Why is the choice of collar important for the dog?
Updated 15 October 2026
In short: a collar affects three things: safety (not coming off, carrying the ID tag), comfort (no rubbing, no trouble breathing) and your relationship (gear that doesn't hurt stays linked with good moments). Studies show that every collar puts significant pressure on the neck when a dog pulls: choose a well-fitted flat collar for ID, and clip the lead to a harness if your dog pulls.
Safety: a collar that stays on and identifies
The dog slips out
A collar that slips over the ears lets the dog bolt near a road or at a sudden scary noise.
It opens at the wrong time
A flimsy clip can give way when the dog lunges. The buckle should click firmly and the ring should be metal.
You're found quickly
A tag with your number complements the microchip, mandatory in France for dogs over 4 months: anyone can call you without a scanner.
The neck: what the research says
The neck holds the windpipe, oesophagus, cervical vertebrae, nerves and blood vessels. When the lead tightens, that's where the force lands.
- Every pull counts. A model-neck study tested 7 collars and a slip lead: none applied pressure considered low enough to limit the risk of injury when the dog pulls or is jerked.
- Padding isn't everything. In 8 dogs, a double-layer padded collar produced higher contact pressure than plain collars (Hunter et al., 2019).
- The eyes too. Pulling on a collar raises pressure inside the eye: something to avoid in dogs prone to glaucoma.
Force concentrates on the throat
Well placed, no pulling
In practice: a collar is ideal for ID and for a dog that already walks on a loose lead. If your dog pulls, clip the lead to a Confort Y harness: the force goes through the chest. Full comparison: collar or harness?
Everyday comfort
| Problem | Common cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Broken hair, redness | Collar too tight or rough material | Two fingers of room, soft material, smooth edges |
| Coughing, trouble swallowing | Collar too tight or pulling on the lead | Loosen it, lead on the harness |
| Smell, damp skin under the collar | Wet collar that dries slowly | A waterproof collar or drying it fully |
| Constant scratching | Discomfort or irritation | Check the fit and the skin; see a vet if it persists |
Your bond: a collar linked with good moments
Dogs learn by association. If the collar or lead regularly cause discomfort, a dog can come to dread getting ready to go out. Research on training shows that methods based on discomfort or pain come with more signs of stress than reward-based training. A comfortable collar, put on with a treat just before a walk, stays a positive signal instead.
Learn to spot discomfort with our guide to calming signals, and read about how the collar affects behaviour.
The 1-minute collar check
On my dog's collar:
Frequently asked questions
Why does the choice of collar matter?
Because it affects safety (not slipping out, carrying the tag), the health of the neck and skin, and how your dog experiences walks.
Can a collar hurt a dog?
Yes, especially if it's too tight or the dog pulls: pressure on the neck can irritate the windpipe and raises pressure in the eye. Well fitted and without pulling, the risk is low.
Is a padded collar better?
Not necessarily: one study measured more contact pressure under a thick padded collar. Size and fit matter more.
Collar or harness for a dog that pulls?
A harness, ideally a Y harness with a chest ring. Keep the collar for the tag.
Sources
- Carter A., McNally D., Roshier A. (2020). Canine collars: an investigation of collar type and the forces applied to a simulated neck model. Veterinary Record.
- Hunter A., Blake S., Ferro de Godoy R. (2019). Pressure and force on the canine neck when exercised using a collar and leash. Veterinary and Animal Science 8.
- Pauli A. M. et al. (2006). Effects of the application of neck pressure by a collar or harness on intraocular pressure in dogs. JAAHA 42(3).
- Vieira de Castro A. C. et al. (2020). Does training method matter? Evidence for the negative impact of aversive-based methods on companion dog welfare. PLOS ONE.
- I-CAD, French national pet identification register: mandatory identification.