Studies show that an astounding 26,000 dogs a year suffer from injury or death due to collar strangulation accidents, and that breakaway collars could in almost every case have prevented death or injury. Choosing the best puppy collar for your puppy’s unique needs requires a bit of research. There are a lot of puppy collars and leashes on the market and they are available in a wide variety of materials and designs.
Polls reveal that the most popular choice in puppy collars is nylon, because it is affordable and durable. Keep in mind that this is a temporary collar as your puppy will grow out of it pretty quickly. Depending on your puppy’s needs, you might consider a breakaway collar, the clasp of which will open if it gets snagged on branches or other obstructions that have the potential to choke your puppy. This option isn’t a good one for walks, but it might be the way to go if your puppy spends a lot of time in a fenced backyard, alone in your home or playing with other dogs.
The widest puppy collars offer the best leash control while out on walks, but they may be uncomfortable as your puppy rests. Consider purchasing 2 or 3 different collars to be switched up depending on the activity – one for resting at home, one for walks and a third for training. Martingale puppy collars are an especially good choice for training exercises as it allows the handler to put even pressure on the puppy’s neck instead of on the throat, which can cause choking and breathing difficulty. If you stumbled upon this page looking for a leather dog harness, click here for more information.
Best Puppy Collars – Top 5 Collar Comparison
#1 Best Puppy Collars: All4pet Soft Nylon Puppy Collars Puppy ID Collars whelping litter collars 8/12/20pcs/set (Budget)
The All4pet Soft Nylon Puppy Collars are at the top of the list because they are affordable yet durable and versatile. They are easily adjustable, which means that they will grow with your puppy until it is time to get a more permanent collar for your adult dog.
They also feature breakaway clasps for safety and are soft enough not to irritate your puppy’s skin, which is an important consideration when looking for the best puppy collar for your pet. They are washable and have a loop for ID tags as well as a loop to secure a leash. Considering you get twelve different collars (all featuring a different color) for $28.95, each individual collar only costs $2.41, making this value pack a very good deal for new puppy owners and breeders alike.
#2 Best Puppy Collars: No Bark Collar Dog Training (Premium)
Scientific surveys show that as much as a third of puppies bark excessively. Barking is a natural communication behavior for dogs and puppies, but if your puppy barks incessantly with no apparent reason, you might consider getting the No Bark Collar Dog Training puppy collar. Unlike inhumane collars that shock dogs whenever they bark, the No Bark Collar Dog Training uses vibrations and sound cues to help your puppy get his or her barking under control. It is important to note that you should not expect your puppy to stop barking completely – only to teach him or her when it is appropriate to do so. You should also consult with a veterinarian if you suspect your puppy is barking because of health reasons or an anxiety disorder.
The No Bark Collar Dog Training puppy collar will fit any dog or puppy between 5 and 150 pounds, making it the ideal training tool for a growing pet. Its $22.95 price tag makes it affordable. Studies show that owners will see positive results within the first 14 days.
#3 Best Puppy Collars: Personalized Premium Dog Collar with Metal Clasp (Premium)
Research shows that 80% of pet owners think it’s important for their pet to wear ID tags, but only one in three reports that their pets always have their tags on. The main reason, they say, is that their pet is either an indoor pet or that they find the tags uncomfortable to wear around the house. But indoor pets often find a way to escape, and tags can be noisy as your puppy walks around. One solution may be to use a Personalized Premium Dog Collar with Metal Clasp. These puppy collars feature text of your choice, which can include your pet’s name and your phone number (up to 24 characters). The collars are sturdy and comfortable, making it easy to leave them on all the time without the hassle of pet tags (which can get lost or fade over time, making them harder to decipher). The Personalized Premium Dog Collar with Metal clasp also features a loop for leash attachment, comes in a variety of sizes and colors and retails for $24.95. Some companies offer puppy collars and leashes with text as well.
