How to choose the best and safest collar for your dog

A collar is not only an important accessory to help retain control of your dog, but it can also help to identify them if you ever escape. They’re also often used to display any relevant medical information passersby need to be aware of.

There is much debate on the safety of collars. It's believed that prolonged use of collars can lead to thyroid damage, spinal issues and can be a source of discomfort for your pet. This is particularly true if your dog is an eager one and likes to pull on their leash. It's important to be aware of the issues that are associated with collars and how to prevent them. This might involve assessing if a collar is really the right choice for your dog. 

For many breeds, a harness over a collar is recommended. 

These include: 

• Brachycephalic/flat-faced breeds (e.g. pugs, bulldogs, Boston terriers)
• Breeds prone to back issues (e.g. dachshunds, basset hounds, corgis)
• Any dog with eye issues/glaucoma 
• Any dog with past or present throat or neck issues 

For these types of dogs, harnesses are much safer than collars because they alleviate stress on your pet's problem area(s). 

That being said, depending on your dog’s breed and temperament, you may need both. Harnesses are a great training aid and a comfortable alternative for dogs with back, eye, or neck issues. If your dog is well-trained, doesn't pull, and doesn't suffer from any of the above-mentioned issues, they might be well suited to a collar.  

The best way to ensure your dog is safe while wearing a collar is to make sure it's properly fitted. If your dog's collar is too tight, it can cause skin irritation and potentially infection. If it's too loose, it can slip off easily.

To check the collar is properly fit, put your thumb in between the collar and your pet’s neck. If your dog is small, you should be able to fit at least one finger in between the collar and the dog. If your dog is a bigger breed, like a Rottweiler, you should be able to squeeze in three fingers.

If you think your Fido might be better suited to a harness, check out our article on the safest dog harnesses.

We’ve also put together some collar options to consider, as well as which breeds they’re best suited to, so you can rest assured that your dog is the safest they can be, while still wearing a collar. 

Buckle collars are what you typically think of when a dog collar is mentioned. They are fastened with a buckle and are usually adjustable so you can get the right fit. They come in a variety of collars and materials, like nylon, cotton, and leather. Buckle collars are usually a good option for small dogs that can calmly walk by their owner’s side with little need for control. We don’t recommend them for training dogs that pull, or large, heavy dogs, as these collars don’t offer the control that other collars do. 

The Martingale collar has two loops: the larger one that slips onto your pooch’s neck, and the smaller loop with a D ring where the leash can be attached.

When your dog pulls on the leash, the smaller loop tightens, and when they stop pulling, the tension releases and the collar slackens.

The Martingale collar can be a gentle and effective training tool, especially for dogs who are known to be escape artists. The Martingale is also an ideal collar for dogs whose heads are narrower than their necks, like greyhounds and whippets. If your dog has a habit of slipping out of their collar then consider the Martingale collar. 

The head halter collar is a well-known training tool for those with reactive dogs.

It consists of two straps: one around the nose and one around the neck. As the dog pulls, the nose is pulled towards you, the owner, forcing them to refocus their attention on you. The dog is consequently turned away from the trigger or stressor in front of them and is prompted to pay attention to their owner instead.

Visually removing the stressor from your dog’s line of sight can help to take your dog from stressed and anxious to focused and controlled. 

It’s a good time to note that the head halter is best used as a training tool, not a control tool. Any collar that helps to discourage undesirable behaviour should be used in conjunction with other types of dog training, such as positive reinforcement.

Aversive collars rely on pain or physical discomfort to punish a dog’s behaviour. Some common aversive collars include choke chains, pinch, and shock collars. We don’t recommend them, since these types of collars can cause discomfort and pain in our furry friends, and are rarely used in behaviour management nowadays.

These types of collars can cause tracheal and thyroid damage, neck sprains, and severe skin irritation, especially shock collars. They can also cause mental and behavioural issues that can aggravate reactive behaviour and induce fear and anxiety into your pet. 

We recommend researching positive training methods, and considering a head halter to correct reactive or undesirable behaviour. It's been proven that while aversive methods are faster at suppressing negative behaviour, positive reinforcement-based training methods are much more effective. It's also been found that more behavioural problems and aggression appear in than those that are trained with aversive methods.

Collars are not the ideal choice for every dog, and you may need to assess whether your pet is best suited to a harness or a collar. Collars can display any medical or identification tags and can be used as a training tool. Varieties like the head halter and martingale can also be the best fit for reactive dogs who need more control from their owners, or breeds like greyhounds, who are prone to slipping out of run-of-the-mill collars.