How to Pick the Right Dog Collar and Leash: A Guide for New Owners
Learn how to pick the right collar and leash for your dog, from martingale collars to biothane leashes, based on my experience with Alice and Dodo.
How to Pick the Right Dog Collar and Leash: A Guide for New Owners
When I first brought Alice home back in 2016, I was completely overwhelmed by the sheer volume of dog gear available. Walking into a pet store felt like trying to decipher a foreign language. There were flat collars, rolled collars, harnesses of every shape and size, and leashes made of materials I couldn't even pronounce. I ended up buying a standard nylon collar and a matching leash, thinking that was all I needed. It took me a few years, and a lot of trial and error, to realize that the right gear can completely change the dynamic of your daily walks.
Now, with Dodo in the mix, my perspective has shifted again. A mini chowdoodle puppy has very different needs than a senior chow shepherd. What works for Alice doesn't necessarily work for Dodo, and figuring out the right combination for each of them has been a learning process. I want to share what I've learned about picking the right collar and leash, so you don't have to make the same mistakes I did.
The Great Debate: Harness vs. Collar
The first decision you have to make is whether to use a harness or a collar for walking. This is a topic that dog owners have strong opinions about, but the truth is that it depends entirely on your dog.
For a long time, I walked Alice on a standard flat collar. She's a big dog, and she used to pull quite a bit when she was younger. I thought a collar gave me more control. But as she got older, I started to worry about the pressure on her neck. Chows and chow mixes can be prone to respiratory issues, and I didn't want to exacerbate anything. We eventually switched her to a well-fitted harness, and it made a huge difference. It distributed the pressure across her chest and back, and she seemed much more comfortable.
With Dodo, the decision was easier. Puppies have delicate tracheas, and they are notoriously bad at walking on a leash. They dart, they stop abruptly, and they pull in every direction. A harness is almost always the safest choice for a puppy. It prevents them from injuring their neck if they suddenly lunge after a squirrel or a leaf.
That being said, collars still have a place. Both Alice and Dodo wear collars all the time for their ID tags. It's crucial that your dog has identification on them at all times, even if they are microchipped. But for the actual act of walking, especially if your dog is a puller or a puppy, a harness is usually the better option.
Why I Switched to Martingale Collars
Even though we use harnesses for walking, I still put a lot of thought into the collars my dogs wear. For a long time, I used standard buckle collars. But then I discovered martingale collars, and I haven't looked back.
A martingale collar is designed to tighten slightly when the dog pulls, but it has a stopping point so it won't choke them. This is incredibly useful for dogs with thick necks and smaller heads, like chows and many doodles. With a standard collar, if Alice decided to back up suddenly, she could easily slip right out of it. It happened once near a busy street, and it was terrifying.
Martingale collars provide a level of security that standard collars just don't have. They sit loosely and comfortably on the dog's neck most of the time, but if they try to back out of it, the collar tightens just enough to prevent them from escaping. We use the Made to Roam martingale collars for both Alice and Dodo. They are durable, they look great, and most importantly, they give me peace of mind. They are wide enough that they don't cut into the dogs' fur, which is a big deal when you're dealing with the amount of fluff that a chow shepherd and a chowdoodle have.
Choosing the Right Leash
Once you have the collar or harness sorted out, you need to pick a leash. This seems like it should be the easy part, but there are actually a lot of factors to consider.
The material of the leash is important. I used to use standard nylon leashes, but I found that they could be harsh on my hands if the dogs pulled. I've since switched to biothane leashes. Biothane is a coated webbing that is waterproof, odor-proof, and incredibly easy to clean. If we go for a muddy hike, I can just wipe the leash down with a damp cloth and it looks brand new. It also has a nice grip to it, which is helpful when you're trying to wrangle an energetic puppy like Dodo.
Length is another consideration. A standard six-foot leash is usually the best all-around choice. It gives the dog enough room to sniff and explore, but it's short enough that you can easily reel them in if you need to. I generally avoid retractable leashes. They offer very little control, and the thin cord can cause serious injuries if it gets wrapped around a leg or a finger. Plus, they teach the dog that pulling gets them more freedom, which is the exact opposite of what you want to teach them.
The Importance of Visibility
One thing I didn't think about when I first got Alice was visibility. We often walk in the early morning or late evening, especially during the summer when it's too hot during the day. It's crucial that we are visible to cars and cyclists.
I highly recommend investing in a reflective leash or a collar with reflective stitching. It's a small detail, but it makes a massive difference in low-light conditions. You can also get small, clip-on LED lights that attach to the dog's collar or harness. I have one on Dodo's harness, and it makes her look like a little bouncing firefly when we walk at night. It's cute, but more importantly, it keeps her safe.
Finding What Works for You
At the end of the day, the right collar and leash combination is the one that keeps your dog safe and makes your walks enjoyable. It might take some trial and error to figure out what that is. Don't be afraid to try a few different options until you find the perfect fit.
Pay attention to how your dog reacts to the gear. If they are constantly scratching at their collar or trying to back out of their harness, it might not be the right fit. The goal is for the gear to be an invisible part of the walk, allowing you and your dog to just enjoy the time outside together. Walking your dog shouldn't be a battle of wills or a source of stress. With the right equipment, it can be the best part of your day.
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