At Bogart and Lola’s Boutique, we know how important daily walks are for your dog's health and happiness. It's that special time to bond, explore, and burn off energy, but it's also essential to ensure your walks are comfortable and safe for your furry friend. If you’re still using a collar for walks, let us share why a harness could be a much better option for both you and your dog. From enhancing your control to protecting your dog's neck and making training easier, a harness offers a variety of advantages that are hard to ignore!
1. Improved Control and Safety
When you’re out walking your dog, especially one that’s strong, excitable, or loves to pull, a harness gives you superior control compared to a collar. Because it wraps around the body and chest, a harness helps you gently guide your dog without putting pressure on their neck. This makes it easier to keep them close in crowded areas or when navigating distractions, like other dogs or squirrels. For training, this control is invaluable, allowing you to reinforce good behavior without yanking or tugging.
If you're thinking about safety, harnesses are the winner! The American Kennel Club notes that pulling on a collar can damage a dog’s trachea and neck, especially for puppies or smaller breeds. By switching to a harness, you can avoid injuries that might occur with collars when your dog gets excited on walks. You can read more about why harnesses are safer than collars in this article from the AKC.
2. Prevents Neck and Throat Injuries
Harnesses are particularly beneficial for dogs prone to respiratory issues, like brachycephalic breeds—think bulldogs and pugs (and other flat-faced cuties like Bogart and Lola!). These breeds are already at higher risk for breathing difficulties, and adding any pressure to their neck area with a collar can exacerbate the problem. A harness, on the other hand, eliminates the risk of choking or damaging the delicate structures in your dog’s neck, keeping them comfortable and injury-free.
For large breeds or high-energy dogs, the risk of neck injury from pulling is also a concern. A harness shifts the pressure away from the neck to the chest, reducing the chance of injury and providing you with a secure and comfortable way to control even the strongest pups. Here's some advice from an experienced certified dog trainer and their opinion on harnesses.
3. Helps with Training
If your dog is still learning to walk politely on a leash, a harness is a great training tool. With the leash attachment at the chest or back, you can easily steer your dog without tugging on their neck or restricting their airflow. Harnesses with front clips, in particular, help redirect your dog’s movement toward you when they try to pull, making it easier to teach loose-leash walking. And as your dog becomes more used to walking at your side, they'll associate the harness with positive behaviors, reinforcing good habits over time.
For puppies or rescue dogs that are just learning how to behave on walks, using a harness can make training smoother and more humane. It’s all about making sure your dog is safe and comfortable as they learn new skills!
4. More Comfort and Less Stress
Harnesses are designed with your dog’s comfort in mind, often with padded materials and adjustable straps for the perfect fit. They distribute pressure more evenly across your dog’s body, which reduces stress on sensitive areas like the throat and neck. Plus, most harnesses are escape-proof, which can’t always be said about collars. If you’ve ever had a dog slip out of their collar mid-walk, you know how stressful that can be!
For nervous or reactive dogs, a harness can help them feel more secure. Dogs tend to feel safer when pressure is distributed across a larger part of their body, so harnesses may help reduce anxiety during walks. And since a harness doesn’t tighten around the neck, there’s less risk of causing discomfort or irritation, making walks a much more pleasant experience for your pup.
Ready to Switch to a Harness?
Now that you know the benefits of harnesses, it's time to explore our favorites at Bogart and Lola’s Boutique! We offer harnesses designed for comfort, durability, and visibility—perfect for every kind of dog.
Our Reflective Dog Harness is ideal for those early morning or late evening walks, with its reflective design keeping your dog safe and visible in low-light conditions. For those who want a softer touch, the Safety Dog Harness offers flexibility and a snug fit to keep your furry friend feeling their best on every adventure. There are even more choices in our boutique. Get them while supplies last!
Bogart’s Take: I'm a pretty strong guy, you know. Sometimes I get too excited and hurt myself with a collar. But since my mom switched to a harness, there's no more choking or neck strain for this champ!
Lola’s Take: Harnesses not only make my walks extra comfy, but give me more options for accessorizing! I don’t have to worry about throat injuries and I look good on walks. That means extra treats for being such a good girl.
So, whether you have a tiny pug or a big, playful pup, making the switch to a harness could be the best choice for more enjoyable, safe, and stress-free walks. Visit us at Bogart and Lola’s Boutique to find the perfect harness for your next adventure!