Harness? Collar? Lead?

[GinPink]

Hi all I hope it's ok for me to post here. I've never had a dog before and am fully aware this is a stupid question....

Are collars and leads not really a thing anymore?

We are getting a cockapoo puppy soon. Do I need to buy a harness and lead? What size? Should I go small for puppy years and then buy a medium when they get older?

Many thanks!

I read a study a while ago that found that all harnesses restrict shoulder movement in dogs. How that works with huskies and eurohounds I don't know, but it looks to me as if it's not a cut and dried 'harness good, collar and lead bad, slip lead the work of the devil'.

I use slip leads, all the time. They're easy to take on and off when I've got three dogs with me, and let me walk a high-drive and very scent-driven young dog easily at heel. I can use any of the leads on any of the dogs. They're easy to store.

I know many, many people who always use slip leads, some of them with multiple dogs (half a dozen working spaniels or more, and I've never heard of any of those dogs having tracheal problems or anything similar.

I've been told on here that dogs find slip leads so aversive that they become afraid of them. Seriously? I hold a slip lead open, say to my dog, 'lead on' and she comes and sticks her head happily through the loop, and looks at me with 'What next?' written all over her face.

I read a study a while ago that found that all harnesses restrict shoulder movement in dogs.

The most recent study showed that ill fitting harnesses restrict should movement in dogs. Obviously the should cross shoulder harnesses of all kinds restrict movements.

However correct fitting Y front harnesses are the best option for skeleton health in dogs.

Slip leads MAY be aversive. It de[ends how they are used. I you have a dog that is trained not to pull and use a slip lead eg gun dog work or competing and no pressure is put on the neck then of course that is not aversive.

However many people use slip leads to train their dogs to walk to heel and by pulling or restricting and tightening the slip lead this would be an aversive to many dogs.

sorry - ill fitting harnesses restrict shoulder movement in dogs

No harness, slip lead or figure of eight, those saying harnesses are great for dogs that pull, teach them not to pull

Collars can cause serious issues with the trachea. Particularly on smaller breeds and especially because puppies can, no matter how well, and how quickly trained, decide to suddenly change direction and chase a leaf, cat etc. An awful lot of sudden pressure is then put on a delicate and vital place in their neck.

I know a few positive reinforcement trainers and none of them will work with a puppy for lead training until the owner has a y harness for them.

You can totally control a dog with a harness. As others have said Perfect Fit and some others are great as they are y shaped so don't restrict movement, and you can also attach a double ended lead and have excellent control.

How well a dog walks on a lead has nothing to do with a collar or lead and everything to do with training.

Remember that your dog will need a tag on his collar showing your house number, post code and your phone number. It's illegal for your dog to not wear a tag.

Harness and lead, as some dogs suffer with trachea problems because of being walked without a harness

Tags can also be put onto harnesses.

Slip leads are considered aversives ..ie the dog learns to walk nicely because if it pulls it gets choked... not the relationship I'd want with my dog... they are useful for working gun dogs (as you can take them off quickly) or for vets but they shouldn't be in daily use..ever!

Not necessarily. I trained my dogs on a slip lead, the moment there was even the slightest bit of pressure on the lead, we stop dead. We only move when the lead is completely slack and is loose around dogs neck. The slip lead was good for this as the dog can feel even the tiniest bit of restriction, whereas with a collar or harness it is much harder for them to understand. Absolutely no choking at all, not even anywhere close! If your dog is a puller and had not been trained to loose lead walk I would certainly never recommend a slip lead, recipe for disaster. My dogs walk beautifully now and people often ask how I trained them to do so. I would say 90% of harnessed dogs i see out and about are dragging their owners around the place. I would only use a harness once the dog is loose lead walking and understands what is wanted of them.

I have a ruffwear harness for mine, if we’re running I use the standard clip, but if we’re just walking we us the front clip. Easy to adjust and get one, doesn’t restrict arm movement etc either.