When you first take on a dog, there are a million things to think about and do, and as such, some of the minutiae are often overlooked or under-thought.
Choosing a dog’s collar might seem like a choice that will have little bearing on your new canine companion’s quality of life, however, selecting the wrong type of collar can have severe life-altering and, in some cases, life-ending consequences. The good news is that choosing the right kind of collar to ensure your dog stays happy and healthy is not difficult once you know how.
In today’s post, we will be exploring the different types of collars that are available, how we can avoid collar-based accidents and which ones are best for your dogs overall. We will also be shining a light on some of the best collars out there, so you can make a well-informed choice when your furry friend next needs a new accessory for their neck!
Collars can be helpful for almost all dog owners, allowing for your dog to be kept under control, to display identification and as an awesome addition to their attire. However, collars do also have the potential to harm your perfect pet if they are used in the wrong way.
There is a big risk to dogs that are left unattended with their collars on of strangulation. A collar can easily become snagged on branches, fences and other places a dog likes to play. This can also be the case when dogs are left on a long lead with a collar and attempt to jump over objects, causing them to be left hanging by their necks. These unthinkable scenarios can also cause injury to your dog's mouth and legs as they try to escape as well as the potential for lacerations to the head and ears. Collars on unattended dogs can also potentially lead to injury if they try to remove the collar and get a leg stuck.
Needless to say, these scenarios would be a horrific thing to happen to any of our precious pooches and can be avoided by always leaving your dog's collar off when left on their own and keeping a careful eye on them when they are wearing one. As well as this, using a harness rather than a collar is of paramount importance if it is necessary for your dog to be left tied up. Most of these potentially catastrophic situations can also be easily avoided by choosing the right collar and getting the correct size when you do so.
The best way to avoid problems with your dog’s collar is to make sure they are well attended to when wearing one. Having said that, we can’t always be watching and there is a great range of collars available that are designed with safety in mind, in case the unthinkable happens. Collars that use buckles to fasten them are the collar variety that would take the last prize in our safety rating competition, as they are extremely difficult to remove in an emergency situation and the addition of metal pieces, on said collars, has also been known to be a problem, in isolated cases. It is still ok to use buckled collars but we would recommend that your dog is always supervised if they are wearing one.
The ideal collar would have an easy way to release it in emergency situations, such as a clip, as well as be well padded to avoid injury to dogs who might strain on the lead. We would also recommend collars with some sort of reflective material in-built, increasing your dog's visibility and, therefore, safety in the dark.
Sizing a dog collar is a fairly simple process and you only really need to make sure you can comfortably fit your thumb between the collar and your dog’s neck. Any looser or tighter could lead to some of the situations we have outlined above. Keep in mind that your dog's neck will change size depending on its position and fat distribution and, as such, you should always check the collar in a number of different places and poses to fully ensure it is sized correctly.
Our absolute favourite purveyors of doggy accessories are the unrivalled Hurrta. Their collars are made with your dog’s best interests at heart, all have quick-release clips as standard, have 3M reflective materials sewn in and are super durable as well as weatherproof, what more could you need?
See Our Super Safe Hurtta Dog Collars Here>
Hurtta also produces a fantastic range of heavenly harnesses, perfect for those dogs who need an alternative to the traditional collar!
Pick Up Your Heavenly Hurtta Harnesses for Dogs Here>
TEDDY Talks was created by Katy Peck, a passionate dog advocate with years of hands-on experience in behaviour, training, and nutrition. As the co-founder of one of Cornwall’s busiest dog day care centres, Katy helped care for up to 80 dogs a day, learning first-hand what makes dogs feel calm, confident, and understood.
In 2018, she brought that knowledge into the world of natural nutrition by opening a pet shop focused on healthy, wholesome choices — supporting thousands of customers with thoughtful advice, honest information, and a personal touch.
TEDDY Talks is the natural next step: a way to take everything we’ve shared in person and make it available to every dog lover, everywhere. These free downloads and training tools are built from real experience, not just theory — and grounded in kindness, patience, and the belief that when we understand why, we can teach how.
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