The tools we choose to walk our dogs: there are much better ways than being led by the neck

The tools that we choose to use to walk our dogs are really important, tools can absolutely have a positive or negative effect on our walk, based on how the tool is making our dog feel. As well as either negatively or positively impacting your dog’s emotional and physical health and wellness.
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When discussing tool usage with guardians, many guardians shudder at the thought of using a prong, an e collar, a choker or tightening harness. But what many guardians do not consider is that utilising a collar, a halti or a restrictive harness can impact how your dog feels and also control the type of walk experience that you are about to have or do have.

However as dog professionals we have a duty of care to help guardians and not vilify them, if we meet guardians with judgement straight away the guardian is going to defend themselves as human nature dictates, we could then seriously harm this relationship and furthermore contribute to the negative welfare for the dog.

Flat collars are just as restrictive as a prong collar, choke collar or slip lead in that they can impede the airway. A friend's dog, before I knew her, dogs' oesophagus collapsed and needed emergency life saving surgery due to using a flat collar.
We also need to be mindful that halti’s and figures of 8 devices do have a collar component to them as well as the strap across the muzzle.

A guardian surmised this perfectly: “Until I knew about Truelove Harnesses, I felt the only way I could walk my dog was with a halti for fear of being pulled over. I never enjoyed using it and did wonder about the damage it could potentially cause.” Please refer to this blog on haltis.

I would like to clarify as well. I am a full time wheelchair user and I also have arthritis in my shoulders and very limited feeling or sensation in my hands. I use Y Front Harnesses. You can check out my previous blog on Head halters or haltis - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/KLXwMvTgN7KLSaDS/?

Nottingham Trent University investigated the force and the pressure from a collar on the dog’s neck, they wanted to explore how collars can negatively impact dogs' health and wellness. They did not test the force on a dog due to the ethical implications and safety and well being of a dog, but instead used a cylinder with sensors and pressure points.

They tested a wide range of collars, including the slip lead, wide fitting collars and padded collars. They found that all of the collarsa could cause risk of injury to the dog, they exerted the force of 40 newtons onto the cylinder, which was classified as a firm pull, a strong pull at 70 newtons and a jerk which was 141 newtons. (Newtons is the range of measured force).

There was no collar used in the test which was considered that harm would not or could not be caused by. They also found that extension leads provided the force of the jerk measurement, when the lead abruptly stopped which was equivalent to not only a jerk but also a correction to the dog.

Thanks to the Nottingham Trent University study we now know of the damage that flat collars can do, researchers have also found is that if we look at the area in terms of diameter and circumference of the dogs neck and collar, this is a small contact area when we change this observation from a flat collar to a prong collar it is a much smaller contact area digging into the skin causing skin and nerve damage. (1)

Guardians also reported that their dogs coughed and hacked whilst using these devices, which reports to the researchers the hypothesis of the neck injuries which can be sustained from using these devices. (2)

It was also found that the pulling on these devices caused intraocular damage (eyes), they also found that this was higher during periods of pulling due to the valsalva manoeuvre, which means tightening of the glottis (the area between the lungs and the vocal tract), so airflow is completely cut off. It was found in humans when this is repeatedly done that there is an extreme loss of the field of sight, which they believe is the same result for dogs. (4)

Pulling on the collar and lead has been shown to increase the risk of permanent tracheal, laryngeal, oesophageal and ophthalmic damage in all dogs, and a much higher risk in brachycephalic breeds. (3)

I just want to reiterate that I am not sharing this information to upset anyone but to raise awareness of the damage that these tools can do, there are many injuries in which dogs attend the vets due to these devices and like any major injury the damage can be critical and life changing.

So if we explore harnesses, it is really important when selecting a harness that the harness is well fitting to your individual dog.

Chest strap harnesses have been found to impede shoulder and thoracic limb extension. This was done by measuring the dog’s gait. Gait analysis is used on both humans and animals to measure the kinetic and kinematic measurements. Kinetic is measured by measuring ground reaction forces, from the foot going to the ground using force platforms. Kinematic is measured by the position and body orientation segments or bony landmarks of the linear and angular velocities and accelerations and joint angles being determined. (4)

Linear motion is the motion of moving along a straight path and then measured in units of length, angular motion is the circular motion of objects at a fixed axis and the associated variables are measured in radians or degrees.

Researchers also hypothesised from their findings that prolonged use of repeated strain of a chest strap harness could cause tendinopathies which is damage to the tendons, tiny tears form, this can cause chronic, intermittent or unilateral lameness. (5)
It was also found through the research that the secure attachment and the type of attachment p[layed a role in guardians ease, enjoyment and ability to walk their dog on a loose lead, with little to no pulling. Guardians who walked their dogs regularly also reported that they felt that they had a strong attachment to their dog, whereas it was found that using aversive equipment weakened the attachment between guardian and dog as an indirect outcome. (6)

So when we look at an emotionally challenged dog not only do they have to contend with the environment and triggers, but they are also having to work with the equipment being used on them, now we have looked at various tools at length and the outcomes, it is time to consider how this can be damaging to a dog.

