What is the Recommended Space Between a Dog’s Collar?
Having a dog is undoubtedly a lot of fun and more. They make for great playmates, they are companions, guardians, and they look after us when we are sad. With that being said, dogs cannot do it all, and yes, we as the owners have to take good care of them. One of the things that you need if you have a dog is a collar. There might be some people out there who do not put a collar on their pet dogs, but this might be a big mistake.
Collars, for one, are identifiers, and most people put tags on the collar, so if the dog goes missing, they can easily be found. They can also be used to train for barking control. Furthermore, the collar is the best way to attach a leash to your dog, so you can walk it without fear of having it run away, get loose, or stray onto a road where they face getting hit by passing vehicles. So, this then requires you to put a collar on your dog so it fits right. If the dog collar is either too loose or too tight, some issues can occur. So, what is the recommended space between a dog’s collar and its neck?
Recommended Space Between the Dog Collar and Neck
The main thing is to determine how much space there should be between the dog’s neck and the collar it is wearing. You don’t want the collar to be too tight or too loose, as both can cause serious issues and problems. The general rule of thumb is that you want to be able to fit 2 fingers between the neck of the dog and the collar.
So, if your dog has a collar on, try sticking your index and middle fingers between the collar and the dog’s neck. If you can fit more than 2 fingers, you can be sure that the dog collar is too loose, but if you cannot fit the 2 fingers in there, well then the collar is too tight. It’s an important thing to know about because the comfort of your dog relies on it, as does their safety.
What if the Collar is Too Loose?
There are several problems that can occur if the dog collar is too loose, usually problems that involve the dog getting free and running away. Simply put, if the collar too loose, it can easily come off. If you have a calm dog that walks fine off leash and does not have a problem with other dogs, this might not be a big deal. However, if you have a pet dog that gets rowdy, wants to get loose, and likes to go on adventures, then you will have a problem.
A collar that is too loose will most likely come off when the dog pulls in the opposite direction, thus setting the dog free and allowing it to go after other dogs, run away, run out onto the road, and so much more. Another problem with a loose dog collar is that if you have dog tags on it to identify your dog, they won’t do much good if they are on the collar laying on the ground somewhere instead of actually being around the dog’s neck.
What If the Collar is Too Tight?
On the flipside of the equation, if the dog collar is too tight, it is going to be very uncomfortable for your dog, especially in terms of breathing. Simply put, a dog collar that is too tight could end up choking or strangling your pet.
This will cause difficulties in breathing, it can be uncomfortable, and it can be downright painful too. On that same note, a dog collar that is too tight will also get caught on the dog’s fur, thus potentially ripping fur out, plus it can also cause chaffing, redness, and rashes on the skin where the collar is. Either way, whether the collar is too loose or too tight, there are some pretty serious issues that can arise, ones that can be avoided if you follow the two-fingers rule.
Measuring Your Dog’s Neck
It is pretty easy to properly measure your dog’s neck so you can fit a collar the right way, and buy the right size collar. All you have to do here is to take a soft measuring tape, such as one that a tailor would use. Take it and measure the circumference of your dog’s neck.
Make sure that the measuring tape is fairly tight around the neck, and then add an inch or two for the slack. Now, if you have a short haired dog, you only need to add a little extra to the measurement, but if you have a dog with really thick fur, you will need to take this into account and add an extra 2 or 3 inches to the measurement.
What if I Cannot Measure the Dog’s Neck?
If for whatever reason you cannot measure your dog’s neck and need a collar ASAP, there are some sizing recommendations which you can follow.
- XX Small Collar – Up to 5 lbs
- X Small Collar – 5 to 10 lbs
- Small Collar – 10 to 25 lbs
- Medium Collar – 25 to 55 lbs
- Large Collar – 55 to 75 lbs
- X Large Collar – 75 lbs & Up
Conclusion
It really is important to get the right size of collar for your dog, and to have the right amount of space between the collar and the dog’s neck. Remember to follow the 2 fingers of space rule, as this is generally considered to be the best way to go about the whole thing. Also, when it comes to dog training, a comfortable dog will learn much faster!