A simple guide to fitting a dog collar   correctly!

 

 

This guide to fitting a dog collar will help you get the correct collar for your dog, and also ensure its safety and comfort.

 

Fitting a collar correctly is essential for a number of reasons, but the key one is for safety. A collar which is too tight can cause discomfort and even choke a dog, whilst a collar that is too loose may slip off, and also it is much more likely that the collar will get snagged on something. The starting point when fitting a dog collar is to always choose a collar that matches your dog’s size. Buy a smaller and lightweight collar style for small dogs and puppies, and the broader, more durable type of collar for the bigger, stronger dog. One secret to fitting a dog collar, is to ensure it is snug but still leave enough room to fit two fingers between your dog's neck and the collar.

However, there is an exception to this finger rule when fitting a dog collar for dogs whose necks are the same size as their heads (such as Greyhounds, Whippets, and Irish Wolfhounds) as they should wear collars specifically made for their head/neck proportions. For example, the martingale collar was originally designed for dogs whose necks are larger than their heads, but they have also gained popularity among other dog breed owners for a number of reasons. For further information about fitting a dog collar of this type please refer to the link, shown below, for slip and choke dog collars.

 

When your dog already has a collar, you can use your dog's current collar measurement if it still fits correctly. Unbuckle the collar, lay it out flat and measure from the adjustment hole being used to the centre of the buckle.

If you don’t already have a dog collar that fits, then simply measure your dog's neck at the base, with a cloth measuring tape. Slip two fingers between the measuring tape, and slacken the tape until a snug fit is obtained. Should you only have a metal tape, then use string or anything that is equally as flexible, and then use the metal tape to measure the string.

 

When ordering a dog collar, it is worthwhile checking how the manufacture, or retailer, specifies the measurement of their collars to ensure that the dog collar you have selected has a sufficient range of adjustment to match your dog’s needs. For example some manufacturers state the distance in inches or centimetres from the buckle to the last hole in the collar, whilst others may use the next to last hole.

 

Take the time to introduce a dog collar to your dog, and don’t try to coerce it. If your dog appears unhappy when it first starts to wear a collar, gradually increase the amount of time it has to wear it, and give lots of encouragement. For example, it can be a good idea to put the collar on at feeding times or when having a play in the garden to establish a positive association with wearing the collar.

 

Also, after buying a collar keep a regular check on it to ensure the fitting is still correct, and it is not damaged. Check the collar to see how it is wearing and make sure that there are no signs of redness on the dog’s neck, nor any hair loss. With puppies it is essential to ensure that the collar is adjusted or even replaced with a larger one as the pups grows bigger and stronger. The need to check the collar is still correctly fitted is especially true if your dog has been somewhere where its collar may have been temporarily removed, such as after it has been for grooming or to see a vet. Additionally, leather dog collars have a tendency to stretch over time and may require to be retightened after a period of use.

 

Another reminder to go with the one about ensuring your dog collar measurement is correct, is to remember that every dog collar you own should have a current nametag attached to it. The small cost involved is a good investment towards your dog's safety and also your peace of mind.

 

We hope the above information has been helpful, but if you still have any doubts about whether your dog's collar is correctly fitted then please seek further advice.