If you’re new to dog owning, chances are you’re not aware of the importance of choosing the right collar for your puppy. In general, one of the most essential communication tool between a dog and its owner is the dog collar. This is especially true for headstrong dogs! So, what can you to avoid making mistakes when purchasing the collar for your four-legged friend? We’ll try to help you with this important task!
Firstly, it’s necessary to measure your pet’s neck. Depending on the size of your dog, you should measure its neck one or two inches below the head. If you own a puppy or a smaller dog, adding one inch to the measurement is enough, whereas for larger or medium dogs, adding two inches is recommended. If the collar is too tight, your pet may choke, while on the other hand, it shouldn’t be too loose neither, if you don’t want your dog to shake it off. To make sure you’ve chosen the right size of the collar, you have to be able to slip one or two fingers under it. If you’re buying a collar for a puppy, keep in mind that it will become too tight at some point. In that case, it’s better to buy an adjustable collar or those that are designed for puppies.
When it comes to material, hemp, nylon and leather are the most commonly used for making dog collars. For aggressive chewers, nylon colors could be the best option, because of their durability. In addition, nylon is a washable, water-resistant material, so it’s perfect for dogs that like to swim. Leather collars, on the other hand, are incredibly comfortable for dogs. Compared to nylon collars, leather ones are of higher quality and more expensive. If your dog is long-haired, leather collars are especially worth considering. For those owners who’d like to go green, a hemp collar is a great, eco-friendly option. This material is also hypo-allergenic, which makes it best for certain dogs and breeds.
There are numerous dog collar types, but we’ll stick to the most common ones. Buckle collars are size-adjustable and probably the most popular type of dog collars. Nevertheless, there are various modifications to the basic design and, for example, if you own a dog that’s harder to control or very big, you might opt for a metal buckle. If your dog’s safety is of your greatest concern and you’re worried whether it might choke, you should take break-away collars in considerations. These collars enable dogs to pull free from them if they choke. A break-away collar is highly recommended for dogs that are left alone for longer periods of time. Talking about safety options, safety stretch collars are also worth considering. When you attach a leash, these collars act like traditional ones, while at the same time they allow your pet to escape strangulation when left unattended.
Stud collars used to be popular because they protect dogs from bites. Nowadays, these collars serve a decorative purpose. Some collars are used for fashion only and shouldn’t be used with a leash, such as this lovely gold Cuban link collar! Of course, there’s also a flea collar, which is a type of supplementary collar, containing flea-repellent chemicals. Elizabethan collars are, on the other hand, supposed to prevent pets from scratching a face- or neck-wound.
It’s important to point out that above mentioned are traditional collars which haven’t got anything to do with training collar types. Before making a final decision about the collar type for your dog, check with its vet if your pet has certain medical condition that doesn’t allow it to wear a regular collar. Lastly, don’t forget to put on the name-tag and your address!