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.

[ad]
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.

Many plants are toxic and little folks will try to chew them if they are close to the ground. Plants which are toxic to dogs can cause illness or even death if they are eaten. The Pug seen below is a perfect example. They will try anything once… even sand.

Prevent the accidental poisoning of your dog, prevent injury from plant intake by learning about poisonous plants that may be part of your household and put them up, perhaps in hanging baskets, or eliminate them all together.

when your dog is outside, be with him or her, to prevent them from chewing on outside plants. Even some of the ones more harmless to you and your family may be damaging to a dog. Noted examples of this are grapes and onions. The plants viewed below should not be eaten or even sampled my your furry kids.
Poisonous Plants
* Aloe
* Amaryllis
* Arizona Yellow Bells
* Asian Lily (Liliaceae)
* Asparagus Fern
* Autumn Crocus
* Azalea

* Bird of Paradise
* Bittersweet
* Branching Ivy
* Buckeye
* Buddist Pine

* Caladium
* Calla Lily
* Cutleaf Philodendron
* Charming Diffenbachia
* Chinaberry Tree
* Chinese Evergreen
* Christmas Cactus
* Clematis
* Cordatum
* Cycads
* Cyclamen

* Daffodil
* Day Lily
* Devil’s Ivy
* Dumb Cane
* Deadly Nightshade

* Easter Lily
* Elephant Ears
* Emerald Fern
* English Ivy

* Fiddle-Leaf Philodendron
* Flamingo Plant
* Foxglove

* Glory Lily
* Gold Dieffenbachia
* Gold Dust Dracaena
* Green Gold Nephthysis

* Hahn’s  English Ivy
* Heartleaf Philodendron
* Heavenly Bamboo
* Holly
* Horsehead Philodendron
* Hurricane Plant
* Hyacinth
* Hydrangea

*  Iris

*  Japanese Show Lily
* Japanese Yew
* Jerusalem Cherry

*  Lace Fern
* Lacy Tree
* Lily of the Valley

* Madagascar Dragon Tree
* Marble Queen
* Marijuana
* Mexican Breadfruit
* Mistletoe “American”
* Morning Glory

*  Narcissus
* Needlepoint Ivy
* Nephthytis
* Nightshade

* Oleander
* Onion
* Orange Day Lily

* Panda
* Peace Lily
* Philodendron
* Plumosa Fern

* Red Emerald
* Red Lily
* Red-Margined Dracaena (aka Straight-Margined Dracaena)
* Red Princess
* Rhododendron
* Ribbon Plant (Dracaena sanderiana)
* Rubrum Lily

*  Saddle Leaf Philodendron
* Sago Palm
* Satin Pothos
* Schefflera
* Spotted Dumb Cane
* Stargazer Lily
* Striped Dracaena
* Sweetheart Ivy
* Swiss Cheese Plant

* Tiger Lily
* Tomato Plant
* Tree Philodendron
* Tulips

* Variegated Philodendron

* Warneckei Dracaena
* Wood Lily

* Yucca