Product Review: FinelyTooled Carved Leather Dragonwing Collar

I spotted this gorgeous leather Dragonwing Collar by FinelyTooled on Etsy well over a year ago. I thought it was absolutely stunning, and when I had the means to get one for Brisbane I had to do it. This collar was custom made just for Briz, I chose the design, colors, and hardware. The seller does a number of feather, wing, fantasy, and nature-inspired designs, and makes dog gear, horse gear, and probably anything you can imagine.

Photo by Erin Koski

Look at how pretty this collar is! It's so nice, and every time he wears it we get comments. It's a very wide and very stiff collar, so it's more of a special occasion collar than everyday wear. I have a lot of trouble keeping hair on Brisbane's neck because everything including his tag collar rubs it off.

Back in my medieval reenactment days, I did a bit of custom leather work including carving. I always intended to make Brisbane a harness but stopped doing reenactment before I got around to it. I can prepare and stitch basic pieces, but detailed carving like this is far beyond my skills.

Not only did I get a kickass custom art piece for Brisbane to wear, I supported a talented artist rather than a faceless corporation. That's why I love Etsy.

Photo by Erin Koski

Pros: Custom made just for Brisbane. Heavy, high-quality hardware. Absolutely stunning. Surprisingly low price for custom work.

Cons: Stiff leather tends to break in Brisbane's neck rather than being broken in. Would be totally awesome lined in felt or velvet, for which I would have had to pay much more.

Bottom Line: Clearly Sisci needs one too.

Product Review: Dog Dazzlers Collar Slides

I found this Dog Dazzlers Collar Slide in the clearance bin at Petco. These come in a variety of styles, including flowers and bows. Each ornament has an elastic loop on the back that allows it to slide onto almost any collar.

Photo by Erin Koski

I love this giant flower on Ru's collar. It reminds me of those ridiculously oversized flower headbands people like to put on babies. It's actually a pretty reasonably-sized flower on a reasonably-sized dog though, Ru just makes it look big.

I like the idea of removable collar ornaments. Most of the permanently-attached ones I see are extremely worn and dirty. They probably looked pretty at first, but flowers and butterflies and fabric patches tend to tolerate less wear than the rest of the collar.

Pros: Easy to use. Fits on a variety of collar sizes, from tiny to 1" wide. Lots of different colors and styles.

Cons: Not very durable. Significantly less impact when worn by normal-sized dogs.

Bottom Line: Perfect for when I feel like decorating my chihuahua. Look how fancy!

How do you dress up your dog?

Product Review: Dogs My Love Tiny Flower Collar

The Dogs My Love Genuine Leather Collar is studded and decorated with rhinestones and flowers. It has a unique shape that widens and tapers both at the ends and in the middle. The leash ring is located in the center. This collar is available in several colors and two sizes to fit dogs with necks 8" to 13" around.

Photo by Erin Koski

I found this super cute collar while looking for itty bitty collars on Amazon. This one was about $12 and it is perfect for Ru. The leather is very soft and flexible, and the whole collar is very light.

It's not a flimsy collar. Well, I suppose it would be if it were for a bigger dog. Still, I am not at all worried about it falling off. I only use it to hold tags, I never attach a leash to Ru's collar.

Pros: Too cute! Light and flexible enough to be comfortable on a wee delicate dog.

Cons: Very limited size range, really just for itty bitty dogs.

Bottom Line: An inexpensive way to pretty up my tiny dog.

Fancy Dog Stuff: Center Ring Brass Clincher Collar

I wanted to do a product review on this center-dee brass clincher collar, but I can't figure out where in the world it came from. I bought it at a thrift store for $5.

Photo by Erin Koski

Normally when I find something cool like this, it only takes a little Googling to find out who made it. Most really nice leather stuff has a maker's mark of some sort on it. This clincher collar just has '20' stamped on the end.

It's a seriously nice collar. The brass clincher ornamentation is based on decorative browbands on horse bridles, so this would be an "equestrian-inspired" design. There are a lot of similar collars out there, but ours has some unique features. The buckle is rounded rather than square, and kind of decorative and antique-ish. Most of the clincher collars I found online have one solid row going all the way around, but ours is separated by the center leash ring. The whole effect is a collar that sits nicely with the most decorative parts either on top of Brisbane's neck or under it, depending on where I hang his tags.

Other fancy details include the fact that the collar is doubled and stitched with a nice little strap keeper. The edges are rounded and finished to help protect the leather, and the entire collar feels like a tiny piece of horse tack. So fancy!

Product Review: Mirage #72 Crystal Collar

The Mirage #72 Crystal Collar is a vinyl buckle collar with a double row of crystals. It comes in nine colors and eight sizes to fit dogs with necks 6-22" around.

