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Collars |
| Much controversy has ensued over types of collars available because collars are potentially very dangerous. Any collar has the potential to strangle a dog and it’s important to remember that fact, whatever type you decide to use. Nevertheless, dogs without collars get into a lot more trouble running loose, so a collar is necessary but should be used with caution. |  |
| Head collars or halters became popular in the nineties and received a lot of attention through marketing techniques. These are not recommended for Dobes or Rotts because it is possible that they exacerbate potential neck problems that could lead to neurological disease (CVI or Wobblers). I found that an athletic dog quickly develops neck muscles to counteract the initial effectiveness of the halter. In addition, most dogs will fall down and claw at the collar at unpredictable times and can accidentally open the clasp on the lead with the same manoeuvre. With a very athletic Dobe choke chains don’t work well enough, and a flat collar may allow a strong Dobe to drag you into dangerous situations. Many Dobes will chase squirrels with as much abandon as a Greyhound and pull you into traffic in the process. |
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My Dobe and I both prefer the prong collar because it does less structural damage than other collars, acting mainly on the skin to alert the dog to your signals. When my Dobe and I ran together regularly I noticed routinely that if I brought out the head collar she would slink away, whereas if I brought out the prong collar she would jump for joy. With the prong collar and a flexi lead it is still possible to suffer whiplash if you are not paying attention and your dog takes off after a rabbit, but it is unlikely you will be dragged over the ground as you could with a flat collar and the flexi. |
The prong collar is like a martingale in that it only tightens for a few inches. Don’t leave a collar on your dog unattended, however, and don’t leave a dog, especially a Doberman, tied up. The prong collar can work down the dog’s neck and cause discomfort or damage. Check periodically to make sure the collar is high on the dog’s neck. When dogs are playing together, it's possible for a tooth to get jammed into a metal collar; for this reason, it's safer to leave the collar off in a fenced, safe area. |
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