When choosing a collar for your dog, it’s important to know what factors to consider to help keep your dog comfortable and safe. One of many questions you may ask is: “what is the recommended space between a dog’s collar and his neck?”
When picking out a collar for your dog there are a wide variety of styles and materials to choose from along with several factors that you may consider based on your needs – reflective strips best for nighttime walking, chain slip collars for training purposes, or harnesses for an alternative to traditional collars and breeds with neck sensitivity. Regardless of what collar you choose, the one thing that they all share in common is the need to ensure that they fit your dog correctly.
Why Does Collar Space Matter?If a collar is too loose, then you may not be able to control your dog safely and effectively. While walking your dog, if they become spooked by a noise, they could back out of their collar easily and potentially put themselves in danger. It is simultaneously frustrating and frightening if your dog escapes the yard or house and when you finally catch them by the collar, they back right out of it. Another loose collar concern is that it increases the chances of them getting caught on tree limbs, fence corners, or bushes.
On the flip side, if a collar is too tight, it could lead to irritation on the dog’s neck along with difficulty breathing and limited neck mobility, which ultimately leads to pain internally and externally.
How Tight Should A Dog Collar Be Then? First Consider Your Dog Breed.The general rule of thumb is that you should be able to comfortably fit two fingers in the space between the collar and their neck.
The collar should feel snug but not tight. In order to ensure you purchase the correct size collar for your dog, measure the circumference of their neck either with a string or soft measuring tape (this measuring tape is perfect and cheap too) and add approximately one to three inches depending on your dog’s size.
Wider collars are generally preferred for bigger dogs that pull on a leash versus a more narrow collar alternative that is generally preferred for smaller breeds.
As a starting point, if you are not able to measure the circumference on your dog’s neck, a popular pet store recommends the following sizes based on weight and breed:

• XX Small (Up to 5lbs) is recommended for Chihuahuas and similar small breeds.
• X Small (5-10lbs) is recommended for a miniature Dachshund, Pomeranian and similar sized dogs.
• Small (10-25lbs) is recommended for Pekingese, Miniature Schnauzer and other similar sized dogs.
• Medium (25-55lbs) is recommended for Beagle, Border Collie, Bulldog and other similar sized dogs.
• Large (55 lbs-75lbs) is recommended for Boxer, Dalmatian, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever and similar sized dogs.
• X-Large (75+lbs) is recommended for Great Dane, Mastiff, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard and similar sized dogs.

It is important to note that this is just a general guideline on how to get started on choosing a collar size for what works for a large majority of dogs of this breed and size and there may be some dogs that wear other sizes despite the breed guideline.
Check, Readjust And RestAll collars are made differently, so it is important to check the space of every collar your dog wears and to continue to check the space even after a prolonged period of time, as well as any visible wear and tear on the collar.
It is important to note that a collar’s fitting should be checked and adjusted after any shaving or grooming has been done around the neck. If your dog’s fur is growing back from around the neck you may have to readjust it again.
It is not recommended that you leave your dog’s collar on indefinitely and some recommend for the safety of your dog that their collar not be left on when they are in a crate or home alone, however at the very least it is important to take your dog’s collar off occasionally to give their neck, skin and fur a chance to rest. However, when putting your dog’s collar on again, it’s important to re-check to ensure it is still fitting correctly.
What About Dog Harness Vs Collar?Harnesses are a great alternative to collars recommended by Bark Post because they allow more control, eliminate any potential neck pulling thus causing injury, and are especially good for breeds like pugs that have a greater sensitivity to putting pressure on their neck or have respiratory issues.
According to the American Kennel Club, harnesses are especially beneficial for puppies who have not learned to walk on a lead because it helps eliminate the possibility of them being caught in a leash and becoming injured. Harnesses allow owners to reduce the amount of pulling from the dog, which is an especially important leash behavior to teach when they are a puppy.
In addition to avoiding potential neck injuries and instilling positive leash behaviors at the puppy stage, harnesses do provide an additional peace of mind to owners that plan to walk their dog in public. Harnesses prevent dogs from having the ability to slip out of their collar and put themselves in danger.
In the end, the safety and well being of your dog is a top priority and ensuring that you choose something that is the right fit for you and your dog and as always, consult your vet with any concerns.

