You don’t need an expensive puppy collar, as your dog will soon grow out of his/her first collar. But you do need the best dog-collar for your pup’s breed and to keep him safe from accidents. If you’re struggling to decide what’s the best collar for your new pet, just read this summary of the types of puppy collars available. You’ll soon find out that choosing the perfect puppy collar is simple, when you know how!
Different types of puppy collar
Flat puppy collars
The most popular dog collar is the flat dog-collar, which you can buy at all dog accessory stores. Puppies adapt to a flat collar with very little difficulty and the adjustable length and snap-buckle are easy to use.
The main point to remember is not to leave your puppy alone when wearing his collar, as this can get hooked up and strangle a curious pup.
Safety breakaway puppy collars
Breakaway puppy collars have a special safety feature; the fastener opens if the collar gets caught on a fence or tree-branch. This makes the breakaway collar a great safety option for puppies who roam free indoors or outdoors. You can use a breakaway dog collar as your pup’s first collar or at a later date.
Breed-specific/training collars for pups
- Flat or breakaway collars are a good choice for most breeds in their first 6-months.
- Martingale collars are suitable for Greyhounds and other breeds that have a narrow head. Martingales and harnesses are used for behaviour training on a leash and to control pets that don’t fit normal collars. However, they’re not always the best collar for a very young pup.
- Head collars are the best way to maintain control of a puppy that constantly pulls on the leash. They are gentle, yet effective – without choking or hurting your pup.
- Never put a pup in a collar that has prongs inside the collar, a chain or choke dog collar or electric-shock collars.
- You should have at least two collars available, so you never put a wet or muddy collar onto your pet. A wet collar can cause skin irritation and open scratches can become infected.
Best materials for a puppy collar
The most common types of collar are made of leather, nylon and metal chain. As your puppy’s first collar won’t be a ‘training collar’, a cheaper, nylon collar will be lightweight and comfortable. Later on, you may decide on a nylon or leather collar, as they are both suitable for comfortable dog collars. Veterinaries do not recommend using chain collars on dogs.
Correct collar width
The width of a puppy’s collar governs how much surface-area of the neck will feel pressure when he pulls away from you on a lead. So a narrow collar would cut into the dog’s neck, but a wider collar spreads the pressure. And this keeps the dog comfortable on walks.
On the other hand, a collar that’s too wide is uncomfortable for a dog off the leash and lying down. Therefore, you may decide to try the standard width of 1 ½-inches if you’re not sure what width is best for your puppy.
Measuring a pup’s neck
The dog-collar should fit snugly, but not be tight, so use a tape-measure to measure around your pet’s neck. Remember to measure the neck when your pup is standing up, not sitting or lying down. A well-fitting collar allows you to place two fingers between the dog’s neck and the collar, when he’s standing.
And finally, remember that puppies grow out of their first collars in a few months, so don’t spend too much on a puppy collar. A flat nylon collar or a padded leather collar in a range of colors will be perfect! Save your cash for a good training lead and a pair of leashes for when he’s all grown-up!
Recommended product:-
AOLOVE Basic Classic Padded Leather Pet Collars for Cats Puppy Small Medium Dogs
