When To Use A Harness And How To Pick One

A dog harness can make your dog’s walks comfortable and safe.

But you need to choose one that suits them.

Because there are multiple overwhelming options out there, we help you learn more about the different types of dog harnesses, their benefits, and when to use each one.

Benefits

Before we get to the types, here’s how they help:

1. Less stress on the neck: Collars can put pressure on your dog's neck and possibly hurt it. Harnesses, on the other hand, spread the force of the leash across the chest and body, making it less likely that your dog will damage their trachea or have other neck problems.
2. Control: With a harness, you get more control. Especially if your dog pulls or lunges a lot. This is helpful in crowds. The leash attachment points let you redirect your dog's movement better.
3. Better safety: Harnesses are made to be more secure than collars, so your dog is less likely to slip out and run into danger.
4. Good fit: A good harness should fit your dog well so it’s comfortable and doesn’t rub or chafe.

Types

1. Back-Clip Harnesses

Back-clip harnesses have a leash attachment point on the dog's back – usually between shoulder blades.

Use:

• Well-trained dogs who don't pull on the leash
• Casual walks or hikes
• Dogs with respiratory issues

With these, you get more control but if your dog likes to pull, the leash attachment point on a back-clip harness might make them pull even more.

2. Front-Clip Harnesses

Front-clip harnesses – or no-pull harnesses – have a leash attachment point on the dog's chest. When your dog pulls, the harness gently redirects their movement. This discourages the pulling behavior.

Use:

• Dogs pulling or lunging
• Training purposes (teaching loose-leash walking)
• Owners who need more control over their dog

These harnesses are great for bigger or stronger dogs that might be hard to control with a regular collar or back-clip harness.

3. Dual-Clip Harnesses

Dual-clip harnesses bring you the best of both worlds. They give you leash attachment points on the chest and back.

Use:

• Dogs in training (using the front clip for loose-leash walking and the back clip for casual walks)
• Owners who want the flexibility to switch between different walking styles

These provide excellent control and can be adjusted based on your dog's behavior and the walking situation.

4. Step-In Harnesses

Step in dog harness is self-explanatorily designed for dogs to step into it, rather than having them put over the head.

Use:

• Less cooperative dogs
• Smaller or toy breed dogs
• Owners who find it easier to put the harness on from the side

These may come with either back or front clips, depending on your needs.

Turpit’s Adjustable Big Dog Harness is made from top quality fabric and intuitive straps. It’s designed in a way to avoid undue pressure on your dog’s back or neck so they can move freely.

5. Vest Harnesses

Vest harnesses or body harnesses give you more coverage and support than traditional strap harnesses.

Use:

• Service or working dogs
• Dogs with mobility issues or disabilities
• Outdoor activities like hiking or camping

These fit securely and can come with extras like reflective strips, pockets, or handles to make them easier to control and see.

6. Car Safety Harnesses

Car safety harnesses are meant specially for use in vehicles. They usually have a loop or attachment point that connects to the car's seatbelt system. This is to protect them from emergency braking.

Use:

• Dogs that travel frequently in cars
• Owners who want to secure their dogs during car rides

These should be used along with a regular walking harness or collar when outside the vehicle.

Picking the Best One

Now comes the question, how do you decide on which one you need?

You can settle on one based on your dog’s:

• size and breed (measure as per your dog’s chest and neck circumference and body type)

• activity levels (look for durable options if your dog is highly active in outdoor activities like hiking/running)

• behavior (figure out if your dog has a tendency to pull/lunge or not)

• comfort (look for options with padded chest and belly panels)

Tip: there should be enough wiggle room so as to not be too restrictive and easy to use but still snug enough. Read the manufacturer’s size guidelines before you make a choice.

Parting Thoughts

For you to enjoy fun and safe walks with your dog, they need to be well-trained. But they also need to be comfortable. So which harness you end up selecting holds much weight. If you’re unsure, you can always get recommendations from a professional dog trainer or the vet who can advise you after meeting your pup.

Always put your dog's comfort and safety first, and don’t be afraid to try out different types of harnesses until you find the right one. Happy walking!