Harness vs Flat Collar: Why Harnesses Are Safer for Your Puppy Than Flat Collars
When it comes to leash training your puppy, one of the first decisions you’ll make is what type of equipment you'll want to use with your pup, and whether to use a harness or a flat collar. You may have heard that harnesses teach puppies to pull from pet parents or a dog trainer. Let’s set the record straight: this isn’t true.
Myth-Busting: Harnesses Don’t Teach Pulling
The misconception likely stems from sled dogs, such as huskies, wearing harnesses to pull their sleds. But here’s the catch: huskies are conditioned, taught, trained and thus expected to pull. And the harness they wear then enables that behaviour for that specific purpose. Though it would be a neat trick to see, no huskie or sled dog knows to automatically pull on a leash, from being fitted a harness. Just putting a harness on your puppy won’t teach them to pull. If your puppy starts pulling, it’s definitely not because of the harness, but because they haven’t yet worked on proper leash manners—a skill that takes more training and a reliable bond and relationship with your dog, rather than a specific type of walking equipment.
Why Harnesses Are Better for Puppies
At a young age, puppies are naturally energetic, curious, and often unpredictable on walks and in most social settings. A harness then acts just like a seatbelt in your car, keeping your puppy safer by distributing pressure evenly across their body rather than concentrating it on their sensitive neck and cervical spine, especially while on a leash.
Given the size and where it's worn, a flat collar doesn't offer this same level of comfort and safety. Thus using a harness drastically reduces the risk of injury if and when your puppy pulls, darts, or gets distracted by the exciting new world around them.
When to Revisit the Flat Collar
Some trainers suggest switching to a harness only as your dog matures and gains better leash manners. But I’d recommend the opposite. Flat collars are best revisited when your puppy is older and has developed emotional control, and that's if you're considering opting out of using a harness at all. At that point, you can make an informed decision based on your dog’s behaviour and needs, but in my opinion, a harness, whether you're walking a puppy or a senior dog, will remain the more comfortable and safer alternative.
Focus on Training, Not the Gear
The most important factor when it comes to working on your dog's leash manners isn’t whether you use a harness or a collar—it’s the training you put in and the level of communication you have. Building engagement, teaching your dog that communicating with you pays off, and rewarding calm behaviour in environments tailored for your pup to success will be the real keys to success.
Start Here
Want to ensure your puppy gets the best start to leash training? Check out our Tranquility Walk Challenge on our mobile app. This program will help you start building your communication with your dog in environments that feel doable to you both.