Do know that flat buckle collars and Martingale collars can still cause dogs neck injury if the dogs are constantly pulling against them. If your dog pulls against his collar, regardless if he weighs 5 pounds or 150 pounds, stop this behavior before your dog gets hurt.
Most pet owners do not realize this, but flat buckle collars are a potential choking hazard, and as such should not be left on while your pet is unattended or during play with other animals. Martingale collars come in a wide variety of colors just like flat buckle collars, but are not as common.
Flat collars are simple and affordable for everyday use. They can be used effectively during your typical dog walks and training.
Flat collar: Flat collars are the standard collar. They're typically nylon, rubber, or leather and lay flat against the dog's neck. A D-ring, or metal loop, is usually sewn into them to attach ID tags and a dog leash. Flat collars are ideal for well-trained dogs who do not pull while walking.
The head collar is good for strong, energetic dogs who may jump and/or pull. Because the halter is around your dog's muzzle, instead of their neck, your dog loses a great deal of leverage and they are unable to pull on the leash with the full weight of their body.
Rolled collars apply too much pressure to your dog's windpipe. Rolled leather collars risk damaging the trachea. They are much thinner and narrower than flat collars. Wide, flat collars, evenly distribute the pressure on the trachea and are less dangerous.
Neck Damage
Repeated stress on the neck can even lead to long-term medical issues—including damaging the thyroid glands and tissues around the neck area and salivary glands, she says. A chest harness can be a safer alternative to neck collars that put a lot of strain on a dog's neck, she adds.
In general, harnesses are easier on dogs than collars. For example, a good harness can alleviate back pain. They're also far less likely to pull on your dog's throat, causing injury. If you have a dog that loves to pull hard while walking, you'll want to consider a harness.
A perfect fitting collar should sit comfortably around your dog's neck, flat against the coat, and allow one or two fingers between the collar and their coat. Don't get too caught up in the style of your dog's collar.
When used in the right setting, a slip lead isn't necessarily cruel. However, slip leads can be harmful if used on an untrained dog. As a slip lead won't stop tightening, you could hurt your fur-baby if they're not trained to stop pulling on a leash.
A properly-fitted martingale collar should be just tight enough to prevent the dog from backing out of the collar, no matter how hard they pull. These work great for escape-artist dogs, and I like them because they loosen up when the dog isn't pulling, unlike a flat collar fitted tight enough to prevent escape.
The Royal Vista Vets, a veterinary clinic in Colorado, has released a statement warning pet owners that dog collars can be a strangulation hazard at home as they can easily catch on furniture and send dogs into a panic.
When measuring the circumference of your dog's neck with a measuring tape, you can follow the two-finger rule. There should be enough room to slip two fingers between the collar and your dog's neck. Alternatively, you can add a few centimeters to the size of your dog's neck.
Use the “two finger” rule: Once the dog's collar is fastened, you should be able to easily slide two fingers under the collar. When you slide the width of your two fingers between the collar and neck, the collar should feel snug, but not tight.
It's recommended that you should remove a dog collar from around their neck at the end of every day.
Make sure you can fit two fingers between the collar and your dog's neck; a properly fitted head collar will be loose enough for you to fit one finger between the base of their neck and the collar—anything more is too tight, and To test whether it's too tight or too lose, you should be able to fit two fingers between ...