Photo by Erin Koski

The Mirage Pet Products company makes assorted inexpensive pet products and sells them wholesale to distributors and retail sellers. They also do drop shipping arrangements where online stores can sell a collar without having it in stock, and Mirage will just ship the collar directly to the customer.

Mirage makes a variety of interesting and adorable collars for cheap. Brisbane's #72 is clearly an older model based on the shape of the post ring in the center. Ours is triangle-shaped, while the current model has a round ring. This hardware is for attaching tags rather than leashes, there is a ring beside the buckle for that.

I suspect Mirage has been around for a few decades because a lot of their products are remarkably similar to the fancy stuff carried by the local pet store when I was a kid. The vinyl sailor collars are particularly nostalgic. I found Brisbane's collar at a thrift store so I have no idea how old it is, but it has held up beautifully. I've found similar vintage collars that date from the 1970's.

Pros: Snazzy collar with crystals riveted right on so they stay put. Does not appear to age. Looks quite fancy but costs $30 or less new.

Cons: Might be imported from who knows where and be crafted from toxic metals. Pretty center ring looks like a deceptively good place to clip a leash.

Bottom Line: I had trouble deciding whether to make this a product review and not a vintage chic post because I genuinely do not know how old this collar is. That's pretty impressive.

Product Review: Ruffwear Knot-a-Collar

The Ruffwear Knot-a-Collar is a flat collar made from reflective climbing rope. The current model features a tag silencer, a leash ring that remains oriented on top of the neck, and a buckle-free design. It comes in four colors and two sizes to fit dogs with necks 14-26" around.

Photo by Erin Koski

Ruffwear's Knot-a-Collar has gone through several redesigns since I first became a fan of the company. The first one I ever saw was a breakaway design intended to hold tags and come off if the collar got caught on anything. This was eventually discontinued, and the Knot-a-Collar I own was introduced. Mine is an adjustable flat buckle collar with a leash ring, and is made from significantly thicker rope than the original or current models.

The current Knot-a-Collar is made from thinner rope than mine, and has no buckle. Instead, the size adjusts via a pair of sliding knots. It is truly a minimalist collar. Mine is a little more ordinary, but is still a collar made out of climbing rope. The round rope slides into Brisbane's coat nicely, and makes it look as though he isn't even wearing a collar. It does its job of carrying his identification tags and providing a leash attachment point without screaming "COLLAR!" or distracting from anything else on the dog.

Pros: Strong, sturdy, and guaranteed for life. Rounded rope slides into fur without breaking or matting. Keeps leash ring on top. Lightweight design is gentle on sensitive skin. Reflective trim gives night visibility.

Cons: Sliding knot design of current model may loosen up if adjusted poorly, making the collar easier to escape. The current Knot-a-Collar is 7mm rope and thinner than many people expect. Lacks a quick-release buckle in case of entanglement.

Bottom Line: This makes a great tag-holding collar for long-hair fluffy dogs, and also for dogs with thin coats and delicate skin, like sighthounds. It is a wonderful minimalist collar that is almost a necklace.

Product Review: Bret Michaels Pets Rock Rolled Leather Collar

The Bret Michaels Rolled Leather Collar from the PetSmart Pets Rock collection is a flat buckle collar. This is from a line of rockstar themed products endorsed by an actual rockstar, and many of their products are actually quite snazzy.

Photo by Erin Koski

As Pets Rock collars go, this one is pretty sweet. It's simpler than the ones encrusted with spikes, studs, and chains. The buckle keeper is emblazoned with Bret Michaels's signature, and the rolled part is narrow.

As rolled leather collars go, this one isn't that great. The function of a rolled leather collar is to avoid corners or edges rubbing against the dog's coat. The rounded section of leather slides along the hairs without pulling them. The Pets Rock rolled leather collar is more folded than it is rolled. The leather is folded in half and stitched down, but it's been scraped so thin on the inside that the entire thing just collapses into a neat square.

Pros: Skinny minimalist design, bears rockstar signature logo, probably made from cow.

Cons: Isn't actually round.

Bottom Line: All the classic rolled leather style with none of the function. Most of PetSmart's Bret Michaels collars rock a little harder, but this one's a decent price for a thin, strong, simple leather design.

Disney Exclusive Licensed Mickey Mouse Leather Collar

Licensed Disney merchandise for pets can be tough to find, as far as I am aware it has largely been available at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. During the pet boutique craze of a decade ago, I got a set of Mickey Mouse ears, some dog bowls and squeaky toys, a Cruella de Vil chew toy, and a Mickey Mouse ID tag for Briz.

