The short answer
There is no single best walking device for every dog. A flat collar or a well-fitted back-clip harness suits a dog that does not pull. For a dog that pulls, a 2025 review from the University of British Columbia found that a non-tightening front-clip harness gives the best balance of control and comfort. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) strongly discourages, and the BC SPCA opposes, pain-based tools such as prong, choke and shock collars. Rules differ by province and city, so check yours. This is general information, not legal advice. PawTrace is not a vet or a law firm. Ask your vet if your dog has neck, breathing or joint problems.
Quick highlights
- For dogs that pull, a 2025 UBC review found a non-tightening front-clip harness gives the best balance.
- Quebec prohibits prong (spike) collars; Montréal’s by-law also prohibits choke and electric collars.
- Ottawa requires the City tag on the collar or harness at all times; a lost tag costs $10 to replace.
- Fit check: one or two fingers between the device and your dog.
Key takeaways
- No one device fits every dog. The 2025 UBC review of 21 full-text articles and 2 abstracts found no one-size-fits-all device.
- For dogs that pull, a front-clip harness that does not tighten gave the best balance in that review. Tightening harnesses, martingales and head collars can cause more discomfort and are a last resort.
- Flat collars suit dogs that do not pull. The review says they should not be used on flat-faced (brachycephalic) dogs.
- The CVMA strongly discourages choke, pinch, prong, spray and shock collars. The BC SPCA also opposes devices that cause pain or distress.
- Quebec’s regulation prohibits a collar with pointed or sharp spikes turned toward the inside, such as a prong or spike collar. Montréal’s by-law also prohibits choke, prong and electric collars. Ontario, Ottawa and Toronto rules restrict some collars when they are part of a tether.
- Fit matters as much as type: one or two fingers should slide between the device and your dog.
- In Ottawa and Toronto the licence tag must be on the dog at all times, and in Ottawa on the collar or harness.
The main types, side by side
The table below sets out what each type is, which dogs the published sources say it suits, and what to watch. It summarizes the 2025 UBC review (Cavalli and Protopopova, Animals), the CVMA position statement, and guides from Canadian humane societies. It is a starting point for a talk with your vet or trainer, not a prescription.
| Type | What the sources say it suits | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Flat collar | Dogs that do not pull (UBC review). A place to carry ID and licence tags. | Not for flat-faced (brachycephalic) dogs, per the review. A strong puller puts pressure on the neck. |
| Martingale collar | Dogs whose head is smaller than their neck, so the collar cannot slip off (Edmonton Humane Society guide). | Two fingers should fit under it, behind the ears. Remove it when your dog is unsupervised. The guide says a dog that pulls a lot puts excessive pressure on the neck and should use a harness. The UBC review lists it as a last resort for pullers. |
| Back-clip harness | Dogs that do not pull, and flat-faced dogs in a chest-strap or Y-shaped design (UBC review). | The review reports that back-clip harnesses are associated with more pulling than collars. |
| Front-clip harness | Dogs that pull. A non-tightening front-clip harness gave the best balance in the UBC review. The CVMA lists front-clip harnesses among humane leash-control tools. | Fit still matters: one or two fingers between harness and body. |
| Head halter (head collar) | The CVMA lists head collars among humane leash-control tools. Calgary Humane Society encourages them with gradual, reward-based introduction. | The UBC review treats them as a last resort because they can cause more discomfort. Calgary Humane Society says flat-nosed or breathing-difficulty breeds are not suited, advises a double-ended leash, and notes that some dogs never accept one. |
| Prong, choke and shock collars | The CVMA strongly discourages them. It calls remote shock collars “not considered a necessary method”. | The BC SPCA opposes pain-based tools. See the rules table below for where law restricts them. |
Where the experts agree, and where they do not
The CVMA position statement “Humane Training of Dogs” (September 17 2021) says: “Humane methods for increased control on leash walks include head collars and front-clip harnesses.” The 2025 UBC review (funded by the Vancouver Foundation through the BC SPCA) says that for dogs that pull, non-tightening front-clip harnesses come first, and that tightening harnesses, martingale collars and head collars “should be considered as a last resort” because they “can pose greater discomfort”. Both can be true: a tool can be classed as humane when it is introduced slowly and fitted well, and still be a second choice if a non-tightening front-clip harness works for your dog. If you are choosing for a pulling dog, start with the lowest-risk option and ask your vet or a reward-based trainer before moving to anything else.
The welfare positions are clearer on pain-based tools. The BC SPCA does not support devices that cause anxiety, fear, distress, pain or injury, and names “choke chains, prong and shock collars (dogs)” as examples. In 2020 the BC SPCA wrote that shock collars can cause physical and psychological pain and that reward-based training is as effective or more effective. Calgary Humane Society chooses not to use choke, pinch or shock collars.
