Leash and Collar Safety

Leashes and collars are a huge part of dog safety: it allows up to keep our pets close, explore the world together, and identify our pets if they somehow get away from us. However, there are precautions every owner should take when it comes to leash and collar safety that you may not have been aware of! This blog will cover everything you need to know on keeping your pet safe!

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What type of leash and collar is best for my pet?

There are so many different types, it can be hard to choose! Generally, the best types of collars have a buckle and can be easily removed by releasing the buckle mechanism. Martingale collars have a built in design that cinches the collar when pressure is applied to temporarily tighten the collar to prevent it from slipping over your pet's head. Slip/ chain collars also tighten when pets start pulling ahead, and can be a useful training tool* for learning leash manners or obedience. Head collars (also known as Gentle Leaders) can be a great option for pets that tend to charge ahead, as it reroutes their focus back to the person holding the leash. A harness is a great option that evenly distributes force across the chest and torso for pets that need to avoid extra pressure on their neck/trachea. Speak to you veterinarian or a pet training specialist about what they recommend for your pet.

*Training collars and leashes can be a great tool, but can be dangerous or harmful if used incorrectly. Always consult a professional and only use products as instructed.

Fit is EVERYTHING!

It is super important that whatever type of leash and collar you have selected, the fit is correct: not too tight or too loose! As a general rule of thump, an adult should be able to easily and comfortably fit at least 2 fingers between your pet's neck and the collar. The collar should no be able to slip off and over your pet's head. Similarly, if you are fitting your pet for a harness, it should be tight enough that they cannot slip or back out of it, but not sliding too much against your pet's body or digging in under the arms (this friction can cause chafing!)

Are there any types of leash or collars to avoid?

For safety purposes, we recommend staying away from collars that cannot be easily removed. Examples of these types of collars involve size-adjustable collars that do no feature a buckle or clasp mechanism. In the event of an emergency, these types of collars can be difficult to remove. Examples of instances where you might need to quickly remove a collar is if your pet's collar becomes stuck on something , such as a fence, the sides of their crate, or another pet's mouth or jaw if they become tangled while playing or wrestling.

When it comes to leashes, we recommend avoiding leashes that make it difficult to control your pet, such as retractable leashes. While out and about, you pet should be kept within reach and near you at all times. Not only is this courteous for others around you who might no be comfortable around dogs or be walking with dogs who are not friendly towards other animals, but it is also your best chance of keeping your pet safe! Retractable leashes can allow pets to get too far out of our reach, which can be extremely dangerous especially if walking near cars, other animals, or at night when visibility is low. Instead, we recommend opting for a more traditional leash with a fixed length, and always replace leashes that become worn, frayed, or chewed by pets!

When should my pet wear their collar?

Pet identification is an essential part of pet ownership. This usually involves two things: wearing a collar with an ID tag so that if you pet is lost, whoever finds them knows that they belong to someone, and having a pet microchipped and keeping the chip contact information up to date whenever you change addresses, phone numbers, pet ownership, etc. Your pet should wear a collar any time they leave the house, including going for walks, car rides, visits to the vet, park, doggie daycare, etc. In the event that your pet gets away from you while visiting these places, it's important that then can be quickly identified by passersby and reunited with you!

At home, collars should be removed while your pet is in a crate. Many owners opt for the traditional pet ID tags which involve tags that dangle from your pet's collar, These tags can sometimes become stuck in the walls or floor of a crate, and pets may panic trying to get free. Sadly, this can sometimes lead to strangulation. While not a common occurrence, it's better to be safe than sorry! Get into the habit of taking your pet's collar off and putting it next to your pet's crate so you can quickly grab it and put it back on them when it's time to come out again. Additionally, if you have a home with multiple pets and they freely roam the house while you are away, it is a good idea to remove their collars. Sometimes during play, pets' mouths/ jaws can become stuck on their housemates' collars and it can be difficult to get loose while they are playing or wrestling. This can lead to serious injury to both pets, including mouth or jaw injuries or strangulation.

ID Alternatives to Traditional Tags

If you want to stay away from the traditional tags that dangle, there are alternative options to identify your pet. Embroidered collars, where information like your pet's name and your contact information are embroidered on the collar, are a great option to ensure that your pet can be identified. You don't have to worry about tags falling off, as the information is provided directly on the collar. Another alternative to traditional ID tags is a slide-on tag. This is a type of tag that slides on to the collar and lies flat against it. Like traditional tags, these can be customized to include whatever information you'd like, but are less likely to get stuck on things.

What information should be on my pet's ID tags?

There are no special requirements for what has to be included on your pet's ID tag, but generally it is a great idea to include the following:

• Your pet's name

• At least one active phone number

• If your pet is microchipped

• Any special medical issues*

*If your pet is blind, deaf, or has health conditions that require special attention or medications, such as diabetes, seizures, or food allergies, it is a good idea to include this information on their tag so whoever finds your pet knows that they may require medical attention if found. Be sure to update your pet's tag whenever your information changes!

If you have questions contact us at 972-347-6100.

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