Selecting a Dog Collar

Dog collars are a very important part of your dog’s life. He is to wear one all the
time or the sake of identity purposes, but collars can be used for training as well.
There are some collars that are not supposed to be worn for every day, and some
collars are more suited to larger or smaller breeds of dog. There are so many
different ones to choose from you better brace yourself!

Large dogs such as Alsatians and German Shepherds, Rottweilers and Staffordshire
terriers need strong chain collars basically because these dogs are strong and
boisterous. They are not however, supposed to be worn all day as it can chafe
around the dog’s neck and make it quite sore for them! Large, strong dogs like
these needs thick rope leashes and a good solid thick chain to keep them in check,
but try and not let your dog pull on it too much as he will end up chocking himself!

Medium sized dogs can get away with the simple click in collars made out of cloth,
or a thinner chain collar. Again don’t let them wear chain collars all day, take them
off when you get inside. Cloth collars however can be worn all day every day, these
provide great comfort around the neck but they are not good for strong boisterous
dogs! Those types of dogs will just snap the collars and be off chasing a cat down
the road in no time at all!

Smaller dogs need only small collars, their size and limited strength makes them the
easiest dog to buy for, but make sure that whatever collar you buy for whatever size
of dog has an ID tag on it, that way if your dog does manage to escape you can find
him again with minimal effort!

There are some ways to use a collar to help train your dog with. Chain collars for
example are great for teaching your dog how to stay in heel! A slight pull on the
leash attached to the chain collar will pull your dog back, and as long as you say the
command they will soon come to associate walking beside you as “heel”. Dog halter
are also very common for this purpose, as it supports the dog and helps you pull
with more strength, a lot safer than most techniques.

Collars are available in all shapes, sizes and colours. They are easily found in your
local store or market. Just make sure that your dog has enough room to move its
neck around and can breathe adequately. It would not be a good idea to make it to
tight!

Bert Gajda has over 11 years experience training dogs. He is an administrator of
http://www.dogtwist.com