There are a variety of collars that serve different purposes.
There are collars specifically designed to keep dogs from escaping, some made to stop dogs from pulling on their leash, and some work as a correction tool to help modify a dog’s unwanted behavior. You will also find collars that can help keep track of a canine’s whereabouts and movements, ones designed to reduce anxiety in dogs with noise sensitivity or separation anxiety, and many more!
Regardless of which collar you are looking for, or you just want to read up on different collars out there, you’ve come to the right place! So, without further ado, let’s go over the many different types of collars available for dogs.
Best Basic Dog Collar For Puppies - Blueberry Pet Essentials
Just bring home a puppy and look to get them a new collar? A basic nylon dog collar is best for a young, growing pup. The reason is that nylon collars are lightweight, inexpensive, and durable. Plus, nylon tolerates moisture and humidity better than leather.
And something like the Blueberry Pet Essentials would be perfect! It is not only made of high-density nylon fabric but is also adjustable. Now, being adjustable is crucial as you know puppies grow very fast. And having an adjustable collar means you don’t have to buy several collars as your puppy gets bigger!
This particular dog collar is also affordable, comes in many different colors, and has many different sizes available, so you can easily find one that fits your little one perfectly.
Pros & Cons Compared to Other Basic Dog Collars
PROS
- High-density nylon fabric
- Adjustable
- Affordable
- Customizable, allowing you to have your phone number and your dog's name embroidered onto the collar
CONS
- The buckle isn't sturdy enough
Best Leather Collar For Dogs - Perri's Padded Leather Dog Collars
Many dog owners prefer leather collars for good reasons. Leather is incredibly durable and can outlast many other materials. And because leather is natural and organic, it is comfortable for most canines to wear and is especially suitable for dogs with sensitive skin.
If you are thinking of getting a leather collar for your furry best friend, then the Perri’s Padded Dog Leather Collar would be a great pick. Handmade by Amish craftsmen using only top-quality leather, lined with genuine lambskin padding, and finished with stainless steel or solid brass hardware, what’s not to love about this dog collar.
And from the materials used to the quality of craftsmanship, Perri’s Padded Leather Dog Collars are just utter perfection. I also love that there are 40 different colors you can choose from, which you usually won’t find this many options with other leather collars.
Pros & Cons Compared to Other Leather Dog Collars
PROS
- Genuine leather and lined with padded lambskin, making it very comfortable for dogs to wear
- Durable and is resistant to daily wear and tear
- Attractive
CONS
- Because it's handmade, the collar you get may run a bit smaller or larger than advertised, although you can get a replacement.
Best Dog Collar For Pulling, Training, Behavior Modification, & to Prevent Escape
Slip Collar
The favorite collar among many dog trainers and handlers is the slip lead for dogs.
This lead and collar combo is a training tool designed to tighten around a dog’s neck when the dog pulls on its leash and loosens once it stops, ultimately helping them learn to behave and walk properly. And as its name suggests, the slip collar for dogs slips right over your dog’s neck and adjusts easily to fit perfectly.
And one of the best slip collars out there would definitely be the Mendota Pet Slip Leash. It is handmade using premium quality, waterproof, multi-filament polypropylene rope that is durable and comfortable for handlers to hold and for dogs to wear.
What’s also great about the Mendota Pet Slip Leash is that it comes with a leather slider, which essentially is a stopper that helps keep the lead from slipping open and making sure it stays in place.
Pros & Cons Compared to Other Slip Leads
PROS
- It is one of the most well-known 2-in-1 leash and collar systems, so you can rest assured of its quality
- The rope is soft on hands and easy on a dog's coat and skin
- Waterproof, durable, and machine washable
- It has a leather stopper to ensure it's secure and finished with either brass, satin nickel, or black metallic hardware
CONS
- No reflective material
Head Halter
Head halters, also known as a dog training head collar, is another training equipment designed to give pet owners more control over their pups and prevent unwanted behavior like pulling, lunging, and jumping up on people.
This type of collar comes with a strap that encircles a dog’s muzzle with another strap that goes around the dog’s neck just behind the ears. It works much like a no-pull dog harness, allowing you to guide and redirect your pooch’s attention and head towards you when they try to pull, except that it applies pressure to your canine’s nose or the back of their neck instead of their body.
