Dog - Lead Restraints and Harnesses

There are many methods of restraining a dog on a lead; from collars to head halters and 'one size (or type) does not fit all'.  Functionality, comfort and safety should be the prime considerations in any choice.  It is important to recognise that different designs work differently and if not properly fitted a restraint can cause serious injury, so it is important always to read the fitting instructions carefully.  Some need to be applied quite tightly, while others should be more loosely fitted.  The most important pros and cons of different devices are listed below:

Strap Collars

Pros

• Cheap and easy to apply, allows attachment of external ID device.

Cons

• Dogs can pull or jump up and injure themselves as a result. If not fitted tightly enough, a dog may easily slip its collar.

Chain link collars (a type of training collar)

Pros

• Used as a check chain they can be very effective training a dog to avoid pulling. Good handler training is needed to be able to apply this tool effectively.

Cons

• Easily and very frequently (routinely) misused as a check chain, e.g. too long or too tight or inverted - so they become a choke chain and so can cause serious injury as the dog surges forward.
• Even correctly fitted misuse is common and can also lead to problems.

• Dog should not be left with such a collar on the whole time as if it hooks onto something the dog could be choked.

• Unnecessary for a dog trained to walk to heel effectively.

 Martingale collars (a sort of hybrid between a check and strap collar)

 Pros

• Can be used effectively to train a dog to avoid pulling with less risk of injury or slipping off than a chain collar.

Cons

• Not widely available and handlers often have less familiarity with them.

Pinch and prong collars

 Cons

• Not recommended, if this degree of force and discomfort is needed to control the dog, then specialist assistance should be sought.

Compressed air collars (with or without spray)

 Pros

• Can be useful for distracting a dog, but should be used in combination with careful behavioural evaluation and advice.
• Owner and dog based control versions available depending on the problem. 

 Cons

• Can be very aversive to some dogs and completely ineffectual with others.
• May encourage owners not to implement essential behavioural therapy.
• Dog may habituate (get used to) to the collar so it becomes useless if use of the collar is not combined with appropriate training.

 Electronic training (shock) collars

Cons

• Not recommended for general use, as inappropriate use can result in serious welfare problems.

Head halters

 Pros

• Remove pressure on the body.
• Generally provide good control of the head although designs do vary (try several makes out for yourself).
• Most close the dog's mouth if it lunges forward, reducing the risk of injury to people and some have a lockable strap giving even greater control.
• Some can be linked to a harness or collar for training.
• Some appear to calm the dog instantly.
• Correction of some misbehaviours does not depend on owner skill in the use of the lead.

Cons

• Some can be fiddly to fit and require some short training to be accepted by the dog. Often owners do not know how to fit them properly. Fitting instructions vary greatly with different designs and owners will often erroneously assume that if they know how to fit one design others are fitted in a similar way.
• Poorly fitted collars can slip and rub the bridge of the nose.
• Some cause downward head movement if the dog pulls and whilst this stops most dogs, some can over-flex their neck if not properly managed at first. 
• Often require a change in owner preconceptions, for example owners need to be aware that they should not correct the dog as if using a check chain.

Body harness

Pros

• Take the force away from the neck and throat.

Cons

• Dogs may push into the harness and so larger or more powerful breeds can be harder to control.

Control harness

Pros

• Allows control of the body while giving the dog freedom to move.
• Harnesses which prevent pulling and which link onto a permanently fitted strap type collar can provide a very quick self-correcting mechanism for pulling.

 Cons

• Dogs can get sore under the shoulders.
• Owners often find it strange to feel the lead attached to the middle of the dogs back and feel they have less control.
• Some control harnesses work by making the dog rise up on its back legs when it pulls and this can actually exacerbate some pulling problems associated with greeting people. 
• NB.  Some versions work on inducing abdominal discomfort by tightening around the belly and so can cause harm.