How to Choose A Dog Collar

Whether you are taking your dog for a walk or letting him lounge around the house, picking the appropriate dog collar is important for your pet’s safety and comfort.

Things You'll Need

• Pet store

Instructions

Instructions:

1. Walking a strong dog requires a special collar. If you need extra control of an unruly dog during a walk, try using a chain link or chain pinch collar. These collars are only to be used with adult supervision. While walking your dog, a short, quick tug on these collars will correct your dog's unruly movements.

2. During obedience training classes, your instructor may tell you to use chain link or chain pinch collars as a training tool. If you don’t want to use those types of collars, a leather collar is also very strong and durable for dogs that pull. Use a leather collar if your pet is tied outside without supervision.

3. Resting dogs always need to wear a collar, too. Nylon, fabric and cotton collars are fine for dogs at rest. Attach appropriate ID tags, city tags and rabies tags to this collar, and be sure your dog wears it at all times for identification. Even if your dog is micro-chipped, he may be found by someone unaware of the pet micro-chipping program.

4. A head collar may be best if you are having obedience issues. Put the collar on over the dog’s head. When you pull on the collar attached to a leash, it will make your dog's head turn, which he won’t like. Eventually your dog will not pull as much.

5. Choose a collar with a strong metal closure if your dog tends to pull a lot. Plastic closures are fine for docile dogs. Padded collars are also available for dogs with thin fur around their necklines.

6. Wearing two dog collars at a time is fine. A nylon collar with ID and a chain collar, for example, can work together during a walk. When you return home from your walk, and the dog is at rest, remove the chain collar. Leave the nylon collar on, so your pet is wearing an ID at all times, in case he gets loose.

Tips & Warnings

• Your dog’s collar should not be put on too tight. Once you have put the collar on the dog, be sure you can put two fingers under the collar comfortably. If you can’t get your fingers to slide under the collar easily, you need to loosen the collar. If the collar is too loose, it may slide off your dogs head. Adjust the collar accordingly.

• Never have your dog wear any sort of chain collars without adult supervision. They can become tangled, pinch or even strangle your dog.