6 Types of Dog Collars: Pros and Cons
Hello and welcome back to the Lead & Collar Blog, where our goal is to provide high value education and resources for beginner dog owners.
Whether you've just brought home a new dog or are looking to improve your canine companion's behavior, finding the perfect training collar is crucial.
In this blog post, we'll explore the pros and cons of some common dog training collars.
Let's dive in!
#1. Flat Collar:
A flat collar is one of the most common and traditional types of dog collars.
It is a simple and straightforward collar design used for everyday wear and identification purposes. It consists of a flat strip of material, such as nylon, leather, or fabric, with a buckle or snap closure for fastening around the dog's neck.
Pros:
Easy to use
Lightweight and comfortable
Customisable
Ideal for attaching ID tags and registration details
Cons:
Easier to slip out of
Not ideal for training
Limited dog control
Average price:
You can find good-quality flat collars for around $10 to $30 AUD, depending on the material and design.
Brands to check out:
Pablo & Co: With a focus on quality and fashion-forward designs, the Australian-based company Pablo & Co has something to suit all styles.
LupinePet: Known for their durable and stylish collars, LupinePet offers a variety of options for every pup.
Best Materials:
Opt for nylon, leather or biothane collars for durability and comfort.
How to use:
#2. English Show Lead:
The design of an English show lead is simple and effective.
It typically consists of a long, thin rope or leather cord with a metal ring at one end. The leash is looped through the ring to create a slip knot or sliding loop. The other end of the lead forms a handle for the handler to hold and control the dog.
Pros:
Light weight
Great for training sessions
Cons:
Requires some basic training to use properly
Not a great 'everyday' collar
Average price:
English show leads typically range from $15 to $40 AUD, depending on the material and craftsmanship.
Brands to check out:
Mendota Pet: Renowned for their high-quality, handcrafted slip leads that offer excellent control and durability.
Coastal Pet: Offers a variety of slip lead options, perfect for training and show purposes.
Best Materials:
Look for slip leads made from sturdy yet gentle materials, such as cotton or nylon.
How to use:
#3. Martingale Collar:
A martingale collar is a type of dog collar designed to provide gentle and controlled correction for dogs that tend to back out of traditional flat collars.
It is commonly used for dogs with necks larger than their heads, such as Greyhounds. The martingale collar consists of two loops - a larger loop that goes around the dog's neck and a smaller loop with a metal ring at the end.
Pros:
Adjustable to your dog
Prevents escaping (dog won't slip out of collar)
Gentle corrections (compared to slip collar)
Cons:
Needs to be fitted correctly to be effective
Requires training on how to use appropriately
Incorrect use can lead to injury
Average price:
Martingale collars typically cost between $15 to $40 AUD, depending on the material and design.
Brands to check out:
PetSafe: Known for their reliable and adjustable Martingale collars suitable for various breeds.
Country Brook Petz: Offers a wide range of designs and sizes for dogs of all shapes and sizes.
Best Materials:
Choose collars made from soft yet durable materials like nylon or polyester.
How to use:
#4. Slip/Choke Collar:
Slip collars feature a unique design, lacking a traditional buckle closure, and instead, they form a sliding or "slip" loop. The chain collar is threaded through the ring on one end, creating a simple yet effective mechanism.
Pros:
Great for providing corrections
Durable
Inexpensive
Cons:
Requires training to use
Constant repositioning as to provide correct use
Can lead to injury if fitted incorrectly or improperly used
Used for training only
Average price:
Slip/choke collars typically range from $10 to $40 AUD, depending on the material and construction.
Brands to check out:
Herm Sprenger: Renowned for their high-quality, professional-grade training collars.
Mighty Paw: Offers safe and effective slip collars designed with your dog's comfort in mind.
Best Materials:
Choose slip collars made from smooth and rounded metal links.
How to use:
#5. Prong/Pinch Collar:
Prong collars are designed to provide controlled and gentle pressure around a dog's neck.
It consists of a series of interlocking metal links with prongs or blunt points evenly spaced around the collar. These prongs are designed to apply pressure when the collar is tightened, mimicking the natural way a mother dog corrects her puppies.
Pros:
Great for correcting strong dogs
Enable quick corrections without causing pain (if used correctly)
Easy to fit
Cons:
Require education and training on correct use and fitting
Used for training only
Need another collar for day to day use
Can cause injury if used incorrectly
Average price:
Prong/pinch collars typically range from $20 to $60 AUD, depending on the material and craftsmanship.
Brands to check out:
Herm Sprenger: A reputable brand offering high-quality, humane prong collars for effective training.
Starmark Pet Products: Known for their innovative and safe training tools, including prong collars.
Best Materials:
Opt for prong collars made from stainless steel or chrome-plated steel for durability.
How to use:
#6. E-Collar:
An e-collar uses electronic stimulation to communicate with the dog.
It consists of a collar worn around the dog's neck, which is equipped with a receiver that can be controlled remotely using a handheld transmitter.
Pros:
Great for controlling your dog off leash
Perfect for longer distances when a long line is impractical
Some provide GPS tracking
Very effective for providing corrections
Cons:
Requires education and training to use appropriately
Expensive
Requires charging or batteries
Still requires additional collar for lead attachment
Average price:
E-collars typically range from $100 to $2500 AUD, depending on the features and brand.
Brands to check out:
SportDOG: Offers reliable and user-friendly e-collars for various training needs.
Garmin: Known for their GPS-enabled e-collars designed for off-leash adventures.
Martin system: Offers high end e-collars for the professional market
Best Materials:
Look for e-collars with comfortable and adjustable straps, made from durable materials like nylon.
How to use:
Conclusion:
Choosing the right training collar for your dog is essential for their well-being and training success.
Always consider your dog's size, breed, and specific needs before making a decision. Remember, training collars should be used responsibly and never as a substitute for good training: they are a tool and tools are only as good as the user (if you don't know how to use it, find a good dog trainer who does). So get out there and start training guys. You owe it to your dog and yourself.
As always, if you have any questions about the ins and outs of owning a dog, feel free to reach out to us via our contact page. We can’t wait to hear from you - Happy training!