Photo by Erin Koski

Pet stuff has oddly never really been available at Disneyland or any of the Disney Stores I have visited. There might be an occasional chew toy, but the big displays with assorted collars, bowls, and toys featuring Pluto and the other canine Disney characters are limited to one or two locations at Disney World.

Four years ago, after scouring every store in the park, I found this gorgeous leather collar with Mickey Mouse studs. It reminded me of our Hot Dogs collars, but the quality seems to be lacking. Instead of enameled pewter decorations, these are laminated stickers.

I think I have an overly idealized impression of Disney and their products, because I expected this collar to hold up better. I have plenty of collars that look amazing years later, but the Mickies on this one started looking terrible within a few months. The leather still looks fabulous, I've considered painting the Mickies or pulling them off and replacing them with something else. I haven't found any other collars yet that have this design flaw, obviously Disney doesn't specialize in dog collars.

I still put it on Briz all the time though, it's a nice souvenir from a fun trip.

Chihuahua Fashion Moment: Authentic Burberry Dog Collar

This collar is another thrift store find. It is labeled "Burberry London" on the inside, and each stud says "Burberry" along with the buckle. This is a leather collar with an overlay in the iconic Burberry House Check pattern. This is a very wide collar for a small dog, it fits necks 8-11" around and is a full inch wide.

Photo by Erin Koski

I believe this collar was available in 2005, Burberry does not currently offer any dog collars or accessories as part of their 2014 line. There are knockoff collars with Burberry check patterns, but unlike Coach I don't believe Burberry routinely produces dog collars. This one seems to be a very high-end reminder of the dog boutique fad of a decade ago. Remember when tiny dogs as fashion accessories were suddenly popularized by celebrities, and everyone had to have a pursedog? Remember when everyone from Target to Toys'R'Us to Victoria's Secret had to have a dog boutique full of adorable collars and sweaters and bowls and beds? All sized for dogs well under 30 pounds? I still have two sets of Old Navy rain booties that date from 2001. I'm actually rather disappointed that the fad ended around 2006, well before I got a pursedog of my own.

Ru's Burberry collar is a thrift store find from a year or two ago, I paid around $2 for it. Normally the thrift stores in town overcharge for everything and frequently price worn items well above retail, but I am fortunate that they don't seem to know pet stuff very well. This collar was greasy, stinky, and very dirty when I bought it. For reasons that escape me, some people will apparently put a $200 collar on a dog that goes years between baths. At any rate, it cleaned up nicely with a little saddle soap, with just a small crack in the overlay along the most used hole. Perhaps I should rethink my stance on stinky thrift store Coach collars...

Product Review: Authentic Coach Signature Dog Collar

The Authentic Coach Signature Dog Collar is a flat buckle collar made from smooth leather. These are available in a variety  of colors and patterns that change every season. Authentic Coach collars are available in six sizes to fit dogs with necks 6-26" around, though some collars are not available in Extra Extra Small or Extra Large and are limited to 8.5-21" necks.

Photo by Erin Koski

Ru's Coach collar is actually a lucky thrift store find, but it's really quite a nice collar. This is an Extra Small, and it fits a bit big on his tiny 8" neck. It came in its original box, and I thought it was brand new when I bought it, but it has just enough wear to tell me that some other little dog wore it occasionally before it was donated. Oddly enough, I've now found two different used Coach collars in thrift stores with their original boxes. The second one I didn't buy because is was:

1. Big enough to wrap around Brisbane's neck twice.
2. Stinky as hell.

Still, that smelly and extremely worn collar was still neatly contained in its original Coach box. I'm not really sure exactly what the attraction is, but I will readily admit that the box to Ru's collar is safely stowed with the rest of his wardrobe. No, I don't know why I'm saving it either.

The box from Ru's collar has the original price tag which informs me that it came from an outlet store and cost $50 new. This seems a little steep, given the product itself. Yes, it is a nice plain leather collar, and yes, nice collars can cost much more. However, this is a plain collar for a tiny dog, and that is what makes $50 seem a bit much. Most very nice plain leather collars for tiny dogs cost quite a bit less, it's the ones with crystals and pearls and other decorations that drive up the price. Collars in this price range are usually bigger or fancier.

Having seen quite a few old, smelly, and worn Coach collars, I am not inclined to believe that this one is expected to have a longer lifespan, or to look nicer as it ages. I'm pretty sure our WoofWear collars will wear the distressed look better.

Pros: Pretty, stylish, doesn't look like it came from a major chain store. Has a nice little tag charm so everybody knows it's by a high-end designer. Definitely a quality product, and made to last.

Cons: High price tag is primarily for the big designer name and not because this is somehow a better collar. Yes it has custom brass hardware, but I've also never seen a plain old stainless steel D-ring fail, the brass is prettier and not more functional. I believe these collars are also more prone to developing dog stank, and I don't know that they can be adequately cleaned.

