Collar or harness? Which Is Better for Your Dog? (And Why It Matters for Security)

Choosing between a collar and a harness for your dog isn’t just about comfort; it can impact your dog’s safety, control, and even your ability to protect them from theft. In this guide, we break down when to use each and why the DOGLOC Collar is essential for owners who want both security and flexibility.

When to Use a Collar

Collars are the most common walking accessory and for good reason. They’re lightweight, easy to use, and great for dogs who don’t pull. But collars also serve a bigger purpose: they display your dog’s ID tags and are typically used for training, registration, and emergency control.

✅ Best for: Dogs that walk calmly, short outings, and everyday wear.

When to Use a Harness

Harnesses are ideal for dogs that pull, small breeds with delicate necks, or those with respiratory issues. They offer more control without putting pressure on your dog’s throat, and they’re often used for longer walks or car safety attachments.

✅ Best for: Puppies, brachycephalic breeds (like Pugs), and strong pullers.

So Which Is Better?

It depends on your dog’s behaviour, breed, and walking habits. Many dog parents use both a harness and a collar; the harness for walking, and the collar for ID and backup safety.

Here’s What Most People Don’t Know…

While harnesses are great for comfort and control, they come with a big flaw if you ever need to secure your dog temporarily while you’re out in public, having a DOGLOC Collar and leash makes all the difference.

Why the DOGLOC Collar is Essential for Dog Security

The DOGLOC anti-theft collar and leash is more than just a stylish accessory—it’s your dog's personal security system. Unlike regular collars or harnesses, it features a patented locking mechanism (Australian Patent Application No. 2024267778) that cannot be unclipped without the matching key.

Combined with a cut-resistant stainless steel leash core, DOGLOC is designed to stop opportunistic theft while giving you peace of mind.

• Lock-Ready: The leash can only be locked to the DOGLOC collar, not to a harness or standard collar.
• Still Use Your Harness: You can still clip the leash to your dog’s regular harness for comfort during walks, but to lock the leash when needed, you must also attach it to the DOGLOC collar.
• Designed in Australia: Created by dog parents and award-winning engineers, DOGLOC is a finalist in the International Design Excellence Awards.

Harness + DOGLOC = Best of Both Worlds

If your dog prefers walking on a harness, no problem. Simply use the DOGLOC leash clipped to their regular harness while walking, then switch it over to the DOGLOC collar when you need to run into a shop or other non-dog-friendly venue.

Final Verdict

Harnesses are great for comfort. Collars are essential for control, ID placement, and locking security.

We recommend choosing the one that is most comfortable for your dog for walking, but only the DOGLOC Collar gives you peace of mind when you need to leave your dog safely tethered for a moment.

Want to see how it works? Check out our how-to guide here.