately?
In some cases, your dog can have visible issues from wearing a collar. If your dog tends to lick its paws very often and even when they are not dirty there is a chance the collar has damaged the nerves in its front legs. It is important you switch to a harness immediately and check if the licking is lessened. Another issue is damage to the neck, this mainly occurs if your dog is very strong and/or heavy. But why fix what can be avoided entirely? Just switch to a harness right now!