Cattle

Archive for February 4th, 2009

Congratulations! So you’ve made the commitment to add a puppy to your family and are shopping for puppy collars. You are off to a good start because your puppy’s collar is an important part of your puppy’s training, safety, and grooming.

With so many types of puppy collars on the market, it’s hard to decide which type of puppy collar will be right for your pup. So here’s a short list of things to consider in helping you find the right collar for your puppy.

• Adjustability. Puppies grow fast, so getting a puppy or dog collar with room to grow is an important feature. You will eventually need to buy another collar to accommodate your pup’s growth, so look for a collar length that your puppy can wear for at least 6 months. A collar that increases by at least 4″ will allow for growth while providing a good fit.
• Comfort. Some Puppies take to collars right away, and others need time to adjust to wearing a collar. It can be funny to watch your pup try to wriggle it’s way out of a collar, but if the collar is lightweight, soft and flexible, s/he will quickly become accustomed to wearing it. Stay away from stiff materials that do not bend or give.
• Safety. Puppies, just like kids, can get into all kinds of mischief, so you want a dog collar that has a quick release buckle should you need to remove the collar in an emergency. Unlike buckle collars, a quick release won’t snag as easily as a buckle collar will.
• Training. The collar and leash are essential training tools for teaching your dog certain commands. A properly fitted collar is important for puppy training. You should be able to fit two fingers comfortably through the collar when on your puppy’s neck. Choke and martingale collars are more suitable for adult dogs and are helpful where traditional training methods have failed.
• Grooming and appearance. There’s nothing more unsightly than a worn and smelly collar on a freshly bathed or groomed puppy. So get a washable collar in materials that will hold a fresh scent. Collars come in many fun designs and colors, so shop for one that suits his/her personality – and yours!