How Tight Should a Dog Collar Be? (And Why You Still Need A Harness)
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Quick Answer
A well-fitted collar should rest comfortably around your dog’s neck, providing a snug yet not tight fit. As a general guideline, you should be able to slide your index and middle fingers between the collar and your dog’s neck. The ideal fit ensures that the collar stays in place while still allowing your dog to breathe and move freely.
Choosing a new collar for your furry friend is a rite of passage for all dog owners.
It’s an opportunity to show off your pup’s personality and ensure his safety – but with so many options available, selecting the perfect one can feel overwhelming.
Fashion and style aside, finding the right collar fit is crucial to your dog’s comfort and well-being.
A collar that’s too loose can pose a safety hazard or slip off, while one that’s too tight can lead to discomfort and injury.
Two-Finger Rule
A properly fitted collar should sit comfortably around your pup’s neck and feel snug, but not tight.
The general rule is known as the Two-Finger Rule, which means taking your index and middle fingers and sliding them in between your dog’s collar and his neck.
If your fingers fit easily underneath but are still snug between the collar and neck without the collar being too loose, it’s a good fit.
Having said that, I prefer my own “Three Finger Rule.”
My dogs wear their collars 24/7 and I feel it’s more comfortable for them to have their collars a bit looser while still being safe.
I don’t attach their leashes directly to their collars because we use harnesses for our dog walks.
I’ll explain why in just a moment.
So even if one of their collars came off for some reason, it would only be in the house.
How To Measure Your Dog’s Neck
Before you can determine how tight your dog’s collar should be, you need to measure his neck to ensure you get the right size collar.
Here are a few steps to follow:
- Use a soft tape measure or a piece of string to measure around the middle of your dog’s neck, just below his ears and jawline.
- Make sure the tape or string is snug but not too tight. You should be able to fit two fingers between the tape or string and your dog’s neck.
- If you’re using a piece of string, mark where the string meets and then measure the length with a ruler.
- Take note of the measurement in inches or centimeters, depending on your preference.
- Add two inches to this measurement to determine the appropriate collar size for your dog.
Now you have your pup’s measurement, you can use it to determine the appropriate collar size.
Keep in mind that different collar brands may have slightly different sizing, so always check the sizing chart for the specific brand you’re interested in.
I recommend you measure your dog’s neck periodically, especially if he is still growing or if he has gained or lost weight.
Why The Right Fit Matters
A properly fitting collar should be close-fitting enough to stay in place, but loose enough to allow your dog to breathe and move comfortably.
The right fit may vary depending on the type of collar you choose.
For example, a martingale collar should fit snugly around your dog’s neck when the collar is pulled tight, but should be loose enough to allow him to move and breathe comfortably when the collar is not tightened.
Consequences Of An Improperly Fitted Collar
A dog’s neck contains several delicate structures, such as the laryngeal nerve, thyroid, and trachea.
These structures can be easily damaged if a collar is too tight or if pressure is applied in the wrong area.
Risks of a collar that is too tight include:
- Escaping or getting stuck in objects
- Coughing
- Choking or gagging
- Lethargy and shortness of breath
- Strangulation
- Chafing and loss of fur
- Skin irritation
- Neck injury
- Thyroid damage
- Laryngeal paralysis
- Tracheal collapse
Why Does My Dog Need A Collar?
A collar is an essential piece of equipment for all dogs for two main reasons.
Safety
A collar is used primarily for identification and provides a safe place to attach your dog’s ID tags.
These contain important contact information like his name, address, and phone number in case he goes missing.
It’s helpful for people to be able to see what your pup’s name is, so they can match him up with any missing dog posts on social media and also call him if they see him running loose.
He may or may not respond, but it’s better to have the option than not.
If you’re like me, you’ll have your dog’s name, family name, and phone number embroidered directly onto his personalized collar so there’s no need for tags at all.
Functional
A collar can also provide you with an element of control in an emergency.
For example, if your dog’s not wearing his usual harness, you can at least still grab his collar to stop him from running into the road or chasing the neighbor’s cat.
Why It’s Important To Choose The Right Collar
While a well-fitting collar is important for your dog’s safety and comfort, it’s also essential to choose the right type of collar.
