Essential Pet Attire: Dog Collars

Dogs and dog collars go together pretty much like cars and tires--never leave home without them! Collars provide an ID for your dog, an easy way to grab control of Fido or Fifi, and a decorative accessory that can change with the seasons, the whims of the owner, or occasional circumstances like training classes or show competitions. Choices range from traditional leather, ordinary cotton or nylon webbing, plastic, and metal. Many people opt for a cotton, flat-buckle, easy-release collar, which also can be slipped over the animal's head unless it is a breed with a large head and a narrow neck. Flea and tick collars are usually plastic and are generally used as supplementary items. Metal choke-chains or prong collars are sometimes seen in training situations, especially with dogs known to pull or drag their handlers instead of heeling or paying the necessary attention to voice commands or hand signals.

ID tags are attached to collars, a requirement in most localities in the U.S., including rabies tags and local licenses. Some animal lovers recommend adding a tag with the owner's cell phone number for quick notification in the event of a lost pet. Nowadays most collars come with a metal ring for the purpose of adding various tags. The musical sound of jingling dog tags harks back to the days when hunting dogs wore bells on their collars so their handlers could follow and find them when they had cornered the prey animal. Alert owners, used to the sound their dog's tags make, can tell if one tag has been lost just by the change in tone.

Most hunters, as well as ordinary dog lovers, now appreciate such high-tech innovations as GPS tracking collars, tone beepers, and electronic motion sensors, which can provide a connection between dog and handler in situations where the two may physically be very far apart. GPS trackers supposedly can find the animal over five-mile, straight-line distances. Russian Prime Minister Putin's dog, a black lab, reportedly wears a GPS collar. However, the weight of such collars has to be taken into consideration, as four-to-eight extra ounces may not mean much to a hunting hound or German shepherd or St. Bernard but could cause problems for a chihuahua or toy terrier or Pomeranian.

Ornamental collars and brand-name collars are fashion trends that may not be appropriate for all animals or all situations. An SPCA benefit event held earlier this year exhibited a 52-carat diamond collar for a dog. As might be expected, no real dog actually modeled this jewelry treasure. Designer collars or collars advertising various companies, from John Deere to L.L. Bean, can run the gamut in pricing and usability. Lighted collars for dogwalkers wishing to be out at night are also available.

Shock collars, ones that emit a brief electric jolt or release a jet of citronella or other noxious-smelling substance, have their proponents and detractors. Owners of difficult dogs sometimes give these items a try but usually do not recommend continuous use. Other pet guardians warn against using any collars at all, citing the dangers of accidental asphyxiation should a dog ever be unsupervised.

Freak occurrences aside, dog collars are generally safe, functional, and available in many designs. They are on sale in many locations, from pet superstores to your favorite grocery or hardware outlet. Growing puppies can go through the smaller sizes quickly, and older dogs can sometimes wear out collars on a regular schedule. Some pets, my dog being a prime example, are said to appear upset when their collar is removed and watch, apparently anxiously, for it to be replaced.

So, buckle or slip on that collar, grab a leash, and go out for a walk!

Anne Eisenberg, "Think your dog is smart? Its collar may be even smarter", New York Times

Lisa Price, "Electronic dog collars ring in new era for hunting, training", Republican Herald