Dog Collars and Their Uses

Many different types of dog collars are available for the pet owner. Before purchasing a new collar, you should know about what is available. You should also determine the purpose for the collar so you can find one to meet your needs.

For puppies and very young dogs, a basic nylon dog collar is just what is needed. It is soft and flexible, durable, easy to clean, and you can easily attach your pet's ID tags to it. An adjustable collar also grows with your puppy.

As your pet grows, you may want to invest in a dog harness. The harness can be used in your vehicle to restrain your pet during rides. It is also used for walking your dog without putting pressure on the dog's neck.

For dogs with larger necks, to prevent slipping his collar off, you might want to buy a Martingale dog collar. This collar has a sliding section that tightens as the dog pulls so he can't slip his head out. Due to the limited closure, the dog can't choke himself.

The traditional training dog collar is sometimes referred to as a choke collar. This is a metal link collar that slides to tighten around the dog's neck when the dog pulls against it. When used by a careful trainer, this collar is perfectly safe, and is a valuable aid in getting the dog's attention and obedience. Make sure to put this collar on correctly, and only use during training sessions, and never let children use it.

The half check collar combines the metal sliding chain loops of the training collar with the fabric covered collar of the Martingale. It is also used for dogs with large necks who pull out of their collars, but can be used as a training collar since the metal links slide faster than the fabric of the Martingale. This is a good training collar for children to use as the dog can't be accidentally choked.

The prong training collar pinches the dog's neck to get his attention. The prongs don't injure the dog and can't choke the dog. This type of training collar is used for dogs with high pain thresholds who don't respond to the other types of training collars.

Designer dog collars are made from nylon webbing covered with fabric. They come in many colors and styles, including holiday and breed specific prints. There really is a collar just for your pet.

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