Archive for the ‘Dog Collars’ Category

Polypro Webbing

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There are three main types of webbing generally available: cotton, nylon, and polypro webbing. Each has its own purpose, benefits, and level of tensile strength. While not as strong as the nylon webbing, polypro has some advantage in strength over the cotton webbing.

Polypro webbing has a tensile strength of 200 up to 2,000 lbs, depending on the width and quality of manufacture. The tensile strength is the point at which the webbing can break, with sufficient pulling. The general rule of thumb is that you should plan on using no more than 75% of the known tensile strength of the polypro webbing you purchase.

If you are, for example, buying a polypro webbing dog collar, you will obviously not need 2,000 lbs. of tensile strength to keep your dog on the leash. (Unless it’s this dog.) On the other hand, you will be grateful for the features of poly-pro webbing’s lightweight feel and mildew resistance.

Polypro webbing is also abrasion-resistant and is more stretch-resistant than nylon webbing. This is especially helpful for use in water. And when using polypro webbing in water, its ability to float is helpful as well.

While polypro does have the aforementioned benefits over nylon webbing, it is still less expensive. The tensile strength of the nylon webbing is the reason people are willing to pay more. They both share a very high melting point of 330 degrees, making them durable for use on even the hottest days.

Whether you are looking for a luggage strap, belt, dog leash, or boat rigging, polypro webbing has widths ranging from ½ inch to 3 inches in both regular and heavyweight construction. In addition, it comes in a wide variety of colors, so your project, whatever it may be, can be both functional and colorful, with the use of polypro webbing.

Martingale Collar Debate

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Controversy abounds around the use of choke collars for dogs. Choke collars will tighten when a dog pulls against the leash. This helps train the dog to not pull when walking on a leash and, at the same time, can prevent the dog from slipping out of the collar.

On the other side of the debate are those who feel that these needs can be met in another way and that to use a choke collar is abusive. While choke collars are not generally painful, unlike the spiked collar that points spikes towards the neck that poke the dog when it pulls, they can constrict the dog’s airway, making it harder to breathe.

However, a good choke collar will let up on the tension as the dog stops pulling against the leash. Thus, the training effect comes from the relief of the tightness when the dog obeys and stops pulling.

Martingale collars are choke collars that are made of nylon webbing, instead of metal chain. They are a softer version than the half check collar that includes a small section of metal chain along with the length of webbing.

The Martingale collar has a safety feature in the limited closure that prevents it from becoming tight enough to hurt the dog in anyway. It can tighten just enough to make the dog feel uncomfortable and encourage the dog to slow down. It can be a safe and viable option for training a dog that pulls an owner on walks.

Hardware for Dog Collars

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Custom-made dog collars come with the benefit of being able to select the webbing material, the pattern or design, and the hardware for the collar. There are several variations of hardware for dog collars including a variety of plastic and metal buckles.

Metal buckles can come in nickel, brass, and other metal platings to prevent rust and corrosion. These buckles come in various sizes and should be fitted to the size of the webbing of the collar. Both should be sized for the dog.

In dog collars, there are three main types of metal hardware used. One is the side release buckle. This buckle is a safer option for keeping a dog on a leash, because sometimes other buckles can be accidentally released. The side release buckle is far less likely to do so. It can also be opened with one hand, for greater ease of use.

Triglides are the metal rings made for adjusting the webbing of the collar. The two rings work together to allow the owner to tighten or loosen the collar as needed. Then, the rings are able to hold the adjusted length in place.

Finally, the dee ring is the small ring that allows for the leash snap hook to be attached to the collar. It is small enough that it does not add significant weight to the collar, but strong enough to never break. Metal hardware for dog collars can be selected not only for form and function, but for the color and flash it adds to the look of the collar as well.

Proper Fit and Positioning of the Martingale Collar

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The Martingale collar is a fabric alternative to the controversial metal choke chain collar. The metal choke chain collar is a collar made of metal links that will tighten on the dog’s neck if the dog is pulling hard against the leash.

The martingale also tightens with the dog’s pulling, but with its softer fabric design, often nylon webbing, most consider this collar the more humane choice. Originally, it was created with smaller-head dog breeds in mind. Whippets, Greyhounds, Bolzoi, Saluki, and Italian Greyhounds are all dog breeds that have a larger neck than head, making it much easier for such a dog to escape a collar.

The Martingale collar has a small control loop that holds the dee ring, the attachment point for the leash. The second loop adjusts the width of the collar to fit the dog’s neck properly. The collar may also have a buckle for easy removal and replacement of the fitted collar.

