Choosing a Puppy Dog Collar or Harness
May 31, 2021
In preparation for bringing home a puppy, there is little doubt that options abound! Selecting the right puppy dog collar or harness can be overwhelming. With so many options in material – nylon, poly, leather, fabric – it can be hard to know where to begin!
Rest assured that there is no such thing as the perfect choice for your puppy dog collar. However, there are several factors to consider, one being personal preference.
A bit of front-end research will help narrow your choices and spare you from feeling overwhelmed by the daunting array of collars and harnesses. Certain factors are important to weigh of course: proper fit, safety, and comfort, to name a few. The rest is often personal preference, and entirely up to you.
With a little planning (and perhaps perusing some of our available products here), you’ll have your new pup furnished and ready for training before you can say, “Sit!”
Read on for more help when choosing a puppy dog collar.
Training, Fit, and Conditions Related to Choosing Puppy Dog Collars
When interacting with your puppy during training and play – not to mention teaching him or her how to interact with other dogs and people, alike – it is very important to have the right training tools at the ready. Given that it is recommended that you introduce your puppy to wearing a collar at about eight weeks of age, it is important to select one that meets the needs of your dog. You want a collar (or set of collars, leashes, harnesses or head halters, for example) that correctly restrain your pet without causing them discomfort, pain, or injury. The right options and proper use of those options can curb bad habits early, make training easier less stressful for you and your pup. And proper restraint and appropriate boundaries will ensuring safe and enjoyable outings for both of you.
Different collar and harness types are suited for various needs. For example, martingale collars work well for many sized breeds, but especially hounds, while snap buckle collars with quick-release buckles are great for dogs and puppies in training and for those who visit doggy day care.
Harnesses should adjust easily, have chew-resistant material, and fall within a reasonable price range since puppies grow by leaps and spurts, and you will not want to be caught off-guard when he suddenly reaches a growth spurt.
On your search for the best product, you may broaden your scope beyond puppy dog collars and consider a harness. For small dogs, those with breathing issues, and those still learning leash manners, a dog harness may be the choice for you. With a flat collar, even one sharp tug on the leash can cause injury to either your dog’s neck or your shoulder. Certain medical conditions may also warrant purchasing a particular dog harness.
For other concerns sure to happen with a puppy, such as incessant curiosity and “nosing around” and leash pulling or lunging, a no-pull device like a head halter or head collar may be a viable option. Again, as with certain collars, dogs with neck injuries, dental problems, and other conditions or characteristics such as those with snort snouts as with pugs, may not walk safely in a head halter. Always feel free to consult your veterinarian with concerns or questions.
Puppy Safety is Key
Selecting training items that are safe and comfortable is very important, particularly with puppy dog collars. Your dog’s needs, such as style and fit, will depend on their breed, age, energy level, and amount of training needed or how prone they are to leash pulling. For example, a breed like sighthounds (whippets, greyhounds, Borzoi, Salukis, and so on), whose necks are typically thicker than their heads, do best with wide flat collars or a snug-fitting harness.
Keep in mind that training a puppy requires a great deal of time and patience; repeatedly correcting naughty behaviors and praising good behaviors is necessary to achieve eventual success. When you do correct certain behaviors, you’ll want to do so firmly and clearly, but not aggressively, and certainly not violently. Likewise, you’ll want your training equipment – in this case, your puppy dog collar – to do the same. You will want it to be fastened firmly for a snug fit but not constraining fit and made from durable materials, but never anything so severe that they harm or injure your puppy. Remember that while they are young and still in training, you will never want to use anything that results in punishment involving pain.
Objects that pinch or tear skin, like prong collars and choke chains, should never be used on puppies and are ill suited for most dogs. Many pet health and training organizations now strongly advise against these items, as they are unnecessarily harsh and can create the following problems:
- Associate negative feelings (such as punishment, pain, or fear) toward wearing collars and going for walks and interacting with other dogs and people.
- erode your dog’s confidence and feelings of safety.
- lead to aggressive behaviors.
- undermine progress in training.
- hurt your relationship with your dog.
Therefore, leave the prong and chain collars on the shelf.
If you’re not sure where to start, enlisting a professional can be helpful. Board-certified canine behaviorists, dog trainers, and of course, your vet can offer sound advice when it comes to choosing the best methods and equipment.
Why a Leather Puppy Collar? Quality counts!
At Auburn Leathercrafters, we’re obviously big fans of leather and you can’t go wrong with quality leather dog collars. As your puppy grows and is learning how to behave, training tools like collars and leashes will likely undergo quite bit of wear and tear. You’ll want premium, durable materials like a leather puppy collar that will outlast its alternatives and spare you from having to endlessly purchase products over time.
We purchased this collar in turquoise for our dog about 3 years ago at a local pet store. It is soft and supple leather with a bright and beautiful color. It has held up amazingly well as he still wears it and we have now purchased a pink one for our new puppy after attempting to settle on a different type of collar, we have returned to Auburn leather and will always be returning customers. THIS is a nice leather collar. Don’t settle for a stiff one!
Beyond performance, leather, a natural product, is quite comfortable for a puppy dog collar. It rests easily on the coat and creates minimal friction or rubbing during wear. And for even more comfort Auburn Leathercrafters even makes a padded leather collar that has a soft lining on the inside with a sturdy leather on the outside.
Learning More
Picking from all the choices of puppy dog collars can be daunting. But it doesn’t have to be. Be sure to consider size, fit, safety, and comfort, and you’ll do just fine. Cheap products will break and wear and possible cause discomfort for your puppy. Selecting quality products such as leather will last you a long time and provide the comfort and fit your puppy deserves.
And finally, conduct some research to determine the best puppy dog collar for your new best friend. If you need help feel free to reach out to Auburn Leathercrafters. We love dogs like no one else and providing the best products for your dog is important to us.
Consider our puppy dog collars, and become familiar with Auburn Leathercrafters products. If you have questions about which product is best for your needs, feel free to message us on the contact us page or give us a call at 800-282-8761.
