It would help if you had a leash and collar to hold on to your dog, whether to prevent it from running from a squirrel or chasing after another dog.

Collars or harnesses have the same function, namely to fasten a leash. However, collars are worn around the neck while harnesses wrap around your dog’s body. And they come in different sizes and types, making them available for any dog. Here are some of the types of collars:

Martingale Collars

A martingale collar has a small loop that tightens whenever your dog pulls. It has two advantages:

The tightening action hinders them from removing when your pet pulls.

The pressure from the collar tightening is uncomfortable, and it encourages your dog to stop tugging.

The collars are helpful for dogs with slender heads like Whippets, Shelties, and Greyhounds. They are excellent for minor pullers and not suitable for persistent or strong pullers.

Choke Chains

Choke chains also tighten and apply pressure on your dog’s neck like martingale collar do. But they differ in two ways:

Choke chains have no maximum tightening and will continue getting tighter as your dog pulls

The thinner metal chains cause more discomfort and pain than the martingale collar, which is thicker.

Trained professionals with powerful, large dog breeds can use choke collars to train and control the dogs. If you’re not a professional, you can’t use choke chains for small or medium-sized dog breeds because you might injure your dog.

Pinch Collars

Pinch collars, also called prong collars, are lined with either triangular points or metal barbs that prick your dog when the collars tighten. They produce uncomfortable sensations on your dog when they get tighter.

The pinch collars can hurt your dog if you don’t use them properly and carefully, and it might be questionable to use pinch collars on your dog, especially when it’s a stubborn dog.

Electric Collars

An electric collar has two electrodes in front that you can control with a handheld remote, and pressing the button will sensitize your dog. The collar is an excellent choice when you properly use them, and that’s by using the lowest setting to get your dog’s attention and using them as an assertive form of communication and not as a punitive, reactive means of punishment.

Back-Clip Harnesses

Back clip harnesses have their D-ring (the place the leash attaches to) positioned on top. The advantages of this type of harness are that you’ll be able to control your dog more, the rein will prevent the leash from tangling, and it reduces the risk of injury from the D-ring.

The disadvantages of back clip harnesses are that they can worsen pulling problems because dogs will walk in the opposing direction of the applied force.

Front-clip Harnesses

The front clip harness design is similar to the back clip harness, but the D-ring’s position is on your pup’s chest. It’s a good harness for dogs that pull a lot because as the dog tugs forward, it’ll feel heightened pressure in front, making them slow down.

Some come with martingale loops for more pressure, and the design allows you to have more directional control than collars. But, your dog can get tangled in the leash, and it can cause several chafing when not correctly fitted.

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