In order to position it correctly, the collar should be placed directly behind the ears of the dog. The two pieces of hardware, the two rings, should be about two inches apart and should never touch. If the rings are touching, the collar will be too loose.

Pulling on the dee ring should cause the control loop to close. Make sure that you can fit two fingers under the dog’s collar comfortably. If not, the collar is too tight and needs to be loosened a little more. Ensuring proper fit, in this way, can protect your dog from injury at the same time as keeping him or her from breaking free from the collar and getting lost.

Donating Dog Supplies to Animal Rescues and Shelters

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Animal rescue centers and animal shelters have one significant problem in common- the lack of sufficient funding for their needs. These organizations continually struggle to stay on top of the never-ending demand to rescue and shelter lost, stray, or unwanted dogs and cats.

Packages of leashes, collars, and slip leads can be purchased at lower prices, to donate to organizations like the ASPCA, the Humane Society, SOSdogs.org, SmallDogRescue.org, AnimalShelter.org, and smalldoghumane.org. Donations of dog supplies can be a great help to these organizations.

Polypro webbing products are available for purchase as well as nylon webbing. The key differences are that the nylon webbing is stronger, the polypro webbing is lighter and the polypro webbing is the more affordable of the two. Either one can serve the need depending upon the budget and goals of use.

Kennel and grooming slip leads come in either material and in different widths and lengths, for various sized dogs. These leads can help rescue and shelter workers when transferring the dogs or when holding the dogs for grooming.

Martingale collars are also available in some of these shelter packages. These are a very helpful tool for shelter workers because they work for dogs who have smaller heads than their neck size. Additionally, these collars come in handy for dogs who are challenging to control and that struggle against the leash. Purchasing and donating a set of collars and leashes is a great way to give back to the community and to contribute to the care of dogs that deserve a second chance at life.

Holiday Dog Collars

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If you are like many pet owners, you enjoy spoiling your pet now and again. Making a fashion statement with a cute holiday collar can be a fun way to do this, especially for those little seasonal gifts.

Holiday dog collars are a very popular way for pet owners to express their love for their pets. After all, doesn’t little Fluffy deserve a pink Valentine’s collar for February? Valentine’s collars can be found in red, pink, or purple with hearts and flowers decorating the circumference of the collar. Easter collars are also fun, with egg and bunny decorations.

For the fourth of July, a great red, white, and blue collar, with a flag design, can be just the thing. If combined with a cute bandana, your dog will look great for the holiday. Just remember to take your dog home before the fireworks!

Halloween collars with spooky designs are a great way to include your dog in the dress-up fun for the day. And followed by Thanksgiving, a collar in fall colors with Thanksgiving designs can be fun and unique.

Christmas is the season we are most prone to spend extra on treats and presents for our pets. Christmas collars are available in a variety of seasonal colors and designs. Spot would look great with a green reindeer collar for December!

It may seem like an expensive indulgence to buy holiday collars for your pet, but if you take good care of the collars, they can be reused for years to come. You can have a different collar for each month, if you do it right, so your little pet can have a wardrobe of 12 different collars for the year.

Sports Dog Collars

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The dog collar is important to the safety and identity of your dog. A collar, with a proper tag, can assist in your dog being brought back to you when he or she is lost. And when walking your dog, a proper collar made of strong but flexible nylon webbing can prevent your dog breaking free from the leash.

Aside from these factors in choosing a dog collar, however, the dog collar is more than just protection. The dog collar is, for most dogs, the only opportunity at a fashion statement. Dog collars made of nylon webbing allow for a variety of designs and patterns. One of the most popular options is a sports design.

Football is one of the greatest American pass-times and is thus one of the most frequently sought-after designs for dog collars. Dog collars can come in simple designs with a football pattern and, for die-hard team fans, there are dog collars with team symbols and colors.

College teams and NFL teams can both be found on designer dog collars and matching leashes. If the Denver Broncos are your favorite team, for example, your dog could proudly display your team colors and logo with a matching orange and blue collar and leash.

Other sports that can be found on designer dog collars are soccer, basketball, and baseball. Many dog collars are available in different background colors with simple designs of the sport of choice. Or, if you can’t make up your mind on which sport you want, you can choose one that has an alternating pattern of different sports designs with basketballs, footballs, soccer balls, and baseballs.

