Another form of a personalized dog collar is to get a collar that is exclusive to your pet. You can find people that will make a collar of a specific material or design that is custom fit for your pet. Not only do they make the custom size is put in place, but they also can do color arrangements or designs that are indicative of your personal taste. Many people like to match whatever style they have used to personalize their dog beds.

Our canine companion can also be adorned with a collar that is unique to them only by bead or other stud arrangements. Maybe you can see your friend with a platinum studded collar or a suede collar itself. There are other material selections as well for collars. The choices range from leather, nylon, suede to even metals like gold or silver. Our imaginations (and sometimes pocketbooks) only limit the array of selections.

SOme people like to personalize everything that has to do with their pet. I even know someone who personalized their dog ramp! But dogs are required to have on a collar due to local laws and ordinances. So why don’t we make this legal requirement into an opportunity to adorn our pets with collars that accentuate their traits and our tastes. Not everyone is into dressing their dogs up in clothes like those that some do. However, that does not mean we cannot use the collar as a means to display our pet. Make it personal.

Ok so you have a favorite sports team? There are collars that carry the names of many of these teams? For the football fan why not show off your fan status by having your pet wear the Broncos or Patriots logo? These simple, but finely made collars can display how proud you are of your team and your furry friend at the same time.

Then there are collars that remind us of the joyful season of Christmas. These special collars carry little jingle bells that give the impression of Santa’s sleigh coming near. Festive holiday collars bring the warmth of the season into all of our lives as our pet carries it forth for all to see and to hear.

Name brand dog collars can bring out the style in us all by getting fine made gifts for our dogs. Designer brands like Gucci and Coach have created an array of collars in material and style to enhance how our pets are adorned. From classy leather collars to colorful creations these collars exhibit that high-end appeal without breaking our pocketbooks.

If you want a collar that has more texture to it then the route to follow might be in studded design. From basic rhinestones to metallic looking studs, these collars display on your canine a look of quality and affection. Many styles exist that can make your animal the hit of the neighborhood.

With so many trends and fashions available there is no reason, your pet cannot be adorned with our love for them in mind.

The Citronella dog collar is made to limit the dog’s want for barking. One of the main points about the Citronella no bark collar is that it works. This simple device is made to squirt the animal with an unpleasant scent whenever he or she starts into barking. A microphone on the collar picks up the noise from the dog’s barking and releases a distasteful spray onto the dog’s nose. After a few times of this procedure, the dog quite simply learns that if he barks they will be sprayed. The long-term effect consequence is the pet ends that habit of barking. That translates into happy neighbors and a peaceful night of slumber.

Another consideration for this collar is that it is safe for the animal. The scent that is released does not contribute to any lasting residual harm nor does it create an animal that is mentally scarred in any way. The only effect is that it is a temporary irritant and nothing more. This becomes a sound peace of mind to the dog owner when you consider that alternatives can be costly or tragic. Unlike a shock collar that can be painful or misused, the Citronella collar is designed for a temporary effect for a long-term benefit…both to the dog and its caregiver.

These collars are not expensive and are a simple use. It is not something that has to be carried forward indefinitely. Your dog will be quieter and you will not be the scourge of the neighborhood.

One of the arguments in the use of shock is that someone properly trained in their handling can effectively use the collar to instruct the pet from biting or nipping at others animals or people. These people are trained in their use and can objectively utilize the collar to ensure the animal is aware that this behavior is unacceptable. Unfortunately, there are those that use these devises strictly for torture, and to gain a certain satisfaction in harming the dog. They use the collar excessively to cause undo pain for the creature and in so doing are potentially creating an uncontrollable animal that reacts to everything out of fear.

Some people argue that shock collars use a simple unpleasant “jab” to the canine and help to reinforce proper behavior being taught to the animal. Nevertheless, in these cases there is no sound documentation that the animal is not feeling a lasting negative feeling or that the animal is not dealing with delayed emotions when that collar is brought to him to be placed on him. Similarly, there has not been anything to show that these quick electrical releases into the pet create long lasting positive results over a mere apprehension to the collar itself.

