Image Credits: Pixabay
A dog harness can be a better option than a leash around the neck. With a dog harness, the pressure is distributed over your dog's shoulder, instead of focusing directly on the neck. Dog leashes can lead to and aggravate existing neck problems in dogs if one is not careful with their usage. If you own a small breed dog or a puppy, a dog harness is a much better idea than a dog leash. However, it might not be the right fit for a larger dog, as a larger dog will be able to pull on the leash quite hard. Whether a dog harness is suitable for your dog or what kind of dog harness you should get for your dog, depends entirely on your pet's size, activity level, and temperament.
Dog harness checklist
These are some boxes your dog harness should be able to tick –
- It should fit well – Should you get a front clip or a back-clip harness? Back clip harnesses are usually preferred over front-clip harnesses as dogs tend to tangle their front legs in the front-clip variants. However, they offer you more control over the dog’s movement, whereas the back clip harnesses only offer limited control.
- It should measure up – You want your dog harness to be of the right material and good size. If you are buying your puppy a harness, keep checking the fit as your puppy will grow out of the first harness in a matter of weeks.
- Is your dog interested in wearing it? – Take your dog to a pet store and try out different harnesses. If your dog seems excited, you will know you won’t have a problem getting him to wear it. By visiting and trying harnesses at a pet store, you will also be able to assess how easy/difficult it is, to have your dog wear their harness.
- Do you need padding – While some short-haired breeds can use extra padding in their harness to protect against abrasions caused by rubbing? Other races will do perfectly well without padding.
- Check if it is compatible with your leash – You might want to try out your leash on the harness from time to time, for added protection. Check for whether you can attach your dog leash to your newly purchased dog harness.
- Do you need to invest in harnesses with reflective material? – Reflective material will make your dog more visible when you take him out for walks during late evenings/dawns.
The above checkpoints should help you buy your dog the dog harness he deserves and the one, he can benefit from. The next time you intend to buy a leash to train your pup, consider investing in a dog harness instead. It will keep your pup safe from being gagged if the leash isn't handled carefully.
The GoPro Dog Harness Gives You a Dog's Eye View
Ever wonder what the world looked like through your dog’s eyes? Well, now you can get one step closer to seeing what they see thanks to the Fetch mount dog harness for the GoPro camera.
GoPro is a video camera specifically designed to stand up to all you can dish out. Everything from skydiving to white water kayaking is being captured and cataloged thanks to this tiny, durable machine. You can mount it on your head, your skateboard, your car, your chest, and now your dog thanks to the Fetch mount dog harness.
DO I NEED A DOG HARNESS CAMERA?
If you are an outdoorsy person or just curious about what kinds of trouble your dog gets into, the Fetch mount gives you a chance to pop a camera right on their back (or chest), hit record, and see the world from their point of view.
Check out this video to see the special dog harness in action.
Pretty neat, right? And because it is a GoPro, this camera will take whatever kind of beating your dog can give it (unless they get it into their mouth-- then all hope is lost!)
So if you want to find a fun new way to share all the excitement of your hikes or games of Frisbee, check out the Fetch dog harness and start maximizing your outdoor enjoyment while saving the memories for years to come.
The Dog Harness Dangers You Should Avoid
There are many advantages to using a dog harness. But there are also downsides. It’s important that you educate yourself on these downsides and potential dangers and know how to avoid them for the safety of your dog. There are various types of harnesses available in today’s market. While some of these harnesses serve to make a fashion statement, others help in curbing the pulling habit that your dog might have taken up with his regular collar and leash. Harness safety depends entirely on your dog’s activity levels, the type of harness, and your dog’s breed. Here are a few things you should keep in mind about harness safety.
What Are Some Of The Potential Risks Of Using A Harness?
A tight harness can be as dangerous as a noose around your neck. If your dog’s harness is too tight and your dog is still pulling at it, it might cause chest injuries that range from mild to fatal.
- For smaller breeds and breeds with tracheal collapse or issues relating to the trachea, you might want to opt for a halter with a back clip instead of a front clip. The harnesses with front clips tend to put too much pressure on the throat area.
- Front-hook harnesses can sometimes limit your dog’s shoulder moment and also affect his natural gait and stance. These types of harnesses are not ideal for dogs that are involved in sporting activities.
- The head halter, harnesses that go around your dog’s muzzle are a special case. While some dogs tend to get used to it rather quickly, others have difficulty. Most dogs hate the sensation of something completely covering their muzzle. They might try to fight this by rubbing it on the ground, rubbing against your leg, and even pawing at their nose. If your dog races ahead and you pull on the harness to bring him to a stop, he might be jerked back, which leads to neck injuries.
- Never let your dog sleep in his harness. If the harness gets caught on your dog’s crate, the harness becomes a choking hazard. Not only can it be dangerous, but it can also be uncomfortable.
- Wet harnesses left on your dog’s body for a long period of time causes skin infections. Remove the wet harness as soon as you get home and make sure it’s dry again before you put him back in it.
- Sometimes, harnesses tend to cause skin irritations under the chest and around the armpits. So monitor these places closely, at least twice a week to ensure that the harness sits comfortably and doesn’t harm the skin.
Make sure that when you buy a harness, you take your dog with you and ask for as much assistance as necessary. When it comes to harnesses, it’s never a ‘one size fits all' situation.
PetPlus is a membership program designed to make pet care more affordable for everyone. Find out if PetPlus is right for you, and get more information on the members-only benefits, which include discounts on products like medications, supplements, and food, as well as services like vet visits and boarding. Sources: GoPro - Fetch Dog Harness Business Week - GoPro Wants You to Strap a Camera on Your Dog TechCrunch - Fetch Gives Your Dog a Comfortable Way to Lifelog With a GoPro