Tools of the Trade (Pt. 2)

A note: Each dog is an individual with their own genetics, history, environment, and patterns of behavior. While there may be stigma for some of these tools, we’ve tried to present a fair and accurate depiction of each tool and its uses. You should consider your situation carefully before choosing a tool for your dog. It is always a good idea to work with a trainer and to desensitize your dog to many tools as you work to find the right one

Collars are the most common tool you’ll see. They are ubiquitous, but there are some important differences in collars. You should choose a collar that is appropriate to breed. We recommend all dogs wear a collar and practice walking on one, though some dogs will have to walk on a harness due to health concerns.

All collars should be properly fitted just behind the ears or slightly lower on the neck. Check the fit by running two fingers flat between the collar and the neck. If your dog yelps or coughs excessively, wheezes or struggles to breathe, easily slips out, or shows hair loss or matting around the ears and neck, you may need a different collar style or fit. Please note that puppies under 6 months of age can wear a collar, but the leash should be on a harness to protect their growing muscles, bones, joints, and throats. Please ensure that you remove all gear when your dog is not under supervision.

Let’s break down the different styles of collar and what they’re best for:

Flat (wide or rounded): A flat collar is just your basic run of the mill collar. They will have some type of buckle or closure and a D-Ring to attach tags and a leash. Depending on breed and coat type, you may need a different style of flat collar. Dogs with long hair may do better on a rounded collar to prevent matting. Dogs with excessive skin around the neck sometimes can’t feel leash pressure from a regular collar, so an extra wide collar (usually 2 inches) provides more sensory input. Even a properly fit collar is not escape proof, so you should always have a second connection point such as a slip or pinch collar.

Martingale: A martingale collar can be any width, shape, or material. All martingale style collars have a loop that tightens. These loops may be the same material as the collar, or may be made out of chain. A properly fitted martingale will not fully close when tightened, if yours closes completely, you should tighten it. Martingales are great for teaching leash pressure and preventing escape.

Slip: A slip collar or chain works like the slip leash, but must be attached to a leash to work. (While they are sometimes called ‘choke’ chains, your dog should not choke on it. If they are, you’ll need to take more time to introduce it.) It will be a length of chain or fabric with a ring on each end. To set it up, you pull part of the collar through one of the rings, forming a P shape. This goes around the dog's neck with the collar pulling through the loop towards you. You can put a slip collar on as a backup collar for dogs prone to escape. If you attach the loose ring to the leash and collar/harness, it will make it more difficult for the dog to escape.

Pinch/Prong: Pinch or prong collars are collars with metal or plastic teeth. They can be “flat” style or martingale style based on dog need. Properly fitted pinch collars protect your dog’s throat when they pull by evenly distributing weight along a series of points, rather than as a band across the trachea. For training purposes, a prong mimics the feel of a dog correcting your pup gently with teeth. Pinch collars should fit snugly right behind the ears, not on the throat or chest. Your dog may need a plastic pinch collar if they have short hair or sensitive skin. Dogs with aggression or reactivity issues may not do well on a prong, so it is best to speak to a trainer if you have these issues or any other concerns. If your dog consistently yelps or seems uncomfortable, discontinue use immediately.

Electronic: Electronic or E collars have many styles and uses. Most are flat collars with a plastic attachment that has two metal teeth that press against the dog’s neck. E collars are commonly used in invisible fence systems as well as for long range recall training/work. They are not meant to act as or replace the other forms of collar. Most cities have leash requirements that E collars do not meet. Improper use can cause pain and worsen behavioral issues. You should only use an E collar if your dog has been conditioned to it and you have been trained with it. Children should never have control of your dog’s E collar. If your dog consistently yelps or seems uncomfortable, discontinue use immediately.