When to Use Leather or Nylon Collars for Your Dog
Posted on May 23, 2008
Filed Under Dog Accessories |
My husband trains hunting dogs as a second income business. He started by training our dogs. When he went hunting with his friends, they were impressed with how well our dogs performed during the hunting trips. Our friends began asking him to train their dogs and this has expanded into a part time business. He trains the dogs to respond to a whistle as well as hand and verbal commands. When he is training for upland bird hunting, he uses choke collars and for water retrieves he uses nylon dog collars.
The choke collar provides more control for keeping the dogs steady and at a close enough hunting range so any birds they flush will be in shooting range. The nylon dog collars ensure the dogs can be identified if they get away from him. The nylon collars are lighter weight for the dogs to wear while in the water and they dry quickly. In the past he used leather collars, however the leather took a long time to dry and they also caused discoloration around the dog’s neck. Leather collars also tend to hold the smell of the oils from the dog’s coat.
My husband encourages the owners to purchase a variety of collars for their dogs. He wants them to have the choke collars that will be the proper size for the dog as it grows. He also wants nylon dog collars in a variety of widths depending on the activity the dog is doing. Ill fitting collars can be harmful for a dog. If the collar is too tight, the dogs will be uncomfortable, and if it is too loose it can snag on brush or debris that is under the water. A collar should fit so it is too snug for the dog to slip out of, but loose enough so two fingers can be slipped between the collar and the dog’s neck.
Most of the nylon dog collars are adjustable, but they should still be close to the proper size. Nylon collars are inexpensive so you can afford to replace them as the dog’s neck size changes.
During leash training my husband uses leather leashes. They are heavier in weight so the dog adjusts to the concept of being attached to you. Also the leather is more difficult for a dog to chew through if it is used to tie him up. We had one dog that could chew through a nylon leash if we would stop to talk to someone during a walk. She was so good at doing this that it would take her less than a minute to be off and running on her own.
It is great to have a dog that is well trained.
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