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Considerations for a properly fitting dog collar

When there are so many different styles and types of dog collar on the market, it can be difficult to know what is best and how to fit it appropriately, but the first consideration should always be for the size and disposition of the dog.

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For most, the traditional leather or nylon collar is more than sufficient. It should not ride up too high on the dog’s neck, nor should it be so loose it sits down over the dog’s shoulders. For the health and safety of the dog, a collar should never be tight enough to restrict breathing or cause pain, and it should certainly not be loose enough for the dog to slip out of it at any time. A good snug fit is best, and this is achieved if the owner can easily slide two fingers between the collar and the dog’s neck. Always fit this collar type by fastening around the neck rather than slipping over the head as this can potentially cause harm to the dog’s mouth, eyes or ears along the way.
If the animal is young and still growing it’s collar requirements will change with time and it is always worth measuring the dog’s neck with a tape measure, then adding on at least two or three inches to the collar size.

Small, lightweight collars are generally used best with puppies and smaller breeds of dog, while heavy styles with greater width and durability are better for bigger animals.

A harness, which is fitted around the dog’s neck and shoulders behind the front legs, is recommended for any dog with upper respiratory disease or any problems with the throat or trachea, this is because a dog with a traditional collar will naturally pull somewhat on the leash, and this can place undue pressure on sensitive areas, causing coughing and breathing difficulties.
A halter collar allows for the best control, although owners can be reluctant to use this type as it tends to look more like a muzzle with a band fitting around the back of the head and one fitting around the dog’s nose. However, this collar permits the owner to have control of the dog’s head, which in turns means having better control of the dog. The leash attaches to the collar under the chin, and so the dog’s head will either be pulled down or to the side with a gentle tug, making it just about impossible for the dog to move ahead of the owner or pull forward violently.

When used correctly, a chain-slip collar, which may also be referred to as a check chain or choke collar, can be highly effective for training and retraining purposes, but only on the correct animals. This collar type is used most often for dogs that are particularly strong-willed or have a tendency to pull violently on the leash when wearing a traditional collar, both situations needing for the dog to understand that a different behavior is required but it is essential to have a qualified dog trainer demonstrate how to use this collar type safely, and such collars should only be worn during training.

To obtain the right size for a chain-slip collar, measure the dog’s neck with a measuring tape and then add 2.5 to 3 inches. To correctly place the collar on a dog, the top ring on a looped collar should form the letter P when standing in front of the dog and pulling it snug. If it forms a shape like a number 9 then it is on backward and may not release immediately as designed.