When choosing a collar for our dogs, we often focus on elements like the color, pattern, or preferred material. However, there is much more to consider than just the style and aesthetic. Selecting the best collar is essential for your dog’s safety, comfort, and overall well-being.However, with so many different collar options available, deciding which will best suit your dog and their lifestyle can be overwhelming.This guide will break down the different types of collars, their purpose, and the factors you should consider. From standard nylon collars to tick-prevention products, you’ll find everything you need to make a confident decision when shopping for your dog.Choosing the Right Collar for Your DogSelecting a collar can feel overwhelming. There is so much to consider, from functionality to style. So, let’s start at square one. Here are the most common types of dog collars and the situations they are most often recommended for:Traditional Flat Collar This is the most common type of dog collar you will see. Traditional flat collars get their name because they lay flat against your dog’s neck. They come in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and materials, including leather, nylon, cotton, and Biothane, among others. The collars usually feature a D-ring or O-ring to attach a leash or hold your dog’s ID tags and a buckle to make it easy to put the collar on/take it off as needed. Flat collars are the most recommended option for ensuring your dog has basic identification on them on a day-to-day basis. Most dogs wear a flat collar around their yard, in the car, on walks, and in other routine situations. Martingale Collar At first glance, a martingale collar looks similar to a flat collar. However, when you look closer, you’ll see an additional loop on the back of the collar that tightens when the dog pulls. The slight tightening can be used to train a dog not to pull when walking, making it a popular training tool. Martingale collars also help prevent a dog from pulling their head out of the collar and escaping, which is an important consideration for dogs who are a flight risk or those with narrow heads roughly the same circumference as their neck, like sighthounds. They are often used in shelters and rescue organizations for this reason.Head CollarMany will argue that these aren’t just a collar. However, they do include a portion that goes around the neck, and they serve a purpose comparable to other collars on the list, so I feel they deserve to be mentioned. Head collars are best described as a horse halter for dogs. One loop of the collar goes around the neck like usual, while a second loop goes around the snout. The leash attaches just below the snout, allowing the handler to direct the dog by guiding their head. These are a popular choice for dogs who pull. If your dog starts to pull, as they would with another collar type or on a harness, the head collar will cause the head to turn and redirect the dog back toward you. They are also recommended for situations where the handler may not have the physical ability to hold back a pulling dog. Head collars are widely used in the service dog community. Unfortunately, if misused, these collars can cause serious damage. This happens most often if the dog tries to bolt, jerking their head suddenly to the side and injuring the neck. The use of a head collar should be paired with proper training. Tracking Collars and GPS CollarIf you plan on traveling or adventuring with your dog, you may want to consider purchasing a GPS collar. They are also commonly recommended for dogs who are escape artists or flight risks. These collars feature a unit that tracks your pet's location and movement using global positioning satellite technology. This can help locate your dog if they wander off or get lost. There are two main types of GPS collars, such as: Basic Tracking Collars: The most common type, these collars rely on a nearby phone or device or the presence of a cellular network to pick up and transmit the collar’s location. Example: Fi Series 3 Smart Dog CollarHunting or Backcountry Trackers: These collars are a bigger investment due to their advanced tracking technology. They are designed to work in remote areas where basic tracking collars fail to connect. Example: Garmin Astro 430/T 5 Dog Tracking BundleAdditionally, tracking devices like the Tractive GPS Tracker for Dogs are separate units that can be attached to any collar, transforming your standard collar into a tracking collar. It should be noted that many tracking collars are not a “one and done” investment. Instead, you will need a monthly subscription for a small fee to keep using their network. For example, the subscription for Tractive devices starts at $5/month. If you cancel this subscription, you can no longer access the collar’s location.Flea/Tick CollarDesigned to help prevent fleas and ticks, these collars contain an anti-parasitic medication that is slowly released into your pet’s skin over time. Like a topical preventative, the active chemical is absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream and distributed throughout the body. While all collars work by killing fleas and ticks if they bite, others will work to repel the pests from even showing interest. These collars are still a chemical product and should be approached with caution. Some dogs will have adverse reactions. If introducing a flea/tick collar for the first time, monitor your dog carefully for any sign of trouble. LED CollarA growing trend with a focus on nighttime safety, LED collars feature bright LED lights that can be turned on, either as a solid light or with various flashing patterns, to make your dog visible in the dark. They come in one basic size and can then be cut down to fit your dog, making the collar easy to adjust to dogs of any size. Many of these collars are a one-time-use product, needing to be replaced when the included battery dies. However, with a growing interest in sustainability, companies are now selling rechargeable options. Our dogs wear the Nite Ize NiteHowl Max Rechargeable LED Safety Necklace. If you don’t want to deal with a full LED collar or prefer something you can keep safely tucked away in your pocket or purse to pull out when needed, the Nite Ize SpotLit Rechargeable Collar Light is a great option. This little light just clips onto their existing collar or harness.
