All dog owners have been in this position - You are standing in the aisle at the pet supply store that has all the dog collars, dog leashes and dog leads. At first you stare in amazement then you soon become overwhelmed at the choices you are faced with. Who knew it would be so difficult to actually pick out a dog collar for your new buddy.

You begin to sweat because you know your new best friend is waiting in the car, tongue lolling out of his mouth, watching for the exact moment you alight from the store, goodies in hand, to reunite once more and go for that darned walk you have been promising to do. But first things first, you have to find the perfect dog collar. Hey, Rome wasn't built in a day, so they say, so one step at a time...no pressure.

Yea right.

The next step in making an informative decision about which dog collar to purchase is understanding the form. Dog collars are used to fit around the neck of the dog, so they are typically made from one long piece of material that forms a circle and the two ends that make the circle is secured by some version of a clasp.  Of course, if your dog is a total block head, then I am certain you can find someone to make you a square dog collar!

For your average, everyday dog collar the material it is comprised of is typically nylon.  Nylon is a very sturdy and rugged material that will last a very long time.  Other options are leather dog collars and metal dog collars.  Leather is usually the most expensive, but also has a purpose other that looking cool.  The same with the metal material dog collars, their function will be discussed further down.

The fit of your dog's collar is extremely important, much more so then the material is made from.  Much to many people's surprise, the dog collar, while worn around the neck, should be worn up high, just under the jawline and just behind the ears.  This works best for training purposes, which is the most important function of the dog collar.  It is also the preferred fit for walking your dog, but walking your dog should always be a training session.

The size of your dog is going to determine the which size dog collar you will purchase.  The sizes typically range from small to extra large and these sizes correlate with the weight of your dog. 

Usually this is how the weight to size breaks down:

• XS/Small  7"-11" (2-12lbs)
• Medium 11"-15" (10-45lbs)
• Large 15"-22" (40-120lbs)
• X-Large 19"-29" (100-200lbs)

As you can see the weights can vary greatly within a size so it is important to measure your dog before you purchase.  All dog collars will list the inches around the collar is so you can make an informed decision.  Use a tape measure then add two or three inches and you will have found your perfect size.

Your dog's collar should always ride high on the neck and not down around its shoulder blades.  You should be able to fit two fingers between the dog collar and the neck of the dog.  They are meant to be snug!  They should not be loose enough that it can slide over the dogs head, but not so tight as to cause coughing or restrict breathing.  It is extremely important to test the collar size for growing puppies and make adjustments when necessary.  Do this often!

The two most important function of dog collars is training and identification. Many of you might be saying "but don't you need the collar to actually walk the dog" and you would be right, but as I said before, walking should always be training.

It is important to have your dog on a 6ft dog leash. This is the best size of dog leash to have as it allows you the greatest control over walking your dog. DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT buy those extension dog leads where there is a 20 foot cable that rolls out from its housing and allows your dog to run all over the neighborhood. These are a very bad idea, yes they seem cool at the time, but they are not good if you want a well behaved dog. A 6ft leash allows you to keep the dog by your side, where he belongs and not out in front of you. You will have to take up the slack in the leash, but it is important to have the 6ft as you will learn when you begin to train your dog. Special dog training collars are available.

The collar should always be high on the neck to allow for proper corrections. In the wild, wolves will correct each other with short quick nips to the neck area and this is what you will be simulating when making corrections to your dog. It is their instinct to quickly fall into line when they are being corrected in this manner.

Of course the other function of dog collars is identification. To have a dog tag with your pet's name, address and phone number attached in case the dog is lost. Many people also use microchips now, but it is much quicker for someone to identify your dog if they have a dog tag. You will get your dog back much quicker because most people do not have a micro chip reader at the ready!

Another type of collar with it's own function built in is the shock collar. Shock collars are used for dog training as well, but normally for hunting dogs. The dog receives a shock as a correction and can be corrected from a distance while in training. Many people may not agree with this method, but they are another type of dog collar.

Ah, the fashion of designer dog collars - what a wonderful world we live in when our dogs can actually have their own runway shows. Even those big butch dogs can have fashionable collars. Dog collars may come with actual diamonds to metal studded spikes. From carved leather designs to the simple weaving of different colored nylon threads, you can find a dog collar to suit any taste. There are sometimes even dog coats and/or dog sweaters to match the collars. People always think of little toy dogs having all the fun, but you can find a Harley Davidson studded leather collar for your bull mastiff if you like. Fashion is not just for the little guys anymore. So next time you are standing in front of that aisle at the pet store, have a little fun and find something that any dog would be proud to wear. Or you can just pick out something that will embarrass them in front of their friends like any parent would do, that would work too! You could even get personalized dog collars for your favorite pooch.

Please watch this important video regarding the prong dog collars. They can potentially be very dangerous and one must be used properly. I cannot stress this enough. Other dog collars, like a choke chain dog collar can be used much more safely and I would recommend that instead of the prong collar.