Many new puppy owners in Gainesville want to start training their dogs to get used to a collar but are unsure of when to start. Obviously, if you start too young, it could be problematic, but starting too late is even worse. Is there a better time to begin training? And what sort of collar should you buy? Is it better to buy a cheap nylon option or invest in designer dog collars?
When to Start
In terms of age, you should start training your puppy to wear a collar around 10 weeks old. There is a little point before this, as they are too young and small to be outside for very long. In addition, the first few days in your care will be spent getting used to their new surroundings and their new families (you’ll probably bring your puppy home between 8 and 10 weeks old).
Once they reach about 10 weeks, you can start training them to get used to a collar. You’ll want to put the collar on them for a few hours a day only at first. Make sure to fit the collar more snugly than you would with an older dog. The collar should not be able to slip over the head. Of course, it should not be too tight, but you don’t want it so loose that they get a little paw stuck inside it trying to get it off their neck.
Over time, gradually increase the duration that they wear the collar. You might be surprised by how quickly they do this. In fact, they should be quite comfortable wearing a collar most of the day by the time they are 12 weeks old and finish their vaccine routine.
You can also start introducing the lead at this time too. Take a similar strategy that you did with the collar – introduce it a little at a time, until your dog is used to the concept of walking on a lead.
What about Collar Types?
Really, the best option is to start with something cheap and disposable. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, your puppy is young and will chew. Designer dog collars can be costly, so save those for when your puppy is used to wearing the collar and has outgrown their chewing/teething phase. Second, you’ll need to invest in multiple collars as your dog grows. It’s best to start cheap and then spend more money as they get older.