They may already be in a state of fight or flight which means that their muscles are tense, the brain is working at a very high speed sending information throughout their body and then we add the pain and the uncomfortability of the use of an aversive tool.
The dog could possibly redirect due to the pain and the triggers, this is when a dog could potentially bite their guardian, if their communications are not heard and acted upon, another dog or someone in their personal area that they can reach, this is not a bite aimed at anyone this is sheer frustration and fear of the situation that they are in, in an attempt to flee.

We also see dogs fighting the lead, this is also a sign of frustration, normally exhibited when the dog feels all of their other communications have been ignored, grabbing on the lead and the guardian pulling may feel like a game of tug to the dog. But due to the complexities of the dog's body and potential for injury it is much better to take a tug on a walk and redirect from the lead. Playing tug properly can help them with their feelings of anxiety and frustration. (7)

Many guardians do not see this behaviour as a game but disobedience and they become frustrated by the behaviour which depending on the guardian can lead to a correction. Consider instead taking out a favourite tug toy as a secondary rewarding reinforcer. This is not a cure to the frustration or the feelings of helplessness but this can be a communication tool between you both for your dog to help you to understand it is time to retreat and go home.

If your dog is doing this indoors, a vet check is needed, ask someone to record the behaviour or set up your phone in an area it can view but not get knocked over, also ask someone to video your walks, the vet can then analyse what is happening to the dog physically or refer you onto a canine chiropractor or hydrotherapist. You can also book a chiropractor or hydrotherapist yourself and just give the referral forms they give you to the vet receptionist. The chiropractor or hydrotherapist may even do this for you, but they will talk you through the process at your first appointment.

Every part of the anatomy has a purpose and a role to play, the muscles in the neck surround the vertebrae completely. This muscle's purpose is to provide flexibility and movement within the neck and head as well as protection for nerves and nerve impulses travelling to and from the brain.

When a collar is tightened on a dog the muscles become bruised, the damaged muscle fibres then shorten as they go through a self healing process. During this process however the muscles are drawing the vertebrae of the neck closer together, compromising the gaps between the vertebrae and impinging structures, this can result in devastating effects on the major nerves and vessels in the region. (Please refer to the anatomy diagrams for specific injuries and locations).

If a dog were on a collar and pulled sideways this would be a whiplash injury in a human. This type of force is too much for the dog's neck, this can leave the dog with chronic and repetitive whiplash pain.

Everything that a dog does with their body for movement is controlled by the neck, the neck has to be mobile and flexible working in tandem with the dogs shoulders, working together they allow the dog to turn and coursing ability. When they are damaged by a collar or a poorly fitted harness this can not only impact the dogs mobility but also their physiology.
If the dog's neck is injured or damaged then just like us humans, their posture will also be altered, this can further affect the internal organs as you can see in the diagram.

When the dog pulls on the lead, the lower back is affected in the lumbar region. Both in a rapid and chronic way, the changes may not be visible immediately and there could be other symptoms which bring about a diagnosis without the neck even being addressed, whilst more damage is being done by the dog pulling on the collar.

Due to the shapes and sizes of our dogs there is no harness yet manufactured where it is one size fits all, harnesses that are well fitted are much less likely to chase any damage, ill fitting harnesses can do damage as well as harnesses with the strap across the chest due to impacting the gullet and the windpipe, these injuries can also further damage the tongue.
The harness straps over the shoulders need to float over the body so as not to damage or restrict the shoulders, front strap harnesses also damage the shoulders and can alter gait.

The strap of the harness must be set on the ribs and not under the forelimb as this can cause rubbing and affect major neurological junctions. A neurological muscular junction is the synaptic connection between the terminal end of a motor nerve and a muscle. It is a site for transmission of action potential from nerve to muscle.

Action potentials are the changes in the electrical potential in a cell. For example, when you smell a scent such as food the olfactory neurons fire action potentials as a response.

The buckles and fastenings should also be fitted properly and not rubbing or bouncing on the back, this can make the back feel sore and irritated. (7)

Incorrect biomechanics of the dog's musculoskeletal structure can lead to the loss of joint confirmation and function leading to abnormal wear which can cause inflammation and arthritic conditions.

