10 Best Dog Collars Reviews and Buyer Guide 2019

Buying the best dog collar doesn’t seem to be challenging at first. After all, it is just a piece of nylon or leather with feature attachment points and adjustability. There shouldn’t be a big problem picking the best one, right?

However, although choosing your dog collar should not be a million dollar question, the fact is that you cannot just head to Amazon and pick the first one that you see. You will need to consider a couple of factors including material, size, comfort and also your dog’s preference.

This is why we saw it wise to have a comprehensive guide on buying the best dog collar 2019. Are you ready for this? Then buckle up for a long read.

If you are in a hurry, check out our recommendation list below.

Image	Product
	Pop View New Version Humane Bark Collar It is user-friendly with a long-lasting battery	Check Price
	The Best Industries Bark Collar Comes with 5 levels of bark detection and adjustable sensitivity settings	Check Price
	DogRook No Bark Vibrating Collar Has 7 customized vibration levels	Check Price
	GoTags Personalized Dog Collar Bright and readable from far	Check Price
	Pop View Upgrade Version Bark Collar Has 7 adjustable levels of sensitivity	Check Price
	Blueberry Pet Classic Solid Color Dog Collar Has a sturdy nylon material that makes it waterproof	Check Price
	Kurgo Muck Collar Waterproof Dog Collar Is durable and PVC free	Check Price
	Perri’s Padded Leather Collar Made of soft yet durable lambskin	Check Price
	Custom Catch Personalized Dog Collar Can be engraved with dog’s name and contact details	Check Price
	PetSafe Stay and Play Fence Collar Allows adding other canines to the system	Check Price

Buying the best dog collar

What Are the Factors You Need to Keep In Mind?

 

Safety and Responsibility

A dog collar should not cause harm; it is meant to discourage certain behaviors. Therefore, you need to avoid traditional “shock collars” as they are inhumane. Instead, go for collars that deliver vibration, tone, and other humane stimulation.

Ensure the dog collar you buy feature control of stimulation technology (COS) for optimal safety. The owner can select either a vibration or tone.

 

Size and Temperament of Your Dog

A dog collar will not work as required if it doesn’t fit properly. While most of them are adjustable, you will need to make sure you don’t buy a collar designed for larger dog breeds if you have a smaller dog breed or vice versa.

Also, keep in mind that stubborn dogs or larger dogs need more stimulation. However, too much stimulation can be counterproductive. Read the description of the dog training collar in question to make sure it is powerful enough, yet still humane for your dog.

 

Range

How far do you allow your dog to roam? Most dog collars on the market have a standard range of a ½ mile. However, you can opt for more if you intend to give your dog more area to roam. Too much range is never a problem, but too little could be. There are dog training collars with ranges of even 1 mile.

 

Material

The most common dog collar material is leather and nylon. So which is the best material for a dog collar?

Nylon is the most popular dog collar material because it is cheap and comes in multiple lovely colors. It is also lightweight making it an attractive option for puppies and small dog breed.

Leather, on the other hand, is quite pricey, but it is more durable and withstands for a longer time. However, you need to keep in mind what makes a collar last for a long time is the care you put into it. If you take good care of a dog collar made of nylon, it can last for years.

Regarding safety and comfort, both nylon and leather are comfy. However, nylon can stretch and get a strangulation hazard because it tangles instead of breaking when a lot of force is applied to it or when it gets caught on something. Leather, on the other hand, can break when a lot of force is put into it. However, it tends to be stronger.

Overall, both have their pros and cons, and in the end, the choice is yours. Nylon is cheap but not as durable and softer as leather.

 

Type of Dog Collar

This is another important thing to consider. There are different types of dog collars, and therefore you need to know the best one for your dog. Here are the common types of dog collars;

 

Standard Dog Collar

This is a simple collar that comes with either a buckle snap or a breakaway snap. A collar with a breakaway snap is better as it releases quickly, which is useful if your puppy or dog gets stuck on something. It helps prevent strangling and choking. Those with buckle snaps takes more to get undone.

 

Slip Collar

This collar comes with a leash in an all-in-one design. Instead of the metal snap hook, it includes a stopper to prevent your dog from slipping out of it easily. They are great when you are walking your dog outdoor as it helps correct it. When he gets distracted, you simply grab its hook and bring back to track easily.

 

Vibrating Collar

This type of collar is electric and uses a remote to control a dog’s collar. The collar makes a slight vibration to alert your dog. It is great for training your dog and can be great for outdoor walks as you can call your dog back when it starts wandering.

