Types of Collars: Part 1
Walking your dog is likely the highlight of your day: the warm sunshine, the beautiful breeze, and the heart-pumping trek up the hills prove to be valuable one-on-one time with your pup. However, there may be that pesky squirrel whose hole is right along the path you walk. And when Fido sees it…they’re in the races!
Ensuring your dog is wearing the right collar is imperative to ensure their own happiness, health, and safety - whether or not those squirrels are around. In our two-part series, we’ll take you through the design, function, appropriate times to use, and different attachment methods, to various types of collars.
The Flat Collar
Design: The flat collar is the same cloth material all the way around, and uses a buckle or clip to secure around the dog’s neck. It’s the most common type of collar, often used to keep identifying tags on the dog, and is probably the type of collar your dog has on right now!
Function: The flat collar uses a buckle to keep the collar on at a certain tightness.
When to use: Anytime! Some dogs do perfectly fine walking and training with a flat collar, with the leash attaching to the silver loop connected to the cloth material.
How to put it on your dog:
Place the unbuckled collar around the top of your pups neck.
Secure the buckle or clip a position where two to three fingers can fit comfortably underneath the collar.
The Slip Collar
Design: The slip collar is the leash and collar in one. On one end is a loop for the trainer/dog parent to hold, and the other end is the loop that slips around your dog’s neck. Somewhere in the middle is the stopper, a little tag that allows the dog-end of the loop to actually to fit snugly around the dog’s neck and function as a collar. The end for the walker to hold is not adjustable.
Function: A slip collar is able to be fastened to your preferred amount. Depending on the brand, the side of the collar touching the dog’s neck can determine its flexibility in adjustment – make sure that the collar is able to tighten and loosen, and isn’t restricted at a certain size.
When to use: Slip collars are designed specifically for training. The positioning and (ideally light) pressure around the dog’s neck is crucial for creating good habits on the walk while they’re still young.
WARNING:
Slip collars are not meant to be used for everyday walks because the collar can tighten, placing dogs at a risk of damaging their own neck via choking. This is especially true for dogs that pull excessively on walks, as their momentum forward causes the leash to tighten around their neck.
How to put it on your dog:
This depends on which side you prefer your dog walks on.
Adjust the collar to the side in which you prefer your dog to walk on. The collar will not be able to adjust whatsoever if it is not accommodated properly to your person.
If you prefer your dog on the left: Make a letter “P” with the collar, with the loop (or top part of the “P”) sliding over your dog’s neck.
If you prefer your dog on the right: Make the number “9” with collar, with the loop (or top part of the “9”) sliding over your dog’s neck.
Either way, the part of the leash past the stopper should always be on your side of your dog’s neck.
2. Keeping the leash just below their ears, slide the stopper to a point where two fingers can comfortably fit underneath the collar. Remember, the leash can tighten more than this, but will not loosen any more that.
The Martingale
Design: The Martingale collar is mostly a flat collar. Approximately a quarter of the perimeter will consist of chain or fabric, which is the section that can tighten. There is a loop in this section where the leash can attach.
Function: The purpose of the chain portion is to prevent the dog from slipping out of the collar. The dog, when the collar tightens, should feel the pressure of the collar against their neck, though it should only be momentarily. The collar is only able to tighten to a predetermined amount.
When to use: Martingales are designed for pups that want to and have escaped a flat collar. The tightening feature ensures that the collar cannot slip around the dog's neck, but isn’t at risk of choking the dog.
How to put it on your dog:
Adjustment may depend on the brand of collar, but the following steps can generally be followed for success:
Loosen the collar completely. To loosen, pull the buckle towards the loop the flat collar creates (not the loop on the chain). The perimeter of the collar should expand.
Gently place the collar over your dog’s neck.
Tighten the collar to the appropriate width. Pull the buckle away from the small loop – in the opposite direction than you pulled to loosen the collar. Tighten until you can only slip two to three fingers comfortably between the collar and your dog’s neck.
The Importance of Leash Training
While there are many different types of collars, it’s crucial to note that no matter which is used, minimal leash pressure is the best way to handle your pup. A dog’s neck consists of vital organs such as the trachea and lymph nodes, which can be damaged in the event of excessive pulling. Leash training with a skilled professional is imperative to ensure basic obedience during your walks.
In Summary
Choosing the right type of collar can seem overwhelming. It’ll take trial and error until you can find the right fit for both you and your pup. Stay tuned for our part two, where we’ll dive into prong chokers, harnesses, and gentle leaders!