Dog Collar and Harness
Want The Best Fit For Your Puppy?

It is very important to buy according to size. Don’t buy a larger size and let your puppy grow into it. This never works and makes training very frustrating for both you and dog!

You should buy a simple collar for your puppy at the early stages (2-3 months old) just let your puppy wear this collar while you are supervising. Never leave a puppy’s collar on unattended there is a chance they will get it caught on something and choke. The main thing you want to introduce to your puppy is the feel and how he/ she will be handled with the collar or leash. At this age you will want an appropriate size leash also.
Read more about how to buy the perfect leash here.

Most any collar will work as long as they fit correctly (be able to fit two fingers in between dog and collar) and are not to heavy for your puppy. Special collars are used by different trainers and the effects of these collars can make training easier for both you and puppy.

Buckle Collars

Quick Release Collars

Break-Away Collars

Slip Collars & Limited Slip Collars

Metal Collars Show Collars

Stainless Steel Collars

Leather Collars

Choke Chain Collars

This collar is used when you want something that corrects mistakes that your dog makes. When your dog is pulled and the collar slightly tightens, it makes a noise that corrects the problem. This training collar has been around longer than the others. Many people believe that choking and restraining your dog creates more training problems than it’s worth. But others think this is still the best way to train animals.
View quality choke chain collars and corrective use here.

Prone or Pinch Collar

This is often called the self-correcting collar. This collar has medium sized prongs sticking out of the collar pointed inward. It looks much worse than it actually is. If you have a large dog, this is a great tool. If they make a mistake in training, you simply pull on the leash. The leash tightens and pinches your dog slightly. There are rubber tip covers available on these prone collars also.
View the recommended resources for Prone or Pinch Collars here.

Head Collars

The head collar works by putting light pressure on your dog's muzzle and at the back of the neck. Along with using positive reinforcement and appropriate training treats, many dog lovers find that this alters their dog's undesirable behavior. The head collar will assist you in teaching your dog to sit, and prevent jumping and pulling during walks. View the trainers recommendation for the best head collar here.

Harness Collars

A Harness is placed around the dog's chest and ribcage, and therefore eliminates the potential for choking. These are popular for dogs that tend to pull while they are being walked. They are a very effective, humane form of control. View a variety of dog harnesses here.

Dog Muzzle

When properly used, a muzzle protects an owner, visitors, the pet itself, or all three. Muzzles should never remain on the pet longer than 15 minutes before being removed and allowing the pet to rest. Muzzles must never be used on dogs that are under sedation or used when a dog is in its kennel. View safe and humane muzzle’s here.

Electronic Collars (e-collars)

By using an e-collar with the correct training you can teach the desired behavior in you dog in the most efficient, safe and humane way possible.
Research has shown that timing, motivation, and consistency are the 3 ways in how your dog learns, this all can be achieved effectively and safely with an electronic dog collar.
I suggest you read up on the types of collars available before purchasing. Jess and his daughter Monica an expert dog trainer have put together an excellent book which does just this – check it out here.

Don’t buy the first thing you see on the shelf, check out the quality and durability of the collar before you purchase.

TIPS

• Consider how durable the collar will be. If you are buying a pretty decorative collar with beads and material attached, will this fall off and be a hazard to your puppy?

• If your dog goes into the water a lot, purchase a nylon collar. Anything else will not hold up with repeated water use.

• Every pet should wear a collar with an identification tag that gives your contact information: name, address, and phone number. View some suggestions on how to securely identify your pet, with tags, tattoos, and micro chips.

Be certain you purchase a leash that is the right length for your dog. A very long leash will get tangled in a small dog's legs. A short leash will impede a big dog.
To view a list of all the different types of leashes click here.