What kind of collar for my dog

The dangers of this type of collar seem a bit more obvious. The prongs are typically quite dull, but can still do significant damage if the dog is stubbornly pulling or if you pull back on the collar. Rubber tips are sold to further dull the prongs, but the risk of pain and damage is still very real. The risk is not worth the potential benefits. A no-pull harness, and regular walking routine, and plenty of incentives are much more effective and safer in the long run than a pinch collar ever will be.

Reactive and remote collars are becoming more popular too. These have more function than a typical training collar and are usually not used for correcting bad walking behaviour. They are mostly used to correct inappropriate barking. Remote collars can be controlled by you and can be used for behaviours other than just inappropriate barking.

There are many variations of this type of collar. Spray collars are the most invasive and annoying of the three but are often quite effective for serial barkers. The unique thing about these types of collars is that the chances of physical harm are much smaller.

There is of course a risk of the collar being too tight and prongs being uncomfortable or chafing over long periods of time. The real concern with this training tool is the anxiety it can cause. These types of training tools are often used for more anxious barkers, and the spray, vibration, or ultrasonic trigger can be alarming. This collar can create more anxiety. In the long-term, it may solve the initial behaviour problem, but has the potential to create more anxious, fearful, or even aggressive behaviours.

This is less about safety and more about best practices. Here are a few tips to help you get started:. This is the most controversial training collar on our list. While some people see these as cruel punishment, others see them as an effective training tool for more extreme cases. These connection points detect vocal cord movement in non-remote-controlled collars and give an electric impulse through those same nodes for both remote and non-remote-controlled collars.

If you are wondering if this shock hurts, the answer is yes and no. At the most basic level, think of a static shock. You touch a doorknob or a metal chair and you get a small zap.

Not really. But as the levels increase, that alarming shock can become painful. Most collars have several levels of electric stimulation. Automatic collars may be set up to change the level of stimulation depending on how many times the collar is triggered in a row. So if your dog continues to display the behaviour, the shock may increase in intensity, up to a limited point, of course. With remote collars, you can set the level manually.

When it comes to shock collar safety, knowing how it works and how to use it is key. Read the instructions, contact the manufacturer, and speak with your vet to make sure the collar is safe to use with your pet. Worse, they could lead to behavioural issues in the long term. All of these training collars can be used safely, but they rarely are. They are just labeled as a training tool with some idealistic claims of the benefits.

At least not unless you are willing to really research proper use, and if possible connect with a professional trainer who can work with you on how to use these tools safely. Training your dog is about building a bond of trust and loyalty.

When improperly used, they can do both physical and psychological damage. At the end, how you train your dog is up to you. You need to choose the methods that are best suited for your dog and for you. Talk to your vet about your options, especially if you are dealing with behavioural issues, as they may be able to lay out more options for managing your dog training struggles.

We love a good force-free training method, and we always recommend this path, but different strokes for different folks. Just make sure you know all your options before you invest in a potentially dangerous training tool. Once you have determined the type of collar that would work best for your dog, you can look at what the collar is made of. Most dog collar types come in a variety of different materials, each with unique benefits and drawbacks.

To help you understand the differences between the materials used in dog collars, here are some of the pros and cons of each. Nylon dog collars are the most prevalent types of collars. There are a huge variety of patterns, colours, widths, and qualities within this dog collar category.

Ideal for dogs to wear around the house, on walks, and for attaching ID tags, nylon collars are the multi-purpose, standard collar. Fashion-forward pets and people! Better yet, this is great if you want a personalized dog collar. Nylon is the most common material for dog collars. Nylon is a great choice for a basic everyday collar, especially for growing puppies.

They are nice and light, so they are comfortable for dogs of all sizes. Nylon collars are the least durable material on the list. Your dog can easily chew through this fabric collar and over time, the fabric will start to fray. They are also better at holding bacteria, and therefore they get really stinky. You can wash them, but the smell will return. Neoprene is a soft rubbery material that is used in wet suits, and it's reinforced with nylon webbing for added strength, stretch, and durability.

Neoprene makes for excellent dog collars for dogs that spend a lot of time in the water. Check out the pros and cons of neoprene. Like a nylon collar, neoprene is a soft and flexible material, so they are comfortable to wear all day. The softer fabric is good for dogs with long, dense fur that can mat easily or get caught on other fabrics.

Better than a nylon collar, they are ideal for avid swimmers and dogs that live in wetter climates, like BC. The moisture-wicking material dries quickly and stays clean. Though this is a common material for basic collars, it tends to be pricier than standard nylon, but for many, the perks are worth the extra cost.

They can also be a bit bulkier than nylon, but that can also increase durability to some extent. Neoprene is not as widely available either, so you find fewer styles and patterns in the neoprene category, which is a downside for more fashionable pooches. Chain collars also called choke chains, are metal, usually stainless steel. They are a heavier, and very sturdy collar material, and can stand up to dogs that play rough.

These collars are also very easy to keep clean as they can be washed in warm soapy water. Poorer quality metals can tarnish or rust, so make sure you look for high-quality stainless steel. Some chain collars even come in fun colours. These are done with a chrome coating. While this looks nice, it may fade or rub off over time. Metal is definitely more durable than any other type of collar. These collars are geared towards stubborn dogs that are struggling with their training, so they can be a useful training aid if used correctly.

Being easy to clean, these collars can go just about anywhere and just get hosed off with your dog. No mess, no smell, no damage. The potential for harm with this collar is big, so chain collars should always be used safely. Never leave a chain collar on your dog unattended or in a crate, as it could become a choking hazard. Metal adjusts quickly with the outside temperature. Chain collars, whether they are for training purposes or not are, can get very cold in the winter, and very hot in the summer heat.

