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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Collar or harness, harness or lead?

44 replies

PerfectlyChaotic · 08/08/2017 07:40

I've spoken to two trainers and they've both given me different opinions...so now I'm confused about the best way to go for my puppy.

Initially I was in favour of the harness, as I hate the thought of her lunging forward onto her collar (she gets v excited on our short little walks). However another trainer dislikes harnesses as less control & dogs tend to pull into them 🤔 We are being really consistent with loose lead walking & she is getting it pretty quickly, however naturally her puppy exuberance means that there will be times that she's bound to lunge!! I have a harness with front attachment if that makes a difference.... Thoughts please!

OP posts:

BLUEsNewSpringWatch · 09/08/2017 20:27

eleventy he won't out grow his crate - it's a very large one (for a tiny little CKCS) and it defines 'his' corner where his bed, toys and water are kept. It makes it easy for 2yr old DD to understand that when he is there she cannot go near him and he doesn't want a fuss or to play. So no I will not be getting rid of it - my dog loves it and takes himself in and out as he pleases and it makes it easier for me to manage all DD's interactions with dog. Why assume that the crate is a problem for me There are other hazards in a house that a dog could catch their collar on - as I said I only know of one person in real life who does leave the dogs collar on all the time - but they have no concerns about collar getting caught on something because the dog can slip a collar really easily (so I bet if she did escape she wouldn't be wearing it.

After extensive googling and reading various articles - I believe that a tag on harness instead of collar would not lead to prosecution and would be deemed acceptable (it's worth noting that harnesses for walking dogs didn't really exist when that particular law was made - thus a collar was the only secure way to attach a tag). It also seems that it is considered extremely unlikely you would be prosecuted if dog escaped from house, without a collar/tag - firstly you did not intend for your dog to be in a public place (the only place the law requires a tag to be on dog) - so no intent to break the law. Secondly they would need to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the dog hadn't just broken or slipped it's collar - not easy to do unless they have CCTV covering your house/garden. Thirdly it is highly unlikely to be deemed in the public interest to prosecute or fine.

BLUEsNewSpringWatch · 09/08/2017 20:32

amazes me the lack of law abiders and general "I'll do what i want screw anyone else" attitude on MN

Also that was rather uncalled for and melodramatic. Nobody here has said screw anyone else they have priorities their dogs health and welfare (which in itself abides by the welfare act) and have, appeared from my research, to have met requirements sufficient for the earlier act.

BLUEsNewSpringWatch · 09/08/2017 20:33

*. They have prioritised

Original poster

PerfectlyChaotic · 09/08/2017 21:25

Right, lots to catch up on! Very much appreciate your opinions... I feel most comfortable with harness for now. We often have her on a long line in open spaces at the moment too, and it doesn't feel right to have that attached to her neck. I'm aware of the requirement for ID & fwiw can't see the difference as to whether it's attached to collar or harness. No collars here whilst in crate...

OP posts:

Kickhiminthenuts · 09/08/2017 21:31

I have a collar for id on at all times (in case she gets out accentally) and a harness for walking. It easily swaps to a seatbelt in the car as well as enables good walking without choking

Brownsauceandsausages · 09/08/2017 21:44

I can recommend Perfect Fit harnesses op (I have no connection to the company). The harnesses come in three pieces and you can choose the individual size for each piece (we have a strangely shaped dog!). It took me a bit of time to work out the correct combination but the company were really good because they let me order various combinations and trusted me to send them back before paying for them! I was really impressed by their customer service! Most importantly though, the harnesses work really well (I bought two sets) and you can also buy as an additional option, a d ring that goes on the front as well as the back of the harness ifyswim to use with a special double ended lead so you can train a young pulling dog.

Original poster

PerfectlyChaotic · 09/08/2017 21:47

That's the one we have brownsauce! It's great, really soft & seems comfy. Like that you can buy individual components for growth too :)

OP posts:

dudsville · 09/08/2017 21:54

I feel I have more control with the harness and it's more comfortable for my dogs. You'll never intend it to happen but I saw a person coming down the stairs on a moving bus and lose her footing and suddenly her poor dog came swinging out by its collar. It was shortlived but so disturbing.

