| iv id="body"> | | | | has blunted, metal prongs used to pinch the dog as it |
| Guess what? Just because you've finished all of your | | | | pulls on it's lead. Studies have shown that the pinch |
| research and finally decided what kind of dog to get, | | | | collar is actually safer than a choke chain. But the look |
| that doesn't mean you've finished making decisions. | | | | of the collar is enough to turn some dog owners off. |
| You still have to make the most important decision of | | | | Harnesses are also used primarily for training. There |
| all...a dog collar. | | | | are two types; a head halter (not to be confused with |
| As silly as that sounds, next to your dog's food, a | | | | a muzzle), and a body harness. The head halter acts |
| good collar is probably the most important purchase | | | | like a halter that a horse would wear (minus the bit of |
| you will make involving your new best friend. Is fashion | | | | course). Instead of pulling at the neck, like a choke |
| the most important factor in your decision? There are | | | | collar, the dog's head is the guide tool. When your new |
| plenty of colors and styles to choose from. But what if | | | | best bud pulls to far on his leash, instead of choking, his |
| training is the main factor in your decision? You have a | | | | head jerks around and you can shake your finger at |
| choice between choke chains, harnesses or electronic | | | | him. And like the choke chain and the pinch collar, the |
| shock collars. What about the simple act of | | | | head halter should not be used as the primary collar. |
| intimidation? Even the littlest Chihuahua can look | | | | Just use it for training. |
| terrifying in a spiked collar. It all depends on who you | | | | The body halter is for those dogs that for some |
| want your new best friend to be; a fashionista, a | | | | reason or another just do not learn that when they pull |
| well-behaved family member or a protector. So what | | | | to far on their choke chain, they are going to choke |
| are the choices? Let's take a look. | | | | themselves. A body harness will let your dog learn at |
| Buckle collars are exactly like they sound. They | | | | his own pace without choking himself to death. |
| connect like a belt and do not tighten on the dogs neck | | | | And finally there's the electronic shock collar, probably |
| once fastened. Quick-release collars are basically the | | | | the most evil sounding collar in existence. But in reality |
| same thing except the fastener connects with a | | | | they're not. Electronic shock collars are used for two |
| plastic closure that makes taking the collar off and on | | | | major training purposes; the Fido who won't stay put |
| a little easier. Buckle collars are made out of nylon, | | | | and the Fido who will not stop barking. An electronic |
| cotton and leather. Quick-release collars are primarily | | | | collar delivers an electric "shock" to a dog as a |
| made out of nylon. | | | | correction for a bad behavior. If the dog won't stay in |
| As far as training goes, there are several choices. A | | | | the yard, press a button. If Lassie won't stop barking, |
| nylon slip collar (also called a choke chain) in most | | | | press a button. Used under a professional's guidance, |
| people's minds is the most humane. Though in reality, | | | | electronic shock collars can be an important training |
| none of the different types of choke chains are | | | | tool. Used under a psycho's guidance, you can expect |
| inhumane, they just look intimidating. Slip collars, or | | | | a visit from your local police department. You need to |
| choke chains, have "O" rings at either end. The collar | | | | know exactly what your goals are with your dog |
| loops through one of the "O" rings to make an | | | | before buying an electronic shock collar. If you tend to |
| adjustable collar. As the dog pulls on the collar it | | | | fall more in the psycho category, stya away from the |
| tightens around his neck. These collars are used | | | | shock collar. |
| primarily for training but rarely used as an everyday | | | | There are many other types of collars available for |
| collar. Slip collars are made of braided nylon, cotton | | | | your new best bud, but they are all variations on the |
| leather or metal. | | | | collars mentioned above. The buckle and quick-release |
| Another popular training collar is the prong, or pinch, | | | | collars come in numerous colors from bright pink to |
| collar. Though this particular training collar is very | | | | basic black for the fashion conscious pooch. And for |
| popular with professional trainers, it tends to intimidate | | | | the protector in your family, spiked collars come in |
| the everyday dog owner. The pinch collar looks more | | | | sizes ranging from 10 inches to 36 inches. Even if Fido |
| like a torture device straight out a 19th century prison | | | | doesn't behave like a guard dog, he can look like one. |
| than a training device for dogs. The inside of the collar | | | | |