For example, a collar that is too narrow or too wide for your pup can dig in and feel uncomfortable.
A collar made of stiff leather or hard metal can also dig into your dog’s neck or throat, or rub against his skin and cause discomfort.
Certain types of collars, such as choke chains, prong collars, and shock collars are designed to work by causing pain and should never be used. Not only can they cause injury, they also risk making dogs fearful or aggressive.
The behavioral fallout can take a very long time to fix and may even be irreversible.
Better not to risk it in the first place.
Collars Are For Tags
You know a dog trainer is worth their salt when they tell you that “Collars are for tags.”
By this, they mean that, ideally, your dog wears a collar purely for identification purposes in case he gets lost – not as something you attach his leash to when you go out for your walks.
I find reflective flat collars that have my dogs’ names and phone numbers embroidered on them to be the best option so I can avoid the hassle of using tags altogether.
Why? Because tags can easily get lost.
They can also be noisy as they clank together, which may be unpleasant – or even downright stressful – for your dog who can never escape the racket.
Depending on where you live, local authorities may require your dog to wear tags with a license or registration number, proof of rabies vaccination, or some other requirement, so it’s important to check that first.
While you can also opt for collars that print the dog’s details instead of embroidering them, I’ve found that the print wears off over time, while the embroidered collars are far more durable.
If you still go for the collar and tags option and your dog has metal tags that produce a constant clanking noise, I suggest using rubber or silicone tag silencers to make your pet’s life (and yours!) a lot more peaceful.
Should I Take My Dog’s Collar Off At Night?
There are a few reasons why you might want to take your dog’s collar off at night.
Firstly, he may find his collar uncomfortable, especially if it is made of a hard material or has a big clasp that can dig into his throat.
Collars can also get caught on objects.
This could be potentially dangerous if the dog is left unsupervised.
On the other hand, as your pup’s collar contains important identification information, keeping it on at night may be crucial if there is some sort of middle-of-the-night emergency.
Some dogs feel more secure with their collar on because they are used to wearing it and it has their scent on, which can help alleviate any anxiety.
What Are The Different Types Of Dog Collars?
There are so many different types of dog collars on the market and it can be hard to know what to choose.
As humans, we tend to choose the color or design we like best, but this may not always be the best option for our dogs.
My advice is to not get too caught up in the style of your dog’s collar and pay closer attention to safety, function, and comfort.
Let’s look at some of the different types of dog collars available:
Flat Collars
Flat collars are the most common type of collars and come in different materials such as nylon, leather, and cotton.
These collars are adjustable and usually have a metal buckle or plastic snap to fasten them.
Breakaway Collars
Breakaway collars are flat collars that have a safety buckle that releases under pressure. So if your dog gets his collar caught on something, the safety clasp pulls apart, releasing the dog and saving him from potential strangulation.
The Whole Dog Journal recommends breakaway collars “for dogs who play and wrestle with a lot of mouth-to-neck biting.”
Martingale Collars/Slip Collars
Martingale collars, also known as slip collars, have a limited slip feature that tightens if the dog pulls and prevents him from slipping free.
These types of collars should be adjusted so the fit is snug (but not tight) when the dog is walking on a loose leash.
If the dog does start pulling, the collar is designed so it won’t tighten to the point where it is choking him.
Reflective Collars
For added safety and visibility, some collars come with a built-in light or reflective material.
Lighted collars can be particularly useful for dogs that are walked in the early morning hours or late at night, or if you have a long dark winter, like I do.
GPS Collars
GPS collars are an increasingly popular way to keep track of your dog.
These collars use satellites, cellular networks, or Wi-Fi to allow you to locate your furry friend if he wanders off.
Some GPS collars also come with activity tracking and other features such as bark detection and activity alerts.
Head Halters
A head halter, such as the Gentle Leader or Halti, also known as a head collar, works by applying gentle pressure to the dog’s muzzle and head.
While this may seem helpful for dogs who pull, there’s also the risk of injury if you pull your dog’s head around sharply – or if he keeps pulling regardless of the head halter.
Many years back I used Gentle Leaders on my dogs but found they were no substitute for proper loose-leash walking training and a good harness.
