What You Need To Do When Choosing a Collar for Your Dog

There are several things you need to consider when choosing dog collars for your dog. Some of the things you need to take into consideration are the age and size of your dog. Special problems that he might present when walking on the leash and the type of training you want to give your dog, such as simple obedience training or more advanced training such as show dog or field trial training. Depending on what you have in mind and your dog’s personality more than one collar might be in order for proper training.

Basic collar

The traditional flat buckle collar should be a basic collar that you use in most cases. Puppy collars should be extremely light weight and only used in an effort to get them used to wearing a collar. Make sure that your puppy's collar is adjustable as puppies grow rather quickly. This basic collar will contain your dog’s identification and medical information.

If you have a docile dog and begin leash training him early and do not plan anything more special than appropriate social behavior chances are good that this collar will be all you will ever need.

Collars for Dogs that pull on leashes

If you have a dog that is large and tends to pull on his leash making even the shortest walk a trial you might want to try a halter type dog collar. This is a collar that fits behind the dogs head and around his nose and straps beneath his chin. This collar will give you the most control over a powerful dog as when the dog pulls on the leash his head will be pulled to the side or down making it impossible for your dog to pull or move on ahead of you.

Many dogs are not fond of this kind of collar and it may take some time to get them used to it.

Spray Bark Collar

If you have a dog that tends to bark at anything and everything, then a spray bark collar might be the ideal solution to the problem. When the dog barks a micro phone picks it and sets of a burst of harmless spray that while it does not smell bad to humans, dogs don't like. The dog soon learns that there are consequences to barking and corrects his behavior. Many people prefer these collars to the no barking collars that send an electric jolt into the dog when he barks. Such shock collars can cause pain; the spray collar is absolutely painless.

Tracking Collar

If you own a bird, rabbit or coon hunting dog a tracking collar can help you keep track of your dog when he gets out of sight. These collars help keep you from losing your dog when he is hot on the trail of prey.

Starting with a basic collar and then using an additional collar for specific training purposes will help you keep track and train your dog to perform in the manner you would like him to. Choosing the right collar for the dog’s age, size and personality is necessary in having a well trained dog.