Why I Finally Ditched the Collar for a Dog Harness (and What I Wish Someone Told Me First)

My kelpie-cross, Banjo, has always been the kind of dog that lunges at the end of a lead like he's trying to take off. For the first two years we owned him, I kept him on a flat collar because that's what my parents used with our family dog, and I never once questioned it. Then one Tuesday morning, something clicked — or rather, something in Banjo's neck didn't.

We were walking past the bakery on our usual loop when a delivery scooter backfired. Banjo hit the end of the lead so hard the collar dug into his throat that he coughed for a full minute. I stood there on the footpath feeling like the worst dog owner in Australia. That was the morning I started properly looking into a dog harness that local shops actually stock, instead of just the cheapest thing at the servo.

The truth about collars and a pulling dog

Here's what nobody told me: when a dog pulls against a collar, all that pressure goes straight onto the trachea and the soft tissue in the neck. Banjo wasn't being naughty — he's a working-breed dog with a prey drive the size of a small car, and I was quietly choking him every single time he got excited. The moment I read that line, the guilt landed harder than the scooter.

A harness spreads the pressure across the chest and shoulders, which is simply kinder. It doesn't fix pulling on its own, but it stops you from hurting your dog while you work out the rest. That alone was worth the switch for me, and it's the part I wish someone had said out loud years earlier.

How I learned to measure him properly (the part I almost skipped)

I'll be honest — the first harness I ordered online was a size too small because I guessed. Don't be me. The proper dog harness size guide that Australian sellers put out all says the same two measurements: the chest girth, taken right behind the front legs, and the neck base where a collar would sit.

When you learn to measure a dog for a harness the right way, you wrap a soft tape measure around the widest part of the ribcage, snug but not tight, then add a couple of centimetres for the coat. Banjo measured 68cm around the chest, which put him squarely in a large. I wish I'd done this before the first failed order — it would've saved me a return postage fee and a solid week of waiting.

Vest style, step-in, or overhead — what's the difference?

This confused me for ages, so here's the plain version. A vest-style harness is the padded, wider kind that looks like a little jacket. It's great for nervous dogs because it feels secure and spreads pressure evenly across the body. A step-in harness is the one your dog literally steps into with both front paws and you clip up the sides — brilliant if your dog hates things going over his head. An overhead style slips on from above like a jumper.

The step-in versus overhead debate, for me, came down to Banjo's personality. He's fine with stuff coming over his head but gets wriggly, so the step-in won me over on busy mornings. If your dog is head-shy at all, skip the overhead completely and go straight to step-in.

Why I care about an adjustable lead now

I used to think a lead was a lead. Then I met a retractable one that Banjo wrapped around my ankles and learned the hard way why they're a bad idea for a puller. A good adjustable lead lets you change the length — short and close in the city, longer when we hit the off-lead reserve. Pairing it with a quality lead from an Australian brand means the clip doesn't rust after one beach trip, which is a real concern down here with the salt air.

The small win: a lead with a poop bag holder

Sounds trivial, I know. But a lead with a built-in poop bag holder changed my walking routine more than I expected. No more patting my pockets at the worst possible moment, no more "oh no I left them at home" panic halfway down the street. It's the kind of small design detail that makes daily walks actually pleasant instead of a juggling act.

Where I ended up buying

I typed "dog harness near me Australia" into my phone expecting nothing local, and found a stockist twenty minutes away with a proper fitting service. The staff watched Banjo walk and adjusted the straps in front of me. If you're in a capital city, you can absolutely find this — searching locally will surface the indie pet shops that actually know their stuff, not just the big chain stores with a wall of mystery sizes.

Buying local also meant I could take the harness back the next day when the first one chafed his armpit, no postage drama. That's worth more than the few dollars you might save online when you're still figuring out what works.

My sign-off

Six months on, Banjo's neck cough is gone and our walks are something I look forward to instead of dread. If you're on the fence, my only real regret is not switching sooner. Measure properly, pick the style that suits your dog's personality, and buy from someone who'll help you fit it. Your dog's throat will thank you, and so will your shoulders.

— Written by a tired-but-happy dog owner in Australia, still learning as I go.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I measure my dog for a harness?

Measure the chest girth just behind the front legs and the neck base where a collar sits, using a soft tape. Keep it snug but not tight, then match those numbers to the brand's size chart rather than guessing from weight or breed.

Should I choose a step-in or overhead harness?

If your dog is head-shy or wriggly, a step-in style is far easier because nothing goes over the head. An overhead style suits dogs comfortable with handling. Match the style to your dog's temperament, not the look.

Will a harness stop my dog from pulling?

Not by itself. A harness protects the throat while you train loose-lead walking with rewards. It removes the physical harm of a collar but the training still has to happen.

What length lead should I use day to day?

A 1.2 metre lead is the everyday standard for suburban walks. A 2 metre lead helps with training, and a 3–5 metre long line is ideal for beach or off-lead practice in safe areas.

Where can I get my dog fitted in Australia?

Search for independent pet stores near you that offer a fitting service, or ask at PETstock and Petbarn. Buying local means you can return a poor fit quickly and get advice from someone who sees dogs in person.

Lead & Harness Size Reference

Quick guide for choosing lead length and webbing width by dog size.

Lead length	Webbing width	Best use
1.2 m	1.5–2.5 cm	Everyday suburban walks, most dogs
2 m	1.5 cm	Lead training and recall work
3–5 m (long line)	1.5–2 cm	Beach, park, off-lead practice
Adjustable 1.5–3 m	2.5 cm padded	City plus reserve, changing needs

Webbing width by dog size: under 10 kg → 1.5 cm, 10–25 kg → 2 cm, over 25 kg → 2.5 cm.