If you've got a new puppy (or an older adoptee) in your house, you're probably struggling with how to choose the equipment your pet is going to need, including "pet control" equipment like harnesses, leashes and collars. You need these to control your pet when out and about, of course, but which do you choose, and for what?
It can be confusing, but for most dog owners, the collar, the leash and the harness each serve a purpose, and you'll need some version of all three; in some cases, you'll need different versions of each of these. Let's take a look at what each is, and what they're used for.
Dog Collars
When you think of "dog accessories," the first thing you think of is probably the dog collar. That's a good thing, not least because the collar is used for far more than just control. There are different types of collars, including:
The ID (identification) collar
Even if you use a harness or another collar with leash to walk your dog, your dog will need a collar specifically for identification. Ideally, your dog will wear this collar 24 hours a day, seven days a week (it may be removed for grooming and bathing, but should otherwise be worn all the time). The collar will carry tags on it that include your dog's identification (including name and address), city license, rabies shots' certification tags, and so on.
Some cities require these to be worn by all dogs; check with your local ordinances to determine whether or not this is legally necessary. Even if it's not, though, putting an ID collar on your dog is one of the most important and loving things you can do for your pet.
Important notes about the ID collar
This collar should NOT be attached to a leash for control. The collar is meant to be worn loosely enough for comfort, such that your dog could slip out of it if it were attached to a leash for control.
For safety, you may want to make the ID collar a specialized "breakaway" collar; with a breakaway collar, the collar simply detaches and "breaks away" if it's caught on something, to minimize choking risk. These collars are especially useful for dogs who like to dig under fences or squeeze through narrow openings. With a breakaway collar, your dog will lose its ID if it loses its collar, true, but this risk is offset by the fact that breakaway collars minimize the dangers of choking.
Decorative collars
Many dog owners like to "dress up" their pets with decorative collars for special occasions, to match certain outfits, and so on. Some decorative collars can double as control collars; however, in other cases, these collars are not meant to provide control and are just meant for decoration. Check with the manufacturer or your vet to determine whether or not a particular decorative collar can be used as a control collar. If not, make sure to provide a separate control collar for your pet.
Collars for control
This type of collar is the most commonly used type of collar for dogs, and is probably the one you think of when you think of "dog collar." (Some dogs will do best with a collar for control, while others will do better with a harness. Whether or not your dog will respond better to a collar for control or a harness depends on the dog's personality, size, and breed, as well as on the particular environment in question.)
Control collars are made of leather or nylon, and attach to a leather or nylon leash. The collar and leash combination is used both for training purposes, such as when you're teaching your dog to heel, and to keep control of your dog's movements, such as when you're on a walk.
Other special uses collars
In addition to decorative, control and ID collars, there are also other special use collars for dogs, such as collars that can be dipped in water and then tied around the dog's neck, to provide a cooling effect on hot days.
Fitting collars properly
Whatever the type of collar your dog wears, the collar should fit your dog properly. In addition to the special breakaway options for the ID collar discussed previously, the collar should fit so that it's not too loose or too tight. With a well-fitting collar, you should be able to fit your index and middle finger comfortably but snugly between your dog's collar and his or her neck.
Collar materials
Your dog's collar materials should be breathable. Nylon and leather are the two most popular materials, because they absorb or wick away sweat to prevent chafing and soreness on your dog's neck. If you notice your dog is experiencing irritation or soreness because of his or her collar, check with your vet to determine whether or not the collar is appropriately fitted. In some cases, you may need to switch collars and use one made of a different material, so that your dog doesn't experience irritation.
Final considerations about collars
Again, use a breakaway collar for ID purposes. This is the collar your dog will wear all the time for identification; it contains important identification information, such as the dog's name and address, rabies tags, and so forth.
Dog Harnesses
Although a properly fitted dog collar can be used for control, a harness is often a better option, especially for excitable dogs and for puppies who are still growing and can be easily injured by the collar.
While some dogs respond well to a collar such that they won't strain against it during training, the harness can be more comfortable for your dog because it doesn't put pressure on the dog's neck. A well behaved dog will do well with the collar, but especially for dogs that are more excitable or just learning, the harness will provide control without risking injury. Excitable puppies especially can be injured during training with the collar. In addition, certain breeds like pugs do better with harnesses because they're already prone to breathing problems that can be exacerbated by the collar.
There are two major types of harnesses, the chest harness and the head harness.
