In my practice I sometimes advise dog owners to switch to a harness. But why should you switch?
- A harness spares the sensitive structures in the neck, such as cervical vertebrae, thyroid gland, larynx, nerve tracts and important blood vessels.
- With weakening in the hindquarters, pulling is desirable in some cases, with a breast collar this can be done in a safe way.
- Prevents unnecessary stress. Continuous pressure on the neck and painful stimuli causes a lot of stress, making it difficult to learn to walk on a leash, because the dog cannot concentrate.
- A harness gives the dog the feeling of walking more freely than a collar. This also makes the dog more able to “communicate” with other dogs.
- In dogs, eye pressure rises when pressure is applied to the neck. This can have major consequences for the function of the eyes. If increased, it can reduce the blood supply to the optic nerve, which can cause damage. Especially in dogs with a predisposition to eye problems, this will quickly lead to a reduced function of the eye.
Optimal fit: - No pressure on the shoulder joint.
- No pressure on the throat / larynx, so the harness must connect low at the front.
- Sufficient space behind the elbows (min. 3 fingers). Many harnesses are too short behind the elbows.
- The harness must remain stable.
- Closure at 2 points, so that no legs have to be lifted. Ideal for older dogs.
- The harness must be made of soft material and the closures must not cause pressure marks.