When we decide to adopt a dog the first thing we must do is prepare our house for his arrival, as well as get all the arsenal of basic utensils for their care. Once the mandatory vaccinations have been given and the approval of the veterinarian has been obtained, we can start educating our dog so that it can relieve itself outside the home. To do this, we will have to get the most suitable necklace for him.
Whether you are at this point or you have realized that the collar you bought your dog does not like or does not favor training, you have come to the right place. On our site we explain one by one the types of dog collars, how to use them and what dogs they are recommended for.
Standard collar, ideal for puppies
The standard collar is the one that only grabs the dog's neck and, in general, is made of leather or nylon Although the The leather ones are more elegant and sophisticated than the nylon ones, the latter are much more resistant to climatic changes, such as water or humidity. They're also machine washable, so they're much more comfortable than leather.
Both types of collars can be found with a buckle closure or a hard plastic hook, the latter being much faster and more comfortable to fasten, and self-adjusting so that it is fully adapted to the dog's neck. Finally, we find collars of different thicknesses, with the widest ones being the most recommended for puppies.
When putting the standard collar on your dog, you must bear in mind the following recommendations:
- Between the collar and the neck of your dog one finger should fit, neither more nor less. If the collar is too tight, it can hurt your dog, while if it is too loose, it can be pulled off over the head during outings.
- The necklace size. Yes, there are different sizes depending on the size of the dog. So, it is best to take your dog to the accessory store to try the collar on him before you buy it.
Recommended for…
This type of collar is ideal for puppies who are about to take their first walks or for very well-trained dogs. Remember that for the puppy the use of a collar is something totally new and he needs to first get used to wearing it. A standard collar will be much easier for him to adjust to than a harness, because it's less obtrusive and hardly noticeable. Once accustomed, we can move on to using a harness if we see that our dog pulls a lot on the leash. In this sense, neck collars are not recommended for dogs that tend to jerk during walks, since they can harm them and cause respiratory problems.
Semi-fork collar, used for Agility
Semi-fork collars are those that close a little when the dog pulls on the leash, thus generating a negative stimulus in the dog This type of collar should not exceed a diameter smaller than our dog's neck, so the limit of damaging it or causing problems in its trachea should not be exceeded.
In general, we find them made of nylon or metal, the former being less harmful than the latter. When placing this type of necklace, we must take into account the following tips:
- If we adjust the collar to the exact diameter of our dog's neck, it will not cause any damage.
- If the diameter of the semi-horse collar is larger than the dog's neck, it will act as a standard collar.
- While if we adjust the collar so that its diameter is smaller than that of the dog, it will work as a choke collar, which is not recommended.
Recommended for…
This type of collar is often used by professional trainers or for Agility practiceFor owners who are beginners or those with little experience in canine education, the use of this type of collar is not recommended, since if used incorrectly it can considerably damage the animal. Lastly, not all breeds are suitable for semi-fork collars. Professionals recommend them for medium and large breeds with moderate strength, dogs with a high degree of strength should not wear this type of collar. Breeds such as the American Pit Bull Terrier, very strong, will continue to pull on the leash even if they receive the negative stimulus that the collar sends them, causing the appearance of respiratory problems.
Hanging Necklace
Hanging necklaces are usually made up of a metal chain and a ring at each end. By passing one of the ends through the opposite ring, we form a loop with the collar that we must pass through the dog's head. As they are created, when the dog pulls on the leash, the collar exerts pressure on his neck at the same level as the pull. That is, if the dog pulls very hard, the collar will choke our dog with the same force.
This type of collar often causes serious damage to the trachea of dogs, causing respiratory problems and, in the worst cases, suffocation.
Recommended for…
Choke collars are not recommended for any use. Veterinarians and professional trainers advise using semi-fork collars under supervision, standard collars or harnesses for training or walking our dogs.
Barbed Collar
Spiked collars are usually made of metal, although we can also find them made of plastic. They are made up of a chain that surrounds the neck and spikes distributed throughout the interior perimeter, pointing towards the skin of the animal. In this way, when pulling the dog from the leash, the spikes press on its neck, even generating serious injuries on it.
Both the spiked collar and the choke collar are designed to train the dog through negative reinforcement and punishment, totally wrong practices that also border on torture. Professionals and veterinarians support that the best way to educate a pet is always through positive reinforcement and rewards. A dog rewarded when he does something well is likely to learn much faster and be happier.
