Posts Tagged ‘puppy care’

A Dog Harness Offers More Humane Control

Bree Rowan | June 14th, 2010

It isn’t that you will no longer need a dog leash when you buy a dog harness. You actually use it along with the leash. It seems like many dog owners are most comfortable with the leash attached to their canine’s collar. But you have probably never realized how uncomfortable a leash can be when you pull on it and it digs painfully into your dog’s throat. You could compare it to someone pulling hard on a cord tied around your own leg. You know that would not feel very good, don’t you? So consider how your dog feels when you pull on the leash around his neck. It digs uncomfortably into a tender area. And as painful as it can be, it can also be bad for your dog’s health.

A harness, on the other hand, is wrapped around your pet’s chest and front legs. It is made of either a nylon webbing or leather and is clipped between your pet’s shoulder blades. The leash is attached to the dog harness, instead of the collar, so the strain produced by pulling spreads all throughout your dog’s body instead of centering it on its throat.

When you are training your dog in desirable behavior, it has been recommended by experts and trainers to make use of the harness.

A dog harness offers a way to train your dog in a much more humane manner that is harmless to your pet. Even though it is far more gentle, you can still maintain control by tugging on the harness, saving the strain on the neck. By taking control of his center of gravity, you will yield a far more effective response. The feeling of a leash pulling at the neck tends to make most dogs resist and stand their ground. This leads to a stubborn stance and a reluctance to follow. By controlling a larger portion of his body, he has little choice but to move in the direction of your choice. This isn’t to say that it will erase any urges to be stubborn, because it can still happen. However, if he so chooses to go into the stubborn mode you will have an easier time persuading him without it becoming a battle.

The question remains whether you should still leave his collar on. And the answer is yes. Remember that your dog’s ID tag is suspended from his collar. In case of emergencies these tags, which also should have owner information on them, are crucial. So the solution is to leave the collar on and simply attach the leash to the harness.

If you’ve just picked up your family’s new furry addition and want to find out the right way to care for your puppy, then check out Puppy Pet Supplies for helpful tips and advice on puppy training, and so much more! Plus, discover the four essential puppy supplies you need to have for your puppy’s arrival!