Walking a dog is one of the most fun activities for both pet and owner. For many people, it’s one of the main reasons they decided to get a dog. Walking our dogs gives us exercise, and it gives them plenty of fun and stimulation. To walk a dog though, you need a decent lead, or leash, or harness. Harness or collar can depend on what type of dog you have. Some dogs even require special equipment, like harder leashes or harness that can’t be pulled off. In the cases of mobility constraints, it can be even harder to find the right leash. Most dogs can’t be walked with just any old lead, so many wonder what makes the best leash and harnesses for dogs.
Which is the best depends on your dog’s needs. However, there are a few factors you can consider when choosing a lead and harness. They need to be built to last. It also needs to be strong enough to keep your dog under control, what exactly is ‘strong enough’ is actually going to depend on how big or forceful your dog can be. A good harness also needs to be able to fit your dog in any size, no matter how big or small they might be.
It isn’t as clear cut as just picking up the first lead you see. If you find the right set of lead, harness, and leash, you can be sure that it is going to last a very long time. This is really preferable to getting a low-quality lead every year. You also need to be fairly confident that it is going to keep your dog secure!
Harness or Collar?
Dogs have about three different ways to walk, on their own, on a leash and collar, or in a harness. Each different way has its pros and cons. However, for the most part, walking off a leash isn’t going to be suitable for every dog owner. Most people don’t live in areas where this would be safe, and plenty wouldn’t trust their pet to not become overexcited and bolt at the sight of a cat or treat! Cars can be particularly dangerous for dogs off leads and some places don’t even allow it as an option. So that essentially leaves collar and harness. There are some important reasons why you should consider using a harness over a collar.
- Safer – A collar is likely to cause injury to your dog’s neck if they pull on the lead. While this might discourage them from pulling, it is a petty poor way of teaching your dog manners! A harness doesn’t have this problem.
- Discourages Pulling – By taking away your dog’s control when pulling, a harness makes their pulling an ineffective tool. This makes it easier to teach them not to pull. It doesn’t take the most intelligent dog breed to notice that pulling on the lead doesn’t get them what they want.
- More Control – On a harness, you have more control over your dog on a walk. You can easier restrict them from jumping up or moving towards a certain spot without having to drag them away.
- No Choking – A harness won’t choke your dog when it is pulled, this is a lot better for them.
There are some cases where collars can be fine for dogs. However, if you’re using the right lead and harness they do offer quite a few improvements over a collar.
The Best Dog Leashes
Whether you’re using a collar or a harness you need a good strong, and secure lead. This is essential. If it is made from a poor quality, it could break and let your dog loose entirely. Equally, consistent pulling by a puppy is going to weaken a lead, it needs to be made of a flexible material. Some leads even feature extensions that can be pulled in or out. These are some of the best dog leads on the market, depending on what type of dog you have. No one lead is one size fits all. However, many of then have certain advantages for some types of dog.
The Best Dog Lead for Training
This one might not look like it, but it is one of the best dog leads out there for training. When you’re looking for the best lead for dogs to train, you actually just want something simple. The dog needs to be close to you, with a firm lead backing you up. This lead is durable so even the worst behaved dog won’t be able to wear it out by pulling. The short length is really good for keeping a dog under control. This gives you more direction of where your dog is walking and encourages them to not pull or wander off on walks.
The Best Dog Lead for Well Trained Dogs
This is an extending lead, by clicking a small button you can allow your dog free reign to travel quite a distance from you. This is great for well-behaved dogs since it gives them the freedom to wander while being able to be roped in. This suits areas where they can’t go wherever they like, such as roads, as much as fields. An extended lead isn’t great for training since it teaches a dog that they can go further away on a lead if they pull on it, this can be confusing. However, for a well-trained dog these leads are really useful.
The Best Dog Lead for Big Dogs
This is a cable lead which is pretty strong, it should stand up to even a really big dog pulling on it. When you’re getting the best dog lead for a big dog, you have different concerns. It needs to be strong and sturdy. Otherwise, a big dog can make short work of it. This lead is really strong and it isn’t likely to break on you. It is also durable enough to not hurt your arm when a dog pulls too hard. This all makes it a great choice for a big dog.
The Best Dog Lead for Puppies
A puppy needs a smaller lead, but one that is still secure. For the same reasons as a training lead, they also need to be pretty short. This lead accomplishes all of this. While you may have to replace it once a dog is grown up, it will help them be comfortable and learn how to walk well while they’re young.
The Best Dog Harnesses
Much like with dog leads, there are a range of different types of dog harnesses out there. Even more so than leads, you need one suited to your type of dog. These are the best dog harness available at the moment, with one to suit every type of dog:
The Best Dog Harness for Training
This is a great dog harness for those looking to train their pets. It is sturdy enough to hold even the most mischievous dog on a walk. It’s also secure, so dogs are going to struggle to break free of it. As a dog is learning to walk safely this is really important. This particular harness is reflective too, so you don’t have to be concerned about training late at night.
The Best Dog Harness for Big Dogs
This is a great harness if you need to keep a big dog under control. It holds them well and gives you great control over their movement. It is also sturdy enough to resist the pulling that a big dog can manage. There is even a front clip in case you need more control over your dog. This is definitely one of the best harnesses for big dogs.
The Best Dog Harness for Little Dogs
This dog harness is sturdy and small enough to not constrict a dog. It is available in sizes going all the way down to XX-Small. This should cover pretty much every adult dog. What’s important in small dogs is that the harness doesn’t constrict them. A bigger harness is bound to get in the way of their movements. This is one of the best dog harnesses for little dogs as it stays out of their way, without sacrificing security.
The Best Dog Harness for Puppies
This is slightly on the larger side for a puppy harness, but there’s a good reason. Rather than being a more elaborate harness like you’d normally use, this one has just two leg holes. This allows it to be put on your dog pretty easily. It also means they can’t grow out of it all that quickly, good news for a growing puppy. This also means it’s much easier to secure, and a playful pup can’t break out whenever they want. This is the best dog harness for puppies as it suits their unique needs.
Which is the Best Dog Harness and Lead for Dogs?
The best lead and harness for dogs isn’t set in stone. Instead, it all comes down to whichever type of harness you actually need. Different dogs have different requirements, so you’re going to need to find which one suits you and stick with it. These are all great choices, but the one that’s right for you is really as unique as your dog is.