Eleventybillionfucks · 09/08/2017 23:24

It doesn't matter if you intended your dog to be in public or not 😂 wow. If your dog did get out and didnt have a tag or collar you'd be handed a fine upon picking him up from the shelter. Simple as that its a law.

BLUEsNewSpringWatch · 10/08/2017 00:56

eleventy perhaps you should go and research how the law works. Intention is a big part of legal matters.

MummySparkle · 10/08/2017 01:10

Our dog ate his harness within a month, we got on far better with a collar. If your puppy is starting to do okay on loose lead walks then just carry on with what you're doing. Now DDog is an adult we use a slip lead with him. 90% of our walks are off lead as we live in the country so lead is more to keep him safe if a bunny runs by if we're walking on the road. He always has his collar on, but as we only use a slip lead it's not tight, as I discovered the other week when we used the clip lead and he slipped his collar off. We have never had any problems with a collar and a crate, can't even see how a problem would arise with the crate either, all the sticking out bits are on the outside so no way for the collar to catch anyway. We have tried leaving him in the house without the crate but he freaks out and trashes the place, he's much happier in the crate and always has been.

BLUEsNewSpringWatch · 10/08/2017 01:10

Also eleventy since you seem so intent on personal attacks on those using common sense to reasonably comply with the law, perhaps you should engage your own common sense and realise the law does not state that a dog must wear a collar and tag at all times - just incase it escapes it states:

1) Subject to paragraph (2) below, every dog while in a highway or in a place of public resort shall wear a collar with the name and address of the owner inscribed on the collar or on a plate or badge attached to it.
(Paragraph 2 is a list of exemptions)

Under determining whether an offence has been committed it states:

The owner of a dog or the person in charge of a dog who, without lawful authority or excuse, proof of which shall lie on him, causes or permits the dog to be in a highway or in a place of public resort not wearing a collar as prescribed in article 2(1) above shall be guilty of an offence against the Animal Health Act 1981.

Hence the legal standing is in the points I stated in my earlier post - confirmed across multiple legal articles. If you intend to continue to insult or make personal attacks or laugh, I really do suggest, at the very least, you look at basic legal articles.

BLUEsNewSpringWatch · 10/08/2017 01:20

sparkle there have been multiple strangulation incidents where dogs have managed to get the collar caught in a crate (of various makes and models). I know P@H crates come with a thing saying to remove a dogs collar if they are going inside a crate.

Floralnomad · 10/08/2017 08:25

Frankly if my dog ever did manage to escape the house , which is highly unlikely as I'm paranoid and have a very effective air lock system , I'd just be grateful to get him back in one piece , if I ended up paying a fine because he wasn't collared/ tagged it would be the least of my concerns .

ShaneBitchy · 10/08/2017 08:52

A dog I previously rehomed (it didn't work out and he went back to original owner) escaped and he wasn't wearing a collar or tag. I only became aware he was picked up by the dog warden when they scanned his microchip which is still registered to me.
I've asked for it to be changed but the current owner has to do it, I said I'd like it on the microchip company's records that I don't have possession of the dog but yet they still sent me the letter to say I had 7 days to collect him.
Anyway, the owner went and picked him up but wasn't charged over him not wearing a collar and tag so not sure how true what you're saying is eleventy

Kickhiminthenuts · 10/08/2017 09:07

You can get quick release collars.

I've picked up numerous dogs with and without collars. No collar and it's off to the vets to be scanned, mostly they don't have upto date info which causes an issue for everyone. A collar and a tag, I get my mobile out and ring the owner. Quick easy and done. Less stress for the owner less stress for the dog.

MiaowTheCat · 10/08/2017 09:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pigsDOfly · 10/08/2017 10:08

You're right not to attach a long lead to a collar OP. Same with extending leads.

Queenofthedrivensnow · 11/08/2017 00:22

I use a harness - a padded comfy one that isn't anti pull or anything like that. I had robust advice here about not using anything that hurts the dog. This is the best result we have had re pulling on the lead - cocker spaniel

Ddog wears a webbing collar all the time with his tag on it. I don't attach the lead to it ever. He has a habit of shooting out of the front door if he's allowed to - I really really want the kind person who corrals him to be able to phone me straight away or simply walk him back here since his address is on his tag.

He refused his crate years ago so not worried about that.

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