A Pain in the Neck

Believe it or not, I didn't pick this photo just to grab attention. 

Just look at it - what does acting like a dog with a collar and lead actually mean?

 Submission? Masochism? Debasement of dignity? Maybe even pain?

Whoever wants to play out those fantasies, does so for their own reasons, with consent (one hopes), but it does make certain questions sit up and beg.  Just why did someone come up with the idea to put a collar on a part of a dog that contains sensitive vertebrae, ligaments, blood vessels, glands, not to mention the trachea and oesophagus, and why do we so rarely question why it's okay to do so?

Physiotherapist, Els Vidts, and myotherapist Julia Robertson can offer plenty of reasons why we should abandon attaching leashes to collars for good.   

They point out that a single whiplash injury to a human can result in lifelong pain and complications. Even waking up with a crick in the neck is a miserable experience, whether sitting, resting or standing we are keenly aware of how our neck comfort is compromised. Think on this, then - potentially, a dog wearing a collar and lead can suffer neck trauma on a daily basis. 

Long term collar pressure on the neck can result in bone spurs and thickened ligaments, damage to tear glands, sweat glands, salivary glands - even the heart and lungs. 

I hope no one reading this post would ever contemplate using a choke-chain, but choke-chains work because they cause pain on the tongue bone (hyoid). This bone is small and easily damaged - break or bend this bone and you have a dog who no longer enjoys the fundamental pleasure of eating and chewing. Believe it or not, the tongue is even involved in balancing the motion of the body! Further evidence of how a holistic approach to canine well-being is crucial. 


Research by vet, Jean Dodds, and covered in her book illustrates how collar damage to the thyroid gland can be severe enough to result in hypothyroidism. Such a multi-functionary master is the thyroid that this can mean not only physiological, but behavioural problems. It's not hard to extrapolate that if a dog was suddenly unable to tolerate an everyday situation, such as children playing noisily, it could result in him being rehomed or put to sleep.

Personally, I've my own guilt to shoulder. My dog, a huge former racing greyhound, pulled a lot. When we collected him from the rescue centre we were provided with a classic long-dog collar, leash, muzzle and even a raincoat. We'd only ever seen greyhounds marched along on a short leash. It was a long time before I realised a harness was an option. 

Too late. 

His trachea was already so damaged that his breathing was impaired. Every time I hear a dog straining on a leash, huffing and gasping, I remember my own dog and the ignorance he endured!

So, have I convinced you to put your dog in a harness? And, if he pulls, what about a correction harness or a halter? In the jungle of giant pet stores and online shops, how does one choose the perfect gear? 

Thanks to Els Vidts' research, we can look at the ideal harness in detail next time. 

If you want to spread the word, download an information pack here.