Dog Collars for Training and Control

Purchasing a collar for a dog is not simple. Unless you know exactly what you want, you will be entering a world of choices complicated by outstanding marketing. Do you want a training collar? Do you want a designer collar? Which training philosophy? Which designer?

For everyday wear, I prefer a flat collar that is adjustable and has a sturdy plastic clasp. This is the collar that will have the identification and the county license tags. This is the only collar you can safely leave on a dog. Adjust the collar so that you can comfortably fit two fingers between the collar and your dog’s neck.

For the dogs who tend to cough with the slightest pressure from any collar, a harness may be the answer. On a well-trained dog, a harness can be the solution. On an untrained dog, the harness may be what the dog uses to drag the person around. Without prior training, using a harness can actually teach a dog to pull.

Some trainers recommend the everyday flat collar for training. Others may recommend a choke type collar. The gentlest version of the choke collar is the Martingale collar. We use these on the dogs at Pets In Need. They are excellent for dogs who tend to slip their heads out of a collar. Martingale collars are a combination of fabric and chain and can be adjusted so they close to the size of the neck rather than choking the dog. The older chain link choke collars are still widely used and can be effective if they are put on correctly so they immediately release after the dog is corrected and if they are used properly. Used improperly, chain choke collars have caused severe neck injuries in dogs.

Personally I hate the look and idea of the prong collars. They are collars that are made of interlocking chain with blunt, metal prongs that point inward towards the dog’s neck and are connected by a loop of chain link. In the hands of a professional trainer, these collars can be effective tools in certain circumstances. In the hands of a novice, these collars, like any restraining device, can increase barrier frustration and set your dog up to develop behavior problems.

Head halters are gaining popularity. There are three name brands, "Gentle Leader," "Promise Collar" and "Halti," and each has subtle differences. These head halters are humane. They allow the dog to bark, eat treats and drink water. As the dog starts to pull, the head halter turns the dog’s nose back toward you so he is not pulling. Misuse, such as jerking, can harm a dog. However, if you take time and feed your dog enough treats while he is getting comfortable with the head halter, you may be surprised at the control you have. My Great Dane outweighs me, and he is a very playful boy. We enjoy outings much more now that we are using a head halter.

There are a lot of choices in training collars including some I did not cover. Used improperly, some training collars can injure the dog and may even make an undesirable behavior worse. Don’t purchase a collar you don’t know how to use. Be sure you purchase a collar that is properly fitted for your dog. The only collar safe enough to be left on a dog is the flat collar. If you need a training collar and are not being coached by a professional trainer, the flat collar or the Martingale will be your safest choices.

Stay safe and enjoy your best friend!

 
Founded in 1965, Pets In Need receives no federal, state or local government support.

Published in the San Mateo County Times, July 13, 2002