No Longer a Pain in the Neck
 Harnesses: They're those funny, complicated looking contraptions that wrap around a dog's torso. Harnesses do prevent neck-strain, however when it comes to training, are they more of a help or a hindrance?
The answer to the burning question above depends on why you've chosen this piece of equipment and what kind of harness you're using.
A traditional harness that fastens on the back is useful if you are trying to keep your dog secure (harnesses offer more security/safety than regular collars) or if you are teaching your dog to pull something such as a sled or cart. That's because traditional harnesses were designed to give a dog additional leverage and purchase, utilizing their entire body weight to do the job of pulling. So if you are in the market for a sled dog or entering a weight-pull contest, a regular harness will definitely help your dog heave-ho.
But think about it? Do you really want to give your dog extra power for your neighborhood walks? Probably not. Enter the modern take on an old standby: the no-pull harness.
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Harnessing the Power of the Harness
 For all their official-looking straps and fasteners, the no-pull harness is simply a management tool to facilitate more enjoyable leash walking. Because the leash attaches to a ring at the chest (as opposed to on the back) of the harness, tension is shifted from your pup's neck to the front her trunk, thus reducing her leverage for pulling and giving you more control.
For leash-pullers, this is great news. Since the force of the pull is now absorbed and distributed through your dog's torso, the chances of injuries to the neck are greatly reduced, as are the risks of choking or serious damage to the trachea. And, a no-pull harness won't interfere with most training exercises which require your pup to be on leash. As for ID and registration tags? A flat buckle collar is still your best bet.
Do keep in mind that using a no-pull harness will not magically train your dog to walk politely on leash; it will simply thwart the behavior while the equipment is in use. If you'd like your dog to learn to heel, walk on a loose leash, or stay near you off leash, well that's what training is for!
Sensible and Sensational
If you're now in the market for a harness, both the Sensible Harness and the Sensation Harness are extremely durable and well-designed. You can find them online and at many local pet stores and veterinary clinics. If you've never fit your dog for a harness before, shop in person and bring her along when you're ready to buy. A harness is not as intuitive to put on as you might think, so be sure to get a demo before you head out the door.
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