Is it safe or comfortable to leave my puppy's harness on all day?

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I don't see any reason not to leave them on other than they will probably chew each other's harnesses and cause damage to them. This could be a big problem since harnesses are not cheap. Other than that, I think it's ok to leave them on. Good luck

I would not leave it on her all the time, especially if Mila gets annoyed with it. That's because it is more restrictive than a collar, and it can chafe in sensitive areas, such as under her arms. I would make sure she does have a collar on at all times with an ID tag.

Quite honestly it all depends upon the shape of your dog. Some harnesses tend to fit longer dogs vs stouter dog vs deep chested vs narrow shaped dogs. I would recommend bring your dog to the pet store and having her try on several different varieties to see which fits most comfortably. Most importantly, ask yourself if this harness provides proper support and will not fall off when being used for walking.

Dogs should not be left in a crate with a collar on, or left unsupervised anywhere where there is something that could get hooked on the collar, as this poses a potential strangulation risk. They should also not be left unsupervised while playing with other dogs with a collar on, as this could lead to strangulation if the other dog grabs the collar. You can remove the collar at night if your dog is in a secure area where he cannot accidentally get loose or escape, as you can't monitor Oscar at night while sleeping.

I think you meant leash? Yes, gentle pulling on a leash while out for a walk is safe. It can take puppies several weeks to understand the purpose of a leash. If you puppies is coughing or snorting when pulling on the leash he may need to wear a harness instead of a collar. Obedience training will help you puppy understand to walk next to you instead of pulling on a leash. A leash should never be left on a puppy without you being on the other end - they can get easily tangled up and choke!

Sounds like the collar may still be pretty scary for your pup! Some puppies may also just be very excited and become wiggly or nip/chew on you in excitement. Here are a few things you can do: Leave the collar/harness on the floor and let your puppy approach it first on his own. Toss a treat and give lots of praise any time he shows interest in it or sniffs it. Practice handling your puppy around the neck and shoulders by petting, playing with, cuddling, etc and giving a favorite treat and praise every time you do this so he begins to associate it with a positive experience. Practice snapping a collar/harness closed next to your pup but not on him, offering a treat and praise every time he is curious about it. Practice sitting while placing the collar or harness on, and giving a treat every time you do. If puppy becomes too wiggly or excited, take a break and try again in a few minutes. Offer extra treas and lots of praise when he successfully puts on and wear the collar, even if it's only for a few minutes.

I generally recommend using harnesses rather than collars for walking. If a dog pulls excessively on a collar, they can cause irritation to the trachea (windpipe) or develop neck pain or injury. Some harnesses, such as an EasyWalk harness or Gentle Leader, are designed to minimize pulling and can be quite helpful for training. Teaching Jasper a "look" command where he learns to watch you closely while on a leash is quite helpful. All of that said, I still like dogs to wear collars so that their identification tags are readily accessible in the off chance that they would run off. I hope this helps and that all goes well!