Right Tool for the Job

Dog collars, so many to choose from!  What collar is best for your pup?  That all depends upon what you are doing with your dog, the environment, and how you plan to use the tool (collar).  It is my belief that many types of collars, leads, and harnesses each have their place on different types, breeds, and personalities of dogs.  It is the person who uses the various tool, correctly or incorrectly, that causes harm or creates the desired effect.  In the wrong hands, a collar, even a flat buckle, can injure an animal.

The above picture offers many choices, for your average pampered pet who lives indoors, and is not chained by their collar, a simple flat buckle (fancy or elegant) or a quick clasp collar (one that snaps together with two plastic pieces) will do to carry the dogs ID and rabies tags.  Pets which have long hair may fair better with a slip over the head type of collar.  Animals who are tied out by their collars need the flat buckle type.

But comfy, loose fitting collars are not meant for taking your pet out of the yard.  Far too many times  clever dogs will simply back out of their comfy "house" collars on a walk and dart away.   For dogs who tend to slip their collars there is a type made out of colorful nylon with a small area of chain or extra nylon threaded through loops at the front of the collar.   This serves to pull the collar closed on the neck of dogs who have small, fine heads such as Dobermans, Greyhounds, or Whippets.   There is not enough chain or material to collapse the trachea but will keep it from slipping over the head when pulled closed.

Choke collars, ones made entirely of a chain material with two large rings at each end, should never be left on a dog unattended.  These are used most often in training classes and  confirmation shows  but are dangerous to be left on in a kennel, crate, car or any place the dog is not attached to a person by a lead.  Definitely not to be used to tie a dog outside.  I have seen a dog leap over a fence, with a choke chain on, get the links caught in the fence and strangle.

The wide red leather collar with the spikes (pictured above) is a handy choice for dogs who live in an area where other dogs roam loose and might jump on them while being walked.  The spikes are sharp and might deter a stray from injuring a leashed pet.  I have used this exact collar for this purpose and my small mixed breed was no longer the target of roaming, aggressive dogs. A word of caution, the spike are sharp on human hands. As with all wide or leather collars, be aware of the environmental effect on them, too hot and humid will cause wetness under the collar, possible sores and matted hair coat.   Rain or snow can cause shrinkage and color seepage onto dogs coat. 

The width of a collar is usually determined by the coat of the dog, preference of the owner, and especially if the animal is tied out in the yard.   A wider collar on a big breed with a heavy coat is much more suitable than on smaller dogs.  The wide width keeps the coat from becoming hopelessly tangled in dry air, while the width provides more even pull on a greater surface area of the dogs neck.

Pinch or prong collars , the ones with dull prongs making a circle around the dogs neck and a looped small chain with a D ring on the end also has its place.   These are often used with high drive dogs such as German Shepherd Dogs or Malinois that are active in police work.   This collar is not to be left on an unattended dog and never used to tie one outdoors.   I have seen when loose dogs, riding in a vehicle, wearing pinch collars, got a prong stuck in the eye of a playmate.  Consequently, the choke and pinch collars are strictly for use during the time a handler is available to be with the animal.

Harnesses are a great option for walking dogs, tracking or using them to pull loads.   Some breeds compete in pulling competitions where harnesses are hooked up to set loads of weight on sleds or wagons and the animal goes through a course in a set time period.  This usually is denoted by what the breed was originally created to do.  An example of a pulling harness on a working breed can be seen in sledding competitions (Iditarod).

It is best to get your pampered pet used to a variety of collars and harnesses, in doing so you always have a tool handy.   Some dogs take a bit of time to get used to walking smoothly on different collars and harnesses.  A small amount of training in the yard will leave you free to pick the style you wish to carry when you and your buddy head out for a new adventure.   Remember, it is the person who is using the tool, not the tool/collar itself that causes injury to the dog.  Following proper education and guidelines  allows a wide variety of tools to be used in day to day tasks with your pet. 


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