Dog owners are as diverse as the breeds they love, but there is one thing we can all agree on: Life with dogs gets messy. As much as we hate to admit it, sometimes it can be a chore to clean up after the many messes our dogs make. Luckily, whether it’s getting dog hair off the couch or wiping muddy paw prints off your hardwood floors, there are cleaning tools and techniques out there to help you get the job done. With this household cleaning guide for dog owners, you’ll have everything you need to create a tidy home.
 
How to Clean Dog Hair off Hardwood Floors
Long gone are the days of wall-to-wall carpeting — hardwood floors are the current trend for homes and apartments. One of the benefits of these floors is that they’re much easier to clean, especially when it comes to spills or muddy paws. But what about dog hair? It clings to everything.
 
Vacuuming can help. Sometimes, however, even the best vacuums end up pushing around dog hair instead of sucking it all up. When that’s the case, you’ll want to use a microfiber floor duster with a specially designed comb that grabs strands of hair, as well as dust and lint. A nice bonus, microfiber dusters are reusable and machine washable, making them more eco-friendly and typically more economical than their one and done counterparts.
 
How to Mop Your Dirty Hardwood Floors
Simply put, dogs track mud and dirt into our homes and sometimes have “accidents” too. While you can’t prevent messes, there’s a quick fix that will keep your hardwood floors looking great — a spray mop and special hardwood floor cleaner. Together they’re a powerful combo to combat dirt and grime, no bucket required.
 
For extreme messes, you might want to opt for a heavy duty, machine washable mop, suitable for all surfaces. This mop has a power ringer for removing more water from the microfiber head, which means your wood floors will dry faster. Before mopping, you may want to consider using a reliable broom and dustpan to pick up loose dirt. When you are done sweeping and mopping, finish off your hardwood floor with a protectant and polish, which will restore that glossy shine.
 
How to Clean Dog Messes off Other Floor Types
How do you clean other floor types — tile, vinyl, or linoleum? For non-hardwood floors, you can use the same kind of cleaning tools mentioned above with a multi-surface cleaner. Just like with hardwood, it’s always good to turn to what’s tried and true, like a traditional mop with a larger head to cover more surface area. Doing so will get your floor clean quicker.
 
How to Clean Dog Hair off Couches
If your dog is allowed on your furniture (and even if he’s not), it’s pretty much a sure thing that you’ll end up with dog hair sticking to your upholstery. Vacuuming can address the problem. But there are other solutions that some say work better. Many dog owners suggest raking dog hair off furniture using a dry squeegee (yep the same tool used on windows) or latex rubber gloves.
 
Another handy tool you can use is a good old fashioned lint roller. Lint rollers are perfect for removing dog hair from tough to reach spots on couches, curtains, and more.
 
How to Clean Dog Smudges off Windows and Doors
Have you ever watched as your goofy dog has mushed his face (or tongue) against a freshly wiped down window? Next time skip cleaning up with paper towels and grab a window squeegee. The tool is better for the environment and won’t leave streaks. You can combine this tool with a concentrated window cleaner explicitly designed for squeegees to eliminate squeegee chatter.

