Should your Golden Retriever wear a Collar or Harness?

Intelligent, kid-friendly, and muscular, Golden Retrievers may be the best furry choice you ever make.

Whether you already have a Golden in your family or planning to get one, it’s really necessary to give them the care they deserve. A lot of Retriever parents are curious about whether they should get a collar or harness for their dog.

A Harness or a Collar?

A collar is the first thing you buy when you get a dog. Invented long before harnesses, collars are what most people will buy after they get a dog. However, every dog is different and so are their needs, so it’s important to consider other options.

Collars can be a good option, but it depends on whether your pup has a tendency to pull when on the leash. We also have some great tips on how to do no pull training with your dog.

Being a friendly breed, these dogs are often excited to interact with other people and dogs. So, whenever they get excited, if they haven’t been trained properly, they will pull, which can cause a range of health issues.

Side-Effects of Using Harsh Collars

• Sudden Jerks

If your dog is untrained, there might be too much pulling and pushing that can lead to injuries. It’s important to be aware of spinal cord injury, whiplash, damaged trachea, vertebrae, and larynx. If there is enough damage to the nerves, this can also cause an abnormal sensation in the front paws.

• Thyroid Damage

If your dog pulls, traditional collars can damage the neck or the thyroid gland. Any pressure on this area of the body can influence the metabolism of your furry friend, causing issues like weight loss or gain, fatigue, and hair problems. 

• Ear and Eye Injuries

Whenever you pull your dog by the collar, both eyes and ears will feel certain pressure. In the long term, it can arise conditions like glaucoma or thin corneas.

Harness for your Golden Retriever

Harnesses are a great alternative to collars. It is a safer option because even if your dog pulls, it will not hurt your pup. Harnesses with a front leash attachment is also a great training tool if you are in the process of doing no pull training. 

A harness wraps around the dog’s body, so if your dog does pull, the force is distributed around the dog’s shoulders and behind the armpits. If you look for a padded harness like one of ours, this will also minimize any chaffing in those areas.

Our Urban Harness, Adventure Harness, and Sports Harness all feature a front no leash attachment point, control handle on the back, padding throughout and a back leash attachment.

Things to Keep in Mind While Using a Collar or Harness for your Golden Retriever

Although, we personally prefer a harness over collars, if your Golden responds well to collars, then that’s fine too.

When sizing a collar or harness, it’s recommended to have a 2 fingers’ width gap between the harness or the collar and the dog’s neck. Keep in mind that the fit can differ according to the positioning of the dog. A collar or harness that fits well while standing might get tight when the dog rolls over.