If you’re new to having a dog in your life, the whole collar thing can be really confusing. So welcome to dog collars 101!
Choosing a collar can be overwhelming, and yet, it’s also really important to find the right collar for your dog, you, and your needs. This includes considering the activities you’ll be using the collar for but also the type of dog you have. Type meaning actual breed and size but also taking into account their personality and their maturity level.
Examples of the questions you should be asking yourself when considering collars: Do they listen well? Are they struggling with staying on leash? Are they pullers when you walk them?
Is this an everyday collar or a training collar? That also matters.
So let’s take a look at the different kinds. (And here’s a huge selection you can look over.)
Flat Collars
These are your traditional dog collars. They can be made from all kinds of materials from nylon to leather. They’re adjustable and usually have a snap or a buckle.
These are great, too, for hanging tags. (It’s the classic Snoopy collar!)
Flat collars are best for dogs who are well trained and don’t pull on the leash.
Martingale Collars
This is also a really popular collar, and it’s especially good for dogs who are pullers when you’re walking them on leash. It has a small chain loop that tightens just a bit when they pull. The hope, of course, is that over time they get tired of that little bit of tightening and learn not to be pullers.
This is also an extra good collar for dogs with smaller heads.
Harness
This type of “collar” distributes the pressure from the leash evenly across the dog’s shoulders and chest rather than just on the neck. They are good for dogs who are not well trained, have any kind of breathing issue, or are continuing to be bad pullers. A harness, though, can be hard to get to fit just right and so you run the risk of the dog slipping out of it.
Head collar
To imagine a head collar for a dog think of a harness on a horse. If you have a really strong dog who loves to pull you, this might be the collar for you. When they pull on the leash, this collar pulls their head to the side making it hard for them to continue pulling on you.
Tracking/GPS collars
Thanks to new tech, you can now track your dog if they get off of leash or find their way out of your yard. This type of collar can provide some peace of mind for owners.
If you’re confused about what type of collar you need, feel free to talk to us about this. And remember that we’re here to help you have the best trained dog possible. Click this link to read more about Sundance Retrievers training methods and see what might work for you and your fur friend..