When deciding which collar to get for your dog, you’re faced with an overwhelming amount of options. To make this process easier, we’ve broken down each of the most common types of dog collars so you can make the best selection with your furry friend’s comfort and safety in mind.
Martingale collars were primarily designed to prevent dogs from slipping out of their collar. While typically used for sighthounds who have long, thin necks like Greyhounds, Whippets, and Afghan hounds, Martingale collars are also useful for any breed that tends to slip out of normal collars and can be helpful for anxious or fearful dogs that have negative reactions on walks. These collars cost anywhere from $10-$35+ depending on pattern and size.
To prevent dogs from slipping from them, these collars have a tightening function when pulled so never leave your dog unattended when wearing one to prevent accidents.
The most common collar on the list, flat collars are the quintessential collar we all know. With a quick-release buckle or snap, and a metal ring for attaching your best friend’s identification, these collars are easy to find and use. For a well-trained dog that knows how to heel and stay in stride with their owner, it can be a great option.
These collars will typically run between $5-$30 and you can find this type of color in just about every fabric, pattern, and use-case possible:
Head collars operate similarly to horse halter’s in that one strap of the collar fits around your dog’s neck, just behind their ears, while the other forms a loop over their snout. Since the halter is around your dog’s snout, the head collar is great for deterring dogs from jumping or pulling. These collars may look scary, but they don’t harm your dog or inhibit them from barking or eating.
A proper fit is extremely important with this collar, and many of these collars come with ample instructions for use. If you have any questions consult with your vet or animal trainer on how to ensure you’re using this collar safely. These collars cost around $15-$75 dollars.
Smart collars can be a smart choice for pet owners who want extra assurance of their pup’s location. All dogs can potentially benefit from the use of a smart collar, especially as they can track steps, sleep, and more. One particular downside is the upfront cost of the collar and the potential for monthly fees to access features. Some of these collars can cost upwards of $700.
If you want a more affordable workaround, many pet parents are opting for collars that fit Apple Air Tags. It doesn’t offer health monitoring but can show you where your dog is at all times.
In the chance your dog does run off, protect your pup with a network of people who can help bring them home through and sign up with FidoTabby Alert and PetScreening. Free and simple to use, both of these programs send missing pet alerts to their local network so they can help find them.
Rolled leather or flat leather collars offer a level of durability that many nylon collars just can’t stand up to. These collars also ensure that pressure is evenly distributed around your dog’s neck, avoiding any undue stress on one area. Plus, dogs find it difficult to escape from leather collars due to their snug fit!
Since leather is considered a luxury fabric, they range in price from $30-$350+.
While harnesses aren’t technically collars, they’re often used in tandem with collars and can be an important part of your walking routine. These don’t put pressure on your dog’s neck and are especially good for dogs that pull or get excited during outings.
They can also be a great option for dogs with medical issues or dogs who are predisposed to chronic back and joint issues like Chihuahuas and Dachshunds.
Harnesses come in a wide variety of colors and sizes, costing around $14-$50.
Worn in tandem with a regular collar, these collars hold chemicals that repel and kill fleas and ticks. You should replace these collars every 5-8 months, depending on the collar you choose and how often your dog swims and is bathed. These collars will run about $20-$50.
Vibrating collars are often used in training to help deter dogs from incessant barking or other undesirable behavior. Often these collars come with a remote for you to trigger the harmless vibration, but some collars work instantaneously to deliver vibrations as soon as your dog barks.
These collars can be extremely helpful if your dog is hard of hearing or deaf and can’t hear verbal commands. However, refrain from using vibrations as a form of training with hearing-impaired dogs as it will confuse them. Instead, use it simply as a means to get their attention.
These collars cost anywhere from $25-$50+.
“These collars are great for training and warning without excessive force or stress to the pet. I personally have used this type of collar on many of my dogs in the past and presently on my curious RedBone hound that is partially deaf and tends to wander on our ranch. It keeps her safer.”
– Dr Bruce Armstrong
You’ve heard them called the “cone of shame” but these collars are sometimes our best means of deterring animals from licking at wound sites excessively, thus preventing self-mutilation or secondary complications.
Many dogs find these uncomfortable and will likely give you puppy eyes, but they don’t generally cause pain and interrupt their normal habits. These are very affordable costing as low as $3.
If your dog continuously takes off their Elizabethan collar, try an inflatable collar, a dog onesie, or a fabric cone.
Some collars rely on your dog’s discomfort or pain to get a point across, and we never recommend doing so.
While the unwanted behavior usually stops, it’s usually at the cost of your dog’s trust and comfort and can create undue fear and anxiety. Instead, utilize other training methods to prevent your dog from barking, biting, soiling the house, etc.
It’s important to make sure that you’re choosing the right collar for your dog and their needs. Let’s check out what factors should be considered in your choice:
There are endless options for dog collars, but what matters is choosing the right one for your dog and their lifestyle. Whether used as training methods or simply to protect your dog and follow the law, collars let your pup live happily, healthily, and in style.
What collar your dog wears should depend on several factors like their size, hair length, behavior, activities, etc. You usually can’t go wrong with a flat collar, the most common type of collar, to start. If you feel your dog has needs that a flat collar can’t help with, such as pulling on walks, consult with your vet to determine the best possible option.
The world’s resident “dog whisperer” is a co-founder of a type of smart collar called Halo. This collar is paired with a type of invisible fence, but instead of delivering a shock when your dog is close to crossing the boundary, it delivers a customizable warning to jog their memory that they shouldn’t repeat the behavior.
Cesar also created a training collar, which uses a double flat collar to help slip leads stay in the proper position on your dog’s neck.
While there isn’t an official consensus amongst vets regarding prong collars, many advise against their use. The potential risks involved with the use of these collars is far too high.
We recommend using Martingale or head collars for training. You should always consult with a vet or animal trainer when deciding what collar would be best suited to your dog and their training needs.
If you don’t have a cloth tape measure handy, use a piece of string and wrap it lightly around their neck, a few inches down from their head. Pull the tape or string snug around their neck, but not tight. Measure your string against a ruler. All collars should have sizing somewhere on their packaging for easy decision-making.