Bottom Line: The Authentic Signature Coach collar was nice enough to be worth $20 at the thrift store, but I won't be spending $50-100 on a new one unless I very suddenly become extremely wealthy. I would also love to know who spends this much on a dog collar and then doesn't wash it or the dog.

Product Review: Lupine Combo Collar

The Lupine Combo Collar is a martingale collar. It has two D-rings, a "live ring" that pulls the collar tight, and a "dead ring" that does not pull the collar tight. The combo collar is available in four sizes and two widths to fit dogs with necks 10-27" around. It can be found in any 3/4" or 1" wide Lupine pattern, and is backed by Lupine's lifetime guarantee that covers chewing damage.

Photo by Erin Koski

I love Lupine stuff, and I use it every day. We currently have three 3/4" wide Combo collars, all in retired patterns because they last forever so I haven't needed to buy new ones in years. These are my regular everyday martingales that I use instead of flat buckle collars because Brisbane's head is smaller than his neck. I also use them as emergency backup collars for rescue dogs, transport dogs, and any other dog that I would prefer not get loose and play in traffic. Of my three collars, only the blue dolphin collar is fading, and only because it is one of Brisbane's regular beach collars.

Photo by Erin Koski

My complaint about Lupine's Combo collar is pretty much the same as my complaint about every other martingale out there: the loop is too big. I know that the collar needs to be big enough to slip over his head, but there's got to be a happy medium between "too tight to get on" and "flopping around loosely". I think the loop on the Combo collars could stand to be a couple of inches shorter.

I think Lupine has changed the sizes of their Combo collars since I bought mine. The website currently states that 3/4" wide Combo collars come in two sizes, 10-14" and 14-20". Brisbane's dolphin and cow collars adjusts between 14" and 20" with 4" of that being loop. The playing car collar adjusts between 20" and 30" (holy mackerel, I did not realize it got that big!), also with 4" being loop. I keep the collar adjusted tight enough to prevent escape, but not tight enough to strangle my dog, which means it is always hanging 4" too loose, or I have a 4" long tab hanging off the collar. A 2" loop would have been sufficient, and if I had one of the smaller ones adjusted to its minimum side, 25% of the length would be loop.

Pros: Super useful as an emergency backup collar for dogs that like to escape from various equipment. The immense variety of patterns means I can coordinate with other gear or make the martingales stand out. Brisbane's Lupine Combo collars are mostly different patterns than the rest of his stuff, making them very easy to locate in the collar drawer or gear bag. The Lupine guarantee makes me much more likely to use these on foster dogs who may or may not eat collars. The dead ring is a handy place to hang tags.

Cons: I think the martingale loops on these are way too long. When adjusted properly to prevent Brisbane from backing out, they hang way too loose. A lot of people use these for regular collars and leave them on their dogs all the time, and they have them adjusted tight enough to look like a regular collar and therefore strangle their dog when leash pressure is applied. Martingale collars can strangle unattended dogs, and the loop makes them more likely to get wrapped around other dogs' faces during play.

Bottom Line: For availability, style, durability, and options, these just can't be beat. I have yet to find anything I like as much, long loops and all.

The Truth About Spiked Collars

A spiked dog collar can make a pooch look tough (or silly, depending on the dog), but what are they actually for? Is the purpose of a spiked collar just to make a dog look as badass as possible? Is it supposed to make the dog difficult to grab? Were they originally intended as human fashion accessories that migrated onto our pets, or did that work the other way around?

Photo by Erin Koski

Spiked collars aren't just a fashion statement, they're actually a historic piece of equipment for working dogs. The spiked collar dates all the way back to ancient Greece, when they were first used as neck armor for herding dogs and flock guardians. These brave dogs needed to protect their sheep and cattle from predators like wolves. The neck is the most vulnerable part of the dog, and predators know this. Most breeds have thick, dense fur around their necks, some practically have a mane.

A dog with a neck full of spikes was more likely to walk away from an encounter with a wolf. I used to do medieval reenactment, and of course Brisbane needed to have a period ensemble. His collar is not a deliberate recreation of a historic design, but it is a lot easier to live with.

Photo by Erin Koski

The oldest spiked dog collars tend to have long, nasty spikes that extend several inches from the collar. Some of them are made from twisted metal links with forged spikes. Brisbane's spiked collar was custom made at a Society for Creative Anachronism event, and follows the trend in historic dog collars. As spiked collars became more widespread, the spikes became less nasty and more decorative.

Photo by Erin Koski

The next dogs to sport pointy bits on their necks were mastiffs, the dogs of war, along with guard dogs. Again, these dogs were expected to face combat of some sort, and the wide spiked collars helped prevent anything from attacking their necks. Next, the concept migrated to fighting dogs, bull baiters, and other dogs with tough jobs.