Choke Collars/Chain Collars
Choke collars are made up of a metal chain and are designed to tighten around a dog’s neck if he pulls on the leash, causing discomfort and pain.
Not only does using this type of collar not train the dog not to pull, there is also there a risk of injury to the very sensitive area of his neck and throat.
For this reason, veterinary associations worldwide advise against using them.
“The all-important laryngeal nerve is *trivia alert* the longest nerve in the body, and it travels down the left-hand side of the neck near the windpipe,” explains Dr. Pippa Elliott.
“Anything that severely compresses this nerve can damage the way the larynx works. This is why choke collars are not recommended.”
Prong Collars/Pinch Collars
Prong collars, also known as pinch collars, do exactly what it says on the tin.
They are designed to apply pressure to the dog’s neck if he pulls on the leash.
These collars have metal prongs that dig into the dog’s neck, causing pain and discomfort while failing to teach him a good alternative to the unwanted behavior.
Again, veterinary associations all over the world recommend not using them.
“The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ just in front of the larynx and trachea, and the mandibular salivary glands are found on the side of the face just below the ears,” explains renowned veterinarian Dr. Jean Dodds.
“Thus, they can be easily injured by trauma and sudden pressure forces (like could occur from the slip ring and chain of a metal collar, and a metal prong or hard braided leather collar).”
“When the trachea cartilage is popped repeatedly during this type of ‘training,’ the dog can wind up with tracheal damage,” adds Dr. Karen Becker. “This type of handling puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the larynx because the collar sits right on top of it.”
Shock Collars/E-Collars/Electronic Collars
Shock collars deliver an electric shock to the dog’s neck through two metal pins.
Like choke, pinch, and prong collars, they work through causing pain and fear – and should be avoided at all costs.
Here’s what the canine behavior scientists have to say about shock collars:
“Shock collars carry a risk of physical damage to the skin of the neck. To ensure that the metal pins are in close contact with the skin of the neck, an e-collar must be fitted tightly. Aside from being uncomfortable, the points where the metal pins make contact with the skin can become irritated, and this can result in the development of pressure necrosis or wounds.” (Masson et al., 2018).
Not to mention, the more a dog is subjected to painful, unpredictable electric shocks, he will become more and more wary, anxious, or even downright fearful of the collar, his owner, going for walks, or life in general.
This kind of fear learning is very hard to overcome.
Why risk it in the first place?
For all these reasons, I recommend using a well-fitted harness for your dog walks, plus a regular flat collar for ID purposes (that you don’t attach the leash to).
My favorite is the Freedom No-Pull Harness from 2 Hounds Design and I use it for all four of my rescue dogs.
I like it so much, I wrote a complete review about it, featuring our very own mega puller, Esme (that’s her modeling her embroidered collar in the photo above)!
Do Different Types Of Dogs Need Different Collars?
You may hear people say, “Oh but he’s such-and-such a breed/one of the strongest dogs/one of those dogs with big triangular heads, so he needs a big wide collar made of hard leather with studs on, or some sort of metal or electronic torture device so I can control him.”
Actually no, you don’t.
All you need is a flat collar for ID purposes, a well-fitted harness for walking, and some good solid loose leash walking training.
To end with, here’s positive reinforcement dog trainer extraordinaire, Emily Larlham, demonstrating how to train a dog to walk nicely on a loose leash:
Key Takeaways
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Resources
- A Vet’s Dire Warning: This Favorite Product Can Cause a Life-Threatening Emergency Down the Road – Dr. Karen Becker
- Can Collars Really Damage the Thyroid? – Dr. Jean Dodds
- Dog Collars vs Harnesses – Pat Miller
- Electronic training devices: Discussion on the pros and cons of their use in dogs as a basis for the position statement of the European Society of Veterinary Clinical Ethology – Sylvia Masson, Silvia de la Vega, Angelo Gazzano, Chiara Mariti, Gonçalo Da Graça Pereira, Christine Halsberghe, Anneli Muser Leyvraz, Kevin McPeake, & Barbara Schoening
- How Choke Collars Can Cause Real Damage to Your Dog – Dr. Patricia Elliott
- Is a Dog Harness Better Than a Dog Collar? – American Kennel Club
- Train your dog to STOP pulling on leash [Video] – Dog Training by KikoPup