Do You Have a Disaster Plan for Your Dog?
The recent proliferation of natural disasters made one thing very clear to me: my family needed a disaster plan in place for our dogs.
In September 2017, my spouse spent Hurricane Irma in the Caribbean with one of our dogs. When Irma went from a Category 3 to a Category 5 overnight, she was unable to evacuate, as the last flights off the island were cancelled. Expecting the worst, she packed up all the supplies she and the dog would need in case the island suffered catastrophic damage. The pair went to a hurricane shelter and prepared to hunker down. Irma largely spared the island she was on, unlike nearby Barbuda and Anguilla, but it was a very close call.
From fires and floods to hurricanes and earthquakes, the worst can and does happen to dog owners all over the country. Just like you should have a plan in place for the humans in your family, you also need a disaster plan for your dog.
Step One: Assess Your Risks
It is impossible to be prepared for everything, but knowing which natural disasters are most likely to affect your area can help you plan ahead for as many of them as possible, whether it’s wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, landslides, or heat waves. This will help you determine what supplies to keep on hand.
Step Two: Prepare Your First Aid Kit
Every emergency situation requires a first aid kit. This kit should include medical supplies, extra food and water, and anything else you may need to care for an injured dog. The AKC provides a useful canine first aid kit guide to help you build your own.
Step Three: Evacuation Checklist
Evacuations are stressful. You may have to leave behind valued possessions, and you will often have very little time to decide what to take. The last thing you want to worry about is what your dog will need.
Put together an evacuation checklist ahead of time that covers the essentials. Make sure you and anyone who regularly watches your pet knows where to find your dog’s food, medications, medical records, leash, and crate.
 
Step Four: Evacuation Destination
If you have to leave your home, dogs complicate things. Not all shelters or hotels accept pets, and it may be harder to find friends and relatives who are willing to open their home to both you and your dogs.
It is up to you to come up with a list of possible safe havens before disaster strikes. Look up which hotel chains are pet friendly. Determine which friends or relatives would be willing to house you for a few days if necessary. Most importantly, consider crate training your dog. Crate-trained dogs can be accommodated more easily than uncrated dogs, and your pup will also be more comfortable if he is used to spending time in a crate.
Step Five: Stay Up-to-Date on Vaccines and Microchip Information
Nothing shuts doors faster than failure to provide proof of vaccination records, especially for dangerous diseases. Keeping your pet up-to-date on his vaccines will protect him from diseases such as rabies, distemper, or leptospirosis, and he’ll have a better chance of being allowed into disaster relief shelters and kennels. In addition, if you and your pet become separated, dogs with microchips are much more likely to be returned with their owner.
Getting your dog microchipped is just the first step. You also need to register the microchip with an up-to-date phone number so that shelters and veterinary hospitals can reach you if your dog is found. You can even look into a collar with GPS technology for added peace of mind.
Step Six: Travel Preparations
If you live in the Midwest, you probably don’t worry about hurricanes that often. However, if you are traveling with a dog, you may be faced with a disaster you’re not prepared for, as vacationers to Florida and the Caribbean discovered when Hurricanes Irma and Maria hit in 2017 within weeks of each other.
If you regularly travel with your dog, you will need a disaster plan that travels with you. This means packing, at the very least, a canine first aid kit, veterinary paperwork, extra food and water, contact information for your veterinarian, and a travel crate. That way, you won’t be caught unprepared if your vacation does not go according to plan.
 
Additional Steps
After completing steps one through six, make sure the rest of your family knows the details. Evacuation plans can vary greatly between different types of owners. For instance, if you own a breeding or sporting kennel, evacuating your dogs will prove to be a bigger operation. You will have to arrange for transportation of multiple dogs and make sure you have enough food for all of them, as well as any additional supplies needed for litters or females in estrus.
Your dog’s personality also plays a role. Not all dogs get along well with others. If you know that your dog will have trouble in a crowded environment, make sure you pack a crate and perhaps even a muzzle for his protection. If it is cool in your location, you may even be able to place a blanket or towel over part of his crate to give him some privacy.
Medications can also pose complications. You’ll need a cooler and ice on hand for meds that need to be refrigerated in case you lose power. Talk with your veterinarian about steps you can take to preserve the integrity of your dog’s medication, and what to do if it loses potency.
Once you’ve established a plan, you should practice as much of it as possible. If you have a tornado shelter in your yard, get your dog used to climbing in and out of it. If you think your dog may need to be muzzled during an emergency, you can test putting the muzzle on with positive reinforcement so that the action does not add stress to an already stressful situation. Most importantly, basic obedience will help ensure that your dog stays safe, while also allowing you to focus on keeping your family together.