Dog collars are available in a variety of colors and materials. Some can even be customized.
Most importantly, the collar should fit your pet comfortably. A flat collar should not be too tight—an adult should be able to slip two fingers underneath it. If it’s too tight, it can chafe your dog’s neck.
1. Basic Collars
Standard collars are great for dogs who don’t pull and need something to hold ID tags. They are also easier to put on than harnesses and can be more comfortable for dogs with thin, delicate neck skin.
Choke collars have blunt metal prongs that squeeze a dog’s neck if there is excess pressure, such as when they pull on the leash. They can be effective if used correctly under the guidance of a professional trainer, but if they are left on for long periods, they can irritate neck skin, damage the throat or cause tracheal collapse.
Spray collars are a good alternative to shock collars for halting unwanted behavior, like barking, by emitting a harmless burst of citronella near the dog’s nose. They can be effective on determined barkers and don’t require constant use, but they do need regular refills and battery maintenance.
Lighted collars (also known as “collar lights” or dog lights) emit a bright light that helps to make dogs more visible to other people and drivers at night. They usually use one or more LEDs and are powered by batteries.
2. Faux Leather
Basic collars, with a buckle or plastic snap (“quick-release”) closure and ring for leash and ID tags, are available in a wide variety of colors and designs. They sit lower on the neck and are usually meant to be worn all day. They should be comfortable enough to not choke your dog, but should also fit loosely so that you can get two fingers underneath it. There are several types of training collars that go around the back of the head or neck (such as prong and choke chains), which may help you train your dog to stop pulling on the leash, lunging or barking excessively, but they may cause choking or injury if not used properly.
Biothane collars, which are available in a wider range of colours than genuine leather and neoprene, are good alternatives to those materials for dogs that love water and like to chew things. They stay dry, don’t hold odours and wipe clean easier than nylon and leather. But they’re not as durable as genuine leather.
3. Neoprene
Neoprene is a soft and stretchy material that won’t rub your dog’s neck like some thicker collar materials can. This makes it a great choice for dogs with sensitive skin or those who tend to get hot spots or chafing on their collars. It’s also a comfortable option for big dogs, because it’s less likely to choke them than thinner collars would be.
The Black Rhino Comfort Collar is designed for big dogs with 23- to 27-inch necks, and it has a layer of neoprene padding that’s thick enough to cushion the neck. It’s odor-resistant and quick to dry, and it has reflective stitching to help keep your pet visible in low light.
For a more affordable option, check out the EzyDog Neo Collar, which is available in four different sizes and features a wide range of colors and patterns. It also has a sturdy D-ring for attaching a leash, as well as a dedicated ID tag loop. Plus, for every collar purchased, the company donates one to an animal shelter.
4. Chain Collars
Chain collars are metal, primarily stainless steel, and they are typically a heavier and thicker material than most other types of dog collars. They are also more durable and can stand up to a lot of wear and tear without damage. These are a good choice for active dogs who tend to chew on their collars and other items around the house. A chain collar may need to be washed more frequently, however, since the metal can rust or tarnish.
Choke chains/collars, also known as slip collars or nooses, look like regular flat collars but have a small loop of fabric (or, in some cases, chain) attached to them that limits how far the main collar can close around the neck. This allows you to give slight corrections but is less restrictive than a prong or pinch collar.
An electric shock collar produces a small zap or a sensation when triggered by the pet’s movement and can have several different levels of sensitivity. This type of collar is intended to deter bad behavior by delivering a small shock when the pet tries to break free from the leash.
5. Adjustable Collars
Our adjustable collars are made with durable nylon in a variety of colors and sizes. They feature a strong metal D-ring for attaching leashes and noiseless personalized ID tags. These unique dog collars pair well with our matching Martingale and harnesses.
Vibration collars use a small, painless buzz to mark undesirable behavior and get your dog’s attention. Some are specifically designed for barking control and work automatically when the dog starts to bark. Others have a remote that allows you to manually send a vibration signal. Parents of deaf dogs often have success using vibration collars to communicate with their pets.
Pinch collars (also known as prong or choke chains) use force and pain to eliminate undesirable behaviors, but they’re not recommended by most trainers. They can cause neck, back and tracheal injuries as well as thyroid damage in dogs when used incorrectly. They also can instill fear and negatively affect the human-dog bond. Likewise, shock collars are a last resort option and should only be used under the guidance of an experienced trainer.
6. Training Collars
A variety of training collars are available to address specific behaviours. These often rely on positive punishment, such as adding stimulation to reinforce the desired behaviour and removing it when the dog performs it correctly.
Some examples include spray, vibration, and ultrasonic collars. Spray and vibration collars rest snuggly around the dog’s neck and emit either a spray of citronella or a gentle vibrate (like your cellphone) to stop excessive barking. These can be more invasive than other types of training collars, but they are effective at stopping serial barking.
Another example is the martingale collar, which sits between a standard buckle and a choke chain. It is ideal for dogs who are adept at slipping out of regular collars, and it’s also great for reactive or fearful dogs that may react to other people and animals while on walks.
These types of training collars are not ideal for use with puppies or for dogs that aren’t fully trained, as they can be dangerous if not used properly. Instead, these should be considered a short-term training solution that should only be used under the guidance of a professional trainer or with a more force-free approach to behaviour modification.
7. Pet ID Collars
Regardless of whether you have microchips, tattoos or other forms of identification for your pet, a collar and ID tag are still the best ways to ensure that they will return home safely if they are ever lost. Make sure your dog’s name and phone number are visible on the collar and that the information is current.
There are also a variety of dog collars designed to provide more specific information for your pet. These may include spray, vibration or ultrasonic collars that emit a sound that is not audible to humans but is heard by dogs. These can be helpful if your dog is deaf or has a sensitive hearing issue.
Other types of pet collars include LED and reflective safety collars that are a good choice for night walks or hikes in rural areas where it is more difficult for cars to see your dog. There are also collar accessories available like treat compartments, poop bag holders and more that can add extra functionality to your dog’s collar.
8. GPS Collars
If your dog is prone to wandering outdoors or running away, a GPS collar can help. These collars are designed to track the location of your dog and notify you if they leave a virtual fence or geo-fence you’ve set up on your phone.
A GPS tracking system works by sending a radio signal to your handheld GPS unit with the location of your dog. The GPS unit then plots the location on a map. Some systems can also give you additional metrics like speed, direction and distance traveled.
Unlike electrical stimulation, which delivers a shock that can produce varying degrees of discomfort or pain, GPS collars provide a measured level of aversive stimuli that is adjustable. This allows you to control your dog’s barking without causing them any physical harm. This type of collar is a great option for dogs that are prone to wandering or those that are kept on farms and need to be tracked. Despite this, it is important to keep in mind that not all dogs need GPS collars.
