Adjustable Nylon Collars
Adjustable Nylon Dog Collars
The adjustable nylon collar is by far the most common collar on the market. They tend to be one of the cheapest ways to go and are very versatile. When raising a puppy, you may only need one or two of these collars until they are fully grown. The only downside to these collars is that they can be a bit slippery. I, personally, have a Korean Jindo and this breed has a thin neck, but tons of thick fur. I've had my dog slip out of his collar unless it is on extremely tight, so I switched to using a harness. However, for most dogs, the adjustable nylon collar is the best choice of collars.
Buckle Collar
Adjustable Buckle Collar
The buckle collar is a great collar for an adult dog. They come in leather or nylon and work well on well-adjusted dogs that are not aggressive and do not need any further training. In addition, most designer collars are buckle collars, such as the Chanel dog collar (extremely hard to purchase).
Chain Collars
These collars are not recommended for inexperienced dog owners or dog owners who have a temper problem. The chain collars come in two varieties. Both slip and tighten when the dog pulls too much, but one comes with internal spikes and the other does not. For most smaller dogs, the spikes are not necessary; however, as a dog walker, I have had to use the spiked chain collar for some bigger, tougher breeds like the Great Dane and the Rhodesian Ridgeback. These collars can seriously injure a dog and should never be used unsupervised or by novice trainers.
Harnesses
Holt No-Tug Dog Harness
The harness is the best, safest way to control an adult dog. Although, more expensive than a buckle or adjustable nylon collar, the harness protects the dog's neck from harm and reduces the risk of the dog being able to slip out. Until fully grown, trying to keep your dog in harnesses can get quite expensive. If you have a smaller breed like a Pomeranian, use a harness because they are already prone to collapsing tracheas and a regular collar can do damage.
Reflective Collars
Reflective Dog Collar, Black Mesh Design
The reflective collar is generally just an adjustable nylon collar that has reflective strips on it to keep you and your dog safe at night while you are out for a walk.
Sporting / Hunting Collars
Safety Orange Collars & Leads by Remington
This harness is meant for hunters and those who live in wooded areas. The harness is dyed safety orange so that your dog is not mistaken for a deer or some other animal in the woods.
Training Collars
Premier Pet Gentle Leader Training Dog Collar
Training collars are designed to make your job as trainer easier. While chain collars are considered training collars, they need special care when using them. The gentle leader is one of the leading training collar because it allows for good control over the dog without having to choke them with a chain collar. As a quick note, as a dog walker, I have had one aggressive dog that could actually slip out of the gentle leader during a tantrum. The solution was to use a two-dog coupler to attach the leash to the gentle leader and the regular collar.
~ Written by Simon P. for Doggyhelp.com
