Because dog collars go beyond just looking cute!
If you’re new to owning a dog, welcome to the wonderful world of controlled chaos — where what your dog eats, what type of training method you use, and the kind of collar they wear all come with giant, judging opinions from other dog owners!
It’s true, the doggy space comes with a lot of critiques on a lot of things, and at The Vet Set, it’s important to us that you have all sides of the information to make a decision that is right for you, after all, no one knows your dog or your situation better than you! Follow along in today’s post as we explore everything related to dog collars.
Commonly Seen And Used Dog Collars
The thought behind dog collars is that, first and foremost, you want a well-trained dog so you only have to use a flat collar — it addresses essentially the root of the dog collar critique. When you have a well-behaved dog, you don’t have to implement anything but their training. This sounds amazing, but as we all know, it’s not reality.
Let’s examine some of the most commonly seen and used dog collars.
Classic Flat Collar
We all know and recognize the flat collar — it’s the collar that can have the most flair and up your dog’s accessorizing game! The goal is for your dog to be able to walk and wear a flat collar, which means they should be able to refrain from pulling, lunging, and overall misbehaving.
You want to make the flat collar essentially useless to your dog, so if you’re pulling up on the collar when they’re not doing something, it automatically draws their attention and gets them to pull back.
Instead, learn methods to control their behavior with your voice, not through the leash.
Harness
A dog harness is the type of leash that goes under and through your dog’s front legs, wraps, and clips on their back. More of the tension is put on the neck and chest, which may be beneficial for short-nosed dogs, however, the issue being with harnesses is it gives dogs the ability to pull aggressively, which can hurt them and be harder to control large, heavy breeds.
Head and Nose Harness
This can be appropriately compared to a horses harness, in that it slips around a dog’s snout and attaches behind the ears, typically on the neck. It’s wonderful for dogs who pull and, for some breeds, it has a calming effect helping them to relax and enjoy their surroundings.
The issue that arises with these harnesses that it can jerk your dog’s head and neck quite quickly, causing injury, and these types of collars can be difficult to get your dog into.
Pinch or Pronged Collar
These collars are very controversial in the dog circle, with the praise that they work well if used properly and help in dog training, and the critique being they’re harmful and cruel to use on dogs.
When people do intend on using a pronged collar the Humane Society insists that it’s fitted properly and that the prong length is appropriate to the size of your dog. For example, a Chihuahua should not be wearing a pronged collar designed for a pit bull.
It’s important that the fit only sits on your dog, the prongs should not dig in. Consulting an expert or dog trainer for the best fit is encouraged with this type of collar.
It’s also important to point out that a pronged collar can punish your dog when you’re just trying to communicate simply tasks such as sitting or lying down, which can be confusing and intimidating for your dog.
People like this type of collar for dogs that pull and lunge, but people often argue that there is always a better, more humane option to turn to first.
Martingale
A martingale collar combines a flat and slip collar together for a collar that has a limitation of how much it can slip.
This type of collar is great for breeds with narrow heads such as Whippets, Greyhounds, or mixed breeds, however, they’re often contested because they run the risk of injuring a dog over time if it pulls too excessively.
Slip Collar
A slip collar is a very basic collar often composed of rope. This type of rope is often seen in shelters or in training classes for very out-of-control, untrained dogs. It keeps everyone safe by allowing the person to easily take control and contain a dog.
Slip collars may be great for a short time, but if used for a long time, it mat be damaging to your dog’s neck.
There are many types of collars available that all fit and do things a little differently, so it’s important to do your research and consider the advantages and disadvantages of them all.
For more information on our Caroll Gardens vet clinic or to get our take on the best leashes for your dog, schedule an appointment today!