FAQ: Collars & Leashes for dogs

It is best to take the harness off when you get home, as worn for long it can rub the skin, mat the fur and catch on things. On long-haired dogs a harness worn all the time mats the fur especially quickly.

When playing, dogs often grab each other by the neck, so a tooth or paw can get caught in a collar and the dogs panic. If dogs play roughly, it is worth removing collars or using breakaway ones.

A tied-up dog can get tangled, choke, panic or be provoked by passers-by and other dogs. A dog left outside a shop or elsewhere can also be stolen, so do not leave it unattended.

Quickly check for torn stitching, worn spots and cracked buckles, and make sure the clip closes fully. Be especially careful if the dog is strong or likes to chew its lead.

Use a reflective or light-up collar, harness or lead, and wear a reflector yourself. Keep the dog on a shorter lead near roads and in lit areas so drivers and cyclists can see it.

During holidays keep the dog on a short lead and a well-fitting harness, as a frightened dog can slip out and run away. Make sure the ID tag and microchip details are up to date.

You should not wrap a lead, especially a long or retractable one, around your wrist or fingers, as you can get injured or fall if the dog suddenly lunges. Hold the lead by the handle and fold the excess into loops in your palm.

Most nylon collars and leads can be washed in warm water with mild soap and a brush, or machine-washed in a laundry bag at a low temperature. Check the manufacturer's instructions first, and let them air-dry.

Wipe a leather collar with a damp cloth, do not soak it and dry it away from radiators. Treat it now and then with a leather conditioner so it does not dry out and crack.

Most fabric harnesses can be washed by hand or in a washing machine inside a laundry bag with the buckles fastened. Let padded harnesses air-dry, and read the manufacturer's label before washing.

The smell builds up when the collar absorbs moisture, skin oils and dirt. Wash it in warm water with a mild detergent or baking soda solution, dry it thoroughly, and for dogs that often get wet choose odour-resistant materials such as biothane.

After swimming in salt water, rinse the collar, harness and lead in fresh water so the salt does not corrode the metal or stiffen the material. Let them dry thoroughly, and dry the dog's fur before putting them back on.

There is no fixed interval – replace the collar when it becomes too small, the stitching starts to come apart, the buckle cracks or the material wears thin. A collar worn every day usually wears out faster than one used rarely.

Replace the lead if it is frayed, torn or chewed, the stitching has loosened or the clip no longer closes reliably. A worn lead can snap at the worst possible moment, for example near a road.

If the cord or tape is frayed or scuffed, retracts poorly or the brake works unreliably, the retractable lead needs replacing. Repairing the mechanism yourself is not advised, as it can affect how it works.

A harness often needs replacing several times as a puppy grows, and for an adult dog when it gains or loses weight, its coat thickness changes or the harness wears out. Check regularly that it still fits well.

Common causes are a collar that is too tight or wet, friction, irritation from the material or parasites. Take the collar off, let the skin rest, and if the redness does not go away or sores appear, see a vet.

Yes, a constantly damp collar creates a warm, moist environment where bacteria and fungi multiply more easily. After swimming or rain, take the collar off and dry it, and dry the dog's neck.

Dogs with sensitive skin suit soft, smooth materials with gentle padding and no rough seam edges. The right size matters too, so the item does not shift and rub.

For running, a sports harness and a shock-absorbing waist lead are handy, keeping your hands free and softening jolts. Only start running with an adult, healthy dog and increase the load gradually.