For some bizarre reason, the majority of dog owners look more for style, than function and practicality when choosing a dog collar.  Perhaps that is why they dread walking their dog or spend most of their time looking up their dog’s ancestors, while on a walk!

Using the right tool makes the job much easier.  Find the right collar for your dog.  Training and walking your dog should be a pleasure, not a chore!

5 Most Commonly Used Collars are:

Head collar

Chain slip collar (aka choke chain)

Flat/rolled leather collar

Metal prong collar

Martingale collar

The Good, the Bad, the Ugly and the Dangerous

Head collars resemble a horse’s halter.  It works on the same principal.  Ever wonder how a 5-year old child can lead a 1,200 pound horse around a paddock?  Simple!  Lead the head, the body will follow!

A head collar is designed in 3 parts.  The first part slips over the dog’s nose, almost like a muzzle. The second part connects around the dog’s neck, like a flat collar.  The third part is a short piece that hangs under the dog’s jaw, near their throat.  That is where the leash is connected to an O-ring.

If properly used, it discourages a dog from puling.  Reason being, the harder they pull, the more their head is turned toward the walker.  It’s uncomfortable to walk that way!

This collar should only be used when a dog may have, or to prevent trachea damage; or by children and seniors that may have problems controlling a large or stubborn dog.  If that’s the case…they need to enroll in obedience classes!

Chain slip collar (aka choke chain) should only be used for training purposes.  The chain collar is rapidly losing the popularity it once had, as dog trainers are encouraging students to use more humane collars.

The way a choke chain collar works is, when a correction needs to be made, the handler give a quick “pop” or tug to the leash.  The as the pressure from the tug pulls the chain, the part around the dog’s throat tightens, to let them know that particular behavior is unacceptable.

The problem is, most people, do not know there is a right and a wrong way to place a choke chain on their dog.  If done correctly, the chain will release and slide into a relaxed position, once the corrections is made, and pressure from the leash is released. If placed on the dog incorrectly, the chain will tighten with even the slightest pressure, locking into itself.  It cannot unlock when the leash pressure is relaxed.  It can and will do serious damage to the dog’s neck, and throat.

CAUTION! Before using a chain slip collar, learn how to use it correctly!  When on your dog, it should resemble a horizontal P.  The stem of the P is ALWAYS at the TOP…never at the bottom.  You will choke your pet!  Practice before using it.  Make a fist.  That’s your dog’s head.  Slide the collar over your fist to your wrist.  Your wrist is the dog’s neck.  Now pull the stem part of the chain.  If it’s on correctly, it will slide to tighten when the correction is made, and it will loosen automatically when the pressure is released.  If done incorrectly, you will cut off the circulation on your wrist!

Never leave a chain slip collar on your dog when you are not working with them. NEVER TETHER YOUR DOG USING A CHAIN COLLAR!

FLAT/ROLLED LEATHER COLLAR is the everyday collar most dogs wear with all their ID’s attached. Flat collars can be found in an phenomenal assortment of materials, colors and styles with either buckles or quick release connectors.  A rolled leather collar is suggested especially for long hair dogs, as the roundness tends to lead to less hair loss or collar marks.

METAL PRONG COLLAR aka spike or pinch collar is the one that looks like a torture tool used during the Spanish Inquisition!  Most experienced dog trainers prefer not to use them!  Some people with stubborn or large dogs they have not control over and who think they don’t need obedience training do prefer to use them!

Fact is, by having to use a metal prong collar, it is an indication the owner has no control over their animal!

The problem with the prong collar is, most people who use them, use them incorrectly!  There is no need to cause a dog pain, whenever they are walked.  When used correctly, the walker should only apply pressure with a quick “pop” or tug of the leash.

Some metal prong collars come fitted with rubber caps to cover the prong, so as not to injure or inflict unnecessary pain to your dog because of improper use.

CAUTION! If you are not walking your dog, REMOVE THIS COLLAR IMMEDIATELY!

MARTINGALE COLLAR is probably the best training collar for the average dog owner.  It offers the best part of a chain slip collar and the best part of the flat collar.  It is also known as a modified choke or Greyhound collar.

The Martingale collar has no buckle or clasp.  You adjust it to comfortably slide over your dog’s head.  It is designed so that the dog cannot slip out of it and you can make a correction with a quick “pop” or tug.  There is a short piece of chain or material at the top, fitted with an O-ring to which the leash is attached.  That short piece is used as a halting device, tightening the collar, yet not choking the dog.

It is an excellent training collar for most dogs!  It is especially helpful for when walking scent and sighthounds.

Take your time…find the right collar for your dog!

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 Choosing the right collar and leash for your dog is very important! It should be done with consideration, and information. Why is choosing the right collar and leash so important? This is a question that I get asked quite frequently. The answer is simple yet complexed all at the same time. Simply put the collar and leash that you choose will be something you use everyday, and will determine the success of your training.

A leash and collar should not only be used for taking your dog for a walk, or keeping them close by and out of trouble. A leash and collar is the way you are able to teach your dog, train them to obey you. If done properly training your dog is a great bonding experience for both of you. It will also result is a very well behaved dog.

There are many choices out there when you are looking to purchase a leash and collar and prices range as much as the products do. You can choose between nylon leashes, rope, retractable, and leather to name the most common. When choosing collars the most common are choke, nylon, leather, and pinch (also known as prong). So with all these choices and little information, making the choice can be overwhelming for some, and others will choose the cheapest option because after all they don’t know the difference so “why not” they think. There is however a big difference in these types of collars and leashes, especially when you are looking for a collar and leash to train your dog with.