 

Martingale Collar

These are the best collars for dogs with slim necks such as the Afghan hound and Greyhounds. It is designed for dogs that have a habit of slipping out of their collars. With a martingale collar on, it is quite impossible for your dog to pull it out as it closes gently on your dog’s neck when he attempts to pull it forward or back up with the intention of removing it.

 

Personalized Collar

A custom collar can serve both as a decorative fashion as well as a training tool. A personalized dog collar can bear the name of your dog on it, as well as your contact information. Therefore, in case your dog roam far away from home, someone who finds him can contact you or bring him home safely.

 

Choke Collar

These are metallic in nature and come with prongs which helps to tame a dog. In case your dog tries to pull on the leash, the prongs tighten around the neck. They are usually used as punishment training tools since they cause pain. They help correct a particular behavior.

However, on the downsides, these collars do not address the cause of your dog’s negative behavior. It will make your dog obey at the time it has it on, but will not likely learn from it. For training, it is better to use positive reinforcement training and other types of collars, but not this one.

 

GPS Collar

This collar uses GPS technology to help you locate your dog in case he gets lost.

 

Shock Collar

This collar acts as punishment collar as well. It emits an electric shock to alert your dog that he is doing something you don’t like or you disapprove, such as excessive barking. Again, if you are concerned about a long-term solution, use this collar alongside other positive reinforcement training. If you use this collar for a long time, it might cause stress to your dog and also increase its aggressive behavior.

 

Other Consideration

Are you buying a dog collar for an adult dog or puppy?

Because of their inquisitive nature, puppies need a flat breakaway collar than the traditional buckle type. This is down to the fact that they are more playful and energetic and their collars tend to get stuck in twigs and branches.

Adult dogs can be more behaved, and you can use any collar on them since they are used to wearing them. They don’t tend to scratch at them or pull as much.

 

Waterproof Collar

Vinyl and leather make the best waterproof dog collars. For dogs that like getting wet a lot or spend most of their time outside, you should consider buying collars that are made out of waterproof materials.
With a waterproof collar, your dog can venture in wet weather. If your dog likes swimming, this is a necessity.

 

Reflective Collar

If you like walking with your dog at night or even afternoon in winter, you need to get a dog collar with a reflective or light material. This allows you to keep track of your dog when he is a few meters ahead of you. More importantly, a reflective collar allows motorists and other people to see your pooch or pup as well.

 

Dog Collar vs. Dog Harness? Which Should You Buy?

If you know that your dog is well behaved and well-trained, then a dog collar and simple dog leash are all you need.

We do not recommend prolonged usage of shock or choke collars as a method of training or punishing your dog. Even for dogs with aggressive behavior, these shock collars can be dangerous and harmful for your dog.
If your pooch frequently lunges when walking or continually pulls on a leash, he may be a good candidate for a harness. Some small breeds like Chihuahuas are quite delicate, and you shouldn’t subject them to a collar all the time.

If you are unsure about what is the best option for a pooch, just err on the dog harness side.

 

Getting the Size Right

When deciding on the right size of a dog collar, a good rule of thumb to follow is to add 2 inches to the circumference of your dog’s neck. Use a clothing tape measure to get your dog’s neck measurement.

Getting the measurement right is important for your dog’s comfort and safety. If the collar gets too tight, your dog can have breathing problems and cause a lot of discomforts. If it gets too loose, it can cause your dog to get entangled or caught on objects or even fall off.

To ensure a collar fit perfectly, your two fingers should fit under it. This keeps the collar comfortable, but loose enough to not interrupt breathing.

You also need to consider the width of the collar. The wider the collar, the more restrictive and heavier it will be. Smaller dog breeds and puppies should be fitted with narrower collars while larger dog breeds are better suited to thicker collars.

It is important to regularly check the fit of the collar with the 2 finger rule as your dog changes weight.

 

You now have all the information you need to choose the best dog collar for your furry friend. Here are the top 10 best dog collars you can choose from;

 

 

Final Thoughts

There could be hundreds of different types of dog collars on the market. With these many choices, choosing the right one may feel like a daunting task. The information on our buyer’s guide will help you decide which the best collar for your dog is. Arming yourself with the right information makes it easier for you to narrow down your choices.

Choosing the right dog collar for your dog will make it easier for him to get used to wearing a collar since it is comfortable for them. With the above best dog collars, you cannot go wrong choosing the best one for your pooch. We hope you have found the right dog collar on our list.

 

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• 10 Best Dog Training Collar Reviews and Buyer Guide
• 10 Best Dog Harnesses Reviews and Buyer Guide