Most of us put a collar on our dogs without putting much thought into buying it other than its color or style. After its on the Dog we don't even think twice about it. There are many factors that need to go into your collar buying decision other than looks or color, these two things should be the last items on the list. Follow these tips and thoughts next time you are going to buy a collar for your dog. Also follow some of this advice now for the collar that is currently on your Dog. Don't think your Dog needs a collar? How are you going to attach his ID, license, medical and contact information in case he gets away?

So its time for a new collar, what kind to get? A nylon, leather, head collar, chain or a choke collar. It depends on your needs and what you are going to use it for. If its just for walking or wearing then a standard nylon or leather one is the best way to go.

A normal collar is needed for everyday walking and wearing, so what size to get? The normal rule of thumb says you should be able to get two fingers underneath the collar. It should not be so tight to choke your dog or too loose where they can slip out of it.

Measuring length: Measure around your Dog's neck using a cloth measuring tape positioned where the collar sits on the neck. The width of the collar can be smaller and more proportional to your dog's size. 1" for larger dogs, 3/4" for medium dogs and 1/2" or smaller for small or toy dogs.

A flat collar or a Martingale Collar? A flat collar is the standard collar for Dogs. It has a buckle or a plastic, quick release closure with a metal ring for attaching your leash, ID tags, etc. They are usually made of nylon or leather. Most breeds can wear a flat collar. A Martingale collar is designed for dogs with narrow heads such as Greyhounds. Its designed so a narrow head dog cannot slip and back out of his collar. If you don't have a narrow head breed and he is slipping out of his collar its probably because the collar is not the right size or fitted properly.

Do you want a head, choke or chain (pinching) collar because your Dog pulls a lot and you want to control them? Its OK to buy these but only for training purposes, they should not be used for normal everyday walking and wearing. These types of collars, in addition to the Electronic Training Collars, should be used for training purposes only and not walking. They put too much of a strain on your Dog for everyday or all day use and are not designed for that purpose.

Electronic Training Collars are for training purposes only. They should not be worn for everyday walking or all day use.

Flea and tick collars are worn in addition to a regular collar, do not attempt to hook a leash around one of these. They contain chemicals to help protect your dog against fleas and ticks.

Flea and Tick collars are usually effective for a short time and need to be replaced regularly.

Follow these Dog Collar tips and advice to make sure that your Dog is fitted and wearing the appropriate collar. Doing this is not only a comfort situation for your Dog but also a safety one. Lets keep our Dog a Smiley one.