What’s so special about a collar? After all, it’s just something from which to hang your dog’s tags and a connection point for a leash isn’t it? Well, for most dogs perhaps. But Jindos aren’t “most dogs”. Jindos are known for not being good off leash and many die in accidents with cars every year. Since often a collar and leash are the key factor in safeguarding your Jindo in an unfenced area, it’s worth considering the options.
Jindos are notorious for finding their
way out of their collars. So much so in fact that it is almost considered
a breed characteristic. True, some Jindos never try. They are the exception
rather than the rule, however. A great many Jindos are experts at slipping
their collars, even when properly fitted and adjusted. The combination
of heavily muscled and furred neck, a streamlined head with mobile prick
ears, and a highly intelligent breed with great problem solving abilities
all lead to a dog which is physically and mentally capable of waiting its
chance and then removing its head from most collars in an instant. And
once a Jindo learns how to do it they never forget.
Buckle and Clip Collars
This is what is most commonly seen in pet stores. They come in a never ending range of styles, descriptions, materials, and colors. In their basic form they are a leather or nylon circle of material which has ends joined together by a buckle or clip. When someone says “dog collar” these are what most people will instantly think of.
These collars are great for carrying dog
tags, and it is very easy to find a style which complements the look of
your dog. These are also the collars many Jindos slip out of with no problem
the second a leash is attached. If you use these collars as tag holders
and add a training collar for walks then they work great. But don’t rely
on one to contain a Jindo. Not only can most Jindos slip these collars
easily, but the kinds with plastic clips instead of metal buckles can be
broken by a strong determined dog.
Martingale or Greyhound Collars
Found in many pet shops, these collars
are designed with dogs like Jindos in mind. They are made up of two loops
of nylon. One loop goes around the dog’s neck and each end has a metal
circle. The other loop runs through the metal circles and then comes together
with a place to clip a leash. The idea behind these is that they fit comfortably
around a dog’s neck, but tighten when the dog pulls on the leash. The harder
the dog pulls the tighter they get. As soon as the dog stops pulling they
loosen up again. These collars have the advantage that a good number of
larger pet stores carry them. They often only come in black however, and
they tend to be produced in lighter weight nylon because they are meant
to be used in addition to the dog's tag carrying collar. They are not designed
for attaching tags, and not really recommended for use as an every day
collar due to the attachment point being on the top of the neck and the
chance of them getting caught or tangled in something.
Alaskan or Limited Slip Collars
With a long history of use for sled dogs,
these collars are specifically designed to be extremely difficult for a
dog to get out of. They look much like a regular collar except that there
is no buckle or clip and they often have a largish round metal circle for
attaching a leash. They slip on over the dogs head and lie comfortably
around the dog’s neck. The key to them is that the point at which the leash
is attached is designed as a tab, allowing the collar to tighten as much
as 2 inches when the dog pulls. This effectively snugs the collar tight
around the dog’s neck, but it can not choke the dog since there is a limit
to how far it can tighten. Several versions of these collars are on the
market now. Those made by dog sledding outfitters are very strong and durable
but often come in limited colors and can be bulky for some dogs. Others
are made of lighter weight materials, not as strong but available in multiple
designs. Many people use these as regular daily collars and attach tags
or brass plates to them for ID. They are great for dogs with lots of coat
around their necks since their looser fit doesn’t break off the hair. They
do have the disadvantage of not being available in most pet shops (an internet
search will lead you to numerous suppliers), and a truly inspired leashed
dog could reach up and chew on the attachment point if given enough unsupervised
time.
Training Collars
No discussion of collars would be complete without touching on training collars. They are, in fact, a rather hotly debated topic. They all have their positive and negative points, and all can be extremely valuable tools if used correctly. A good obedience instructor will happily explain their proper use.
Training collars fit into 3 basic categories.
Slip
or choke collars, pinch or prong collars, and head collars.
As I said, all have their uses, and all can be misused. One absolute is
that none of these collars should be left on a dog unattended. All can
potentially seriously injure or even kill a dog. They are for supervised
training only.
Slip or choke collars are most commonly seen as a metal chain, though they also come in nylon.
They function by correcting a dog for pulling
by tightening on the neck. Some dogs will respond to these with just a
slight tightening, while others pull to the point of choking without ever
seeming to notice.
Pinch or prong collars are often referred to as “power steering”. They look scary, but properly used are a very effective training tool.
Instead of a choking sensation, they tighten
only slightly and produce a pinching sensation when a dog pulls. They traditionally
are made of metal, though some people are having good luck with a new plastic
version. Fit is very important with these collars so it’s important to
have an obedience instructor or other knowledgeable person show you how
they work. Also, they are somewhat notorious for once in a while coming
undone unexpectedly. Thus it’s recommended that a second collar be clipped
onto the leash as a back up (limited slip collars are excellent for this).
Head collars are the newest of the training devices and some people have been using them with great success. They work on the same principle as a horse halter…where the dogs head goes the body will follow. There are several brands, some fit better than others.
A green gentle leader with a metal neck
buckle.
With all of them it’s important to recognize that it is possible for a dog to pull them off their nose (and potentially off completely). Thus a back up collar is a good idea. These also have the disadvantage of looking like a muzzle to many folks.