How to Make a Slip-on Dog Collar

Slip dog collars are quite popular in many places today. Many dog sport competitors use them, since they are simple to put on your dog and simple to remove. They are also fairly simple to make, with a few small tools and a little ingenuity.

Things You'll Need

• Small O or D rings
• Strong scissors
• Strong sewing awl or needle
• Heavy thread
• Clothes pin or clamp
• Marker
• Rolled cord, such as mountain climbing or harness cord
• Heat source
• Flexible tape measure
• Pliers
• Strong fabric glue

Instructions

1. Begin your collar by measuring your dog’s neck. Place the measuring tape snugly around the middle of your dog’s neck, and add approximately six inches to your dog’s neck size. Measure that amount of length of cord, and cut the end, melting it over your heat source to ensure against fraying.

2. Slide a ring (either O or D ring) over the end of the collar, and fold the end over. Secure the end of the cord around the ring with a bit of glue. Clamp the ends together to allow the glue to dry. Once the glue is dry, you can sew the edge of the collar through the cord to be sure that the ends are tight and will not separate.

3. Hold the cord against your dog’s neck and recheck the length of the cord. The cord should be just long enough to go completely around your dog’s neck with about an inch to spare. If the collar is any longer than this, trim and melt the ends before attaching a ring to the opposite end of the collar, so that you have rings securely attached to both ends of the cord.

4. Take one end of the cord push it back trough the ring, to form a loop in the collar. Continue to pull on that loop until the rings touch each other, forming a complete and correctly sized slip collar for your dog. Slide the collar on over your dog’s head to check for proper fit. It should not be too loose, nor too tight so that your dog cannot escape from it. Attach the lead to the loose end of the collar, clipping the lead to the loose ring. Your new homemade slip collar is now wearable and ready for your pooch to enjoy.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to use cord that is not too rough. Rough cord will rub and irritate your dog’s skin and rub it’s coat off.

• Secure the ends of the collar firmly. Make sure that the ends of the collar do not loosen or separate, so that your dog cannot get loose.

• Use caution when melting or cutting your cord. Injuring yourself while making your dog’s collar can be quite serious.

• Do not use any sharp or otherwise damaging items while making your collar. You do not want to use anything that may harm your dog.