Choosing the right collar, harness and leash for your dog

Learning all about the features and benefits of a product for your pet is important, but even more so when it's something your pet will wear because you'll want to choose the most comfortable and effective product available. The following is a simple description of the various options available for your pet to help you make an informed decision.

A collar is essential for attaching a dog tag and for quick outings. The following are a few points to consider when making your choice.

Material: fabric, leather or silicone (to be determined on the basis of your dog's comfort and skin sensitivity, and use)

Width: 1.2 cm to 1.9 cm or 2.5 cm (½ to ¾ in. or 1 in.) wide (to be determined on the basis of your dog's size)

Size: manufacturers often have collar models that range from very small to very large. Most of the time, collars range from 15 to 63.5 cm (6 to 25 in.) (depending on the size of your dog's neck).

Isabelle Borremans' favourite collar

Collars	Advantages	Points to consider
Clip collar	Wide range of models Model available for very small dogs	Since this type of collar is more widely available, it's often of poorer quality
Collar with holes	More precise and quicker adjustment because of preset holes	If you have to put on and take off the collar regularly, this type of fastener is less practical
Martingale collar	Ideal for dogs with a head and neck of comparable width (e.g., greyhound)	Not that easy to adjust and more expensive and harder to find

Choosing a leash is very important because it connects you to your dog. The following are a few points to consider.

Length: 1.2 to 1.8 m (4 to 6 ft.) (to be determined according to the size of your dog)

Material: silicone, fabric, leather (to be determined on the basis of use)

Width: 1.2 to 1.9 cm or 2.5 cm (½ to ¾ in. or 1 in.) wide (to be determined according to the size of your dog)

Isabelle Borremans' favourite leash

Leashes	Advantages	Points to consider
Single or double leash	Most common because it's easy to use and can be attached quickly Available in a variety of colours and fabrics	Once again, when a product is available in large quantities, you have to be sure to find the right quality to avoid being disappointed
Multipurpose leash	Allows you to attach the leash to your waist or wear it over your shoulder, and create a handle that suits you and that sometimes has an extra attachment to better manage your dog	A little more expensive than a single leash It's important to try the leash on site to be sure that it can be adjusted to suit your needs and is long enough for your dog if you attach the leash to your waist or wear it over your shoulder
Bungee leash	A good shock absorbing option if you enjoy brisk walks with your dog	More difficult to find for small dogs (under 9 kg or 20 lbs)
Safety leash	A universal leash that allows you to attach your dog, with its harness, to your car's seat belt buckle	Restricts your dog's movements, but has not been crash tested Requires access to an available seat belt buckle
Retractable leash	Ideal for walking in open spaces where you can't let your dog off leash	To avoid injuring your pet or a passerby, not recommended for a walk through your neighbourhood or the city
Chain leash	A good temporary choice if you have a young dog that tends to chew on its leash	Uncomfortable and heavy; recommended only for short-term use
Training leash	Often called a tether, it's useful for dog instruction	Use outside and in open spaces to prevent tangling

A harness is the best tool for your dog. When choosing a harness, it's important to consider your dog's comfort, but also how you plan to use it.

You may very likely decide on one model of harness for walking and another for hiking or running. Your dog will learn to tell them apart and know when it's time to explore, or go for a walk or a run with you.

Isabelle Borremans' favourite harness

Harnesses	Advantages	Points to consider
Back-clip harness (that allows you to attach the leash to the middle of the back)	Can be found anywhere and is ideal for calm dogs that don't pull Very popular, so easy to find for all types of dogs Ideal for growing puppies, since it's often inexpensive	It's always recommended that you try 2 or 3 different harnesses before choosing one. Take the following criteria into account: dog's comfort, quality of the material, and ability to put on and take off easily
Front-clip harness (that allows you to attach the leash to the chest, between the shoulders)	Often copied but never equalled, a good front-clip harness is ideal for a dog that tends to pull Often has another clip at the back (for when the dog isn't pulling) and even a handle to help you easily hold back the dog	An increasing number of models offer this innovation, but it's important to carefully test it on your dog beforehand to assess the product quality
Head harness	It's not a muzzle, but a harness that allows you to manage your dog during unpleasant walks Very effective and allows you to control your dog's tiniest movements without having to use force	Tool that requires considerable adaptation, both for the owner (to make sure it's on correctly) and the dog (to gradually get used to it) It should be used gradually and may take the dog a few days or weeks to adapt
Running harness	A more specific model that allows your dog to run as though it weren't wearing anything at all Since canicross is becoming an increasingly popular sport, there is a greater choice of products available	To use it correctly, you should also budget for a waist belt, so you can run with your dog, and a bungee leash that attaches to the running harness and belt, to avoid falls
Car harness	An essential item for car travel Although some models are designed specifically for your car, other types of harnesses for your daily walks can also be used as car harnesses (read the manufacturer's instructions)	Unfortunately, few models have been crash tested You have to budget a considerable amount for a crash-tested model Since safety is a priority, take the time to carefully read the instruction manual and get used to the different harness straps
Hiking harness	Generally has storage pouches for your dog's gear, such as poop bags and a collapsible water bowl Less restrictive and allows the dog to be more relaxed on the hike	Not suitable for everyday use and can be restrictive Generally more costly Requires patience at first because several features have to be adjusted to prevent the harness from becoming uncomfortable