Have you ever seen a sled dog pull a sled? And if so, have you ever taken a closer look as to HOW they are pulling the sled? They are pulling while wearing a harness. That’s right – not a collar, a harness.
Seems that most dogs nowadays are being walked and trained with collars; everyday collars, chain slip, and prong collars being the most popular.
We all know a dog can be walked on a harness, but can a dog be trained solely on a harness?
A harness actually distributes the weight around a dog’s body as it pulls, preventing the choking effect that collars can have on the more vigorous tuggers. This type of restraint is also ideal for those dogs that wheeze, snort, and cough more than other dogs – those who really shouldn’t have the additional pressure of a collar. Some breeds are also at risk for trachea problems, and truly should not have a restrictive collar used on them.
Training a dog with a harness obviously uses different training techniques than dogs trained on collars, but it can be done. Just remember that each dog’s temperament, breed, and weight differs, and thus so should their training methods and equipment. Get to know your dog. Learn how it will react to different collars and harnesses. Which will adapt to both him and you.