Have you ever had an Apple/Mac “zombie” trying to get you to join the anti-Microsoft ranks? The dog world is just as susceptible to extreme product loyalties. Harness fans can call you an animal abuser for even considering putting a collar on your dog. Are we going too far?
Here’s a sceptical look at the pro- (and anti-) harness claims.
Apple zombies
This post is neither a comparative review of specific brand models (you can find that here), nor a guide on getting your dog used to it (you can find that here), nor does it provide fitting instructions (follow manufacturer’s guidelines).
The basic claim: Your dog will pull less on the collar because it digs uncomfortably into his neck when the dog pulls. Therefore, harnesses encourage pulling.
Let’s put it through a critical thinking lens:
The basic claim: With harnesses, the lead is often attached lower and closer to the dog’s centre of gravity (often on the dog’s back) then with a collar (on the back of the dog’s neck). Therefore, the claim goes, gravity helps the dog pull.
Let’s put it through a critical thinking lens: What makes the dog pull is his desire to move forward – preferably much faster than what the slow primate at the end of the lead has in mind – not some imperceptible difference in gravity. It’s not like you’re lifting the dog with the harness/collar. He has legs, he.
Oh, and, what of front-clip harnesses then? The point of attachment is BELOW the dog’s neck. Are the dogs then leaning even more into it?
Honestly, this one doesn’t much pass the critical thinking sniff test.
The claim: You will have seen the Facebook memes (you know, that great platform for getting reliable scientific, fact-checked information…) claiming your dog’s trachea will collapse from wearing a collar or that it could cause irreversible thyroid damage.
Let’s put it through a critical thinking lens: These claims are over-stated to say the least. Before the harness fashion, just how many dogs do you think vet clinics saw for damage to the thyroid gland or the trachea?
I asked my colleagues at the clinic and the answer was: huh?! Sure, regularly choking yourself on your collar isn’t a great idea but it’s not like dogs are being admitted to clinics for severe collar injuries the whole day long.
Pinch of salt moment here: jerking violently on the lead or having your dog on the collar in combination with a flexi lead IS dangerous and could absolutely cause severe damage. But there is quite some wiggle room between that totally irresponsible behaviour and having your dog wearing a collar.
The claim: All harnesses are more humane.
Let’s put it through a critical thinking lens:
So no, not every harness is necessarily more humane than any collar.
Honestly, I don’t mind as long as your dog doesn’t suffer from it.
A harness is great provided:
A collar is perfectly fine for a dog:
At home, we have both: we put the name tags on a thin collar and use the harness for clipping the lead.
My dog wearing his name tag collar
At the very least, I want the dog harness to have these features:
Are you pro- or anti-harness? Do you feel strongly one way or another?
What’s been your real-life experience with the collar/harness difference?
Tags: dog, dog behaviouralist, dog behaviourist, dog collar, dog harness, dog trainer, dog training, dog training school, ohmydog, the hague