Today spiked dog collars are a fashion statement, but they can still serve a purpose. A heavy spiked collar is protective neck armor, if it is wide enough it will also distribute force and help prevent damage to the throat when the dog pulls on the leash.

With that in mind, spiked collars do not belong on any dog that can be reasonably expected to play with another dog. Wearing a spiked collar around town is cool. Wearing a spiked collar to the dog park is stupid, especially if the outing is for a highly social dog that loves to play. Back when we routinely visited dog parks, I saw plenty of happy, silly dogs attempting to wrestle and play while wearing collars intended to injure dogs that joined them. I'm pretty sure that's not what the owners had in mind, but this doesn't seem like rocket science. Maybe I'm wrong...

Product Review:Made by Tawny Pink Dino Collar

Made by Tawny is my coworker's own collar company, featuring flat buckle collars with grosgrain ribbon trim. She makes collars in tons of different designs and three sizes to fit dogs with necks 10-24" around.

Photo by Erin Koski

I love dinosaurs with the fiery fury of a thousand death comets, and there just aren't that many cute dinosaur collars out there. The ones that I see are usually terribly cartoonish, or have a pattern so small that it's unrecognizable, or have a background in an unappealing color that is sure to look filthy right away. Enter the Pink Dino Collar. It's bright, it's bold, and it gets right to the point, which is dinosaurs.

This one was originally made for Josie, who went to work with me every day. As her neck was only a couple of inches larger than Brisbane's, he has inherited it. This is easily my favorite collar, so Briz wears it a lot. Josie wore it nonstop for several weeks. It still looks brand new. I like to wear a hot pink athletic shirt and my stegosaurus necklace to events like lure coursing so we can match.

Pros: Durable enough to handle scratching from Brisbane's death talons without taking any damage. Dries nicely and doesn't collect dirt easily. I'm pretty sure I've also sent it through my washing machine by now. Also, dinosaurs.

Cons: Doesn't quite come small enough for Ru, though I may just get him a 10" collar and have it be 2" too big because seriously, dinosaurs.

Bottom Line: This is definitely my favorite collar, I am absolutely delighted that it has held up so well.

Product Review: RC Pets Clip Collar

The RC Pets Clip Collar is an adjustable flat buckle collar. It features a plastic quick-release buckle, and RC Pets exclusive trims. This collar comes in five sizes to fit dogs with necks 6-25" around, and is available in 39 different patterns.

Photo by Erin Koski

This is yet another of my beloved RC Pets products in the Maltese Cross pattern. Ours is at least 8 years old and looks fantastic. I really can't say enough good things about this company. Their collars are very popular, I see them all over the place, and I have yet to see one that looks faded or worn. Brisbane wore this collar to the beach many times, and it has been through the washing machine a whole lot. It has even been scrubbed after a particularly horrific roll in a dead sea lion.

A lot of collars with ribbon trim don't hold up very well. We had some very pretty ones that were destroyed when Briz scratched his neck. It shouldn't be a huge surprise, he has very long nails and also allergies that make him itchy. The RC Pets Clip Collar trim still looks amazing though. Brisbane was wearing it before I figured out his food allergy issues, back when he was super-itchy and developing hot spots. If it's durable enough for that, it's durable enough for anything.

Photo by Erin Koski

Pros: Super-durable and highly adjustable with no fading, Sizing stays true and does not slip. Tons of patterns and matching training collars, leashes, and harnesses for big and small dogs. Has a reflective patch next to the leash attachment.

Cons: They discontinued flame print. Honestly that's all I can come up with.

Bottom Line: These are more fun than a plain collar, with plenty of unique patterns to choose from. I love the Maltese Cross pattern.

Product Review: WoofWear Collars

WoofWear collars are decorative leather flat buckle collars that come in an enormous variety of sizes and styles to fit dogs with 7-24" necks. The company also makes matching leashes and cat collars.

Photo by Erin Koski

WoofWear collars are pretty freaking fancy, and they last forever. Guaranteed to make your dog look like a million bucks, the fancier collars come with an equally fancy price tag. I have two Woofwear dog collars that I bought for my dearly departed cocker spaniel more than ten years ago. One of these is currently sitting on the tin that contains her ashes, as a little memorial to my very first dog. The other is big enough for Brisbane, so he gets to wear it now and then.

This collar graced the neck of my beloved Oakley for well over a year before I replaced it with a lighter and thinner collar of the same design. Briz has worn it on and off for his entire life, and it still look fantastic if slightly broken in. I see these on dogs at work all the time too, and they seem to handle water and wear remarkably well. My only complaint is that eventually the lighter pink collars begin to look a bit dirty. My stupidest cat is currently wearing a darker pink PuddyTat by WoofWear collar though, and it still looks amazing.

