Picking The Right Dog Collar

There are so many different dog collars and leads on the market, selecting the right one can be a challenge. Collars such as training, shock and slip collars, it can all get very confusing. In this article we will look at the pros and cons of the different types.

Dog leads are a lot less of an issue, they work with most collars listed here and the other really issue can be if your canines very large and has the ability to snap a lead. In these cases a chain lead is usually best. Some dogs to have a tendency to bite their lead and in this situation a chain can also be a gods send. Lead length is the other aspect but this is really just down to personal preference.

Extendible dog leads can be useful as they allow a dog to roam who is not yet trust worthy of the lead, these leads really come in all styles, there are literally hundreds on the market. It is however debatable whether these leads cause dogs to pull on the leash more, due to the dog sometimes being reward for pulling by the lead extending.

Dog collars are one of the most important dog accessories and they are required by law. Nowadays there are many canine collars available in many different styles and tastes from nylon with patterns to leather and some even contain diamonds. There are many bizarre and unique collars out there and they provide a great way to show of your style though your dog.

Slip collars are similar to the training collar in function however there purpose is not to train or hurt the dog, it’s just to allow the collar to be removed and attached very quickly. These collars are popular with gun dogs as well as other dog sports such as agility, where having a collar on could be a safety concern due to it getting caught on equipment. In agility this rule has been somewhat revised with flat collars being allowed with no attachments. However it’s still common place to use slip collars/leads.

Training collars can be a few types of things some are chains that choke the canine as they pull, these are a controversial device so I wont go into opinions on them and just state facts. As the dog pulls the collar becomes tighter and as the dog stops pulling the collar loosens itself so that the dog stops choking. Some claim to have success with these however others claim they simple don’t work and are cruel. Another training collar is the prong collar, this collar is never seen in Europe and has extremely controversial issues surrounding it’s use with in the United States.

Flat collars are the most common these are simple dog collars that provide a buckle or clip, and sit around the canines neck. They are properly the best collars for general use although they do have some down falls, long term collar use can often cause a dogs fur to become slightly damaged. One of the other issues is the collar becoming cause on something such as undergrowth while the dogs off exploring, Gun dogs do not wear collars and use slip collars to avoid this problem. Some companies have brought out collars that breakaway to try and solve the issue but they are yet to become widely popular.

Shock collars, now these are by far the most controversial collars available. They emit an electric shock to a dog when either a button is pressed, the canine barks, or the dog crossed a certain boundary. Popular in the US, but very frowned upon in Europe just their mention can often cause arguments within the dog world. Their critics claim they are cruel, unnecessary and dangerous, while their advocates claim they are highly effective and pose no risk to the dog. Both sides feel passionately about their use and it would be hard to find any dog owner without some opinion on the shock collar.

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Tim Harlinson is a writer for the online store dog collars they stock a range of quality dog beds. He lives in the United Kingdom and lives with his family and two dogs.