Choosing the right collar for your dog

The flat buckle collar like the Casual Canine Genuine Leather collar pictures is a typical every day collar that most everyone knows and recognizes.  While not used for training it is used for leashes as well as to store identification and tags.  For some dogs this is all you will need.  The genuine leather collar stands up well to weather but some owners prefer to purchase it in nylon which is also available in.  

If your dog is an "escape artist" you may need a little bit more when it comes to a collar for every day.  This Lupine Mediuam Martingale collar is made for medium sized dogs.  Be sure to meaure your dogs neck size and choose correctly because no matter how good the quality, if it doesn't fit right your four legged friend could be in danger.  This collar comes in a variety of colors and designs, making it very popular.  Owners also like the seperate adjustment "collar" or loop used for for leashed.  It adjusts easily and doesn’t choke.  it is easily recognized by the two loops. The large look goes around your dog’s head and then is adjusted to fit loosely.  Your leash is clipped to the “D” ring on the smaller loop.  When the dog tries to pull his head out of the collar the leash pulls it tight.  

The harness is good for small breeds like toys or dogs that have specific health issues like a sensitive throat or trachea. It's also used like the Premier Easy Walk Dog Harness for larger dogs when on a treadmill, jogging with their owner or running next to an owners bike.  However, if you dog starts pulling there isn't a whole lot of control, because the leash attachment is at the top and back of the dog.   

My husbands Chesapeake Bay Retriever was a "puller."  Even when very old he still liked to take the lead for his walks.  The Guardian Gear Head Collar is good for keeping those types of dogs under control when walking.  It is also good for controlling dogs with a high prey drive or are highly leash reactive.  It's similar in design and style to the halter used on a horse with pretty much the same concept, where the head goes the body will go too.  This head collar fastens around the back of the neck and over the top of the muzzle giving you more control, direction and hopefully making it easier to control your dog when he pulls. Some dogs need time to get used to a muzzle type feeling overy their "face" and this type of collar should never be used with a retractable leash because it can cause injury to your dog’s neck with a sudden pull or tug of the leash.

The Petco Prong Collar consists of interlocking links with two blunt prongs the pinch the dogs’ skin with the collar is tightened, and should fit snugly below your dogs ears. It trains by pinching a small band of your dogs skin.  There are a few things dog owners should now about this type of collar:

• It is never be used on puppies, aggressive, shy or fearful dogs.  
• Could cause only a temporary lapse in "bad" behavior. 
• The pain which is meant to teach can actually cause aggressive behavior.

Slip collars or choke chains come in both nylon rope as well as metal.  It is a slip collar that can form a look around your dog's neck right behind the ears, like this Coastal Pet Choke Chain collar.   This type of collar tightens when the dog pulls or when the trainer/handler “pops” the least.  It is very important that these collars not be left on your dog when not training as numerous dogs are choked to death each year after leaving the “choke” chain on during play time or when the dog was left alone.  They are called this name for a reason; they “choke” the dog and in some cases can either make your dog more aggressive or can cause serious tracheal and esophageal damage. 

There are a few very important factors to consider when choosing your dogs collar: 

• choose the correct size 
• only using training collars when training as injury or death can occur when left on unattended 
• choose the correct collar for your breed of dog keeping characteristics of yoru breed as well as your dogs own personality in mind. 
• If you can't ecide which is the best collar and training collar for your dog consult a professional dog trainer.  There is a list of certified dog training professionals available at the Association of Dog Trainers website (www.apdt.com).