What kind of collar do you use?

[Chase and His Mom]

No collar?
Regular buckle collar?
Slip (choke collar)?
Prong collar?
Shock collar?
Other?

[GoldenFrost]

A small cloth choke collar but is never used for choking....just for her tags. LOL

[lvngold]

I use a Red Buckle Collar.

[Cassidy'sMom]

For everyday use, Cassidy wears a pretty rhinstone collar with her yellow sapphire id tag. Spoiled brat! :p I use a Martingale style collar for walking. Its a mixture of the regular nylon style collar and a chock collar. It is placed very loosly on the dog's neck. It only tightens when the dog pulls but does not tighten like a regular choke collar nor does it pull the fur like a regular choke collar. The reason I got this is because once when my parents were dog-sitting, my dad took Cassidy for a walk. When she saw some kids playing, she pulled her head out of the collar (normal nylon snap closure collar). Since she does not have the recall with him that she does with me, she took off. He ran for quite a few blocks before he caught up with her at the kid's birthday party. So that's why I invested in the Martingale collar. It doesn't get tight enough to choke or hurt her, only tight enough so that she can't slip her head out! I highly recommend these.

[Hunnybug]

She always wears her soft, flat, nylon collar, which holds her I.D tag, license tag and rabies tag. We use this one for walks too. For her therapy visits she wears a slip collar with her therapy tag on it. For obedience training I use either of these or a prong collar. For agility training I usually use the slip collar.

Sarah :)
Dichi Hunny Acre Woods, CGC, TDI, TT "Honey"

[Jo Ellen]

Most of the time she doesn't wear a collar. But when she does, it's a leather collar with a ring at the back of the neck so the leash we use doesn't get caught up under her feet when we're walking.

[MegM76]

A leather buckle collar only on walks, otherwise I don't put a collar on him.

[Cassidy'sMom]

I'm actually surprised that someone would NOT put a collar on their dog with an id tag. Aren't you afraid that your dog may get out one day? How would he be returned? Even with a micro-chip, the finder of the dog would have to know to take him to the vet or shelter to be scanned. There was a recent post here by a user who was planning to keep a golden she found but turned out to be micro-chipped. I'm just not sure why you would not want an id tag on your dog at all times. Things happen, sometimes out of your control. Even if the dog runs a few street down, at least the finders know where the dog belongs.

I'm just saying this because I would hate for anyone here to lose their dog only to find it years later living a few houses away. I know someone who this happened to!

[MegM76]

Cooper is microchipped. He's also crated every time I'm not at home or my roommate is not at home. He's on a leash with every walk. I have a hard time imagining how he could escape.

Personally, I'm MUCH more worried about having collars on. I have heard horror stories about dogs hanging themselves or getting caught on things by their collars. My mom used to have collars on her dogs all the time until an incident happened where one of the dog's tooth got caught in another of her dogs collar. Both dogs were panicing and struggling. Thankfully my mom was home, but what if she hadn't been home? I'm not willing to take such a risk. I have heard of collars that are called quick release collars and they are supposed to prevent accidents like these from happening. That would be the only type of collar I would use.

[Karefl]

Jake wears a regular buckle collar around the house & a Halti for walking.

[clement's golden rule]

Goodwin wears a martingale type collar, too, as he hasn't quite figured out yet, that I own the collar, :laugh2
and Jaeger wears a rolled leather buckle collar.. I wish that these came with the plastic type buckles, but they don't.. so I just keep his on him, so loosely, so that I can slip it over his head.. just for tags, and a leash when that's necessary...I find that the rolled leather doesn't "eat up his ruff" as much as the nylon flat collars did.. if there wasn't ever an issue where they would be misplaced, I wouldnn't have anything on them, but they need to be identifiable..I'd be heartsick if they ever got themselves awayfrom me, without their tags...

[Jo Ellen]

I do worry about the tag issue without a collar.

First, the reason I do not use a collar regularly is because she developed a hot spot on her neck a few years back and I think it had something to do with her collar. I haven't used a collar since and she hasn't had a hot spot since ???

