Dog training on a leash and collar

There was a time when dog lovers talked about a “training collar,” they meant a choke chain. Fortunately, in this insane world, sanity has prevailed, and dog trainers and dog lovers no longer use choke chains as training collars. There is a good reason for this return to sanity. Choke chains are dangerous. Choke chains can cause very serious injuries and even death to a dog. Do not buy or use a choke chain as a training collar for your dog!

My personal preference for a training collar is a simple flat buckle collar. When you put the collar on the dog, you should be able to insert two fingers between the collar and the dog’s neck. If you loosen the collar a little more, the dog will be able to slide it over his head; and if you tighten the collar more, it will be uncomfortable for the dog. It is important to remember that puppies grow. When putting a collar on a puppy, be sure to check the collar at least once a week to make sure it isn’t too tight on the dog’s neck.

The width of the collar should be determined by the size of the dog. A heavy collar that is wide and thick is not really appropriate for, say, a toy poodle. On the other hand, a dainty little narrow jewel-encrusted collar would look pretty ridiculous on a German Shepherd. Remember that you must put the dog’s vaccination card and identification plate on the collar.

The leash you use for your dog doesn’t need to be fancy or expensive. Some owners prefer to use a retractable leash and that’s fine. Retractable leashes actually give owners more control over their dogs. You can just “roll it up” so to speak if there is another dog around or you see your dog in a dangerous situation. Retractable leashes are more expensive than regular leashes, of course, and you should only buy the type that has a one-button braking system.