Be aware of the temperature before letting your dog walk around with a metal collar. Here is a quick video to help you make sure that you know how to use choke chains properly:. Leather dog collars are a classic, durable style of collar that provides a great balance of both looks and practicality. While more expensive than most collars, quality leather collars can be expected to last for years. Make sure when you are buying your dog's leather collar that you choose a collar made from genuine leather.

Bonded leather , while made from real leather, is a conglomerate of scrap leathers with a bonding agent to bind them. This type of leather may look and feel like genuine leather, but it is not as durable and is an inferior product. I want to get one of these harnesses you are talking abou but confused as to what size to get. Thanks June. June: Buy both sizes and try them out on your dog. He fits both the small and medium, but the medium seems like a more comfortable fit.

I like it on my 2 dogs, but being a back harness, it empowers the dog to pull with more force and comfort. You really need to have a trained dog before they can be used. The dogs either still pull like crazy, but at an awkward angle or, the clever ones ,turn around and simply slip out of them by pulling backwards.

I will not use any collar with a quick-release or plastic clip. Broad full leather , buckle collals do not twist too stiff and the broadness minimises likelihood of neck or thoat damage.

They also stand up to rough play without damage. Surprisingly for me anyway I found that dogs pull least and are calmest on back-attach harnesses — at least with the H-style harnesses.

But I suspect that the chest straps work a little like a T-Touch calming device. Pressure from a tightened leash also tend to calm rather than excote like pressure on a collar will. I find that with my own dogs simply slipping my hand in under the leather collar when they get toey seems to calm them.

With the H-style harness you can slip your hand in under the top of the harness the middle on the H and this seems to help timid dogs enormously. Great article! I currently use a harness that connects in the back. My husky can pull out of a regular harness. I use one of the No Pull harnesses like the Sporn mentioned above to prevent her from turning and backing out of her harness.

If she tries, the harness tightens behind the legs and she cannot escape. There is no pressure on the neck, and the leash stays up and away from her legs for a more pleasant walk. Thanks for the side by side comparison of the various harnesses out there! Between the freedom harness and the walk in sync, which would you recommend more? On the other hand, the walk in sync puts more pressure around the neck. Thanks for your time! Hi dr. What is your opinion on the senseation harness?

It looks like the easy walk but does not have the martingale tightening effect. Wonderful article. However, she does tend to pull when she sees another dog or person approaching — although I have been working with her since day one not to do that. It looks like such tourcher, yet your article claims it could be a better, safer for the dog, and more humane way to correct pulling.

As we venture out into the world more, and I do not want to be pulled by an 82 lb lab, should I try her prong collar again? Thank you for any advice you could give me. Thanks this is a really informative article. I have always used the harness that clips on back and that would explain why there is so much pulling.

Think I might try one of those ones that clip in the front. Unfortunately here in the UK we failed to get these torture implements banned, which belies the thought that the UK is a nation of animal lovers…. He attacked every dog, some three times his weight. By the end of the 18 week class, the Instructor had me at age 12, take him through graduation. Two loose German Shepards ran through the course, I put him on the down command. He earned second place in a group of 50 dogs. The pinch collar was only used for about a month, but between my father and the Instructor, he quickly graduated to the chain collar.

Our dog placed second in the group, he would have placed first if I had asked permission from the AKC judge to break the course in order to control our off leash dog. Hi, Chrissy, we cannot tell you that. You should probably ask the manufacturer about the safety for human use. The article was a good description of the types of collars and how each is designed to be used. My concern is that the fasteners and edges on almost every style can be very abrasive to a shorthair dog.

If there is any sharp edge when you run your hand over the seams then consider how a rough edge would feel on your own neck over hours and when pulled. It can cut or chafe. This occurs also with dog coats that are fastened with Velcro. Check to see if the Velcro rubs beneath the arm.

I am disappointed that manufacturers have not addressed these issues in quality control. Good article. It was written like 4 years ago I know, but it would be awesome to read an updated version. With Ruffwear or Julius-K9 etc.. Especially since they are different from the above mentioned ones. I own a Julius K9 harness and a Ruffwear backpack.

The Julius harness is so easy to put on and the quality is unbelievable. Our dog trainer suggested it. It is manufactured in Europe Germany maybe? Lots of stores who sell it are located in Europe, but they have a US company as well. Fast shipping and helpful customer service. Regrettably, Dr. Sophia Yin passed away 2 years ago Sept.

But for the future, we can look at possibly having our current Executive Director, Dr. Sally J. Foote, provide updated articles like this. Thank you for the suggestion. The noseband attaches to the leash with a slip-loop to naturally size to your dog's snout.

The Gentle Leader comes in five sizes and eight colors, and your dog will require desensitization before they are comfortable wearing it. But if you're looking for an alternative to a harness for a dog that pulls on a leash, this headcollar is a good option for dogs that are not easily over-aroused.

Collars that add pressure or pain to your dog's neck on walks, usually to prevent them from pulling away, should be avoided. Even martingale-style collars can be dangerous for dogs that pull frequently because of the pressure they put on the neck.

Because of their design, some collars can also be dangerous when left on a dog without supervision. The martingale collar, for example, which has an extra loop of material that can get caught on things, should be removed after the walk is over, according to Whole Dog Journal.

The head collar, too, should only be worn for walks. Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals. You can purchase syndication rights to this story here. Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners.

We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended.

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