Biomechanics is the study of forces acted on and generated within the body, and the effects of these forces on tissues, fluids or materials, used for diagnosis, treatment or research purposes, this is exploration of the locomotion of the body, the biological occurrences within the body and especially focusing upon the musculoskeletal elements of the body.
(Physically the areas of damage which can occur to dogs with the use of collars, chokes, slips, haltis, e collars and poorly fitted harnesses are as follows.

The supraspinatus muscle can suffer tendinopathy, a condition in which the tendon becomes painful and has a limited range of motion. The supraspinatus muscle is a part of a muscle group which forms the rotator cuff, it is the smallest of the group of 4 muscles, which includes the rotator cuff of the shoulder joint. (From someone with arthritic shoulders, it is a daily struggle with the pain and the use, let alone walking on them, running on them and needing them for all of my movement needs, which is how dog;s differ from us and suffer more as a consequence.

There can also be damage to the infraspinatus muscle, this is another muscle within the group of four, this muscle is also a part of the rotator cuff, their role is to stabilise the glenohumeral joint, this is the ball and socket joint of the shoulder. (9)
It has also been found that there can be injury to the biceps, the biceps are a large muscle situated between the front and the upper arm. This muscle rotates the forearm and flexes the elbow. In Latin this muscle is known as the ‘two headed muscle of the arm.’

Infraspinatus myopathy is a uni or bilateral fibrotic myopathy of the Infraspinatus muscle which is normally a secondary trauma. With this injury we will see acute lameness, pain, and swelling within the shoulder area. Acute conditions are a severe and sudden onset, acute lameness means an inability to use a limb properly due to injury, illness, sprain, break or dislocation. (10) (11)

Myopathy refers to a generalised term of any disease that affects the muscles that control voluntary movement in the body.
Forelimb gait and lameness issues are a result of medial shoulder syndrome caused by repetitive microtrauma to multiple elements of the shoulder joint. Medial is the inner area of the shoulder and medial shoulder syndrome is when the area is overworked, which leads to degeneration of the tissue, which can further develop into fraying, disruption and eventually complete breakdown. (12)

When damage to the muscles occur, much like when we go to the gym or for a run, micro tears develop in the muscle which is seen as damage that the body will repair and also make the muscle stronger. However, the micro tears can lead to partial tears. Partial tears means that the tear has further torn the tendon, but does not specify dimensions. Partial tears can heal with the proper care and rehabilitation. If a full tear occurs, surgical intervention will be necessary. (13)

Dystrophic mineralisation which is the deposition of calcium salt in degenerated tissues can also occur, with this process the tissue is either necrotic (dead) and cannot be repaired due to the lack of blood flow to the tissue. Tissues can also go through this process when they degenerate, degeneration means that the condition such as osteoporosis is only going to get worse. This condition is mostly associated with trauma, inflammation and infection.

Chronic tenosynovitis of the shoulder usually occurs in middle aged dogs but can be diagnosed in young dogs of any breed, dogs seem to show an intermittent to constant Forelimb lameness which is further worsened by exercise.
Tenosynovitis is repeated injury to the biceps tendon, acute severe trauma and chronic osteochondritis dissecans of the shoulder joint. (14)

Changes in the biomechanics can potentially cause adverse pressures in the caudal anatomy which may exacerbate or hasten any conditions the dog is already predisposed to. Caudal means the lower end of the spine, tail and limbs. (15)
This can cause severe dysfunction, pain, referred pain, pins and needles, numbness in the paws which can result in chewing and licking behaviours of the paws. Referred pain means that there is pain occurring in one area of the body but the injury is actually somewhere else within the body, the common occurrences of referred pain are self mutilation of the paws even though the pain is elsewhere. (16) (17)

We discussed earlier, how tissues can become necrotic or degenerate due to the lack of blood flow, as can be seen in the diagrams, the blood flow can be cut off which essentially kills tissues within the dogs body. The blood flow to the brain can also be impacted by the tightening of a collar, which also impacts normal hormonal delivery which can catastrophically damage the eyes, ears and nose. (18)

The trachea and oesophagus are at risk also and are not well protected, we can see enlargement of the oesophagus and lack of muscle tone. Collapsed tracheas are also not an uncommon concern from the collar due to the pressure forcing a collapse.
The jugular vein and carotid artery can cause poor health around the head when they experience trauma or obstruction, the blood, nerve and energy flow to the dogs brain is vital, use of a flat collar, prong collar or electric shock collar can damage the vein and artery, again affecting dogs longevity of life.

The thyroid gland is located exactly where the collar puts pressure on the front of the neck, which can reduce thyroid hormone production due to the inflammation of the thyroid and by communicating that inflammation needs to be removed from the body.