#4 Best Puppy Collars: Moonpet Soft Padded Real Leather Dog Collar (Premium)
This is the best puppy collar in the leather category that this study found on the market. Ideal for walks and training because of its width, it will also be comfortable for your puppy while he or she is resting thanks to its padded interior. The genuine leather is soft and will not irritate your puppy’s skin or mat his or her hair. The Moonpet Soft Padded Real Leather Dog Collar comes in a variety of colors, is adjustable and can also be imprinted with your puppy’s name and phone number for extra safety. It also features a heavy duty brass leash or tag loop attachment that is guaranteed not to rust. Sizes range from 12 to 22 inches, making it ideal for larger breed puppies. Moonpet also makes puppy leashes to match their puppy collars. The collar retails for $23.99, and the leash for $19.99, and offers full refunds or exchanges if their products do not meet your expectations.
#5 Best Puppy Collars: Puppy Bumper (Premium)
The Puppy Bumper is a safety collar intended to keep your puppy safely inside a fence. It is ideal for owners who live in an apartment with a balcony (featuring wide spaces between metal fence posts) or a yard with a fence that may allow for enough space for a puppy to escape through. This puppy collar actually requires a regular collar to be threaded through its loops in order to safely stay around your puppy’s neck. Puppy Bumpers have proved to be invaluable in making sure that puppies do not run away or fall from a balcony when properly secured. It is machine washable and fits puppies with necks from 13 to 16 inches. The Puppy Bumper retails for $22.50.
Criteria used in this study’s product selection:
- Safety: This study researched the Internet and relevant articles and research papers to ensure that all the puppy collars and leashes features within were safe for puppies and would not in any way harm or hinder puppies or dogs when used appropriately. Safety and the welfare of puppies was the most important factor considered.
- Effectiveness: This study researched the Internet and polled customers to ensure that only the best puppy collars made the top 5 list. All puppy collars and leashes listed therein have been proven effective in their capacity (walking, training, safety, etc.). Ease of use, maintenance and added benefits (such as breakaway, etc.) were compared here.
- Price efficiency: For this study we have intensively researched sellers, web sites and other parties to ensure that we listed only the most price efficient items according to their usefulness and compared to prices offered by competitors. The products were then broken down into two categories (premium; $15 and up) and budget ($15 and under) based on individual unit price.
How to properly select, fit and manage your puppy collar (and other helpful hints):
- Size your dog’s neck using a flexible ruler. This should give you a good idea of the collar size you should be getting.
- Once you have your puppy’s collar, fit it around his or her neck ensuring that it is snug but not too tight. You should be able to slide the width of two fingers comfortably between the collar and your puppy’s neck.
- Make sure to regularly check the fit of your puppy’s collar around his or her neck. Puppies grow much faster than it appears and it is important that their collars be adjusted as needed to ensure that they aren’t too tight.
- Once your puppy has outgrown his or her first collar, select an adult dog’s collar that suits his or her personality and special needs without delay. If your puppy pulls while on walks, you might consider a Martingale collar. If you have a smaller dog and are concerned about it escaping the yard through a fence, consider a puppy bumper collar. For comfort, durability and style, a padded leather collar might be right for you and your dog.
- Consider getting several collars to be used in different activities. There are many good puppy collars out there that are made especially for training, barking control, comfort or just plain style. It’s a good idea to rotate your puppy’s collar as needed, but make sure that you either have ID stitched onto each collar or switch your pet’s ID tags whenever you change his or her collar.
- If your puppy or grown dog at any time seems uncomfortable with his or her collar, if they scratch or whine, consult a veterinarian without delay. Some collar materials can be abrasive, and some dogs are allergic to certain materials which could cause burning, itching, hair loss and skin damage. Selecting a collar made of a different material often solves the problem, as long as the affected area has been treated and is completely healed before the new collar is fit around the dog’s neck.
- Whenever in doubt do some hands on research. Ask your veterinarian, dog trainer or even the staff at your local pet store about any questions you may have about what the best puppy collars offer, and what to consider before buying. The better educated that you are about your individual puppy and his or her unique needs, the better off the puppy will be. This study is meant to provide a short list of some of the best puppy collars on the market to save time, but each puppy is unique and has unique needs.
If you found other customer’s reviews helpful in making your choice, consider leaving your own after purchasing a specific puppy collar. In this way, you’ll be helping other pet owners make the right choice for their pups.
