One of the most common questions dog trainers get is, “What is the best kind of collar or harness for my small dog?” There are so many different choices out there and it can be overwhelming. In this article we’re going to show you which is better for a Malshi specifically. We’ll also explain the uses and benefits of both the harness and the collar. Some of what we’ll say may also apply to other small dogs with the same types of traits.
Harness
Harnesses are designed to be an alternative to collars, giving you more control over your dog without risk of injury. The design of a harness takes pressure off your dog’s throat and disperses it over the chest, shoulders, and upper back – restraining movement but allowing them to breathe easily. This makes it harder for your dog to pull and provides a safer walking experience for both of you.
This is not only helpful for small dogs like the Maltese Shih Tzu, but also large dogs that may have breathing issues or neck injuries.
The right harness can help you train your puppy not to pull and makes it easier to take your adult dog out for exercise while protecting him from potential injury.
Collar
Collars are extremely easy to use. Just pop the collar over your dog’s head and snap the buckle. If you’re new to training, this can make it especially convenient. You won’t have a lot of time to waste when you need to get your dog in their collar and out the door for potty breaks or training sessions, so speed is important.
Which one to use?
One point that most dog trainers will stress is that toy breeds such as the Maltese or Shih Tzu should always wear a harness instead of a collar, so we think the answer is pretty clear. Toy breeds are small, and generally prone to tracheal collapse when they grow older. Because of this, it is highly recommended to use a harness instead of a collar to prevent injuries.
In terms of appearance and style, there are plenty of options available for dog harnesses. They come in many different sizes and colours so you can choose the one that best fits your needs and preferences. The one counter-argument to the use of a harness for a Malshi is when training them to not pull on the leash, but there are options for that. If you have a Maltese Shih Tzu that likes to pull on the leash, then you can use a harness that has a front attachment. This way, when they pull, the front attachment makes them spin around and stop pulling.
