My Pet Specialties

This is the seventh in a series of posts delving into the pros and cons of different types of dog collars.

For the last six days we have examined the pros and cons of different types of dog collars.  Many dog owners will find it necessary to own more than one type of dog collar and will need to change it according to the activity the dog will be engaged in.  Today we will do a quick recap.

• Traditional Dog Collar-This collar is the most commonly used option for daily wear.  You can find traditional dog collars in a multitude of colors, patterns and materials.  These collars do not directly influence behavior modification and they will not release if they become entangled.  A well behaved dog will walk well when a leash is attached to the collar but if the dog lunges or pulls a lot, it can cause damage to the dog’s wind pipe.
• Rolled Leather Dog Collar-This collar works the same way the traditional dog collar works.  A big plus for this collar is seen if you have a long haired breed (Collie, Sheltie, English Sheep Dog, etc.).  The design of the collar reduces matting of the fur in the collar area.
• Reflective Dog Collars-Reflective dog collars are another variation of the traditional dog collar.  They provide the added safety feature of higher visibility for those who like to walk at night or in the early morning hours.  Some of these collars glow in the dark after minimal exposure to light.
• Breakaway Dog Collars-While designed to release under pressure to prevent collar strangulation and other collar related injuries, this collar could also release if you need to restrain your dog quickly and do not grasp the collar around the safety clasp.
• Martingale Collar-Also known as the humane choke collar, the martingale collar will prevent a dog from “backing-out” of the collar and the secondary loop provides a convenient handle to retrain your dog without a leash.  It also provides more control than the traditional collar.
• Gentle Leader Headcollar-Although it does not serve as the most comfortable full-time collar, the Gentle Leader is a wonderful alternative for the dog that lunges and/or pulls on the leash and it also prevents “backing out”.  The elderly and small children can easily walk large dogs on a leash.  When used, properly it can have a significant impact on behavior modification.  It does take some time to introduce the Gentle Leader to the dog and to learn how to use this training tool properly.
• “Going Naked”-This should never be an option for your dog.  No collar means your dog won’t have any ID to help it get home if he gets lost.