Stop Pulling! Benefits of Using a Harness

We’ve all seen it. A dog owner desperately trying to hang on while their walking buddy decides instead to run down the street. Or worse yet, a person flying through the air when their dog suddenly bolts after a chipmunk. You’d be surprised how many injuries are reported as a result of doing something seemingly simple… walking your dog. 

Training your puppy or dog to walk on leash is an important step in helping them to become both confident and responsive to your commands. In addition to working with them on these skills, a harness can be a very helpful tool, and has several benefits over a collar.

• Puppies can sometimes get tangled up in a leash. With a harness, the leash is farther from their legs, so they are less likely to trip. 
• With a large or strong dog, a harness gives you much more control; and if your dog does pull, the pressure will be dispersed over a larger area of their body rather than directly on their neck and back.
• For escape artist dogs who are able to squirm out of a collar in seconds, a harness presents a much more secure, adjustable option to keep them safe.

There are also plenty of harness choices on the market, so you’re sure to find one that fits your dog and lifestyle. Options include nylon and mesh materials, plus special features like reflective areas, which are great for night walking, and even those that cool your dog as you stroll.

Switch It Up

Some dogs, even in a harness, will continue to pull. In this case, a simple position switch can be all that’s needed to correct the behavior. By moving the harness so that the leash attachment is on your dog’s chest, rather than between their shoulder blades. Any pulling will result in redirection, rather than movement forward. With the leash pulling from the top, your dog can continue to pull with their chest, but with the leash pulling from their chest, they’ll involuntarily pull themself back around toward you.

Try a Halter

Another option for dogs who pull on leash, or who exhibit other behavior like lunging at people or other dogs, is a harness with a head halter. In addition to fitting like a harness, it includes an extra loop which fits comfortably over your dog’s snout. By redirecting gentle pressure to your dog’s nose when they pull, this loop works to discourage the behavior. This does not hurt your dog, nor does it mean you are “muzzling” them, which some people confuse when they see the nose loop. A muzzle is a full snout cover used to keep a dog from opening their mouth, which is quite different.

Once you’ve decided on the type of harness that works best for you and for your dog, the two of you can enjoy plenty of walks together without the fear of a chipmunk or squirrel creating chaos or injury. Here’s to your next relaxing stroll!