Using a Dog Training Harness

Just About Dogs

Training a dog is not always easy as many owners will attest.  Trying to get an animal with limitless energy and no grasp of the English language to follow your commands can sometimes seem like trying to control the wind.  However many owners have found that a dog training harness is an invaluable tool when trying to get their pet to follow directions.  How do they work and might they be something you should try out?

For one thing, many trainers feel that a dog training harness is actually much more humane to teach dogs because of the way they fit.  A harness goes over the dog's two front legs and sits around her midsection.  This is much less painful for a dog than when she gets a tug on a neck collar.  A tug on the harness is still felt by the dog but doesn't jerk her painfully the way a collar can.  A dog training harness can be easier for an owner as well because the dog's weight is more easily controlled.  When using a leash on a neck collar larger dogs can easily get away with just a slight tug, whereas a harness is much easier to control as it distributes the dog's weight more evenly.  There is less jerking and tugging from both the owner and the dog, so there is less discomfort on the dog's part and more control on the owner's part.  In this way a dog training harness can be more effective and safer than a normal collar.

A dog training harness is meant to put all weight on the dog's shoulders and chest and of course this is much safer for the dog as these areas are stronger than the neck.  Most neck collars are extremely uncomfortable for a dog when it is walking and so the harness is more enjoyable.

There are many different sizes of harnesses available, although some are adjustable so they can fit over virtually any breed of dog.  When shopping for a dog training harness, be sure to get one that has soft or padded straps that go over the front of the chest of the dog for added comfort.  Be sure that it fits loosely and not snugly over the dog either.  Like a collar, you will need some tautness in order for the dog to feel your command but it shouldn't fit too tightly either.  You should be able to comfortably fit a finger between your dog and the dog training harness.

It's important for any dog to be trained to behave properly around strangers and to stay with its owner until let go and allowed to run free.  Simply giving up all methods of training a dog to walk or stay is not good for the owner or the dog.  But if you use a dog training harness properly you can find that this process is much easier than if you rely on a simple neck collar, and will be better for you and the dog.

Article Written By J. Foley
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