First I would like to let everyone know about the damages that a collar can cause to a dog. Have you ever noticed that when a dog is wearing a collar they will pull and make a sound like they are gasping for air? As smart as some dogs are they all do it, they keep pulling like they don’t even notice that they are not breathing right. When they do this it can cause damage to their neck, and trachea among other things. This is why purchasing a collar is so important to your dogs training as well as their health.

So lets first take a look at the choices we have for collars. This is the most important part of your training so should be purchased with careful consideration and research. Nylon collars are many peoples first choice; usually the cheapest in price and most diverse in color. There is nothing wrong with nylon collars however they offer no control over your dog and really no way to train your dog; this is because the dog will continue to pull on the collar. Leather collars are usually the most expensive choice for collars, but just like nylon collars really offer no way to train your dog and there are health risks when pulling occurs. Choke collars are mid priced, and thought by many to be a training collar, however these are no more effective then nylon or leather collars, and more dangerous to your dog, because they tighten around the neck, and your dog will still continue to pull which could result in severe damage to their necks.

This brings us to the pinch or prong collar as some people know it, which are also mid priced. This is an effective training collar and it works differently then all other collars on the market. Instead of the dog pulling and causing damage to his/her neck and trachea the pinch collar, when used properly simply pinches the skin around your dogs neck. Many people think these collars look inhumane and that pinching their dogs neck is mean. You must consider this before making that assumption or choice for you dog. When a mother dog is trying to teach her puppy not to do something she bites the skin around their neck. So from the time your dog is a puppy this is the way that he/she has been learning what not to do. This collar alone does not train your dog, it takes work on your part to use the collar in combination with the commands you want your dog to learn. It is however the most effective and safest way to train your dog, and requires no treats to teach!

The leash also referred to as the lead. This is also a very important part of training your dog, especially when using a pinch collar. This is because your dog is learning through corrections given using the lead which is attached to the collar. When looking for a leash you want to avoid retractable. You want your dog to be with you, and listen to you, not have free run. Retractable leashes gives no control over your dog, and can be hard to retract when your dog is pulling.

Nylon and rope leashes are very similar in their quality for training. They are very flimsy therefor offers you little control over the movements of the leash, they are also not the most comfortable on your hands. I use a leather leash to train, I am able to get a good grip on it with no irritation to my hands. Leather also offers the control I need to make my corrections because it is stiff .

A 6 foot leash is recommended for training, it gives you a long enough lead to be able to have slack when training. This ensures you only give a correction when one is needed, and not by accident, which is very confusing and counter productive to the training process. Using a 6 foot lead allows you to be 6 feet from your dog and still give a correction. This is great when teaching commands such as stay.

There are many good reasons why you should train your dog. The first and most important step is choosing a collar and leash. A pinch collar and leather leash make the perfect combination to get your dogs attention, and have fun with your pet. It allows you to have a well behaved dog with no treats in your pocket just praise. In the end you will have a stronger bond between you and your pet. Your dog will be well behaved and all your friends will want to know how you did it. So choose wisely and make the best decision for you and your dog.

Question by kitten85: where can i find a double ended dog leash?
I am looking for a leash with a hookup on each end to train my dog to go from his head halter to his regular collar. I have found some websites but they are either british or australian. can any one please find me a store or site that would sell them.

oh i need it to be strong cause my dog is 95 lbs. thanks.
its not a leash for 2 dogs. its a leash with a clip on each end.

Best answer:

Answer by mariahleadme
My wife makes these types of leashes patterned after the ones she got with her Guide dogs. They are made from vinyl coated aircraft cable with a test rating of 500 lbs. She makes them with pretty colored beads on the cable, so the colors and patterns are unique.
You also might try contacting a guide dog school to see if they would sell you one of the leather ones.

Give your answer to this question below!

Most of us unfortunately do not give an enough thought to the practical function of a dog collar when we buy them. A run of the mill leather or cloth collar with the required tags is all that most dogs need.

There are other choices to be made.

1. Dress collars with rhinestones for a female dog. These can be nylon or leather. Leather is a bit more expensive but is less likely to fray in the long run.

2. If you have a miniature breed that rarely spends time outside you could use dog jewelry with consisting of things such a pearls and crystals. Still for practical everyday use such collars are not a good idea. Also if you have other pets in the house or children these kinds of collars can present a choking hazard if chewed by another dog or toddler. Also such collars should be not used in crates as the lack of width and smooth surface makes them more likely to become entrapped in the cage posing another choking risk.

3. Another sometimes needed collar is the training collar. They are also called pinch or prong collars. These collars may look menacing, but they are really about teaching control. They simply remind the dog to pay attention to the command. It is the firm command that actually is the most effective tool when training your dog. Various types of shock collars are used for these purposes as well. These are a more controversial type of training collar and you should do a lot of research before choosing this type of collar.

It is very important to size a collar right. If you can go to one of the many pet stores that allow you to bring your dog you can take all of the guess work out of sizing the collar. If your can not take your dog along there are a few basic tips.

1. The collar needs to fit over your dogs head and ears. Measure the biggest part of your dogs head to determine the maximum size of the collar.

2. The collar needs to be able to cinch up around your dog’s neck when the dog is pulling, measure close to the dogs fur line on the neck to make sure the collar you choose has the size range to cinch the collar. You will need to deduct room if the dog has long or thick fur. It will look as if the collar is cinched when there may be too much wiggle room.

3. The collar should hang squarely on the middle of your dog’s neck in order not to become a choking hazard. You should measure for width of the collar from the middle of your dogs’ neck.