Collars are often chosen as a fashion statement but these choices should change with your requirements for your dog's training. When you train obedience you should choose one collar; if you are training your dog in protection, you might need another type. This all evolves as your dog becomes more off-lead responsible.

Leather Collars: Leather collars are soft and come in a flat or round shape. They tend to be gentle on your dog's neck, and in general the wider the collar (one and a half to two inches), the more comfortable the fit. The round leather collar is more likely to produce hacking behaviors if your dog forges.

Some leather collars are sold for training German shepherd dogs, rottweilers, and other competition protection breeds. They are two inches wide and made for comfort during agitation and bite training.

Chain Collars: Chain collars are usually of the slip-choker or pinch-collar variety. These collars are used strictly for training, so once trained, dogs should be outfitted with more comfortable equipment. The chain slip collar can be a very effective tool when used correctly. If you have one of these on your dog, and he is choking at the end of the leash, take it off. Knowledge of correct usage is essential or the collar is merely abusive. The device is meant to be worn loose on your dog and used in conjunction to voice and body postures. Learning how to use it takes practice and usually professional assistance.

Pinch Collars: The pinch or prong collar looks barbaric but is a very useful tool when used correctly, and it offers much less potential for injury than the slip collar. The pinch collar is fitted to the neck size for effectiveness. This collar should be used with the aid of a professional in that the discomfort offered by this collar can result in an aggressive overreaction by a dog. But it is a great tool for the right handler and the right dog.

Nylon Collars: As with the nylon leashes, these collars are also very strong. They are great house collars. You can hang your dog's vaccination and identification tags off of them. They are durable, affordable, and available in many colors.

Exercise Pen: Great For Housetraining

While a puppy can last in his crate for the night when he is asleep, you cannot leave a puppy in his crate for longer than four hours at a time during the day. Your puppy will soil his crate, which is definitely not a habit you want to establish.

If your schedule is such that you cannot keep an eye on your puppy during the day or come home to let the puppy out in time, a suitable alternative is an exercise pen. An X-pen is a smart confinement and uses the same principle as a crate, except it is bigger and has no top. An X-pen can also be used outdoors.

You need to acquire an X-pen appropriate to the size of your dog. Place it where the puppy will be confined during your absence. To get your dog comfortable in his X-pen, follow the same procedure as you would in introducing him to his crate. When he is in the X-pen and you are ready to leave him for the day, cover 1/3 of the area with newspapers. He will quickly understand what the paper is for. Cover 1/3 of the remaining area with a blanket and leave 1/3 uncovered.