Brisbane's Classic Heart collar is about as plain as WoofWear gets. All of their designs come in 24 different suede, metallic, cowhide, and leather colors. Classic Collars come in four different widths and 26 different designs that start with a simple row of hearts/bones/paws/dogs/conchos/Texas stars/buffalo nickles and range to heavy combinations of studs, spikes, studs, and grommets.WoofWear Bling Collars combine all of the above with swarovski crystals for a very fancy look. Some styles incorporate pearls and moonstones. WoofWear's TinyWide collars are incredibly fancy 1.5" wide selections for small dogs with 8-12" necks. Mega Collars are 2-4" wide spiked affairs for dogs with 18-32" necks.

Pros: These collars last forever and are of outstanding quality, I have never seen one missing a stud or crystal. They have some very unique designs and a ton of options for a perfectly customized creation. WoofWear products are also widely available, I have seen them in many different stores.

Cons: Holy price tag shock Batman! A crystal-studded Tiny Diva collar for Ru would cost $120, which is why Ru does not have a crystal-studded Tiny Diva collar. Also, not all colors age the same. I have seen some very tired-looking pastel pink and lavender collars. It is important to measure carefully for fit because these are traditional buckle collars and each size only adjusts a couple of inches. I have found the WoofWear leashes to be far too stiff and heavy for my tastes.

Bottom Line: I would have a ton of these if they weren't so danged expensive. I'm slowly outfitting my cats with them because they are amazing for constant wear. If I had to pick just one collar to put on each of my dogs and leave on them all the time, I would definitely pick these.

Product Review: RC Pets Training Collar

The RC Pets Training Collar is a martingale with a chain loop instead of a nylon webbing loop. This is also known as a limited-slip collar, and can be used like a choke chain. It is adjustable and machine washable. This collar comes in 39 patterns and four sizes to fit dogs with necks 7-26" around.

Photo by Erin Koski

This is the collar we used for obedience training. Brisbane and I did UKC obedience for nearly five years, and Briz does Utility obedience, which is the most advanced level. Unfortunately, he only does his obedience performance outside a showring, and at competitions and practice matches he suddenly forgets who I am and wanders off. After several years of work with zero titles or legs toward titles, or even qualifying scores, I gave up. Brisbane has his AKC Canine Good Citizen title and that's it.

Our obedience classes used positive training because aversive obedience training mostly results in dogs that look unhappy in the showring. I've read that many obedience competitors use aversive methods that include pinching ears or hitting dogs, but I would never hurt my dog like that. Brisbane's life has been blissfully free of choke chains and collar corrections.

Photo by Erin Koski

So why the chain training collar? The chain section makes a nice noise when I move the leash, allowing me to get Brisbane's attention just by jiggling or lightly tugging. A fast tug will make a distinctive zippy noise, but it won't hurt him because the collar is only tight enough to keep him from backing out of it.

A real choke chain collar correction involves a collar that gets much tighter, and a seriously forceful yank. A "collar pop" that doesn't hurt is just supposed to be a reminder that a much more painful correction can be used. Most people are using choke chains wrong. Any kind of choke or limited-slip collar can strangle your dog, but that's not a real deterrent to pulling.

Anyway, I have two of these collars. I thought mine were sizes Medium and Large, since I have a 1" wide flame-print (discontinued!) collar and a 3/4" wide Maltese cross collar. Both of these collars are at least six years old though, and it's distinctly possible that the sizes have changed since the current 3/4" collars top out at 14" and Briz has a 17" neck. I used the smaller collar for obedience classes, we tried the larger one once and Brisbane got a dewclaw caught in the chain during an off-leash exercise.

Pros: Awesome RC Pets patterns including my favorite Maltese Cross, so I can make everything match. The patterns don't fade and they continue to look awesome forever. These chains on these collars are long enough to make a good zippy noise, but not so long that the collar hangs super-loose. (I'm looking at you, Premier!) There is a separate ring on the collar for hanging tags without interfering with the chain.

Cons: The noisy chain can spook shy dogs. RC Pets advertises this collar as a pulling deterrent, demonstrating that they don't actually know how choke collars should work. Also, flame print has been discontinued.

Bottom Line: I used this collar every single day when Brisbane and I were doing obedience training. I got several years of use out of my Maltese Cross collar and it still looks great. I don't use the training collars often these days, but I still carry one in my training bag for times when I want to do some peppy heelwork with Briz. There's definitely something to be said for having a special type of collar for training time.