The chest harness
The chest harness is a good option for puppies and excitable dogs, because it allows you to control your dog on a leash without risking neck injury or presenting a choking hazard. These flexible harnesses are made of nylon or leather. They're often better for dogs than collars because they spread any stress the dog puts on the harness across the chest area instead of the neck. It can also often provide better control for particularly excitable dogs (including puppies), because it encases the entire chest and torso area, instead of just the neck area.
Advantages and disadvantages of the chest harness
The chest harness is generally more comfortable for a dog than a collar for control, which is usually a good thing. That said, larger dogs may be even more difficult to control in a chest harness than they are in the collar; because there is no discomfort in a chest harness, larger dogs may actually lunge or pull more than they would in a collar. In these cases, the discomfort of the collar may be an advantage to training because it acts as a deterrent against pulling and other misbehavior. It should be noted that as long as the dog behaves, the collar can be as comfortable a means of control as the harness is, with the relative discomfort of the collar providing a deterrent against unruly behavior.
You as the owner should weigh the advantages of the chest harness' comfort for your pet against the advantages of the collar as a means of control.
The head harness
The head harness is often a practical alternative to both the chest harness and the collar as a means of controlling your dog. The head harness fits over the dog's muzzle, head and neck. It is not a muzzling device, in that when the dog wears this harness, mouth movement is not restricted and the dog can still breathe normally and open his or her mouth as necessary.
Advantages of the head harness
This harness has an advantage over a chest harness in that it can provide better control for certain dogs. The head harness is perfectly comfortable to wear for most dogs. However, it can act as a deterrent against lunging or fighting against the harness; in that case, while the chest harness may actually facilitate lunging behavior simply because it is so comfortable, the head harness discourages this behavior. Lunging and fighting against the chest harness can be problematic particularly with large dogs, and the head harness helps discourage that behavior. The head harness will give the dog a sensation of uncomfortable pressure on the nose and neck when he or she lunges or fights the harness, thus providing a deterrent. The discomfort doesn't injure the dog, but does discourage lunging, and may provide you with better control.
Disadvantages of the head harness
It may take a while for the dog to get used to the harness, such that he or she may paw at it and try to get out of it. Make sure to get the harness properly fitted so that it can be used safely, and participate in training with a professional dog training establishment if you're unsure on how to train your dog with the harness.
Dog Leashes
Dog leashes are the third component necessary for proper control of your dog, along with harnesses and collars. You'll always use a leash with your dog when you are out and about, whether attached to a collar or harness.
Nylon or leather
Leashes typically come in either nylon or leather, with the standard length for leashes being six feet. Nylon and leather each have their advantages and disadvantages.
Leather is a bit more expensive than nylon and may not be as resistant to damage from water or dirt. However, many owners prefer it to nylon because it's softer and more comfortable on the hands during use than nylon is. Leather does come in fewer colors than nylon does, which may or may not be a consideration for you. Because it's generally less expensive, you may want to try a nylon leash first, and then switch to leather later if you don't find nylon to be the most appropriate option for you.
Standard or retractable
Standard leashes are simply a length of leather or nylon; you attach this length of leather or nylon to your dog's collar or harness so that you can control the dog while you walk, or can tie the dog up when you need to confine your pet. The standard, non-retractable leash is the most common type of leash, and is usually less expensive than the retractable type.
Retractable
Retractable leashes retract and lengthen as needed, and function somewhat like a fishing reel. The leash "retracts" into the leash's handle so that the line is always taut , and has both advantages and disadvantages as compared to a standard leash.
Retractable leashes are generally neater to use than the standard leashes, because the extra length of leash simply retracts into the leash's handle. However, they're also more expensive than standard leashes and can malfunction sometimes, in that the reel mechanism can become stuck or the leash can become tangled -- again, much like what happens with fishing line and reel.
Finally, the retractable leash can make some dogs harder to control; because the retractable leash gives the dog a greater feeling of freedom, you may wish to use a standard leash especially in situations where it's absolutely necessary to keep control of your dog at all times.
References
Cooling pet dog collars (product description) and "collars" category general descriptions. http://www.collarplanetonline.com/. Retrieved September 1, 2011.
Considering the Best Dog Collar & Leash. http://www.dog-adoption-basics.com/best-dog-collar.html. Retrieved September 1, 2011.
Dog Collars & Leashes. http://www.streetdirectory.com/etoday/dog-collarsleashes-lcfaf.html. Retrieved September 1, 2011.
Leash. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leash. Retrieved September 1, 2011.
The Importance of Dog Collars and Leashes. http://www.happybendgirl.com/the-importance-of-dog-collars-and-leashes. Retrieved September 1, 2011.