The Best Collar Types for Most Dogs (and Which Should Be Avoided)
You want the best for your dog, including getting the right collar type for him. Since they will be wearing it often, you need something that is comfortable, yet safe and reliable at the same time. Here are the best collars for most dogs, as well as which collars you might want to keep away from.
When choosing a collar for your dog, you should consider how well they behave as well as their physical characteristics (short nose, bulging eyes). Here are the pros and cons of three common collars:
- Flat and rolled collars: Great for attaching all of your dog’s tokens and IDs to them, and are pretty handy, but they can get caught (and potentially strangled) while playing with another dog or exploring the yard unattended. Using this type of collar for walking your dog can also cause increased pressure in the eyes (due to pulling on the leash), which can worsen eye conditions such as glaucoma.
- Barbed Collar: This collar has pointed ridges that press into the dog’s neck when the dog pulls on the leash or when you (or the handler) pulls as a behavior correction. You may not want to use this type of collar to train your dog because it can make him associate pain with good things (for example, approaching another dog, as your dog may be reaching for the leash to say hello) as well as your behavior. … trying to fix it.
- Harness: While not technically a collar, a harness that fits over your dog’s chest and back can be a good alternative. Harnesses with a leash attachment on the front (chest) rather than the back because they tend to be more effective at teaching dogs not to pull. If your dog has breathing problems (short snout or tender windpipe), a harness will be the safest and most comfortable option for him.
Which option is correct depends on your dog’s behavior (how much does he pull when you walk?), His physical and health condition, and how comfortable you feel using him as a owner. Follow the link below for a detailed description of each collar option.
What types of collars and harnesses are safe for your dog? | Dr. Sophia Yin