Collars

Why do most people use collars on their dogs (as opposed to harnesses) ?

Is it just tradition ?
An impression of the dog being better trained/behaved ?
Because a collar is easier to put on and can even be left on all the time ?
A collar is cheaper than a harness ?

I only use a collar and harness on Misty. I think it's the law they have to wear a collar and tag. Around here I see a huge amount of dogs on both collar and harness. Although when we had our family lab she was on a collar only, partly because harnesses just weren't popular then but she was such a well behaved dog she didn't pull etc.

Does the tag have to be on a collar ?
I have my tags on the harnesses but think harness + collar would be a bit too much tackle.

Harnesses are a comparatively new bit of kit for dogs and there are still people who are surprised they exist! And some people still maintain that a harness will make a dog pull but a collar won't.

I do not like collars left on, they can be dangerous.

I also have tags on their harnesses and I would be completely and utterly gobsmacked if anyone tried to insist they were on a collar instead. The intention of the law is that the dog should have readily accessible ID, which the tag provides regardless of what it's attached to.

Oh, I didn’t realise that harnesses were that revolutionary !

My particular pet hate are any type of choking collar. I mean how is strangling a dog going to help it understand anything at all. The neurones and brain need oxygen to function, right ?

Hello! For my opinion, it also depends a lot on the size of the dog. More than anything because they do not have the same strength and therefore not the same danger of drowning. But yes, the harnesses are better, more comfortable for both. Until next time!

A dog's neck is similar to ours and just as easily damaged, a dog that pulls or one that leaps around can do a lot of damage to their neck.  I adopted a 10 year old Staffie some years ago who had to have a tracheotomy in because so much damage had been done to her neck.  My vet said he sees a lot of this type of damage which is caused by a flat collar or choke chain.   The change in Ellie when she had it put in was wonderful, she was able to run and play more. Ellie had 2 tags on her harness, one with her address and contact phone number the other said, "Do not bath me or I will drown".

As well as Ellie not being able to wear a collar I had a Greyhound who needed an operation to his spine, he was not allowed to wear a collar after this operation, according to my vet he said that collars can damage the spine which was also said with one of my present dogs when she damaged her neck playing, no collar as her neck is now weakened.  

I do have 2 bitches who will fight if I miss the trigger which I haven't done for quite a lot of years, they have to wear collars so I can break the fight up.  They are never left together when I go out but are separated.  One of these girls now has lymphoma so I won't have her for much  longer.