I'm a Vet and I Would Never...Walk My Dog With a Collar (As Opposed To a Harness)

My dog is excited about any outing, whether it's a leisurely walk or a visit to the pet supply store. But no matter the destination, my dog is always secured to a harness whenever we leave the house. 

My dog still wears a collar that holds his rabies and identification tags at all times. Despite this, I’ll always prefer to attach his leash to his harness when it’s time to head out, not his neck collar. 

Free virtual dental health check

Snap a pic of your pup’s teeth, and GREENIES™ will help you spot potential signs of oral health issues. 

Try It Out

Why I would never walk my dog on a collar instead of a harness

I will always opt to walk my dog with a harness. In my opinion, a harness is a safer and more comfortable option for both the leash leader and the follower. Here’s why this option gives this vet a little more peace of mind: 

Better control

Although my dog is older and generally well-behaved, he’s not above bolting toward something he wants to investigate, even if it’s not along the intended path. He’s small but mighty, so a sudden tug can pull us both in the wrong direction. A harness gives me more control over my dog’s movements, making it easier for us to stay on track and for my dog to stay out of trouble. 

More secure

If a dog is being held back by a collar or harness, they may try to pull a Houdini and get out of their restraints. A dog is less likely to wriggle out of a harness that’s not an exact fit than a neck collar that’s a teeny bit loose. If you have a dog that’s kind of between sizes, a harness provides more security. Of course, you should focus on finding properly fitting items for your dog, but as anyone who has shopped for their own clothes knows, sizing can vary tremendously between brands and items. 

Reduced health risks

If a dog has a tendency to pull or try to lead the pack and is walked by a collar, the pressure on their neck can cause trauma to their airway. Constant or abrupt pressure on the neck can be traumatic for the neck and trachea (windpipe). I’ve actually treated a puppy that sustained a choking injury from aggressively pulling on their neck collar. Additionally, pulling on a neck collar can exacerbate any pre-existing neck pain, so dogs with a history of muscle injury or intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) in the neck can experience unnecessary pain or worsening of their condition. 

Greater comfort

Many dogs are happy to wear whatever gear their parents put on them, as long as they get to go for a walk. But in my opinion, pressure on the chest is far more comfortable than pressure on the neck.

Could I be convinced to walk my dog on a collar instead of a harness?

Would I ever attach my dog’s leash to his collar instead of a harness? In a pinch, sure. I have walked my dog by the collar when the distance is short and we’re in a hurry. My dog is not used to having  any pressure on his neck, and I can sense his discomfort with being walked that way, so I don’t make it a habit.

If I were to ever adopt a dog that insisted on staying by my side and maintaining my pace no matter what, I’d consider it. But my pup likes to explore at his own pace, so unless that changes, we’re sticking to a harness.

Am I secretly judging you if you’re walking your dog by its collar?

No, but I worry about you or your dog getting hurt if they’re unruly while on the leash. Large, impulsive dogs coupled with a person who can’t fully control the dog’s movements can be a recipe for accidents. Poorly controlled dogs can pull a person down, quickly ingest something that’s off limits, or approach potentially unfriendly animals. 

If your dog has shown any form of aggression (even if it's limited to specific dogs or people), you should take every precaution possible to avoid incidents. This includes making sure you have as much control over your dog’s movements as possible. 

What do I suggest if you prefer to walk your dog on a collar?

If you choose to walk your dog on a collar, I would still focus on safety and comfort by keeping some of these things in mind:

Make sure the collar fits properly

A neck collar should be snug but still loose enough for you to fit two fingers underneath. If you can’t fit two fingers underneath (or if you have to struggle to do it), the collar is too tight. If you can fit two fingers and there’s room to spare, the collar is too loose, and your dog may be able to slip out of it. Keep in mind your dog’s body shape and size. For example, Greyhounds and Whippets have heads that are smaller than their necks, so a Martingale collar is the way to go because normal neck collars slip right off of them. 

Choose a comfortable collar

The material the collar is made of depends on style and personal preference. Common materials used for collars include leather, nylon, and neoprene, and all options can be comfortable if fitted properly. Make sure the collar isn’t too narrow. Skinny belts may be on trend, but skinny collars aren’t appropriate for many dogs. The bigger the dog, the wider the collar. I would skip prong or “choke” collars all together. These rely on inducing discomfort in your dog to discourage pulling. Instead, use a comfortable collar and positive reinforcement. 

Focus on training

Work on getting your dog used to walking on a leash and following verbal commands. Train your dog to have good recall. Recall is when your dog will come to you when called, even when distractions are present. As a parent of a dog with selective hearing, this takes time and is sometimes easier said than done. 

Think of a collar as something your dog can “graduate” to after they’ve been trained to stay by your side and have good recall.

Consider switching to a harness

Walking a well-behaved dog by a collar is not inherently a cause for concern and is not something that always raises red flags for me. That being said, I would recommend that switching to a harness if your dog:

• Is large and difficult to control when they’re fixated on something

• Is in the early stages of leash training

• Has any form of aggression

• Has a history of neck pain

• Has a history of tracheal collapse 

• Is brachycephalic (they need all the air they can get)

Whether you walk your dog using a collar or a harness is completely up to you and your dog, but for the love of everything holy, don’t use a retractable leash. We’ll save that rant for another day.