This is one of the most common questions people have when they are about to train their dog.
There are all sort of dog collars on the market, and most are great products, but which one is right for your dog.
There are lots of different collars available. Choose the one that you feel will work best with your dog.
Regular Buckle or Flat Collar
This is your basic collar that goes around the neck and is usually made of nylon, leather or cloth and holds your pet's ID.
This collar is made for basic restraint for dogs that don't have too much of a problem walking properly. If your dog is constantly pulling on his leash, this collar is probably not the best bet for him as he will choke himself if he keeps pulling.
Head Collar or Halter
This is a neck and muzzle collar which works like a halter on a horse, ie: when you pull his head one way, his body will follow in that direction.
This collar is good in that it doesn't use force so there is no pain for your dog, but you will have a great amount of control over the direction that you want your dog to go.
Often dogs put up quite a fuss with this type of collar as it is somewhat uncomfortable for him to wear. They may try to remove the collar with their paws or refuse to walk and just stand there.
Slip Collar
This collar looks quite similar to a regular collar except that it tightens only to a certain point. You can slip this collar over your dog's head and snap it around his neck, so it is easy to put on. It also gives you a fair amount of control.
An advantage to a Martingale collar is that it can not be easily removed from the dog's neck-even if he is pulling backwards. It has a restricted range of tightness that prevents the dog from choking. However, the Martingale does not work effectively if the dog is a consistent puller.
Choke Collar
This type of collar should only be used for aggression training because the collar tightens around your dog's neck when you jerk it and released when you let up. A choke collar can be quite dangerous if you don't use it properly as you could hurt your dog's neck and cause physical and emotional trauma.
Harnesses
A harness is a device that wraps to the dog's body, with the leash attached at the top of the dog's back at the shoulder blades. This is different than a dog collar because a collar only controls a dog at the neck or head. A harness distributes the dog's pulling force evenly across his chest and shoulders, which can actually allow the dog to pull even harder.
Harnesses are usually pain free, come in a variety of styles and are great for dogs who may have had a neck injury. They are often used on dogs like Pugs who have an inherent tendency towards a collapsed trachea.
Prong Collars
This type of collar is my favorite for dogs who have a problem with pulling. Although it looks barbaric and harmful, in fact it is one of the safest pieces of equipment used to teach dogs to walk properly. The collar looks similar to a choke collar but it has evenly spaced prongs around it that, when pulled create an even pressure around the neck by pinching the skin. There is no direct pressure on the trachea a there is with a choke collar.
The prong collar doesn't actually hurt them, but it shows who is in control. I don't recommend it for puppies or very aggressive dogs, but it seems to work great when you are trying to teach your dog the proper way to walk.
It is a long, drawn out process training your dog to walk properly, but hopefully with the use of the right collars (and a lot of time and patience!) you will have your dog walking like a show dog in no time at all! In an upcoming article I will take a look at the differences between various leashes, and help you find the right one for your dog.
There are all sort of dog collars on the market, and most are great products, but which one is right for your dog.
There are lots of different collars available. Choose the one that you feel will work best with your dog.
Regular Buckle or Flat Collar
This is your basic collar that goes around the neck and is usually made of nylon, leather or cloth and holds your pet's ID.
This collar is made for basic restraint for dogs that don't have too much of a problem walking properly. If your dog is constantly pulling on his leash, this collar is probably not the best bet for him as he will choke himself if he keeps pulling.
Head Collar or Halter
This is a neck and muzzle collar which works like a halter on a horse, ie: when you pull his head one way, his body will follow in that direction.
This collar is good in that it doesn't use force so there is no pain for your dog, but you will have a great amount of control over the direction that you want your dog to go.
Often dogs put up quite a fuss with this type of collar as it is somewhat uncomfortable for him to wear. They may try to remove the collar with their paws or refuse to walk and just stand there.
Slip Collar
This collar looks quite similar to a regular collar except that it tightens only to a certain point. You can slip this collar over your dog's head and snap it around his neck, so it is easy to put on. It also gives you a fair amount of control.
An advantage to a Martingale collar is that it can not be easily removed from the dog's neck-even if he is pulling backwards. It has a restricted range of tightness that prevents the dog from choking. However, the Martingale does not work effectively if the dog is a consistent puller.
Choke Collar
This type of collar should only be used for aggression training because the collar tightens around your dog's neck when you jerk it and released when you let up. A choke collar can be quite dangerous if you don't use it properly as you could hurt your dog's neck and cause physical and emotional trauma.
Harnesses
A harness is a device that wraps to the dog's body, with the leash attached at the top of the dog's back at the shoulder blades. This is different than a dog collar because a collar only controls a dog at the neck or head. A harness distributes the dog's pulling force evenly across his chest and shoulders, which can actually allow the dog to pull even harder.
Harnesses are usually pain free, come in a variety of styles and are great for dogs who may have had a neck injury. They are often used on dogs like Pugs who have an inherent tendency towards a collapsed trachea.
Prong Collars
This type of collar is my favorite for dogs who have a problem with pulling. Although it looks barbaric and harmful, in fact it is one of the safest pieces of equipment used to teach dogs to walk properly. The collar looks similar to a choke collar but it has evenly spaced prongs around it that, when pulled create an even pressure around the neck by pinching the skin. There is no direct pressure on the trachea a there is with a choke collar.
The prong collar doesn't actually hurt them, but it shows who is in control. I don't recommend it for puppies or very aggressive dogs, but it seems to work great when you are trying to teach your dog the proper way to walk.
It is a long, drawn out process training your dog to walk properly, but hopefully with the use of the right collars (and a lot of time and patience!) you will have your dog walking like a show dog in no time at all! In an upcoming article I will take a look at the differences between various leashes, and help you find the right one for your dog.
About the Author:
Alex has been an avid pet lover her whole life. She has a personal knowledge of just about every type of pet and their behaviors. She offers pet advice and product reviews on her website Henri's Online Dog Obedience School where you can sign up for a free pet tips and tricks newsletter or visit Henri The Hound, an awesome online pet shop for cool and interesting gifts for your pets.
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