For those who do not know it, dog collars are not used only to control the dog. They can have many other uses, including helping your pet get rid of the unwanted flees, teach it how to walk near you or showing it that barking is not good and so on. These days, many people use the dog collars as embellishment accessories for their pets. And you have to admit that some of them look really cute with colorful stylish leather dog collars that look like little necklaces for dogs.
Here are some examples of dog collars that might come in handy if you just got a dog and need to train it:
This type of collar is quite different from the standard dog collars. It consists of two loops that can be of great help when training the dog how to walk. Moreover, this type of collar is suitable for all breeds and, in some cases, it is the only type recommended. For example, in the case of dogs with long necks and small heads, finding a collar can be difficult, because the head can slip easily through almost any type of buckle. Since the martingale collar has two loops, when the dog pulls, one of the loops tightens and the head cannot get out of the other loop.
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Pink Camo Patterned Martingale Collar
Lola and Foxy Martingale Dog Collar
Advantages of the martingale collar:
- It uses a simple but very efficient system that doesn’t allow the dog to slip from the collar no matter how small its head is.
- It is comfortable for the dog because it doesn’t have to be set very tight on the neck. It tightens only when the dog pulls.
- It is usually quite cheap and all dog owners can afford it.
- It is perfect for fashion addicts too, because it can be made out of almost any type of fabric. In the case of larger dogs, the second loop can be a chain.
Disadvantages:
- This type of dog collar has almost no disadvantages at all. However, like in the case of all dog collars, it is not advisable to let the dog wear it 24/7, because it might be dangerous or cause irritations around the neck area.
Most dog collars are made from leather. This fabric is considered to be a classic when it comes to dog fashion. There are many advantages to choosing it over other fabrics or materials like chain or textile:
- Resistance. A leather dog collar is very resistant and wears well. If stored in regular conditions when the dog doesn’t wear it, it can last for several years.
- Looks. If you are looking for the classic type of collar, the leather one is just perfect for you. Leather collars can also be printed or have semi precious stones embedded in the fabric.
- Comfortable for the dog. The leather used for dog collars is usually softened with some special oils. This way the dog can find it very comfortable and irritations or excoriations from when the dog pulls can be completely avoided.
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Leather Rhinestone Dog Collar
Leather Studded Dog Collar
- The Bark Collars
Some dogs simply love to bark 24/7. If you think of it, it is completely natural because barking is in the nature of the dogs. But what can you do when the dog doesn’t listen to you when you tell it to stop barking? The bark of some dog breeds has so many decibels that it can bother not only you and your family members, but also the neighbors. This is even worse when you live in an apartment and the walls are paper-thin.
Fortunately, you can avoid all the troubles and invest in a bark collar that will teach your dog that it needs to bark only when he senses real danger. There are several types of bark collars that use different systems to train the dog. However, all of them should be used with caution, for limited period of times and under your supervision. In no time, your dog will learn how to behave and barking will no longer be a problem for you and your neighbors. Here are two of the most frequently used types:
a) The shock dog collars. These are quite controversial and not many owners agree to use them. These apply shock corrections to the dog whenever it barks loudly or for long periods of time. They are useful mostly for very energetic dogs that cannot be trained to stop barking otherwise. Specialists say that dogs can bark as a sign of gratitude for what you are doing for them. So, for example if you rescued a dog, expect it to bark excessively because it will want to protect you. This behavior can be corrected easily with the proper training and the right bark collar. The shock dog collars can be grouped into two categories. The ones from the first category apply the correction when the system gets an acoustic signal. This means that, when the dog barks, it receives a shock correction. These are the cheapest ones, but, unfortunately, they can give false corrections if the bark sound comes from another dog. The second category of shock collars for dogs reacts when it receives vibration signals. These are a little bit more expensive than the other ones, but will correct your dog’s behavior only when it is necessary.
b) The citronella collar. This is one of the most humane options for your dog. First of all, these dog collars do not use shocks to correct the behavior of the dog. The system they run on is very simple. Each time the dog barks, the collar receives a vibration signal that makes the citronella recipient spray in the direction of the nose and eyes. This is in no way dangerous for the dog, but it can be quite uncomfortable. This way, with time, the dog will learn to associate barking with the unpleasant citronella smell. The recipient needs to be placed close to the neck on the collar and its end needs to be directed towards the face of the dog. Whenever the dog barks its face is sprayed with the liquid. There are no false corrections in the case of the citronella collar, and even if there were, the consequences are in no way invasive or damaging for the health of the dog.
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Innotek Anti-Bark Citronella Spray Collar
Premier GentleSpray Citronella Collar
For all these types of dog collars you will also need dog leashes. These can be of various types too. These leashes can be tied or clipped to the collar and can be a very useful accessory whenever you need to walk the dog. There are other types of dog leashes that can be tied directly around the neck of the pet, but these are not recommended because they might harm it.
In some cases, the leash consists of a chain. This is recommended when you have to deal with very powerful dogs that are not trained yet. For all the other dogs, the leash can be a type of rope, or it can be made of nylon, leather or many other types of fabrics. Whenever you choose a leash, take the resistance and the length into account, so that you can control the dog easily. Most leashes are designed to handle a certain number of pounds, so you should weigh your dog first. There are also retractable leashes that are comfortable for both pets and owners, but they are usually designed for smaller dogs. However, if you can control your large sized dog with one of these retractable leashes, it will be very happy.
Choosing from the multitude of dog collars and dog leashes available can be quite difficult, especially if you just bought your first puppy. Fortunately, with the many types available these days, you can choose something that can fully satisfy your needs. If you simply cannot decide which of the many dog collars is best for you, you can always ask your vet.
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