DOG COLLAR OR HARNESS ?
The dog and its collar. A long love story between this accessory and our four-legged friends. However, we hear more and more professionals in the field questioning its use and asking questions about its negative effects. According to these same experts, the harness would be the best solution for long walks on a leash, and the tool to be preferred for the well-being of our beloved doggies. In fact, the reality is slightly more complex.
If the dog pulls, he has to breathe...
The first question you need to ask yourself is this: Do you have a boisterous dog who regularly tries to get you up to speed, or rather a quiet walking companion who walks quietly by your side?
If you are in the first category, i.e. your dog pulls on his leash a lot, buying a harness is a good idea. Indeed, with this device, the pressure that the animal exerts while pulling will be reflected on his belly and will be much less painful than with a collar that is placed directly against his throat, risking temporarily cutting off his breathing or even injuring him. The harness, although it is heavier and bulkier than a regular collar, will be a real relief for your pet who may not express his pain but suffer in silence. On the other hand, if your dog is just doing what he wants and you are forced to pull in your turn to move him in the right direction, the harness will not hurt him, and he will quickly understand where you want to train him.
However, this system also has its own drawbacks. First of all, it is quite cumbersome and if it is not the right size or simply badly positioned, it can become uncomfortable for the user and hamper his or her good walk. Second negative point, always in the case of a badly installed equipment, it can rub on the skin of your beloved pet and cause him some lesions.
The collar is not old-fashioned
It is quite possible for certain breeds and types of dogs to use a classic collar, it is up to you to analyze the behavior of your dog in order to decide whether or not it is justified. Many dogs will feel perfectly comfortable with this little gem around their neck and will understand on their own how to act so as not to be disturbed. If they are not too excited, they will probably hardly feel it at all. In addition, the collar is very useful to hang a medallion with the dog's identification information and your contact information, in case Mr. or Mrs. wanders off in the wild.