Collars
One of the main legal requirements for owning a dog is that it wears an identity tag. (the next is that you pick up after your dog) This tag should he clearly displayed and containing your name and address. It is also wise to include a contact number, preferable a mobile which your carry while out on a walk.
When putting your name in address on the tag be careful. The rise is dog theft could been linked to the information found on the dogs tag. Therefore, an immediate deterrent is to place your postcode and house number/name only on the collar with your surname. It is also not wise to put the dogs name on the collar, in case any untrustworthy person wishes to call it away.
Finding a suitable collar to place the tag on is harder than one first thinks. Dogs can die due to having the wrong collar on. I am hesitate to let my dogs play with any other dog wearing a choke chain collar or a half choke collar, due to what I have seen. A friend of mines dog got most of his mouth ripped out after he got his tooth taught in a choke chain when he was playing with another dog. Choke chains can also get attached to fences or bramble which causes the dog to choke. Most dogs will try to get away and many lives have been lost as owners have not reached their dogs in time before they choked to death.
CHOKE CHAINS AND HALF CHOKES SHOULD BE AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS.
A proper (flat) leather or material collar with a buckle or clasp is best. A clasp is a great idea as if the collar does get stuck on something it can easily be undone. Once you have the correct collar, it is important not to have the collar too tight, so the dog if it needs to can escape (for example if untrustworthy people try to steal it). However, if a lot of walking is done by roads and the dog has a tendency to slip its collar, a half choke can tighten when needed to ensure the collar cannot be slipped. This must be taken off when the dog is running free.
