Should I use a harness for my dog? Advice for dog owners
Should I use a harness for my dog? It’s a question almost every dog owner asks at some point - and the answer depends on your dog’s size, behaviour, and daily routine. In this guide, we break down the real benefits of harnesses, when they’re the safest option, and how to choose the right style for your dog. Whether you’ve got a tiny pup or a strong puller, this clear, practical advice will help you make the best choice.
While classic dog collars are still a popular choice, more dog owners are clocking on to the benefits of harnesses for dogs. Now that there are so many more options on the market, plus funky colours and patterns to choose from, there’s no reason why you can’t find the paw-fect fit for your pup.
In this blog, we’ll go through some of the benefits of using a harness for your dog, plus a wee guide to choosing the right style for your pooch.
The benefits of harnesses for dogs
There are lots of benefits to using a harness for your dog. From improved safety to better control, let’s explore what makes harnesses a good choice:
Improved safety
Harnesses are simply the safest, most secure, and most comfortable way to hook your dog up to their lead.
Unlike traditional collars, a dog harness distributes the force exerted on the lead across a larger area of the dog’s body, as opposed to just the neck area, which can cause choking or discomfort for your pup.
Using a harness is especially beneficial for small dogs that suffer from tracheal collapse. They’re also ideal for flat-faced, brachycephalic breeds, like French Bulldogs and Pugs, that can be prone to breathing problems.
Better control
A good harness will reduce pulling, meaning you’ll have better control over your dog, and decrease stress on his neck and joints.
They’re also really helpful for controlling large or strong dogs. A harness won’t reinforce pulling behaviour the way a collar does, since the forward action is stopped by your continued pressure on the harness.
Plus, as the lead is attached at a point closer to your pooch’s centre of gravity, a harness will help to stop the lead from getting tangled.
Training assistance
As harnesses give you better control over your dog, they’re a great tool to use when training. Lots of harness designs discourage pulling, as well as jumping, making them a great choice for helping to teach your dog good manners when you’re out and about or socialising with other pups.
Messi’s guide to choosing the right harness
Choosing the right harness for your dog doesn’t need to be stressful. At MessiPups, we’ve got a range of harness styles and sizes to choose from so you can find the paw-fect fit for your pup.
Here’s a wee guide to our harness ranges to get you started:
Step n’ Go: Ideal for smaller dogs (including teacup breeds), puppies, and dogs that don’t like things going over their head. This style of harness is super easy to fit – just step in, secure the Velcro and buckle, and you’re ready to go!
Original: Perfect for small to medium-sized dogs, or dogs who don't tend to pull on walks. The material is super soft and flexible, and easy to adjust to fit your pup’s body.
Ruff n’ Ready: Best suited to bigger/stronger dogs or dogs who tend to pull while on walks. There is also a handle on the back, perfect for fishing any mucky pups out of puddles. Sizes run larger – allowing this harness to accommodate for biiiiiiig dogs.
You can also check out our handy harness quiz on this page if you want more in-depth guidance on choosing the right harness.
