Getting the Right Dog Collar: Do You Know the Difference?

 

It is important that all dog collars are comfortable and fit properly. Traditional dog collars are available in a variety of materials and are typically buckle-type collars, with a buckle similar to a belt buckle, or the quick-release type. Style should come second after safety and comfort when it comes to the collar you put on your dog.

There is a much higher chance that your lost dog will be returned if you are wearing a dog collar with a pet identification tag. A properly fitting dog collar is used for control, identification, fashion, identification tags, and medical information. A common alternative to a dog collar is a dog harness, which is best used for sporting plates with smaller breeds or on car trips. It is important that the phone number and address are on the identification tag and not the dog's name. Having the pet's name on the identification tag can give wrongdoers an advantage over your dog. Collars should not be so tight as to restrict breathing or cause coughing. It is important to check the size of the collar frequently in growing puppies.

A dog collar should be comfortable with enough room for two fingers to fit between your pet's body and the collar. Use a non-metal tape measure to measure your dog's neck and add two to three inches. If the collar is too loose, your dog can slip out and escape into a dangerous environment. Loose collars can catch on objects and subject your dog to the tragedy of accidental hanging, which happens to too many dogs every year. Detachable collars resemble buckled collars, but have a safety mechanism installed that allows the dog to release from the collar if excessive force is applied. These collars are useful in situations where a collar that is not released quickly could snag and cause injury or death. You should never wear a collar when your dog is in his dog leash.

Wear a non-slip training collar (also called a choke chain, slip chain, or choke collar) to teach your dog to respond quickly to your commands and walk with you. The ring that connects to the leash goes over the nape of the dog, not underneath. When the leash is attached to the dead ring, the collar does not contract around the dog's neck. When the strap is attached to the live ring, the chain slides (tightens) tighter when pulled and slackens when tension is released. Master the proper use of this type of collar with the quick pull release action - a quick, smooth pull with immediate release. The dog learns by the sound of the action, not by the force of the tug of war. Proper use of this training device does not involve suffocation (strangulation) of the dog. Never leave this type of choke training collar on the dog when it is unattended. When the leash walking training session is over, this collar should be removed.

The Martingale Dog Collar is recommended for open hunting dogs because their heads are smaller than their necks and they can often come off standard collars. The martingale collar has 2 loops. The smallest loop is the control loop - it tightens gently when pulled to prevent dogs from slipping out of the collar. Similar to a tooth collar, the martingale collar has limited constriction on the dog's neck and applies even pressure. It can be used for any breed of dog if desired. The non-slip martingale feature has made it a safety option in many kennels and animal shelters.

The spike collar, or pinch collar as it is sometimes called, is a series of blunt, open-ended chain links that are turned toward the dog's body. When the collar is tightened, it pinches the naturally loose fur around the dog's neck. The spiked collar design makes it limited in circumference, unlike slip collars, which do not have a constriction limit around the dog's neck. Any pressure from the collar to the dog's neck is spread over a larger area. The tooth collar should be placed high on the dog's neck, just behind the ears. Some dogs can learn to free themselves from these collars by moving their heads to make the links pop out, so a second dog collar, usually a flat-buckle dog collar, is recommended in addition to the tooth collar.