There are many styles of dog collars to choose from depending on your
dog’s size and disposition, and your training need. For the majority of
dogs, a traditional nylon or leather dog collar is sufficient. There are many styles of dog collars to choose from
depending on your dog’s size and disposition, and your training need.
For the majority of dogs, a traditional nylon or leather dog collar is
sufficient.
The most common type of dog collar is the buckle
variety. They are just like a human’s belt. A flat or slightly rounded
piece of material attaches to a metal buckle that adjusts in size by
fitting into spaced holes. The buckle collar comes in nylon, leather,
or natural fabric in many colors and designs. You can have your pooch’s
name burned into designer leather or embroidered onto durable nylon.
Variations
on this basic collar fulfill some safety features. The breakaway collar
was designed to pull apart under a lot of stress, such as your dog
catching himself on a fence post and may choke. Some are equipped with
‘release’ tabs that snap apart the collar in less time it takes to
unbuckle. These closures should be selected based on your preferences
and your dog’s habits.
Training collars were developed
specifically to help you train your new puppy or adopted dog. These are
equipped with ways of communicating ‘don’t do that’ to dogs without
abusing or hurting them. To prevent mishaps, listen to an expert dog
trainer when you are purchasing and using these collars in conjunction
with a responsible training regimen.
Dog Harnesses: Harnesses,
which go around the neck and around the shoulders behind the front
legs, are recommended for dogs who have upper respiratory disease or
diseases of the throat or trachea, such as a collapsed trachea. If a
dog with a collar pulls on the leash, it places pressure on the throat
and trachea, causing irritation and coughing. Harnesses relieve that
pressure.
Halter-type Dog Collars will give you the best control
over your dog. They give you control of your dog’s head and when you
have control of the dog’s head, you have control of the dog. There are
several brands of these halter-type collars including the Halti collar.
These collars look more like a horse’s halter, with a band going around
the back of the head, and another around the nose. The leash snaps onto
the collar under the chin. When you pull on the leash, the dog’s head
will either be pulled down or to the side - this makes it virtually
impossible for the dog to move ahead or pull you forward.
Some
people are hesitant to use the collar since they feel it looks more
like a muzzle than a collar. You may have people ask you about the
collar, but more often than not, when you are through explaining it,
they will ask you where they can get one for their dog.
Chain-slip
Dog Collars: Chain-slip collars, also called check chain or ‘choke
collars,’ provide effective training and retraining tools when used
correctly and on appropriate dogs. These collars are most often used
for dogs that are strong-willed, pull when on a lead, or those that do
not respond to training when wearing traditional collars.
If you
plan to use a choke collar on your dog, have a trainer show you how to
use it correctly. Correct usage involves a quick ‘tug-and-release’
action (as opposed to a steady pulling) that tells the pet a different
behavior is desired. These collars should only be worn during training
sessions, never in a crate, and avoided in pets with delicate tracheas,
such as Yorkshire Terriers.
For correct sizing, measure your
pet’s neck and add 2-1/2′- 3′. There is a right and wrong way to put a
slip collar on a dog. To correctly place a collar on a dog, the top
ring on a properly-looped collar forms a letter P when you stand in
front of the dog and pull it snug. If it forms the number 9, it is on
backward and may not release immediately as designed, which may cause
discomfort or gagging.
Pronged Collars: Pronged Collars, also
called pinch collars, contain blunt prongs that protrude inward from
the links. Designed for only the most stubborn pullers, they are
temporary training tools used to change behavior on dogs that do not
respond to any other collar. Halter-type collars give you more control
and are much less likely to harm your dog.
Electronic Collars
‘Remote’
collars or ’shock’ collars deliver an electrical stimulus to the dog in
training as a ‘correction method’. The intensity of the stimulus starts
from low level to high, depending on the disobedience of the dog. These
training-only collars should only be used by professionals or may have
destructive effect on dog’s self confidence, desire to work and general
good will.
Collars should fit well and especially the non-slip
collars should be loose enough to leave two-finger width space between
the collar and the neck of the dog. Improperly fitted collars and their
incorrect usage may even prove fatal to dogs.
This intel first appeared on: http://trainyourdog.mbm-designs.com/?p=3