Another argument for not using shock collars is that unmonitored use of these devices may prevent sincere educated training techniques to use for the animal…i.e. it becomes a wall to further constructive instruction. The value in training a canine is in the consistent and progressive evidence that the furry friend is actually illustrating on a daily basis. if the instruction is to be permanent and tangible, then it seems using a device that is in debate about should be avoided.

To be basic, shock collars leave too much room for error. They have not been shown to be a reliable method for the everyday person to put into practice. If that is the case, then deciding to leave them alone might be the wiser route to go. Remember, dogs show us love and deserve that same reciprocal return from us.

Take for example the idea that dog collars now have the ability to be used as a tracking mechanism. GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) collars that help their caretaker know where they are in any situation. Today’s hunter now sees these as a means to an end…if they send out their “friend” to find what was brought down; they can do so with ease and confidence. These collars are great ways to keep up with your pet when they run off or if they are stolen. Parents can find it helpful if the animal is loose with a missing child as well. Some units also can gauge how fast your pet is moving as well.

Another progression in dog collars are those with reflective properties. These collars are hit with those that take their animal out on nightly jaunts or if caught in a storm can help in locating the pet. If your furry friend is out at night and in the street, drivers can see them and take defensive action to prevent a tragedy.

“King” or “Daisy” deserves to be treated with comfort. This applies to using cushioned dog collars as much as it applies to giving them proper pet grooming. One maker has an air-cushioned collar that creates a bubble of air around the pet’s neck. This allows free movement with the collar while maintaining that solid hold. Cushioned dog collars may also be as simple as padded material to ease the feel on a dog’s neck when attached to a leash.

“Bling” has no limitations and that holds true with dog collars. Some people go out to create designer collars for their canine, even to the point of accessorizing the collar with the animal’s name. Now it should be stated that some bling can be hazardous to the animal if not applied on properly and permanently…don’t want your friend to ingest something that they shouldn’t be. It is ok to make them look pretty, but remember to keep them safe as well.

Another direction for dog owners has been the use of harnesses in place of collars. They find these to be more suitable for their pet and not a hardship on them. These folks feel that collars are an unnecessary, and even a harmful, way of controlling their dog. Thus, they prefer the idea of something that goes around the front leg and body of the animal to walk and run them.

Dog collar trends are changing all the time…and a pet owner wants to be kept up to date on those progressions for their family pet. This is just one of the many basic things a pet owner needs. Also on that list are things like dog nail clippers, leashes, and grooming brushes.

One of the most prolific styles of collars out there are training collars. These collars are as the name implies, used in teaching proper behavior and to instruct them in how they need to walk in relation to the caregiver. Just as in anything, an improper training collar can be dangerous if applied incorrectly. Training collars are made for one specific goal in mind…right to train a dog in how to behave and how to respond to instructions. If the animal is one prone to considerable disobedience issues then a training collar helps to facilitate proper behavior in the hands of a competent and well-versed handler. These collars are great ways to get your animal to understand basic commands like “sit” and “heel” and other verbal commands. The gentle tug on these collars as you voice the command give to the memory of the dog what each tug or pull represents. Some training collars used are simply not humane and should be judged accordingly.

Another style of collar out there is a choker or “chain” collar. As the name implies this is a collar made-up of chain links. Just like training collars, they are made for a simple purpose…to give instruction to your animal. Unlike a training collar, they can be a dangerous addition if used improperly around a dog’s throat. If applied properly to the neck, these collars give competent handlers a great means of getting the dog to do what the handler wants them to do without causing undo harm to the animal.

Head collars have become popular with many owners. They find the idea of a muzzle with the neck attachment helps them to control a wilder canine and prevent them from pulling. They are an effective deterrent to simply running off. One disadvantage is they give an impression that the dog may be a biter. Some pets never get used to them and simply try to constantly pry them off with their paws. Consideration in this collar’s use cannot be overestimated.

