Dog Collars: Choosing the right one for your dog.

Pet owners can be daunted by the amount of options when it comes to dog collars. The choices in dog collars seem almost endless—red collars, blue collars, diamond studded collars, pink collars, collars that say things like, "I'm a spoiled princess!" For new or veteran owners, selecting the right dog collar can be a daunting task.

First, as many owners know, a dog collar's primary purpose is for identification. Since dogs have no other means of communication, an updated dog collar that carries an I.D. tag with the pet's name, your name, telephone number and address, can go a long way in making the difference between never seeing your little friend again and a joyous reunion full of puppy kisses and wonderfulness.

The second purpose of a dog collar is to provide control and comfort during dog walks. An improper dog collar will be uncomfortable for both you and your pet. And in some cases an improper dog collar can lead to serious and irreversible health hazards.

To start with, owners need to, "Know thy dog." Is your dog an easy-going dog that readily follows you? If so, than you can stop reading here. You are a lucky owner who has a rare dog who needs no special type of dog collar. Any collar will do for your dog. Browse the variety of dog collars available at The Dog Bowl and choose the one that is right for you.

Now, those dog owners with small aggressive dogs who have a tendency to pull on their dog collars, be advised. If you have a smaller, sportier dog, stay away from choke dog collars! Unless specifically advised to use one by a vet or dog trainer, smaller dogs have very delicate trachea, and choke dog collars, or even regular dog collars, can damage or collapse their windpipes. This is often an irreversible injury that can lead to a lifelong respiratory condition for your dog, and may even require major surgery. The gentle leader would be a better option - click here to see a gentle leader head collar.

However, for larger dogs, sometimes a choke dog collar becomes a necessity. Great care must be taken when selecting this type of dog collar. Be careful not to choose materials that will harm your dog by digging into his skin. The American Choke Collar, available at The Dog Bowl, is an excellent collar made of safe and durable materials. We also offer a collar and leash in one - click here to see our Quick Hitch Lead.

Another great dog collar for both small and large dogs is a harness. This type of dog collar stays away from the neck area entirely. Again, The Dog Bowl provides several varieties of these types of dog collars. They come in two different styles: step in and standard. This collar puts all of the pressure onto the dog's midsection and keeps it away from the neck. This not only gives you more control, but it is also much more comfortable for your pet. If you are looking for a comfortable and cool harness, check out the Nylon Sequoia Harness, which is available in several colors. The harness is best for dogs that have difficulty with more traditional choke collars. If you still find you don't have a lot of control with the choke collar, or if your dog gags often, then it may be time to switch to a harness.

By far, the best dog collar on the market for training or for those 'problem' dogs that just aren't good on walks, is the dog collar known as the head collar. This type of dog collar is the number one choice of dog trainers all over the world. Unfortunately, many dog owners are scared off from these dog collars because of how complicated they can be to put on and the expensive price tag many of them carry. The Dog Bowl offers a head collar that is both simple and inexpensive. The EZ Leader Head Collar is comfortable for your dog (made of soft braided rope), comes in a variety of colors for your ever stylish and trendy four-legged friend, and its simplified attachment process puts an end to those complicated straps. The innovative and original clip-on design uses your dog's existing collar as a stabilizing base. So just clip on, and you are ready to walk your dog.