Every dog owner wants to know how to choose the best dog collar. This is because every dog needs two things, an id tag and a correctly fitted collar. The dog’s id tag can be as simple or flashy as wanted as long as the dog’s information is on there. The collar is the topic this article will cover and with so many different styles out there to choose from it can be hard to pick the right one. As far as the tightness goes the rule of thumb is to place two fingers under the collar against the dog’s neck. The width between collar and dog should be no more than these two fingers or it could slip over the dog’s ears.http://www.all-about-puppies.com/dog_collar.html

Beyond finding the correct tightness of a collar for a dog are all the different styles that these collars can come in. Collars are also made of a few different materials and depending on the dog’s activities the material can be very important. All these things should be considered before buying a dog collar. The age of the dog is also important. Is the dog full grown or still a puppy? For all the fashion friendly dogs out there a collar that complements the coat is nice to have. For more information on how to pick the best dog collar read on.

There are two collar styles outlined below. Each of these have their own advantages when used. Two types of training collars are also described below. Training collars should only be used when training. These collars are last resort training tools for dogs that do not respond to training on other collars at all. They will harm the dog if used incorrectly.

Traditional dog collars are some of the easiest collars to find at cheaper prices. They come in a variety of colors and widths. These collars ride high on the dogs neck. To figure out the collar size measure the dog’s neck and then add two to three inches. These are best for puppies and when on one they should be checked every few days as puppies grow fast. The collar should be resized as needed.

Dog harnesses go around the neck and around the shoulders and behind the front legs. These collars are recommended for dogs with upper respiratory problems. If a dog is a puller a harness is best as it puts no pressure on the throat.

Choke collars, or chain slip collars, are made of chain link and when tugged on they tighten around the dog’s neck. The correct way to use them is to give a quick tug and then release. Do not give a steady pull or tug.

Pronged collars have blunt prongs protruding from the inside of the collar. These are designed for only the most stubborn pullers and are only temporary training tools.http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=159

The material the dog collar depends on the owner’s tastes and the dog’s activities.

Nylon collars are very durable and washable. These collars come in many colors and matching leashes are easy to find. A nylon collar is a great choice for a dog that spends a lot of time in the water.

Leather collars are extremely long lasting and can come as rolled leather collars, instead of flat, for dogs with long hair. If the dog or if the dogs playmates are leather chewers this may not be the best choice.

Most metal collars are training collars and as stated above should not be used at all times. Some collars do have metal buckles instead of plastic ones. If the dog is very rambunctious or a heavy chewer a metal buckle may be best.

Muzzles are used to protect a person, the dog or both. These should not be left on the dog for more than 20 minutes. The dog should be allowed to rest after removing the muzzle. Muzzles should not be used on dogs that have been sedated or are in a kennel. Often times if used incorrectly a muzzle can make the problem worse.http://www.all-about-puppies.com/dog_collar.html

For some people the collar color does not matter, but some pet owners struggle with the choice of the collar’s color almost as much as the color of their own clothes. It is understandable to want a collar that compliments a dogs natural coat and for those people the following tips are given.

1. Contrast between the collar and the dog’s coat is important. If the dog’s coat is lighter then go for darker colors and if the coat is dark go for light colors. For dogs with white or black coat almost all color choices can look great.
2. When choosing the collar think of color temperatures. Tan, red and brown coast are warm colors and would be complimented best with cool colors, like blue, purple and green. For a statement cool bright colors, like raspberry or turquoise, will work best. Grey coats are considered a cool color and would look best with a warm colored collar.
3. Avoid using collars that are the same color as the dog’s coat unless it has a nice contrasting pattern on it. An example of this would be a black collar with a bright yellow pattern on it for a dog with a black coat.http://theartfulgroomer.com/blog/?p=175