When you go to the pet store you might be surprised at all the different types of dog collars that are available. With so many to choose from, how do you know which one you need or which one is the right one? Here is a basic list of some common dog collars and the purposes of each.

Flat Collars

Flat collars or Buckle collars, are your basic dog collar for everyday use. They are usually made out of leather or nylon and has a buckle like the ones on belts or a plastic quick release buckle. These collars are usually worn every day and have identification on them. When training a dog to walk properly on a leash, flat collars are not suitable as they offer no correction.

Slip Collars

Slip collars or Choke chains, slip chains or choke collars are training collars. Slip collars are made out of metal rings that can be looped around the dog. When the leash is attached to the live ring it adjusts tighter when pulled. This allows for correction during walks. This type of collar isn’t the best as it slips low on the dogs neck making it ineffective. Proper placement (right below the dogs ears) is crucial for effectiveness.

Prong Collars

Also called pinch collars, prong collars is a series of chain links with prongs turned towards the dogs neck. When the owner tightens the collar it will pinch the dog’s surrounding skin. It is designed to add discomfort if the dog should pull during walking. This is a training collar and should only be worn when training. As well, a flat collar should be worn with the prong collar and attached to the leash as well as the prong as the prong collar can dislodge.

Martingale Collars

The martingale is similar to the slip collars except it is covered in nylon or leather around the neck and a small loop chain is at the end of the collar. This collar is a standard in kennel societies as it doe not add pain to the dog and is safe to use for training.

The Illusion Collar

Made poplar by The Dog Whisperer, the Illusion Collar is a training aid for training collars. It secures the training collar where it should be , behind the dogs ear. It is an extremely popular collar and will help your dog walk more effectively without pulling.

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