FAQ: Collars & Leashes for dogs

Breeders often use soft coloured collars or bands to tell similar puppies in a litter apart and track each one's weight gain. They must be very light and checked daily, as puppies grow extremely fast.

Decorative collars are usually fine for short, supervised wear, for example for a photo shoot or a celebration. A dog can pull off and swallow loose decorations, so for everyday wear and when unsupervised a plain collar is better.

A show lead is a thin, light slip lead placed high on the neck that lets the dog's head and movement be shown nicely in the ring. It is not suitable for everyday walks, as it does not provide enough security.

In the forest a dog may chase wild animals, especially in spring when they have young, so it is often advised to keep the dog on a lead or long line. Protected areas and parks have local rules worth checking.

Keeping a dog permanently tied up restricts its movement and social needs, so it is not recommended from an animal welfare point of view, and the law sets requirements for it. If you must tie a dog up briefly, use a harness and a long enough line, and make sure it has shade and water.

Usually yes, but check that the lead's clip is big and strong enough for the harness ring and clips on easily. A clip that is too big will be heavy on a small dog's harness, while one that is too small may not fit a large dog's ring.

Yes, a spare lead and collar come in handy when the main ones are wet, dirty, broken or left in the car. A spare set is especially useful when travelling.

When travelling it is worth including your phone number with the country code, so someone who finds the dog abroad can call. Some owners make a temporary travel tag with the accommodation's contact details.

In hot weather, light, breathable, light-coloured materials that heat up less in the sun work well. Thick vest harnesses and metal parts can get hot in the sun, so thinner items are more comfortable in summer.

Before every road crossing, stop, ask the dog to sit or wait and reward it, then give the cue to go. With constant repetition the dog starts pausing at the kerb on its own, but the lead should still be short near roads.

A puppy suits a light lead of about 1.5–2 metres that is not heavy and lets it sniff its surroundings. It is best not to use a retractable lead with a puppy while it is learning to walk on a loose lead.

Wrap a piece of string or a paper strip around the dog's neck, mark where the ends meet and measure it with a ruler. Remember to add about two fingers of slack.

This usually means the collar is too loose, uncomfortable or the dog is not yet used to it. Check the size, choose a lighter, softer material and reward the dog when it wears the collar calmly.

Do not chase the dog – it will often just run further. Call calmly, crouch down, offer a treat or run the opposite way so the dog follows you, and if that fails, notify the pet register and local services.

Leather collars are made from a more expensive raw material and are often stitched and finished by hand, so they cost more. Well cared for, they can last longer, so the price is worth judging against how long they will be used.

Yes, the price of the same collar, harness or lead can vary considerably between online shops. zoogidas.lt compares prices from Lithuanian online pet shops, so you see them in one place.

No, zoogidas.lt sells nothing – the site only compares prices. Once you choose an offer, you buy the collar, harness or lead on the shop's own website.

Prices are collected roughly daily, and each product shows when its price was last checked. Still check the final price and stock on the shop's website before buying.

The product page on zoogidas.lt shows the price history, so you can see how the price has changed before. This helps you judge whether the current offer is typical or worth waiting on.

Tying the lead to a pram is not advised, as a dog that suddenly lunges can tip it over or drag it. It is safer to use a waist lead or hold the lead in your hand, and to teach the dog in advance to walk calmly beside the pram.