When it comes to choosing a collar for your dog, you will want to consider the purpose. Collars are used primarily for identification, either by clipping a tag to a ring or by printing or embroidering contact information right onto the fabric. They are also used for controlling your dog by attaching a lead, a short tab, tying him to a tree or post or by holding him by hand. (It is not safe to tie a dog to a post or tree while attached to a collar, unless you are there to supervise him). Collars come in a variety of fabrics, styles and colors. They also clip together with different types of hardware and must be used with the dog's safety, size, age and strength in mind. When using a collar of any kind on your dog remember this saying "It's NOT the ARROW, but the Archer".. in other words, anyone can severely injure a dog physically or emotionally with any type of collar or choke if not managed with education and skill.
Classic Buckle Collars
Classic buckle collars need to be fitted comfortably on the dog so that 3 fingers can easily be placed between the collar and the dog's neck. Collar choices typically flat or rolled leather, nylon or fabric, hemp or braided rope. Buckle collars require a bit of finger work and focus to connect the buckle and don't come apart without that same process, while quick release collars are designed with a snap connection which helps when need to remove a collar quickly. (Many puppies and adult dogs' lives have been saved by this quick release, break away connectors)
Quick Release - Break Away Collars
These collars connect with a plastic or metal clip that is easy and quick to snap together or take apart. This system has become more popular over time and will save the life of a puppy or adult dog when suddenly caught up by the collar and prevent strangulation or trauma by not being able to free himself from something, however it's not likely that it will not come apart without your intervention.
Designer Spiked - Studded Leather
Theses leather collars are designed with protruding metal points that traditionally prevented another animal from biting the dog's neck. In modern societies, stud collars are more commonly considered a fashion accessory.
Martingale Collars
These collars are designed to fit dogs whose head is the same diameter as their neck and a simple collar is likely to slip off, such as with greyhounds and whippets. These collars are able to tighten and not pull off when there is resistance either by the dog or the handler. This collar system will tighten only when attached to a lead or your hand as dog or handler pulls against it, this design keeps it snug and comfortable on the dog's neck and he's not able to pull it off by mistake! In addition, they must be fitted so that when tightened they contract properly to be snug enough as to hold tight and NOT be able to slip off.
Choke "Slip" Check Chains
A few names for the same collar that comes in chain and fabric and should only be worn when a handler is using a leash. They should not be worn unless under supervision. There are many stories of dogs choking to death on fences and even getting choked while attached to other dogs. These collars should be kept loose and only tighten when handler gives a correction to the dog. To work properly, you don't want to have much of a "tail" hanging past the dog's neck or a correction will not be timed properly. There also is a correct position and an incorrect position of a choke being placed on a dog's neck. These collars need to be placed on the dog with the ring attachment coming up and over the dog's neck, rather than coming up from under the dog's neck. Some people find that with the dog facing you, you should visualize a "P" shape with the choke collar, place it on the dog insuring that the ring will be in the correct placement. Choosing a fabric choke with an extra slip ring helps to customize the fit on a dog's neck. There are chokes that have larger holes that keep hair from getting pulled with the collar. There are many trainers who would never use a choke on a dog for any reason because of the trachea damage that some have caused, when used incorrectly.
Prong - Pinch Collars
When used properly, these collars are designed to offer an immediate "self correction", without the handler having to manipulate the dog very much. The collars description is often referred to as adding "power steering" when some dogs pull too hard. Dogs just seem to back off the prongs to be more comfortable and that allows handlers more control over energetic, large or untrained dogs. They must be fitted properly and NEVER allowed to "hang" loosely as jewelry or yanked abruptly by a handler. You need to use specific training instructions to manage a dog safely and humanely with this type of collar. Many feel that it is less injurious to dogs trachea than using a choke collar.
Anti bark
These collars fit snuggly on the dog's neck and are used to control excessive barking behavior in dogs. The collars have a box with short prongs that fit close to the dog's throat. The box is activated when the dog barks or grumbles and gives off either an electric zap or releases a spray of citronella, depending which type you purchase. You can choose the type that works by itself in response to a bark, or you can choose a type with a remote system that relies on you pushing a button when the dog barks to activate the response. Both types of collars can be an effective deterrent to excessive barking when fitted properly. Many trainers would choose a different approach to solve the barking problem.
Remote Collars
These collars work by adding electric stimulation when the handler presses a button on his remote. Gone are the days when remote collars are associated with a severe punishment resulting in a loud YELP whenever the dog offered an undesirable behavior. Now there are companies that manufacture systems of low levels of response and a different approach to their use. You must do a lot of homework both on the equipment and on finding a trainer who is skilled in more progressive use of this system of training. There are only a few educated trainers who use remote systems in a humane and effective way.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK!
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