I am very protective of Daisy. She is never anywhere where I'm not, except inside at home when I am at work. We don't have a fenced yard so she's never outside alone. She's not one to roam off. She's spayed. She stays in her area and I watch her like a hawk. And to be honest, I trust her. She never "gets out" without my knowledge.

She's definitely a "velcro" type of golden. I'm thankful for that. I had a lab once -- would never dream of not having a collar and id tags for a lab !!

[theGoldenPup]

Both have thier buckle collars, Blaze's is on the loosest, and Luna's on the tightest (but still fairly loose...she didn't get as big as I expected!). If I'm going to clip the leash on, I tighten the collars, but around the house they're on loose. I use Blaze's Gentle Leader a little too much, but we're fading it from our use. Often I'll leave it on, but the leash clipped to the collar right now.

Thanks for the reminder...I really do need to get another set of collars for putting the tags on when we go out. I don't normally have them on the collars because we've lost them a few too many times, which as been problematic, since I need them to show. What I have done is taken a permanant marked and written our home and cell numbers on the collars, though it does wear off after a month or so.

GoldenPup

[Reno's Mom]

Reno wears a black nylon buckle collar that has a strip of brown leather down the middle. It's a handsome looking collar. His ID tags are on it and he wears it all the time. He is also micro chipped. I have learned in life to never assume anything and to expect the unexpected. I don't want to take any chances.

[MyBoyGus]

Gus wears a nylon collar with a plastic clip, he always wears it and his ID tags are on it along with his rabies tag. I use a Martingale with my fosters.

[Rich in goldens]

My guys wear a buckle type although I did modify them. I took their name tags and licenses and drilled holes so that they could be pop riveted to the collars. this keeps them from dangling and they will not get the tags caught as easily on things. Iused to have them dangling but one day one of them got their tags caught in a heat register on the floor so I decided no more dangle.

[hellzpawn]

Herbs has martingale collars and choke collars, but the choke collar is only used to put his tag, or if I expect him to be dirty, since it's easier to wash than nylon collars.

He's microchipped and I even had my phone number sewn to the inside of one of his martingale collars. but he doesn't wear a collar at home.

[lovie1]

Doc wears a rolled leather buckle collar

[KilasMammy]

Kila has a...wait for it...Harrods collar (the shop in London) which was a xmas pressie from a friend. Thankfully it is a nice shade of green with small harrods around in orange which dont really stand out :) It is a clip fastening...like you would have on a rucksack and she gets very distressed if she doesnt have her collar on :) I think its her feeling of belonging as she got her 1st collar when she got us as parents and also without the collar you dont go on walks and she aint ever gonna rule out walkies!!!
Marie

[Andi]

Cooper has a nylon snap collar with his tag on it but he will get a buckle collar when he gets bigger....Porter almost always has on his fursaver choke collar (when someone is around) but we will put his buckle collar with his tags on when we go for a walk, ride, etc. It's too noisy to leave it on all the time.....and the metal from the tags discolors his fur.

[kinseysmom]

We take the collars off our dogs while they're in the house. My guys may somehow get out the front door when I answer it but they aren't about to go anywhere. We have a big fenced back yard so that's secure. Finn and Kin love to have their collars taken off after a walk etc......it means I give them a big neck and ear scratch. Plus, I end up giving them a massage.

We use cloth buckle or snap (slip? whatever they're called) collars. I'm a skosh of a compulsive shopper when it comes to the dogs. I have purchased almost every collar by Bison Designs. We recently got a pinch collar for Kinsey. Yes, I always thought they looked totally cruel but they're not. She is so strong and was pulling on her walks and killing her neck. This pinch collar has been the best thing ever. She learned to heel in 2 minutes and no, not because it hurt her. Anyway, it's great. (and I resisted a pinch collar with my 3 previous dogs...boy was I stupid!)

[Merlinsmom]

Merlin has a cloth collar that he wears during the day-but he sleeps nekkid! LOL

:)

[kristyrenee]

Bella Bean Coture (http://www.bellabeancouture.com/)
I buy Rockne's collars from this woman- she has the cutest collars ever!

