#7 The Harness Truth
Highfives Insights #7: Let's talk about the well-known and supposedly humane tool called a Harness.
Harnesses are becoming a highly-recommended and common tool in the dog world. The body harness now comes in many different varieties but the most commonly used version is the back-clip harness or the Easy Walk harness with the clip in the front against the dog’s chest. The reason the harness has recently gained more popularity is because it is said to be the humane way to walk a dog because it does not interfere with a dog's neck.
Most people who switch to using a harness with their dog were dealing with an out-of-control puller who was horribly choking himself. Using a harness is said to stop a majority of the choking, but guess what? Even if you feel like you have slightly more control over your dog, the act of pulling was NEVER addressed. By putting any uncontrollable state of mind into a body harness, people are actually ENABLING less control and less communication with their dogs. The dog suddenly can use his full body to resist the leash pressure. The pulling doesn't go away, it actually gets worse in the long run. The unlimited mentality in the dog will keep spiralling out of control while the physical body is restrained. And a lot of dogs can pull hard enough on a harness to still choke while continuing to put their handler, other people, and themselves into hazardous situations.
Keep in mind that harnesses were originally made for working dogs who were part of activities like tracking, personal protection and bite work, pulling a sled, or guiding the blind. The harness gives a dog a lot of control by utilizing their body strength. Your dog should be trained to communicate with you effectively before you even consider using a harness.
I personally prefer using a harness only for specific training such as scent work, bite work, a pulling activity such as rollerblading, or as a safety seat belt.
As for pulling dogs, the act of choking is not the problem but a symptom. If you didn't have pulling, you wouldn't have choking. Switching to a harness is said to be more humane but instead it usually becomes much more frustrating or dangerous for both the dog and handler. Often the dog begins to build up aggression and vents it by fighting further against the leash or becoming reactive (go look up 'bite training for dogs' and you will see the same restrictive technique being used to build DRIVE). Besides, when the dog is pulling in a harness, there isn't much else the handler can do except hold on! And the more the dog feels pressure from pulling, the more he will pull. It becomes a bleak cycle. This will even occur in the front clip harnesses.
It is completely fine to use a harness on working dogs, dogs who are old or have neck injuries, or puppies who are growing. But definitely keep in mind that it encourages pulling, overly physical handling, and crossed-up lines of communication.
The problem of choking stems not from the collar but from the lack of training. A dog should be first taught polite manners and what leash pressure actually means instead of switching from tool to tool.
So if your dog is already a bad puller or has issues while on leash, stay far away from using a harness if you're looking for a better behaved dog. Instead, work on boundaries, obedience, and leash pressure communication with a proper training tool that will have your back.
No train no gain guys!
Jenna