Does a province or city ban prong or shock collars?
The answer depends on where you live. The table states only what each source says. We opened the Ontario regulation, the Ottawa by-law, the Toronto municipal code, the Quebec regulation and Montréal’s by-law 21-012 on October 23 2026. We found no Ontario or British Columbia statute that bans prong or shock collars outright. That is a statement of what we found, not a legal opinion. This is general information, not legal advice.
| Place | What the source says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec (province) | A collar, harness, halter or other restraint must not hamper breathing or cause pain or injury (s. 24). “The use of a collar equipped with protruding pointed or sharp spikes turned toward the inside, such as a prong or spike collar, is prohibited” (s. 25). A choke collar or muzzle is also prohibited when the animal is unsupervised or tethered (s. 25). The regulation and the Animal Welfare and Safety Act contain no wording on electric or shock collars. The CVMA states that shock collars are banned in Quebec. | Regulation respecting the welfare and safety of domestic companion animals and equines, B-3.1, r. 0.1 (LégisQuébec, current to July 1 2026). It replaced the Regulation respecting the safety and welfare of cats and dogs (P-42, r. 10.1). |
| Montréal | Using a choke collar, a prong collar, an electric collar or any other collar likely to cause the animal pain is prohibited (s. 31). A dog must be on a leash of no more than 1.85 m, and a dog of 20 kg or more must wear a halter or harness attached to the leash, except a guide or assistance dog (s. 29). The City’s page also lists martingale collars as an example of a collar likely to cause pain. | By-law 21-012, Règlement sur l’encadrement des animaux domestiques (administrative consolidation, December 16 2025); City of Montréal owner-responsibilities page |
| Ontario (province) | A choke, pinch, prong, slip, head halter or martingale collar must not be used with a tether on a dog kept outdoors (s. 4.3(3)). A collar or harness used with a tether must not cause discomfort or injury (s. 4.3(2)). | O. Reg. 444/19 under the PAWS Act (e-Laws, current October 21 2026) |
| Ottawa | No tethering where a choke collar, choke chain or pronged collar forms part of the tether (s. 4(3)). | Animal Care and Control By-law 2003-77 |
| Toronto | No person shall keep an animal tethered where a choke collar, choke chain, pronged collar or similar device forms part of the tether (s. 349-8(D)). | Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 349 (version dated September 1 2026) |
Two points follow. First, the Ontario, Ottawa and Toronto rules cover tethering a dog, not walking one on a leash. Second, the Quebec regulation and the Montréal by-law speak to wearing or using the collar itself. If a specific device matters to you, read the current text or ask the province, your city or a lawyer.
Getting the fit right
- Two-finger check. The Edmonton Humane Society martingale guide says two fingers should slide under the collar, behind the ears. The UBC review gives one or two fingers between harness and body.
- No restriction. Quebec’s regulation says a collar, harness, halter or restraint must not impede breathing or cause pain or injury. If your dog coughs, gags, rubs sore spots or will not move freely, stop and ask your vet.
- Slip risk. A martingale is made for heads smaller than the neck so the collar cannot slide off. Take it off when your dog is unsupervised.
- Head halter introduction. Calgary Humane Society says to introduce a head collar gradually with rewards, to use a double-ended leash, and to expect that some dogs never accept one.
- Flat-faced breeds. The review says flat collars should not be used on brachycephalic dogs, and that a chest-strap or Y-shaped back-clip harness suits them. Calgary Humane Society says flat-nosed breeds are not suited to head collars. Ask your vet to check the fit.
ID and licence tags: what the rules say
A walking device is also where your dog carries its identity. In Ottawa, the City tag must be securely attached to the collar or harness at all times (By-law 2003-77, s. 7(1)(c)). If the tag is lost, the owner must buy a replacement (s. 7(1)(d)); Schedule A lists $10 for each replacement of a lost identification tag (read October 23 2026). In Toronto, the licence tag must be securely fixed to the dog at all times (Chapter 349, s. 349-11(C)). Montréal’s by-law says the animal must wear the City medal at all times (s. 20). Rules, fees and tag types change by city, so read our guide to dog licences in Canada’s big cities and check your own city’s page.
Put the tag on a collar even if you walk with a harness, unless your city says the harness will do. If you use a martingale or a head halter, check that the tag does not catch or rub.