And when it comes to choosing a head halter for dogs, I’d definitely go for the PetSafe Gentle Leader Head Collar. The reason is that this headcollar has an adjustable, padded neoprene nose loop that offers a more comfortable fit. Plus, it is easy to put on and is recommended by veterinarians and dog trainers.
Pros & Cons Compared to Other Dog Training Head Collars
PROS
- Great value for money
- It is well-tolerated by most dogs
- Veterinarians and trainers recommended headcollar, so it's unlikely to go wrong with it
- Reputable brand
CONS
- No safety clip or strap attaches to your dog's collar
Martingale Collar
A martingale collar for dogs, also called a no-slip collar, works similarly to slip leads. Featuring two loops, with the larger loop fitting around your dog’s neck and the smaller loop comes with a D-ring for attaching the leash, designed to tighten on your fido’s neck when they pull on their leash, loosen up when they stop and also prevent your canine friend from backing out of it.
This type of collar is made for dogs with a head smaller than their neck, like Greyhounds, Whippets, Salukis, Azawakhs, and other sighthound breeds, to keep them from slipping free. But, of course, that’s not to say that it can’t be used for other Houdini hounds.
One of the bestselling and most popular martingale collars for dogs is perhaps the Country Brook Petz Martingale Collar, and there’s a good reason for that. It is made of heavy-duty nylon webbing that’s also soft against your dog’s skin, with welded rings and box stitching on pressure points for added strength, yet only costs $10.95! Also, there are no buckles or clips whatsoever, meaning there’s nothing that can potentially rub and chafe your pup.
Pros & Cons Compared to Other Martingale Dog Collars
PROS
- Very affordable
- Comfortable for most dogs thanks to its soft and silky nylon webbing
- It has a buckle-free design to provide added security
- The hardware is nickel-plated to prevent corrosion
CONS
- No reflective stitching
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Dog Bark Collar
Does your dog bark excessively and keep you and your neighbors up all night long? If that’s the case, then you might want to try out a bark collar for dogs.
A dog barking collar is exactly what its name suggests, a training tool designed specifically to stop your canine’s nuisance barking through the use of different deterrents, from mild static shock or vibration to a citronella spray. The best part? These collars will trigger the correction themselves whenever the sensor picks up your dog’s barking.
Since there are various types out there, we’ve put together a list of the top-rated no-bark collars for dogs on the market today, including a comprehensive buying guide. So make sure to check it out if you’re interested in purchasing one.
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Dog Shock Collar
What about dog shock collars, you say? Well, they are similar to anti-bark collars but come with a remote control instead, allowing you to manually trigger and emit a shock or vibration to correct your dog as they misbehave.
That also means you can use shock collars to correct other unwanted behavior like digging, jumping on people, and preventing destructive chewing. The correction level is also adjustable, giving you the ability to customize and fine-tune the intensity to match your pup’s temperament.
And when used in conjunction with positive reinforcement training methods such as treat-based techniques, these training tools will work wonders. In fact, the same technology and concept behind these devices are used in various products and prove to be very effective, like underground fences for dogs that keep canines safe and secure within a designated boundary.
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Choke Chain
Also called a choke collar or chain collar, choke chains for dogs are made of metal links and used to correct undesirable behavior. It is rather popular among dog trainers but is also one of the most controversial tools.
It is similar to a slip lead in the sense that it basically works the same way, but there’s no stopper to keep it high on the neck, which will require you to use more force, and that it delivers sharper corrections. The idea behind using these collars is whenever your dog does something undesirable, you can pop the lead to give them a correction or reminder to follow your commands.
But, like anything that uses aversive methods, using choke chains for dogs is not without its risks. And although I’m not a fan of choke collars, plus some warn against their use due to the damage they may potentially cause, I have to admit that they are a very effective training tool, and you can see rapid results with them.
But of course, it ultimately is up to you to determine what’s best for your pup, and you should carefully learn how to fit these training tools before using one yourself. However, if you decide to go with one, I would recommend the Coastal Pet Titan Heavy Chain Collar simply because it’s well-made, easy to use, and sturdy yet very affordable.
