What is a safe dog collar?
When choosing a collar you must always try to focus on safety first. Break away dog collars are available for those pets who may under great force need to escape to avoid strangulation from the collar and or lead.
A Full check dog collar quite simply tightens around the neck of your dog the more it is tightened. The tighter you pull, the tighter it gets until released. This type of collar can therefore become very dangerous for your pet if it is left tied up on its own. If this is the right type of collar for your dog, it is important to measure the collar and lead correctly for your pet and if it is too long, it will pull out your pets fur each time you pull it. To correctly measure a full check collar for your pup, you should measure the circumference of the dogs neck and add approximately 3.5 inches and set the collar to that measurement. It is not only just a problem if this is too long. If it is too short it could cause fatal injury for your dog so take care and be careful when using a full check collar. Make sure that when you are walking your dog on a full check collar that it is not permanently tight as this will just damage your dogs neck. You should be using the check and release method, which means that it is lose for the majority of the time. The collar should be fitted like an upside down p that loosens easily when released.
If you are at any time unsure about how to use these collars effectively, seek professional advice from your local vet.
What do you get if you cross a Full check Collar and a Buckle Collar? A Half Check Collar. This type of collar is suitable for most dogs. It is actually safer than both a buckle collar and a full check collar. Many half check collars have a release clip at the side of them which is particularly useful for walks in the park where you want to release your dog quickly.
It is important with all types of collars that the dog is not tight around your dogs neck for long as it can cause long term neck problems. The only reason for the check collars is to teach your dog to heel.
So once your dog is heeling correctly and without too much assistance, it is time for you to move through to a flat collar also known as a buckle collar. There are many varieties of buckle or flat collar such as size, colour and fabric. Make sure you check out the fabric properly as some polyester type collars can really irritate your pet.
So, start with a full check collar but use it with care being sure not to damage your dogs neck, then move onto a half check collar, ideally with a release clip. Finally if your dog is well trained you can then think about a buckle collar.
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