Getting a new puppy is very exciting with endless reward! But puppy’s don’t arrive trained and very often don’t understand what you want from them. You cannot just attach a collar and clip on a lead and expect your new puppy to walk around the block with you. This is just too much for their brains to comprehend and will completely petrify your little one.They are like little babies that need to be shown what to do and taught how to act! They need to discover the world around them as everything is new and exciting. Remember when your puppy arrives he or she has had lots of changes in its life already such as being weaned, separated from his mom and littermates and moved to your house and getting used to you (a stranger)! These things are very stressful to your little furbaby, even the bravest ones! So it is important to be patient, understanding, gentle and kind! But also you need to teach your puppy how to behave and be good, as this will lead to a strong, happy and healthy life long relationship!

So let’s start with why a dog collar is important:

Dog collars are needed to identify your dog quickly, should he ever go missing.
They are an important training aid to teach your dog to listen to you when needed.
They are also crucial in getting your dog out of hazardous situations such as running into traffic or getting them away from other animals
They enhance the safety of others
They increase the safety for your own dog as they can be reflective or you can attach a light to them
It is the responsible thing to do as a dog owner

Choosing the right collar for your puppy is important. It should be simple and comfortable but secure. Ideally one can start with a flat, material or leather collar. Bear in mind that you are not buying a collar that will last for the rest of your puppies life. You will probably have to transition through collars as your puppy grows.

Start off by allowing your puppy to smell and investigate this new, weird, object in a secure environment, before actually applying it. Then just place it on your puppy’s back and give him a treat. Do not fasten it yet.

Then fitting the collar correctly is of utmost importance. The collar should not be too loose or it will come straight off and can even give your puppy a fright. But it definitely should never be too tight! Try to estimate the size visually before applying the collar. Then apply the collar and quickly adjust it to comfortably allow 2 fingers to fit between the collar and your puppy’s skin. Treat your puppy while the collar is on and stop the treats when you remove it.

Remember your puppy is not used to having something around his neck so allow him to explore, roll, squirm and scratch a bit. Be aware that only positive reinforcement is needed and at no stage do you need to reprimand him. Try to distract your puppy by offering him his favourite toy or by giving him a treat. Initially start by only using the collar for a few minutes at a time. Only introduce a lead once your puppy has accepted the collar, which will most likely take a couple of days.

If your puppy just refuses to accept the collar, don’t get angry or annoyed, as this can happen. You don’t want to create any bad associations. Be patient and seek advice! Your puppy school trainer will be more than happy to help you.