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Written by Admin
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Tuesday, 08 August 2006 |
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Choose Only The Best For Mans Best Friend  Every dog, regardless of breed, should have a collar for a variety of reasons. In this day and age identification is probably the most important one, but it can also help to train your dog. When it comes down to it, only the best and most suitable collar will do, but that does not mean that you have to spend a fortune. There are thousands of collars to choose from, with the best choice usually being a properly fitted leather dog collar. They are enduring, and thus do not need replacing on a regular basis, and very comfortable for your pooch, if fitted correctly.
Firstly, measure your dog’s neck circumference and choose the length and width of the collar as appropriate. You would not buy a shirt that is too tight on the collar, so apply the same principle for your dog. The collar must not dig into the skin nor limit their freedom to move. Also, buy for age. For example, a puppy will not need a leather adult dog collar. It will be too long and restrict movement, not to mention the risk of catching it and causing serious injury. A leather dog collar should be tailored to the dog’s current size, not its future size, even if that means buying two in as many years. They can be expensive though, so an adjustable nylon collar may be more appropriate for puppies. In that case, a leather dog collar should be purchased when the dog reaches full size.
For training, a choke collar may come in handy. A choke collar can be used to train a dog on a leash and also how to heel. However, only use a choke collar during training. Afterwards, replace it with the dog’s regular collar because choke collars tend to be made of metal and thus can discolor fur when wet or cold. This is particularly important if your dog loves to swim or roll in puddles in winter! In summer, it can also get very hot and potentially burn your dog.
Leather dog collars are easier to take care of than other dog collars because the leather can be treated and maintained on a regular basis. Leather cleaner is available to remove dirt, odor and increase the life of the collar. The odor is particularly important because it presents one of the real hazards of having a dog collar. Odor can ruin a collar within a year or so. It is caused by the natural oils in a dog’s fur, along with factors such as prolonged dampness or getting wet in general. It may well be worth removing the collar if your dog is indeed in water for a period of time.
Leather dog collars are very versatile and easy to maintain. This is why they should be your first choice for spoiling your pooch. After training, when your dog responds to verbal instructions and does not need to be reigned in constantly, a collar should be a form of identification. It can only do its job if it is of good quality and does not break easily. Leather dog collars are well worth the potential expense for peace of mind. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 09 August 2006 )
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