So what about the use of a harness for your pet? This is an actual replacement to the collar when taking the dog out for a walk or in public. Some people prefer this in how it rides up the dog’s front area around the front legs. They prefer not having their animal being pulled from around the neck. A harness prevents the “choking” sensation for some pets and places the pressure of the tug throughout the dog. Just like with a collar though, if improperly attached it may become a hindrance to the dog’s training or use.

These are but a few points about different collars, but they can help you in choosing what is right for your family friend.

So how about considering the comfort to the dog as a first factor in choosing a collar. Take the time to measure the dog’s neck. Run a piece of string around the animal’s neck and then measure it against a ruler. Now you have the size to select a proper length for the collar. You want it to be snug enough to stay in place, yet allow enough of a slip a couple fingers underneath the collar. Having a collar that adjusts a little bit in size helps to maintain proper changes as the dog grows.

The collar should be strong enough to handle a leash for those “taking the dog for a walk” occasions without it breaking off. The material in the collar’s make-up makes a big difference in the collar strength. One of the best materials for strength is leather. Leather has enough tensile strength to handle those times the dog may jump at the leash or when running simply pull at the leash. Leather also has a certain beauty to it for the dog’s appearance. (Yes that does matter also) One negative with leather is that it absorbs odors. This can be a distraction over time as the animal’s own oils become imbedded in the leather collar. Another choice for a collar is nylon. This can be a perfect solution for a smaller breed of canine. Nylon is a durable material and is a lighter weight to its leather cousin. If the animal tends to play in the water a lot, the best choice might be a material that does not shrink when drying like leather does.

Make sure the collar is able to solidly handle the dog’s id information. This is important if the pet becomes lost or is found in an emergency. This will ensure a quick and safe return of your beloved pet.

There are collars out there that are stylish and colorful. Some people base a collar selection on a color or design that reflects their pet’s personality. (Sometimes even the owner’s personality) You may want something that is indicative of who you are and you simply want that reflected onto your family friend.

Choosing a collar is all about what is best for your dog’s comfort and safety.

However, collars should be suitable to each particular pet and not thought of as “let’s just find one” and let it go at that. Man’s best friends deserve to be treated with the same love and care when picking out a collar as in other facet of treating your pet. Collars should reflect not only the personality of the animal, but also contribute to its safety and well-being. There are all types of collars out there and not all are even worth consideration. An improper fit or type of collar can have long lasting ill effects for your beloved “Rover”.

One important aspect of collars is that they are a means to id the pet. If you are not of a mind to do “micro-chipping” of your animal, the collars serve as a great alternative to identifying your pet and showing important health information. It can hold any rabies inoculation information on a tag as well other pertinent information on allergies in case someone finds the animal away from home. It also provides the authorities with personal info as to where the dog lives in case he is lost or stolen.

What about comfort? Just like people, the things that your animal has to wear should be comfortable and not cause chafing or irritations. A dog collar should be loose enough fitting to move around the neck without being so loose it comes off. This discomfort could also be a result of improper material in the making of the collar. Remember, this is a family friend and deserves to be treated kindly, even in what he or she wears.
Now that takes care of a grown animal, but what about a puppy? Considering that this animal is on his way to growing up it really matters that the collar be expandable. Puppies’ growth rates are faster then we realize and we may not always be watching the subtle changes. By having an expandable collar, we have a reasonable buffer for the puppies comfort and allow us the opportunity to keep up with their growth.

Toy dogs might be better equipped with a harness over a collar. Collars can be a hazard, whereas a harness is a better fit for a small animal. A toy has a smaller neck and collars could be hazardous to their throats. There are small breakaway types of collars that can be used for smaller dogs if a collar is a preference.

The importance of a good collar for a dogs safety and well-being cannot be understated.