Pros & Cons Compared to Other Choke Collars
PROS
- Affordable
- Argon welded and chrome-plated, making it very durable and can handle the full pulling force of large dogs
- It resists tarnish and rust
CONS
- Some dog owners appear to have sizing problems, so make sure to watch the video on how to select one that fits perfectly
Prong Collar
Another controversial dog training equipment and a step up from choke chains are prong collars or pinch collars. One of the best and most recognizable ones out there is, without a doubt, the Herm Sprenger Chrome Plated Steel Prong Collar.
They look like choke chains but have prongs pointing inwards, which will press into your dog’s neck and apply equal pressure when corrected. And while their design can look intimidating at first glance, they are not made to harm dogs. In fact, if you look closely, the chain is on a martingale, which will control the pressure your pup receives. Plus, the prongs have blunted points that won’t dig into your dog’s skin.
Some dog owners swear by their effectiveness, while others prefer not to use it as they may cause injury to the dog’s thyroid, esophagus, and trachea. But can these collars really injure your dog, though? No. This training tool should not cause any damage to your pup if you use it correctly.
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Hunting Dog GPS Tracking Collar - For Hunting
A hunting dog GPS tracking collar or system typically comes with a receiver collar and a handheld transmitter that allows hunters to locate and communicate with their gun dogs during a hunting trip. The higher-end ones will also enable hunters to track multiple dogs and see their gundog’s hunting style and behavior.
There are two main types of hunting dog GPS tracking collars: telemetry and GPS.
A telemetry system uses radio frequencies to communicate between the collar and handheld unit. It has a farther line of sight, but it won’t tell you exactly how far away your dog is from you.
In comparison, a GPS tracking system uses satellites for communication, which will give you much more accurate information on the distance between you and your dog and will tell you the direction your gundog is running in.
Make sure to check out our article on the best GPS hunting dog collars if you are looking to purchase one, where we list our top picks and features to consider.
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Dog GPS Collar Tracker - For Tracking & Health Monitoring
A dog GPS collar tracker allows you to keep track of your fido’s real-time position from your smartphone, which is especially useful for owners who have an escape artist or a dog who loves wandering off on their own. Some models aren’t just limited to tracking your dog’s whereabouts, but they can also provide you with information on your canine’s location history, health, and activity level.
These trackers come in either cellular or non-cellular options. The cellular option requires you to pay a monthly fee for the GPS monitoring service, while the non-cellular ones work through an application on your phone and require no additional charges since they don’t rely on cell phone signals to work.
We also have an article that talks about everything you need to know about GPS dog collars, including some of the best options on the market, explaining how these devices work and answering some frequently asked questions.
Dog Calming Collar - For Anxious Dogs
We all know that vet visits, fireworks, thunderstorms, and other loud noise-related events can be very stressful for some dogs. This is where a calming dog collar comes in.
Also known as a DAP collar, a calming dog collar is a device that has been clinically proven to reduce stress, anxiety, and over-excitement in dogs. They work by giving off a gentle, soothing scent that mimics the ones produced by mother dogs through mammary glands during lactation to create a sense of calm and safety for puppies.
I’ve tried out plenty of DAP collars in the past, but by far, the most effective one I find is the Adaptil Calm On-The-Go-Collar. What’s so great about it is that it contains 5% DAP, which is one of the highest DAP compositions you will find in a calming collar. Plus, it is recommended by most veterinarians.
Pros & Cons Compared to Other Calming Collars
PROS
- It has the highest DAP concentration
- Recommended by vets
CONS
- It is slightly more expensive
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Dog Cone Collar - For Surgery Recovery
If your pup gas recently underwent surgery, they may need to wear a cone collar.
A dog cone or Elizabethan collar is a type of protective medical device used to keep dogs from licking and chewing the wound or surgical site to allow for a quick recovery and is shaped in a truncated cone, hence its name.
While some vets will give you a free Elizabethan collar, there are some more comfortable alternatives out there made of cardboard with soft fabric on the edges to prevent it from cutting into your dog’s neck.
