Our Top Collars

Collars aren’t something people feel super-passionate about, but they’re still important! We like simple buckle clasp, adjustable martingale style collars. Martingale collars give pulling feedback without compressing excessively, and also tighten during pulling to prevent escape artists from accomplishing their goals. We don’t suggest prong collars or ‘slip leads’ as they can cause pain to the throat and create a negative reinforcement situation.

What we try to avoid in collars:

  • Belt buckle fastening

  • Prong or slip lead design

  • E-collars or shock collars

What we look for in collars:

  • Martingale design

  • Quick snap fastening

 

Our Top Pick:

PetSafe Martingale Dog Collar with Quick Snap Buckle

Great range of sizes and colors, plus the benefit of having a buckle. This makes these collars easy to pop on and off, and they’re made out of durable nylon. Pet Safe is a pretty solid supplier as well.

Best Parts:

  • You get the security of a martingale collar with the convenience of a quick snap buckle so you can easily snap it on and off when you and your pup are just relaxing at home

  • Made from durable nylon and have stainless steel hardware that holds up well in the New England weather

  • They come in a range of sizes and solid colors

Stuff We Don’t Love (but not deal breakers):

  • Can be tricky to get the right size since it’s not adjustable

  • More expensive than non-clip martingale collars

 

A Good Choice for Night Walks:

Illumifun LED Dog Collar

Probably not the best choice for long-term regular walking, but fun for evening walks (especially if you’re doing a little off-leash action). A super handy tool so you can keep an eye on your dog in the dark, whether you’re crossing busy streets in the city during an evening walk or hiking off-leash in the woods.

Best Parts:

  • Bright LED is super visible

  • Multiple settings to choose from for solid or blinking light to maximize visibility

  • Long-lasting rechargeable battery

Stuff We Don’t Love (but not deal breakers):

  • Probably not the best built collar around

  • Recharging can be annoying

  • Buttons are tiny!

 

Our Top Picks for Tags:

No one likes a persistent jingle, are we right? Two solid options here:

2 Hounds Design Jingle-Free Tag:

This works great if you don’t already have tags and want a solid, customizable (and quiet!) solution. They also make a cool tag/collar combo.

FreezeTag Dog Tag Silencer:

Best tool we’ve seen so far for silencing existing tags (cheap too!). Works well with up to 4 tags. Works with any kind of collar so you don’t have to worry about sizing.