Myth vs fact
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| Any harness stops pulling. | The 2025 UBC review reports that back-clip harnesses are associated with more pulling than collars. A non-tightening front-clip harness gave the best balance for pullers. |
| A strong dog needs a prong, choke or shock collar. | The CVMA strongly discourages these devices. The BC SPCA wrote in 2020 that reward-based training is as effective or more effective than shock collars. |
| A martingale is a gentle collar for any dog. | The Edmonton Humane Society says a dog that pulls a lot puts excessive pressure on the neck and should use a harness. The UBC review lists martingales as a last resort for pullers. Ontario’s outdoor tether rule lists them. |
| A microchip means a dog does not need a tag. | Ottawa’s by-law requires the City tag on the collar or harness at all times (s. 7(1)(c)) and gives no microchip exception to that clause. In Toronto the tag must be fixed to the dog at all times. |
| If a tool is sold in Canada, it is legal everywhere in Canada. | Quebec prohibits prong and spike collars. Montréal prohibits choke, prong and electric collars. Ontario, Ottawa and Toronto limit some collars on tethered dogs. Check your own rules. |
Next step
Not sure which device suits your dog? Book a fit check with your vet and ask for training help. Find a vet or browse dog trainers and other dog services near you.
Frequently asked questions
Is a prong collar illegal in Canada?
We found no federal law on prong collars. Quebec’s regulation B-3.1, r. 0.1 prohibits a collar with protruding pointed or sharp spikes turned toward the inside, “such as a prong or spike collar” (s. 25). Montréal’s by-law 21-012 prohibits prong collars (s. 31). Ontario’s O. Reg. 444/19, the Ottawa by-law and the Toronto code restrict pronged and similar collars when they form part of a tether. This is general information, not legal advice. Check the current text for your area.
Are shock collars banned in Canada?
Montréal’s by-law 21-012 prohibits electric collars (s. 31). The CVMA position statement says shock-collar use is banned in the province of Quebec. We found no electric or shock-collar wording in Quebec’s regulation B-3.1, r. 0.1 or in its Animal Welfare and Safety Act (both read October 23 2026). We found no statute in Ontario or British Columbia that bans them. Ask the province or a lawyer before relying on a province-wide ban. This is general information, not legal advice.
How tight should a collar or harness be?
The Edmonton Humane Society says two fingers should slide under a martingale collar, behind the ears. The UBC review gives one or two fingers between harness and body. The collar or harness must not stop your dog breathing or cause pain. Ask your vet to check the fit.
Is a head halter safe for my dog?
The CVMA lists head collars among humane leash-control tools. The UBC review treats them as a last resort because they can cause more discomfort. Calgary Humane Society advises a gradual, reward-based introduction and a double-ended leash, says flat-nosed breeds are not suited, and notes that some dogs never accept one. Ask your vet or a reward-based trainer.
Which device is best for a puppy?
None of the sources we read ranks devices by age. The UBC review says no device suits every dog and recommends matching the device to the dog’s pulling and face shape. Ask your vet to check the fit as your puppy grows. Our guides on loose-leash walking and the new puppy shopping list cover the first weeks.
Keep reading
- Loose-leash walking in four weeks
- Reactive dogs on walks: a calm plan
- Dog licences in Canada’s big cities
- Leash laws and off-leash parks in Canadian cities
- New puppy shopping list for Canada
Sources
- CVMA position statement: Humane Training of Dogs (September 17 2021) (accessed October 23 2026)
- BC SPCA position statement on animal training (approved July 2016) (accessed October 23 2026)
- BC SPCA news: the danger of shock collars (August 26 2020) (accessed October 23 2026)
- Calgary Humane Society: Training of Dogs (2022) (accessed October 23 2026)
- Calgary Humane Society: Head Collars (2022) (accessed October 23 2026)
- Edmonton Humane Society: Martingale Collars (2023) (accessed October 23 2026)
- Cavalli and Protopopova, Review of Collars, Harnesses, and Head Collars for Walking Dogs, Animals 2025;15(15):2162 (published July 22 2025) (accessed October 23 2026)
- Quebec Regulation respecting the welfare and safety of domestic companion animals and equines, B-3.1, r. 0.1 (LégisQuébec, current to July 1 2026) (accessed October 23 2026)
- Quebec Animal Welfare and Safety Act, B-3.1 (LégisQuébec, current to October 15 2026) (accessed October 23 2026)
- City of Montréal By-law 21-012, Règlement sur l’encadrement des animaux domestiques (administrative consolidation, December 16 2025) (accessed October 23 2026)
- City of Montréal: obligations of pet owners (accessed October 23 2026)
- Ontario Regulation 444/19, Standards of Care and Administrative Requirements (e-Laws) (accessed October 23 2026)
- City of Ottawa Animal Care and Control By-law 2003-77 (accessed October 23 2026)
- Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 349, Animals (version dated September 1 2026) (accessed October 23 2026)
Keep reading