05/28/2026
Why aren’t harness good when a dog can not walk properly on leash and complain”they choke themselves” on a flat collar. Why are they bad?
Good question, and one that many owners are confused about—because those promoting harnesses WANT them to be confused.
quick rundown why they shouldn’t be used on a dog that pulls.
Here ya go
“Harnesses were literally designed to distribute pressure and increase pulling efficiency:
* sled dogs
* tracking dogs
* cart dogs
* opposition work
So when owners say:
“My dog pulls like crazy on walks”
…and then attach the dog to equipment specifically designed to make forward pressure more comfortable and mechanically efficient, there’s an obvious conflict.
Harnesses also commonly amplify drive, intensity, and momentum. Many dogs become:
* more forward
* more impulsive
* more environmentally locked in
* more aroused
* more mentally/emotionally overwhelmed
because they can throw their full body weight into the equipment without meaningful interruption. The entire chest and shoulder assembly can brace into pressure, creating stronger opposition reflex and rehearsed pulling patterns.
Another major issue is thatAnd don't forget no dog should be hooked up by a harness in a car. Harness break. Plastic or steal crate provide the safety to your pet harnesses often allow owners to physically contain dogs without meaningfully influencing behavior. A dog can still:
* scan
* fixate
* load
* lunge
* rehearse reactivity
* ignore the handler
* drag the owner around
…while remaining safely attached.
That distinction matters enormously:
physical control vs behavioral control.
Many “training” harnesses that are promoted as being “positive”, “pain free”, and “kind”, reduce pulling mechanically by adding unpleasant pressure in various locations, but do not address the underlying arousal, fixation, opposition, or mindset driving the behavior in the first place.
In general, standard harnesses tend to create dogs who become increasingly dull to leash pressure, more physically pushy, more environmentally fixated, and harder to meaningfully influence — especially large, powerful dogs. The very equipment meant to create more control often ends up creating less.
And don't forget no dog should be hooked up by a harness in a car. Harness break. Plastic or steal crate provide the safety to your pet
