Choosing the right dog collar & leash

There are some standard items that every dog should have -- a collar  and a leash are two of them. There is such an wide variety of collars and leads (leashes) available it can be rather daunting when making a choice. Here are some tips to follow when choosing a collar and leash for your canine friend.

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• Choosing the Type of Collar for Your Dog
• Buckle Collars / Nylon Collars / Leather Collars / Training Collars
• Choosing the Proper Weight for the Collar
• Determining the Proper Fit
• Harnesses / Head Collars
• Sporting Collars
• Choosing a Leash for Your Dog
• Nylon Leashes / Leather Leashes / Retractable Leashes 
• Trolleys
• Tie-Outs and Chains
• Dog Muzzles
• Dog Collars & Leashes
• Retractable Dog Leashes
• Dog Muzzles & Harnesses
• Collar / Leash Accessories

• Leather Buckle Dog Collars are a great choice of collar for most dogs in most cases. Your new puppy should wear ONLY a buckle collar. Buckle collars come in a variety of colors, are made with various materials, and even come in styles that make a real fashion statement like our Rhinestone and Jeweled Dog Collars!

• Nylon collars are good for dogs that are in water a lot. Nylon is very durable and washable, and come in a variety of colors.  Nylon collars and leashes should not be used for aggressive chewers.

• Leather collars wear well and are last quite a while. Collars made of leather also soften from the oils in your dog's skin. Rolled leather collars (round instead of flat) are designed for longhaired dogs and keep the hair from lying flat against the coat.

• Training collars such as "choke chains" are meant to be used for training  ONLY. There is a proper way of putting these collars on and should only be used during a training session by an experienced trainer. They are designed to quickly tighten and apply pressure when the trainer is delivering a correction. Don't use a training collar as your dog's everyday collar, and don't put your dog on a tie-out with a training collar.

• Sporting Collars are usually bright colors for safety and visibility outdoors.  These collars can be used by hunting dogs.

How Heavy Should the Collar and Leash Be? In general, the collar and leash you choose is merely a matter of your preference. The most important thing is to remember is to get a collar that fits properly, and a leash that is neither too heavy nor too light for the dog breed you have. Every pet should wear a collar with an identification tag that gives your contact information: name, address, and phone number. Back to the top  

Getting the Proper Fit Getting the proper fit for a collar depends on your dog's size. A big, strong dog can easily break a collar or leash that is light weight, so they need a heavy collar and leash. Small dogs, on the other hand, don't need to carry around a heavy collar or leash. For your dog to be comfortable and safe, the collar must fit properly. 
Here's a general guideline:Place two of your fingers between the dog's neck and the collar; there should be no more than the width of those two fingers between the neck and collar. If it fits looser than this,  the collar could slip over the dog's ears. Check your dog's neck occasionally to see if your dog has any redness or hair loss under the collar. Back to the top

Harnesses 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.  Our most popular harness is the Pro Stop Harness for Dogs. Back to the top  

Head Collar The head collar works by putting light pressure on your dog's muzzle and at the back of the neck. This replicates the method employed by the mother dog or pack leader who gently, yet firmly grasps the dog's muzzle in the mouth. This sends a signal to the dog that you are the pack leader! 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.  Back to the top  

Choosing The Type of Leash for Your Dog  

Nylon Leashes Nylon leashes are very durable and easy to wash.  They also come in a variety of colors. Many owners like to get matching collars and leashes. 

Leather Leashes Leather leashes are very durable and long lasting. Leather softens from the oils in your skin, which is easier on the hands. Leather leashes can also be easier to grip. 

Retractable Leashes A unique feature about a retractable leash is the ability to control how little or how much lead the dog is given. The nylon lead is rolled  and housed within a casing that you hold in your hand. A spring  function allows the leash to automatically lengthen or shorten (retract) as the dog moves.  You hold the housing of the lead in your hand and use the lead to "bring your dog in" if necessary. A one-button braking system stops the dog from traveling any farther. It also serves as a locking mechanism should you want to keep your dog at a consistent distance. 

Retractable leads are great if you:

• Walk your dog often
• Have your dog tied outside often
• Own a large dog 
• Travel with your dog often

Tie-Outs and Chains Dog Runners, Tie-outs and chains are for dogs that spend time outdoors. Tie-outs are like stakes that are placed in the ground. A chain is attached to the tie-out so that the dog has room to move about, yet is restricted to a particular area. These are great if you travel, or like to spend time outdoors, such as with camping or for an afternoon in the park. Back to the top  

Trolleys Dog Trolley exercisers are usually built strong and safe. They allow freedom for your dog to move and can be a very safe alternative to a tie-out.  There are many types of trolleys including Tree Trolleys  Tree Trolley's can be taken anywhere with your pet. When you and the family go on picnics or visit your neighbors for a barbecue, your pet can join you with this type of trolley.  They allow your pet complete freedom so when you and family are out doors your pet is safe and secure. Back to the top  

Dog Muzzles When properly used, a muzzle protects either 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 it's kennel. Back to the top