Best collar/harness for a new puppy?

C

Christina

Forums Regular
Hi all,

I'm a first time dog owner and our little girl is coming to us in a couple of weeks - and I'm at a total loss as to what collar or harness to buy!

What do you/did you use for your puppies?
If you used a martingale, could you post a link to the kind you used? I have to admit, I'm confused by them as there are so many different designs and I want to get the best if possible.

Any advice or recommendations would be very appreciated!
 
I used just a buckle collar when Finnie was young and while I don't care for harnesses (the dog tends to pull) I do agree that for a puppy it's far better than a collar when out for a walk (they could easily wriggle out of a collar, as Finnie almost did!). I'd still use a collar in the yard/house when getting them used to it but when out I'd use the harness. I started using a Martingale on him when he was around 5 months old (he was growing fast at that age so it fit him on the smallest size at that point). Martingales are great on an older puppy/adult Sheltie as they can't get out of it.
 
All mine had slender puppy collars. Once they reached adulthood, they got braided kangaroo martingales.
 
I second a normal flat collar. If for no other reason than I leave on their collars as puppies, with their tags and my details, in case they escape. But definitely when she starts growing longer fur put her in a martingale for walking (I use the Red Dingo brand, you can get from Amazon). I personally think all dogs should learn to walk on a collar, both dog and human are more likely to pull on a harness.

I suggest buying a collar to start with, and then decide if you want to go into a harness when you can try one and she's ready to go for walks. You will probably go through a couple of collars in the first year as your puppy grows, so don't worry about spending too much for something fancy.

I will say, my Tully could wriggle out of harnesses (and she hates them), but not martingales and my male can get out of martingales but has never escaped a harness. I think it depends on their fur growth which option is better.
 
I agree with Caro. I start with a regular collar (really like Lupine—guaranteed for life, even if chewed!). Then I usually graduate to a harness for agility and martingale for walks.
 
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