Product Review: Earthdog Decorative Hemp Adjustable Collar

The Earthdog Decorative Hemp Adjustable Collar is made from hemp webbing with a plastic quick-release buckle and decorative trim overlay. This collar comes in three sizes and 24 different styles. The company makes matching leashes, harnesses, martingale collars, and couplers, as well as solid-colored untrimmed versions of all these products.

Photo by Erin Koski

I love the way Earthdog's collars look, and they are very popular. I see them on dogs everywhere, and the star, crown, and daisy patterns seem to be the most popular. Brisbane's Earthdog collar is a less common pattern, but it is easily one of the most unique and creative. Each of Earthdog's trims is named after a specific dog, and my favorite is called Avery. It is a fabulous twist on the overdone skull and crossbones theme, featuring a dog skull. Totally different, right? I have a coyote skull sitting on my bookshelf right now, and I can confirm that this design is accurate.

Photo by Erin Koski

These collars are very durable, though I did see the leash ring fall off one at work once. The dog in question never had a leash attached to his Earthdog collar, but he did have two extremely heavy tags swinging from is for well over a year before the fabric eventually wore through. I have never seen the trim overlay take any damage, and Brisbane has not clawed his up even with his super-pointy nails.

Pros: Unique and creative designs, machine washable, and made in the USA. These collars also hold their size very well and don't slip wen adjusted.

Cons: Hanging excessively heavy stuff on the leash ring might lead to unnecessary wear and tear, though that could have been a product flaw. I don't believe the owners of that collar ever followed up with the company, though.

Bottom Line: This is Brisbane's default collar. When he's not dressed in My Little Ponies, he's usually wearing his Avery dog skull Earthdog collar.

Product Review: Premier Martingale Collars

Premier Martingale Collars are a type of limited-slip collar that tightens to prevent dogs from backing out and escaping. Premier's plain martingale collar comes in five sizes and twelve different colors. Their Fido Finery line comes in the same five sizes and nine different patterns of ribbon overlay.

Photo by Erin Koski

Despite his magnificently fluffy ears, Brisbane's head is actually smaller than his neck. He is an expert at escaping from flat buckle collars, if it doesn't tighten up he can back right out of it. I put his tags on flat buckle collars because those are safer to leave on him, but I never attach a leash to those unless we're in an extremely low-risk area where I can be certain he won't take off and try to eat skateboarders.

Martingale collars are a great way to securely leash a dog without strangling them like a choke chain. These aren't designed to make pulling on the leash uncomfortable. A properly adjusted martingale collar should be tight enough to not slip off when the loop is pulled shut. A lot of people adjust them so they are snug when the loop is loose and choke the dog when leash pressure is applied. This is unhealthy for the dog, and extremely unsafe when left on an unattended dog. If the collar gets caught on anything, the dog could easily be strangled.

Photo by Erin Koski

Most martingale collars don't have a buckle, which also makes them potentially hazardous for everyday wear. Even if I saw Brisbane get his collar caught on something, I wouldn't be able to get him loose without cutting through the collar. Martingales are especially dangerous for dogs that play with other dogs, it's not difficult for a buddy to get their lower jaw caught in that loop, and separating two panicked dogs is incredibly difficult. Premier also makes a plain martingale collar with a quick release buckle, but I still don't find those safe enough to leave on my dog, they're just easier to get on and off because they don't have to slip over his head.

I love dog stuff, so we have quite a few martingale collars. However, the Premier ones aren't my favorite. The loop in these collars is huge, meaning the collar hangs very loose when it isn't pulled tight. Super-loose martingales bug me, especially when tags make the collar droop.

Pros: Come in a wide variety of sizes, widths, and colors for the fashion-conscious. These keep their color for a very long time, and go through the washing machine easily. Unlike some of the ribbon overlay collars we have tried, the Fido Finery holds up beautifully to neck scratching. Premier products are very sturdy and reliable, and they have little brand tags so you know who made them.

Cons: The big martingale loop on the 1" wide collars is very large, allowing the collar to droop when loose and tempting users to adjust the collar too tight. There is only one ring on these collars, and tags attached to that ring will pull the collar tight. The size large collar is really quite heavy.

Bottom Line: I don't use these martingales for Brisbane on a regular basis. Although they adjust down to his size, that huge loop makes them annoying. The purple collar is a medium, and the loop is just as big as on the large teal collar. I did use them for Josie, and also for Ulysses. They are a great backup for a head halter, prong collar, or harness. We consider Uly a flight risk, and I always use a carabiner to attach his harness to a martingale collar when we leave the house. They may not be a great everyday option for Brisbane, but I find these are extremely valuable for rescue and foster dogs.

Product Review: Buckle Down Collars

Buckle Down collars are made from printed nylon and feature a seatbelt-style buckle. They come in a huge variety of licensed prints, and are available in several sizes to fit medium and large dogs with necks 9-32" around. The company also makes matching 4' leashes, and their original product is actually belts for humans.

