Walking equipment is one of the first purchases for a new dog, and the choices can be confusing: flat collar, harness, head halter or something marketed as a “no-pull” solution. Dogs Trust and the RSPCA give consistent advice, based on comfort, fit and reward-based training. This guide summarises their published guidance for dog owners; it is general information, and a qualified, force-free trainer or a vet can advise on a particular dog.
Harness or collar: what Dogs Trust says
Dogs Trust advises walking a dog using whatever piece of equipment is most comfortable for that dog, such as a flat harness or a collar. It says harnesses can reduce the risk of neck injury and increase comfort, and can make lead training more enjoyable, but it also stresses that a harness does not remove the need to teach the dog to walk politely on a lead. The comfortable choice for one dog may not be the right one for another, so it is worth watching how a dog moves and behaves in each option.
The identity tag rule still applies
Dogs Trust states that, to comply with the law, a dog in a public space must wear a collar with an identity tag attached, even when it is also wearing a harness. A harness on its own is therefore not enough for a walk. Microchipping rules are separate; see our microchipping and identification guide for the detail.
Choosing and fitting a harness
Dogs Trust says to avoid harnesses whose straps cross directly in front of the shoulders, because they prevent natural movement. Fit matters as much as design: you should be able to fit a finger comfortably between the strapping and the dog’s body when it is wearing the harness, so that it does not shift as the dog moves, and the dog must not be able to slip out of it. Most harnesses go over the head, but Dogs Trust notes that styles which clip around the neck and body may suit dogs that dislike having a strap pulled over their head.
Introducing a harness gently
Dogs Trust describes a step-by-step approach based on rewards:
- Put the harness on the floor and scatter treats around it so the dog links it with something pleasant.
- Feed treats through the head opening without asking the dog to put its head in.
- Guide the dog’s nose through the opening using treats.
- Let the dog hear the clips before fastening them, rewarding as the harness goes on.
- Use play or simple tricks to distract the dog while it wears the harness indoors.
- Move on to short walks with occasional treats.
If the dog backs away, Dogs Trust advises taking the harness off straight away and going back a stage.
Teaching loose-lead walking
Dogs Trust recommends starting indoors or in the garden, where distractions are low, rewarding the dog for staying beside you before the lead is even attached. Once you move, reward the dog whenever it is by your side, gradually increasing the distance between rewards and varying direction. When the lead tightens, stop, stand still and stay quiet, and do not move forward again until the lead is slack; jerking the lead or scolding is not part of the method. The charity is frank that teaching a loose lead takes a great deal of patience and time. For wider training principles, see our positive reinforcement guide.
Equipment to avoid
Dogs Trust warns that some equipment causes pain or discomfort by putting tension on a sensitive area when the dog pulls, describing this approach as unnecessary and unpleasant and confusing for the dog. The RSPCA calls prong and choke collars painful and unethical. Its head of behaviour is quoted as saying that repeated pressure from choke and prong collars can cause severe inflammation of the skin and muscle and, in extreme cases, cervical spine injuries. The RSPCA also says such collars do not teach the dog what to do and may create new behaviour problems, and recommends well-fitted, comfortable harnesses, reward-based training and trainers who use ethical methods.
Frequently asked questions
Can a dog wear only a harness in public? Dogs Trust says a dog in a public space must also wear a collar with an identity tag, even when in a harness.
Will a harness stop a dog pulling? Dogs Trust says harnesses can absorb much of a dog’s weight and reduce neck injury risk, but that lead training is still needed.
How can I tell whether a harness fits? Dogs Trust suggests that a finger should fit comfortably between the strapping and the dog’s body, and that the dog should not be able to slip out.
The bottom line
Both charities point owners the same way: choose the comfortable option for the individual dog, whether a flat collar or a well-fitted harness that does not restrict the shoulders, keep an identity tag on a collar, and teach loose-lead walking with rewards and patience. Equipment that works by causing pain or discomfort is not recommended by Dogs Trust or the RSPCA.