Dog Collars vs. Dog Harnesses

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There are many reasons that a dog should always be led on a leash. Leashes protect dogs from behaviors that can be dangerous such as running across the street to get the neighborhood cat. Leashes can also be used to lead the dog out of a dangerous situation or away from another, possibly aggressive dog. In addition to a regular leash, there are both collars and harnesses. Both have their benefits, but should be used in different situations.

A dog collar should be worn by all dogs all of the time. A dog collar should have an identifier such as a dog ID tag. Even inside the home, a dog collar can help an owner to catch or to stop a dog from getting into unsafe situations. Large Dogs that have been taught to heel and are well trained may only need a collar made of nylon webbing when they are taken on walks.

There are two types of dogs that should have a harness when taken out of the home.
The first type of dog is a dog of small breed. Small breeds like Chihuahuas or any toy breed will need a harness. If a possibly aggressive, large dog comes near a small dog, an owner can quickly lift their dog into their arms with a harness. Also the neck of a small dog is more fragile than other dogs and a leash that is placed directly to the collar may create severe internal injuries.

The second type of dog that needs to use a harness when on walks and out of the home is the dog that does not heel and tends to pull at a leash. A dog that pulls on a leash can cause serious damage to their trachea, neck and even their back. A harness will also give the owner more control over their canine.

Both collars and harnesses are necessary for dog owners to properly care for their dogs. There are different situations where one or the other is crucial. But, a collar should always be worn, even if it is in conjunction with a harness.

Repairing Nylon Straps

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Nylon webbing straps are available in many different types of items. Some of these items include camping and outdoor equipment, tote or backpacks, kayaks, purse straps, wristwatches and many more.

While nylon webbing is a very strong and long lasting material, it can become worn or damaged with regular use or misuse. Instead of replacing a whole item, the straps can be easily repaired and replaced with the right type of tools at home.

Based on the type of item that needs the strap repaired, you will need a specific type of nylon material. Different types come in various thickness and sizes that are made to hold different amounts of weight.

Some items, such as dog collars or leashes can even be improved when repaired. Designer dog breed ribbon can be purchased through online distributors for a fun and unique fashion friendly look. These straps even look good on dog treat bags or day bags for a picnic. Many people will comment on the creativity of the straps.

The tools you will need to repair an item will vary due to the type of repairs you are making. If you are making holes in a strap, you will need a sharp needle puncture tool, pliers and lighter. Butane lighters are preferred because they get hot quickly.

Other tools that will be needed, especially for cutting a piece of nylon webbing, include metal sheers, heat resistant gloves and a marking pencil to mark the area where a cut will need to be made. A measuring tape is also suggested for many repairs.

Many online tutorials have been created based on different repair types. You can find online tutorials to learn how to repair a kayak strap, adjust a wristwatch or replace the webbing in the seat of an outdoor lawn chair. There are so many possibilities as so many items at home and used for sports contain this material.

New hardware can often be purchased at online stores where the nylon webbing is sold. If you are unsure about the type of hardware needed, many experts at an online store will be able to answer your questions for you by email or telephone.

Choosing the Nylon Strap for your Needs

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There are multiple uses for nylon webbing and straps in the home and for many outdoor activities. This is a strong and durable material that can be found in thousands of items that are used every single day.

The uses of these straps are endless. They are used in items such as dog collars and leashes, kayak seat straps and even military grade packs and belts. Chances are that most Americans own several items with these straps.

One of the most common and useful scenarios for the use of straps made from nylon webbing is moving items and strapping them down. People that are moving things in their automobiles will find that these straps keep items from falling and moving.

Everyday items can be found that contain nylon webbing straps. One of the most common items is a strap for wrist watches. These watches are wonderful for people with small or large wrists because holes can be made easily in the material.

This material is so very popular for clothing type items because it comes in many colors and styles. Some even come made with patterns embedded in them. The material is strong, but also comfortable to wear.

Flat straps can also be used for clothing items. These items include straps for cameras and purses. They can be made thicker to hold more weight for a large purse or a heavy duty camera.

Nylon webbing straps can be found in outdoor equipment because it is long lasting and resistant to abrasion. It also can get wet and dry quickly without damage or odor. This makes it a preferred material for outdoor and water sports equipment items.

Many people that create or repair their home or camping items, prefer to use this material because it is easy to work with. A novice can create additional holes or add straps to a bag with only a minimal amount of tools and a short amount of time. Many online stores that sell webbing straps also sell the buckles and hardware that is necessary for repairing and making items like backpacks, purses, dog or cat collars and leashes.