Best Dog Collar For Your Dog?
There is a never-ending supply of dog collars on the market today. In fact, I could write a book on just the different types and materials of dog collars available. In our next series of articles, I will break down these different types of collars, their purposes, and the pros and cons of each one. First, let’s look at the different types of collars that are available today.
Nylon Buckle Dog Collar
This is the most common dog collar that you’ll find in stores. For most dogs a nylon buckle collar will work fine. Though not a good choice for dog training, they will work if this is the only type of collar you have. Keep an eye on the fit of this type of dog collar as the nylon will stretch over time.
Pros:
Price
Availability
Fine as an everyday collar
Cons:
Tend to stretch out quickly
All of the pressure is on the dog’s throat
Not the best choice for dog training
Nylon Snap Dog Collar
Overall the nylon snap dog collars are not a bad collar choice for most dogs. Just keep in mind that these are not good dog collars for any kind of dog training and that the nylon will stretch over time so the dog collar will need to be adjusted.Pros:
Pros:
Ease of use
Infinite adjustability, within set sizes
Metal snaps add strength to the overall collar
OK as an everyday dog collar
Cons:
Needs to be adjusted on a regular basis as the nylon stretches
All pressure is on the dog’s throat
Plastic snaps can break with a strong dog
Not a good choice for dog training
Flat Leather Dog Collar
Overall this is my favorite starting point when looking for a dog collar. The flat leather dog collar is one of the most durable and versatile dog collars available on the market today. While they can be higher in price initially than the nylon collars, you won’t need to purchase as many of these collars.
Pros:
Great starting point for dog training
Ease of use
Great as an everyday dog collar
Very durable dog collar
Cons:
Can be on the more expensive side
All pressure is on the dog’s throat
Martingale Collars
Overall the martingale collar is a decent collar for dogs. Originally it was designed for dogs that have slim heads like the greyhound so they couldn’t slip out of the dog collar. The martingale collar seems to be picking up in popularity as dog owners are looking for a more versatile dog collar but don’t want a collar that is too aversive when training.
Pros:
Versatile dog collar that can be used as an everyday or a training dog collar
Difficult for a dog to slip out of this kind of collar
Not as aversive for training as a prong or slip collar
Available in a variety of materials
Cons:
Can be difficult to find
Not as versatile in sizing as other types of dog collars
Slip Collars, AKA Choke Collars
The slip collars and leads have been around for a long time. These dog collars are a great training tool, when used correctly, but have the potential of severely injuring a dog when being used by someone that has not been trained in their proper use. Overall these collars can be utilized with great success if less aversive dog training methods are not gaining the desired results, when used properly. These are controversial dog collars in today’s dog training environment.
Pros:
Good communication tool when dog training, if used properly
Available in a wide variety of materials
Price
Cons:
Can injure a dog if not used properly
All pressure is on the dog’s throat when using this collar
Training of proper use is needed with this collar
Pinch, Prong Collars
This collar is to be used strictly for training, and is never to be left on a dog when they are not training. Often called power steering for dogs, the prong or pinch collar is one of the most controversial and misunderstood dog collars available today. With its evil looks it is easy to see why so many people are against their use. What’s worse is many people have used these collars to inflict pain and punishment on their dogs, this is not the intent of this collar. If you have a dog that does not respond to other training methods or collars, this may be the best option for you. With proper instruction and use, this collar can be a lifesaver for both your and your dog.
Pros:
Great way to increase training response, when used properly
Takes pressure off a dog’s throat and places it evenly around the neck
Increases safety for smaller people walking larger dogs
Cons:
Not fully understood by the average dog owner
Barbaric looking in appearance
Can cause damage to a dog if not used properly
E-Collars
E-collars are a very controversial dog collar in today’s world. There are currently government councils that are outlawing these dog collars because they simply do not understand them. While these collars can be used to mistreat dogs, just as any collar can, in the hands of a trained person these are very effective at communicating with a dog at distance and can assist in training certain behaviors that would be very difficult or even impossible to deal with using other methods.
Pros:
Great for communicating with dogs at a distance
Excellent for training for off leash work
Cons:
Controversial dog collar
Need training to understand it’s proper use
Price
These are just a few of the types of collars that are available today. Head collars are also becoming more popular in today’s market. These are collars that control a dog’s head, much as we control a horse’s head with the halter. In addition to the above dog collars, there are many different types of dog harnesses that can be used, but that will be for a different blog! In future articles we will describe in more detail different types of training collars and their proper use. We will also dive into the world of harnesses and leashes. It is important to remember that whether using a dog collar, dog harness, or a dog leash, they are all different communication tools to use with your dog. Just like communication devices for humans have advantages and disadvantages depending on the situation, so too do collars.