Although the semi-fork collar also trains the dog through negative stimuli, when used properly it does not cause physical damage to the dog, the other two types do. That is why we recommend the use of the semi-fork collar only for professional trainers and owners experienced in the practice of Agility.
Recommended for…
Same as the choke collar, the spiked collar is not recommended for any use If you consider that this type of collar it is the only one that can help you train your dog, from our site we advise you to go to a professional trainer so that he can use it. Remember that he will know how to use it so as not to harm your dog.
Head Necklace
The head collar grips the neck, just below the skull, and the snout. The strap is attached to the lower part of the snout in order to control the direction of the animal They are usually made of nylon and are often confused with muzzles.
When placing it, you should follow these tips:
- As with the standard collar, there should be one finger between the collar area and the collar.
- Use the head collar only for outings, do not leave it on at home or without your supervision because it could hurt.
Although apparently it is not a harmful or annoying collar, the truth is that dogs have a hard time adapting to its use due to its structure. They do not feel comfortable and it is probable that, until they get used to it, they will not want to walk or they will show their heads down. Also, if not used correctly, it can cause damage to the spine, so we recommend consulting your veterinarian before purchasing this type of collar for dogs.
Recommended for…
This type of collar is used on dogs that have not been trained and tend to pull hard on the leash during outings. Not because it helps to educate him, but because the structure of the collar does not allow the dog to pull it. Thus, it can favor training but does not ensure that the animal internalizes said education; when changing the collar it is possible that the jerks return. We do not recommend the use of head collars for toy or small dogs.
Harness, the most popular
The harness is the favorite type of collar for most owners and veterinarians. It does not harm the animal and offers us a whole variety of collars, each one designed to cover a specific function. We can find them made of both nylon and leather, the former being more comfortable and easier to clean. All harnesses are self-adjusting and, in general, are made up of wide straps to favor the comfort of the dog.
We distinguish the following types of harnesses:
Anti-pulling harnesses
Within this group we find the Easy Walk Harness, the Sense-ible Harness and the Merhi-long Harness. All of them are designed to train the dog to walk by our side, without pulling on the leash, running or jumping. They do not cause suffocation in the animal if it pulls or coughs.
- Easy Walk Harness The straps can be wide or narrow, the area of the collar that covers the trunk starts from the withers and, just above the front legs, another ribbon comes out that rests on the chest, not the trachea. This way the dog cannot drown. Of course, he is used to being adjusted to the body of the animal and, when pulling, he can exert a slight pressure on the front legs. It has several plastic closures in the different parts of the necklace.
- Sense-ible Harness. The structure is identical to the previous harness, the difference is that, being newer, they only have a single closure, the straps are wider and the possibilities of exerting pressure on the animal are minimal.
- Merhi-long Harness Also considered a work harness, it has a padding system that reduces the chances of injuring to 0 to the dog. In particular, the easy walk harness, by creating a small pressure on the legs, can cause friction damage, a risk that is reduced with the merhi-long. This type of collar usually has a structure similar to that of the previous ones, but with the advantage of providing padded straps at key points (chest/neck and withers area). You can buy the Merhi-long harness in a larger variety of sizes than other harnesses, ideal for dogs with highly developed or large muscles, they are highly recommended for canicross, dog-trekking and bikejorning.
The first two types of anti-pulling harness are created to hook the leash around the chest, controlling the direction of the dog. The third, take the strap in the cross area. All three are recommended for adult dogs that are still pulling on the leash and for adolescent dogs that are in the process of training.
Walking harnesses
The EzyDog Quick Fit Harness is the typical walking harness, quick donning, adjustable and with a single plastic closure. It has several tapes of moderate thickness that perfectly cover the chest area and front legs. In general, they usually have a light padding on the chest and the area of the withers of the dog that favor the comfort and convenience of the animal. They are ideal for calm, well-behaved dogs and calm outings in which we want to enjoy a walk with our partner next to us. Work harnesses
Very similar to the merhi-long harness, there is a whole range of work harnesses designed to meet the needs of different activities and practices. If you need this type of harness, you should consult the specialized staff of your nearest pet store so that they can advise you and provide you with the one you need. Thus, we find harnesses for police dogs, for guide dogs, for the practice of canicross (such as the aforementioned merhi-long), etc.