Photo by Erin Koski

I'm a bit of a sucker for licensed products, I'm a shameless My Little Pony fan. Buckle Down has found a way to capitalize on people like me, and they have licensed a near-infinite number of logos and characters to put on their products. I own two My Little Pony collars, one Space Invaders, one with peace signs, and one with hearts. I also have a matching My Little Pony belt because coordinating with my dog is awesome.

Photo by Erin Koski

I like the metal buckles on these collars. Unlike the ones Planet Dog used to use on their Cozy Hemp collars, these are smooth and flat. The buckles feel strong and reliable, plus they are very light and don't rub coats or chafe skin. The collars come in 1" and 1.5" widths, and the wider ones look awesome on big and wide dogs. The thinner ribbon looks fabulous on my smaller and lighter guys.

Buckle Down collars and belts are a fabulous way to express my nerdiness. They have superhero and cartoon character collars, but they also have internet-famous licensed characters like Grumpy Cat and Nyan Cat.

Pros: Durable web collars come in a zillion different designs, with matching people-gear available as well. Collars hold their colors and designs very well, mine have been on dogs almost constantly since December and look awesome. Comfortable and much lighter than most metal buckles. Easy to adjust and they don't slip or loosen over time.

Cons: These are not great beach collars, the buckle on our peace sign collar is a little harder to open since its close encounter with sand and salt water. Not for little tiny dogs despite the fact that they can be adjusted very small. Ru has an 8" neck and these would look ridiculous on him.

Bottom Line: I now own five Buckle Down collars and one belt, at least one of these items gets used every day. Buckle Down has found a unique way to tap into the fandom market, and I am seriously hooked. I love these collars. The dogs don't mind them either.

Product Review: Premier KeepSafe Collar

The Premier KeepSafe Collar is a breakaway collar designed to release in an emergency to prevent the dog from strangling. It comes in five sizes to fit dogs with necks 7-34" around. The collar is nylon with a quick-release plastic buckle, a breakaway release, and two D-rings. It comes in four colors.

Photos by Erin Koski

When Brisbane was a puppy, he slept in a plastic airline crate every night. One morning I found him sitting forlornly against the side of his crate. One of his tags had slipped through a vent in the side and then rotated so that he was trapped. I was extremely fortunate that he was able to sit there and wait for me to rescue him, and I was acutely aware that he could have strangled to death within minutes if he had gotten hung up in a different spot.

At work we also occasionally see dogs get their faces caught in each other's collars. The policy is

The breakaway section separated.

that collars that tighten (martingales, chokes) and collars without buckles come off before the dog comes into the yard to play. If one dog is grabbing another dog's collar in play, we remove that collar until playtime is over. When a dog does get caught, it is usually because they grabbed a friend's collar and then spun around, twisting the collar around their lower jaw. Someone is always watching the dogs, and there are always several people around, so separating them is usually quick and efficient. The first dog to grab is the one wearing the collar on their neck and being strangled, this one needs to be held still so the collar can be unbuckled.

The Premier KeepSafe collar conveniently removes both of these dangers. I had seen this one at the store prior to Brisbane's incident, and I bought it the day he got caught in his crate. I wasn't comfortable leaving him without identification tags, so this was a perfect compromise.

Leash attachment feature.

The collar has a standard plastic quick-release buckle for taking it on and off. It also has a breakaway section that is slightly more difficult to put back together. It comes apart with a good tug, the grabby section is made from a slightly more flexible material to help it separate easily. There is a D-ring on either side of this section for attaching the leash. Clip it through both and the collar won't break open with pressure.

Pros: Breakaway feature literally saves lives. Collar strangulation is a serious hazard, but dogs also need to be wearing identification for safety. The KeepSafe collar is a happy compromise between the two issues. This is an extremely well-made collar, Premier makes great stuff. Brisbane's looks great years later.

Cons: The downside to the KeepSafe is that it does not make a convenient grab handle for your dog in emergencies. I once grabbed Brisbane's collar to keep him from greeting someone too enthusiastically, and he popped right out of it and went charging over to visit. When I worked at a pet store I saw a nervous Vizsla slip out of a Halti and then pop out of a KeepSafe collar as her owner attempted to capture her. If the collar breaks open while the dog is running off-leash the collar and attached tags can get lost. Tags are a pain in the butt to replace.

Bottom Line: My dogs don't normally wear collars around the house these days for a number of reasons, including safety and reducing skin irritation. Still, I have kept Brisbane's KeepSafe collar because it is so valuable in certain situations. For dogs that love to play and wrestle together, breakaway collars could save their lives.