The neck is the most critical region for balance, impulsion and flexibility. It is not just the neck that can become damaged but as a result of the damage to the neck, can further impact the rest of the body and create systemic issues. Systematic issues affect the endocrine system, which includes a complex network of glands and organs. (19)

The endocrine system is a group of tissues, richly supplied with blood, that release hormones into the circulation of the body, they can aid with nutrient uptake, to alter cell division and differentiation. (20)

The dog's tongue can also be hugely affected by collars, the dogs tongue is not just for taste and licking, the tongue is a vital muscle which is essential for the dog's balance, if the tongue becomes damaged the entire of the dog's balance can be affected.

The parasympathetic nervous system is also affected, this system is meant to lower arousal in dogs and calming them, this is done by slowing the heart rate, breathing rate, lowering blood pressure, promotes digestion and brings the body into a state of relaxation.

One of the responses of the parasympathetic nervous system consists of the working of the optic nerve to constrict the pupils, during rest, the glossopharyngeal nerve is activated, stimulating the flow of saliva to aid digestion and activates the bronchi to constrict for rest.

The parasympathetic nervous system is a subdivision of the autonomic nervous system integrated into the vagus nerve and regulates bodily functions outside of voluntary control. The parasympathetic nervous system begins at the brain and travels out throughout the body to the organs for quick communication. These organs include the lungs, liver, kidney, bladder and stomach.

The vagus nerve affects most of the body and retains trauma. We work with the vagus nerve and the parasympathetic nervous system to heal many areas of the body. The areas in which the vagus nerve controls such as the immune system, digestion and heart rate are involuntary body actions in which we cannot control, damage to any of these areas of the body are extremely worrying.(21)

The thymus is also affected and is another crucial organ for developing cells which fight off foreign cells that enter the body, the thymus is most active for puppies whilst the immune system is building, puppies don't know how to walk with any kind of restriction until they do learn and the thymus can be massively damaged during this time by a collar and can impact life longevity.

We often see puppies first scratching at their collar as they get used to the collar, we then typically see the puppy fighting with the lead and playing tug with it, we then see the puppy not understanding the radius of the lead and the collar can cause a snap back effect which is going to cause a lot of damage. This is why it is best to allow your puppy to wear a free range of movement harness from the start and also use a house line, a house line is very long and very thin, light lead this is NOT tethering, house leads allow the puppy to acclimate to the lead, doesn’t experience any jerks or corrections if properly supervised and the guardian gets to the lead before it could potentially get stuck under furniture.

Harness desensitisation is really important, this is to ensure your dogs comfortability and that the harness is the correct fittings so that they are not impeded in their movement and or injured. https://youtu.be/D3c5HeSrmK8?si=-jL3vWUJEtTb3A3b
Play with the harness and lead for trauma or pain related desensitisation after all clear: https://youtu.be/oOkonHEwbLU?si=NRxnvHjsUkZ7sj77

When your puppy is desensitised to the feel of the lead being attached to them in the home with the long line and you are ready to go outside, going up and down a few yards within a few repetitions using high value food and verbal reassurance and communication can really help your puppy to engage with you on a walk to avoid pulling, when Zombie pulled ahead I communicated with him, he turned back had a treat, then continued to check in due to the reinforcement. https://youtube.com/shorts/L1SrHikOYHM?feature=share

************************************Trigger warning, discussion of morbid outcome, please stop reading if you will be affected by the information. **********************************************



When people say that chokers don’t hurt, it's just a tug, a prong is just a pinch and an e collar is just a tickle, it is important to remember we do not have the statistics of the number of fatalities of dog’s killed by these devices either immediately due to the trauma or later due to the internal trauma and prolonged illness. I do not share the following information to scare anyone but be totally honest about my research findings, the next paragraph is a hard read.

It has been found that a year old German Shepherd was choked in the air for 60 seconds due to “misbehaving” during training. Four hours later finally the dog is taken to the vets, he is suffering with neurological damage and walking in circles, due to the lack of oxygen to the brain it was found that the brain and brainstem were compressed and herniated due to the lack of oxygen. So sadly the dog had to be euthanized as he could not survive this.

I hope you have enjoyed this blog and have a deeper or maybe even new understanding of why we as dog professionals constantly talk about tools and the impact that they can have on dogs. We are not commissioned to encourage you to buy Y Front harnesses or Tellington ttouch harnesses, we encourage you to do this to keep your dog happy and as healthy as possible and reduce the risks of injury either externally or internally.

So coming back to vet checks, when we encourage you to have a Vet check, all of the above is why, because we need the dog to have a thorough check to know absolutely that there is nothing going on internally which could affect their behaviour.
If we work with a dog without asking about a veterinary appointment and intervention, we are not doing our jobs correctly and doing yourself and your dog a disservice. If you have friends or family who need help with their dog and there has been a behaviour change especially, please encourage them to go to the vets first!

References

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