[gnhykn]

reggie the pup uses a thin nylon buckel collar for everyday stuff, and a "sporn training halter" for walks, its absolutely wonderful! chazzy uses a rolled leather collar with a brass name plate riveted to it. I keep it so loose it just slips over his head. hes a very good boy. unless hes swimming, then he gets a tighter nylon buckel collar, not as stinky when wet, washes and dries easy. :dogbark

[OwnedbymyGolden]

Like Jo Ellen's Daisy, Izzy does not wear a collar at home.She is never, ever anywhere at home that she is not being watched.

She has a number of flat buckle collars she wears on our Therapy visits.For obedience and agility, she has a martingale collar.She also wears a flat buckle collar on walks that has all of her ID tags on it.Do this as much to warn the squirrels she is around as to keep track of her...LOL...the few times we were at the park and she was collarless, more than a few squirrels nearly met their maker.Really don't know what she would do if she ever caught one.

[gldngurl]

I have always like the rolled leather buckle collars for my dogs, but have recently become aware of the dangers collars pose. I now have two dogs, a Border Collie and a Golden pup, and they really like to play wrestle and bite, and bite at each other's throats. I have read several examples of jaws getting caught in collars and dogs dying. It is also easy for tags or collars to get caught in crates, fences or on branches, etc..
Don't want to lose my babies, so I just ordered breakawy collars for both, which will have their tags attached. They are also microchipped.
Google 'breakaway collars' and read about the dangers!

Sharon in Phoenix :reddogx

[Buffy's Mom]

Buffy has a red Ohio State Buckeyes collar that she wears all the time that has her name tag on it. She uses a regular halter when we walk because she is a puller and I couldn't stand hearing her choke. She doesn't pull so much using the halter.

[doreen]

Mine wear soft nylon snap lock collar with there ID on them. I found once the leather collars made there skin red.

maybe because its hot here.

[Boondox]

My goldens wear collars with ID tags only when we go for a drive into the village several miles away. Around our 155 acre parcel of paradise no collars except during hunting season, when they all wear bright orange bandanas.

I'm not that concerned about them wandering, probably because we have a well run pack. New rescues always get collars and tags till they equate us with home, then they go naked like the rest. We are well known in our little town for having multiple goldens; every stray golden is brought to us by the local police to see if we know it. And we even receive mail addressed to Peter and Tam on Luce Hill with all the goldens, Stowe, VT! Gotta love small town America! :029

I'm actually surprised that someone would NOT put a collar on their dog with an id tag. Aren't you afraid that your dog may get out one day? How would he be returned? Even with a micro-chip, the finder of the dog would have to know to take him to the vet or shelter to be scanned. There was a recent post here by a user who was planning to keep a golden she found but turned out to be micro-chipped. I'm just not sure why you would not want an id tag on your dog at all times. Things happen, sometimes out of your control. Even if the dog runs a few street down, at least the finders know where the dog belongs.

I'm just saying this because I would hate for anyone here to lose their dog only to find it years later living a few houses away. I know someone who this happened to!

[GoldenLover101]

Rusty and Lady wear a metal collar.. Its not a choke one its just a metal chain one.Its cool.

[MaggieMay]

I am curious about the slip leash. I have a 13 wk golden. She is really wonderful, but does get a little rambunctious with the kids, especiall my 2 year old, and a friends 4 year old. ( I know she feels dominant over my firends 4yo because the kids is afraid of the dog. Maggie takes full advantage of that.)

We are taking Maggie to PetSmart training, and she is doing very well. They do not use choke collars or slip leash's in training and do not permit them durring class. I have also read not to use one before 16 weeks.

However, I would like a hands off way of correcting Maggie from jumping on the kids, table and furniture and also to keep her focused durring walks. I have no personal problem with these types of collars, and believe using one would help me feel secure in my "dominance". I would like input on how others feel about these. Is she too young?

[lily's mom]

Lily has a gun dog slip for the times she is not wearing a collar I don't walk her in it. But most of the time she wears a brown leather flat collar with tags. I also use a canny collar (a bit like a halti) when out walking, as she likes to jump up at everyone she see's.

Also about snap fasting collars for walking at least, I would be careful of using them as I don't think they are strong enough rather not take the risk.