Dog Collars

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All dogs need a dog collar because it’s usually required by law.  You might like the look of wide leather dog collars.  But is this the right kind of collar for your dog?  You need to take in mind your dog’s physique, temperament and any training issues he or she might have.  You might discover that the best dog collar isn’t a wide leather dog collar at all.

If Your Dog Pulls

Some dog trainers will recommend a wide leather dog collar to help discourage dogs from pulling strongly on the lead.  This is better than using a choke chain (which can often cause spinal damage in dogs) and far better than a dog shock collar (which should be banned).  Stay far away from any trainer who advises the use of shock collars.

But, in the end, no gadget will help your dog stop pulling, not even a wide leather dog collar.  For example Labradors need patient and persistent training to get them to stop.  When they pull, you stop and do not go any further.  You only walk when the dog is behaving.  It’s hard to do, but it’s the only sure cure.

This writer has a strong pulling dog.  I just got used to it.  I did teach her to stop and look back at me on command.  The pulling actually makes her seem a little wild and kept undesirable people away.  In order to keep her from choking, I attach her lead to a chest harness instead of her collar (which is nylon and not a wide leather dog collar).

How Big Is Your Dog?

Wide leather dog collars need to be on dogs with necks big enough to wear them comfortably.  Your dog might not be the biggest in the world, but if he has a massive neck, then perhaps it will take a wide leather dog collar.  Breeds that can take wide leather dog collars include Mastiffs, Bullmastiffs, Neapolitan Mastiffs, any of the bulldog breeds and some Great Danes.

Special Occasion

Genuine leather is beautiful and durable, but is also very expensive and can be difficult and time-consuming to clean.  You might also have a dog that can’t resist the smell of genuine wide leather dog collars and decides to eat it.  Not all dogs will eat leather, but quite a lot will.  Also, if any animal-rights activists are nearby, you will get the evil eye from them for using genuine leather.

You might want to save the wide leather dog collar for special occasions such as going to the dog photographer and have a nylon collar for everyday wear.

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One thing every dog should have is a good collar. But there are so many different types of dog collars available now that it can be difficult to decide which one is best for your dog.

No matter what type of collar you choose make sure you get one that fits properly. Remember, the key to proper sizing is to pay close attention to the sizing criteria used. Do not guess or assume your dog is a certain size just because of its breed. Most German shepherds are classified as large dogs, but if you own a small female German shepherd you might try a medium sized collar. It is easiest to take a piece of string and measure your dog’s neck following the dog collar manufacturer’s sizing directions. Every dog collar designer has different sizing criteria. So measure carefully. You know it fits properly when you can just slip two fingers between the collar and the animal’s neck. A collar that is too tight can cause discomfort, one that’s too loose may come off.

Finding the right dog collar for your pet sounds easy, but there are so many to choose from that it can be a bit overwhelming. You may be tempted to go with the cheapest and while price is always a consideration, there is no sense in paying half the price of the collar that you need for a collar that you have to replace three to four times a year. When to comes to dog collars, you get what you pay for.

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