Every dog needs walking gear, but the right choice depends on your dog's size, age, walking style and health. Here's how to choose.
Collars
A flat collar is the everyday basic. Even if you walk with a harness, your dog should wear a collar with an ID tag showing your phone number.
Best for: calm walkers who don't pull, and holding ID tags.
Fit tip: you should be able to slide two fingers under the collar. Check the fit often on growing puppies.
Be careful if: your dog pulls hard. Pressure on the neck can be uncomfortable, and many vets suggest a harness for dogs with breathing or neck issues and for flat-faced breeds like pugs and French bulldogs.
Harnesses
A harness spreads pressure across the chest and shoulders instead of the neck.
Back-clip harness
The leash clips on the back. Comfortable and easy to put on. Great for small dogs and calm walkers, but it won't discourage pulling.
Front-clip harness
The leash clips on the chest. When your dog pulls, they gently turn back toward you, which makes it a helpful training tool for pullers.
Dual-clip harness
Has both clips, so you can switch as your dog's walking improves.
Fit tip: two fingers should fit under every strap, and the harness shouldn't rub behind the front legs.
Leashes
- Standard 4–6 ft leash: the best everyday choice and ideal for training.
- Long line (15–30 ft): great for practising recall in open, safe spaces.
- Retractable leashes: they give less control near roads and other dogs, so they're best kept for very calm dogs in quiet areas.
- Hands-free leash: clips around your waist for jogging with a well-trained dog.
Quick picks
- New puppy: light collar with ID + soft back-clip harness + 6 ft leash
- Strong puller: front-clip or dual-clip harness + 6 ft leash, plus loose-leash training
- Small or flat-faced breed: comfortable harness rather than walking on the collar
- Night walks: reflective or light-up collar, harness or leash
Make walks a training moment
Gear helps, but practice makes perfect. Reward your dog with treats and praise when the leash is loose. Track their progress with our printable Dog Training Tracker, which includes a loose-leash walking goal.
Shop comfortable walk gear in our Collars, Leashes & Harnesses collection.
0 comments