A slip-on collar is usually made of chain or nylon and one that easily slips over the dog's head. As a result, it is generally too big to be an effective training tool. Studies have shown a high incident of significant tracheal and spinal injuries among dogs that are trained with this type of collar. Animal chiropractors have made similar observations of spinal misalignment caused by this collar. Not only are slip-on collars ineffective for purposes of training, but they also pose a danger to the trachea and spine of your dog. Therefore, avoid using a slip-on collar because it is not a very effective way to begin your training and it has a poor safety record. It is better to save your money and get something that works well such as the nylon snap-around collar.

The principal difference between a slip-on and a snap-around collar is that the latter has a clasp that enables you to fasten the collar around the dog's neck instead of having to slip it over his head. That way, you can fit the collar high on your dog's neck where you have the most control. The slip-on collar, on the other hand, slides down all the way to the point where the dog's neck joins the shoulders, which is the strongest area of the dog's body and where you have the least control. The snap-around collar is the first choice among dog owners because of its effectiveness and versatility. The ones that are mostly used are actually made of a material other than nylon that do not stretch or fray.

The major advantage of the snap-around collar is that it does not have to slip over your dog's head; it can be snapped directly around his neck to ensure a snug fit. It should fit high on his neck, just below his ears, as snug as a turtleneck sweater, for a maximum of control.

The snap-around collar is guaranteed to fit your dog properly. The collar should sit just below your dog's ears. Measure the circumference of your dog's neck directly behind his ears with a piece of string and then place the string next to a ruler to get the exact length and then get a collar that size. These collars come in inch increments. The snap-around collar consists of a clasp on one side, a ring on the other side, and a loose or floating ring.

Bone Treat For Your Dog

Give your dog a bone about twice a week as a special treat. Dogs love large beef bones, raw chicken necks, and the tips off chicken wings. If you are not sure how long they have been in the supermarket case, douse them with boiling water to kill any bacteria before feeding.

The benefit of feeding bones is that they give your dog beautiful, pearly white teeth that do not need to be cleaned. However, feeding too many bones will give him constipation and hard, chalky stools. Also, be careful to give your dog only large bones that cannot splinter.

When you give your dog a bone, leave him alone. Dogs get possessive about their bones. They are one of the few items that may cause dogs to growl at you if you try to take one away from them. It is a very special treat, and he wants to be in a place to relax and enjoy it. Let your dog go to his crate, which is the perfect place for him to enjoy his bone in peace. Give him a few hours to indulge himself. After a few days of chewing a fresh bone, it loses its magic, and most dogs will allow you to pick them up or handle them.