• Home

DOG SUPPLIES

ARTICLE TOPICS

SITE RESOURCES

RECOMMENDED

SEARCH IT!

RELATED INFO

RECOMMENDED

GIFT IDEAS

Dog Collars

What Are the Different Types of Dog Collars?

Choosing the Right Dog Collar

Choosing the right dog collar from the different types of collars is one of the most important decisions you can make as a canine owner. Whatever activity you and your dog will come to enjoy, choosing the correct collar may depend on the dog's age, activity with the dog, or type of dog.

Over the lifetime of your companion, you may find you will be using many different collar varieties, each with their specific different design purpose. Some are designed for puppies, for controlling excitable dogs, for larger dogs, for long-haired dogs, for training, or for just the exercise of walking your dog.

How To Size Your Dog's Collar

Standard Collars:   Typically, non-slip, buckle collars should be fitted with two inches between your dog's neck and the collar. Slipping two fingers between your dog's neck without choking him is a sufficient way to test for correct fitting. When buying a collar for a puppy, always allow for future growth. Most likely, you will purchase a few collars during the first year of your dog's life.

Training Slip Collars or Choke Chain Collars:   Add 2 to 3 inches to the circumference of your dog's neck for proper length. The purpose of these collars is to release after a correction. Experienced trainers can assist you with these types of collars.

---

Do Comparison Shopping - Great places to begin comparison shopping:
   
    Shopzilla's Dog Collars
    Amazon Dog Collars

MOST COMMON DOG COLLARS:

	Personalized Nylon Collars Personalized collars come in a wide variety of colors and styles, and often have matching nylon leashes available. Have your dog's name embroidered!
	Rolled Leather Collars Rolled leather collars avoid the chafing or hair breakage that flat collars sometimes cause on long-haired dogs. Most leather collars have the belt-buckle type fastener.
	Choke Chain Collar Choker chain collars are used for training and can safely inhibit your dog from running away, tugging on the lead, or jumping. The collar slides to tighten on the dog's neck when a "correction" is given.
	Prong Collar Prong collars are used in conjunction with a training program. Perpendicular metal prongs prod into your dog’s neck and distribute pressure evenly. Great control for dogs that tug on lead.
	Head Collars Head collars wrap around the nose of the dog in addition to its neck for more exact control. Trainers recommend head collars for dogs that respond to subtle tugs.
	Harness Collars Harnesses offer the most effective means of weight distribution. Ideal for small dogs and does not put any pressure on the dog's neck at all.
	Electronic Bark Control Collars Electronic collars are designed to be effective across many dog breeds and their individual barking behaviors. These devices deliver an electrical stimulus to the dog as a correction.

---

Using Training Dog Collars:

Training collars work on the principle of pressure and slowly tighten against resistance. When your dog pulls, the collar becomes increasingly tighter, will ease to prevent the collar from continuing to tighten. If used correctly, a training collar is a gentle but firm way to correct your dog. These collars help when training your puppy basic dog commands and are every useful for teaching your dog to heel, come, or simply how to take a nice walk without dragging you behind.

These collars are constructed from metal for durability even against the biggest breeds. The linked chain simply tightens upon resistance from the dog and most are guaranteed not to rust and cause your dog harm. For bigger or more difficult dogs, some metal dog collars have prongs which will actually grasp onto the dog's neck and tighten which help the dog to obey much quicker. Some are now constructed from nylon and have a limited closure to prevent the collar from becoming too tight. Other collars work on an opposite resistance principle and cause pressure only to the back of the dog's neck and not the sensitive throat area.

Choosing A Training Dog Collar

When deciding which training collar is most suitable for your dog training needs, consult with a veterinarian or local dog trainer. Ask to be shown the proper way to use it by a qualified, experienced instructor.

Smart Tips & Suggestions:

For Size - When shopping for dog collars, measure the circumference of your dog's neck for correct fitting first.

For Puppies - Allow for future growth. Puppies grow out of their collars quickly.

For Cost - Always check price comparisons! No doubt you will find some great deals for all types of dog collars.

Dog collars come in all styles. When purchasing an everyday collar for a puppy, keep it a simple nylon collar, because by the time they reach a year old they most likely will outgrow a few of their first collars!