Are Dog Collars Really Safe?

It is common for dogs to wear collars for walking, as accessories, or identification. Although they can be cute, collars—especially when used on a dog walk improperly—can lead to both physical and mental issues.

I’m sure many are aware that dogs, especially big or energetic ones, pull on their leash in excitement

and eagerness when on a dog walk. However, this pulling can cause choking, strain your dog’s neck, and cause severe pain if not paid attention to. There are several different types of collars that are most commonly used, and although they can all be damaging to your dog’s spine, neck, and nerves, there are some that are far worse and inhumane than others.

An example of one of the worst collars to use is the so-called “choke collar”. These collars, which are metal and more chain-like, sit higher up a dog’s neck than a more general buckle collar. It is impossible to control how tight these chains sit on a dog’s neck, so dogs with this collar are more susceptible to choking and strangling. These collars are ultimately used for punishment because as dogs pull on the leash, they experience discomfort due to lack of oxygen as the chain blocks their airway. This may be viewed as a good thing, because dogs begin to associate pulling on the leash with punishment. However, this enforces positive punishment and negative reinforcement; instead of praising your dog for obeying, you are only taking away their pain. This can develop a relationship of pain and fear instead of love with your dog. In addition, choke chains are known to develop spinal cord injuries, bruising of the esophagus, fainting, whiplash and even brain injury, paralysis, or death.

Prong collars are similar to choke collars. Like choke collars, they cause severe pain when tugged on, but instead of suffocating, the prongs on the collars carve into the dog's skin. Although dogs eventually can tolerate the pain through developing scar tissue, it is extremely painful for them at first and definitely not worth it. Like choke collars, these collars enforce positive punishment and equate

pain and fear to simply walking at their own speed on a walk. With similar strain on the dog's neck and spine like choke collars, prong collars can cause injuries in the thyroid gland and cause dogs to faint and experience asphyxiation.

These are just two examples of common yet inhumane collars that are typically used to train dogs. If these two collars are the only option for you, ensure that you talk to a trained professional for advice for sizing and training methods in order to avoid physical and mental damage to your dog.

According to PETA, using harnesses when walking your dog is the safest and kindest method. In addition to a simple buckle collar, harnesses will alleviate choking and strain on their thyroid gland, throat, and spine, and will also allow you to have more control when walking your dog (especially when pulling them out of harm’s way).

Collars are not entirely bad and can be very useful when identifying your dog and training. However, without proper sizing and professional help, many collars can do more harm than good for both dogs and owners. The most practical and ethical way to walk a dog is with a collar and a harness, which provides security and control. There are a variety of harnesses to choose from that are oftentimes low cost. I encourage dog owners to consider these factors before using harmful collars and neglecting to use a harness.

Bibliography

Dog Collars. https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/dog-collars. Accessed 25 Oct. 2020.

Is Your Dog’s Collar Dangerous? 2018,

https://www.peta.org/living/animal-companions/dangerous-dog-collars/.

Lamont, Di. Are Prong Collars and Choke Chains a Shameful Trend That Dog Lovers Should Ditch? - One Green Planet. One Green Planet, 7 Apr. 2015, https://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/why-prong-collars-and-choke-chains-are-a-shameful-trend-that-dog-lovers-should-ditch/.