How To Collar Train a Puppy

• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

A collar might be basic, but it’s one of the most important pieces of dog gear. It displays ID tags, offers a leash attachment spot, and can serve as a handle in an emergency. It’s not surprising, then, that collar training a puppy as early as possible is important for their safety.

“Puppies are quick, squirmy, and have limited recall skills, making them difficult to catch if they get loose,” says Christi Montgomery, certified dog trainer and training manager at Seattle Humane. “A collar is an important safety measure whenever they go outside—it’s best to introduce it early to help them get used to wearing one.”

According to Montgomery, a puppy can start wearing a collar as early as eight weeks. But that doesn’t mean they’re going to like their distracting new accessory right away. To help you out on this journey, we’ve put together a handy guide on how best to collar train a puppy, offering expert tips along the way.

Step-by-Step Collar Training

Introduce the collar

When introducing your puppy to a collar for the first time, move slowly and break down each step so your pup is never surprised or scared. Here’s a sample step-by-step plan:

1. Let your puppy sniff and explore the collar without putting it on. Give your puppy lots of praise or tasty treats for being brave enough to approach it.
2. Start adding movement. Once your puppy begins to associate the collar with good things, practice picking it up and moving it closer to them. Reward generously.
3. Practice putting it on and taking it off. Practice putting the collar around your dog’s neck. Generously reward your pup when you jangle the tags or snap the buckle shut to get them used to the noise.

If your puppy acts uncomfortable at any point, take a step back and work from a place where they’re at ease again. Building a positive association during the initial interactions is crucial to collar training.

Create a positive association

Once your puppy is comfortable with you putting the collar around their neck, gradually build duration by pairing time spent wearing the collar with something exciting and fun.

“Spend some time playing with your puppy to keep them from focusing on their new snug collar,” says Montgomery. Give them a special chew or new toy while they’re wearing it, or set up a game with them in the backyard while they have it on. And always reward your pup generously for the things you want to see, like not trying to get out of the collar.

“With consistent positive experiences, your puppy will learn to love their collar,” Montgomery adds.

Clip on the leash

Once your puppy is used to wearing a collar for longer periods, it’s time to introduce the leash! For this part of the training, you’ll just repeat the steps you took to introduce the collar. Start with the leash on the ground, then gradually move it toward your pup before finally clipping it on.

Be patient

Puppies have short attention spans, so it’s important to remember to keep training sessions short and sweet. Watch for signs your dog is getting distracted, like chewing, general restlessness, and having fewer moments that you can mark as positive. These are all signals that it’s time to stop. Next time, plan to quit while you’re ahead if you can.

How To Fit the Collar Properly

When getting your puppy’s first collar, you’ll want to look for one that’s about two inches larger than your pup’s neck. It should fit snugly but comfortably, which means you should be able to fit two fingers between the collar and your dog’s neck.

Ideally, you puppy’s collar will sit high on their neck, just behind the ears, so that they won’t slip out. Montgomery also notes that puppies grow quickly, so it’s important to keep an eye on their growth and adjust or replace their collars as necessary.

Pro tip: Fitting the collar is a great opportunity to work on desensitization. As you adjust the collar or check to see if your fingers will fit underneath, give your puppy plenty of treats and praise.

Why You Should Practice the Collar-Grab Game

If you need to restrain your dog quickly, it’s critical that they don’t dance away from your reach. Getting your dog used to coming to you and letting you hold their collar firmly is useful—and potentially even life-saving. It’s a key part of body handling and socialization.

“Many dogs are uncomfortable with this and may resort to mouthing when their collar is held. However, there are times when we need to safely gain control of our dogs, such as recalling them at the dog park to leash up and leave,” Montgomery says.

An easy way to train this is by playing the “gotcha” game.

How to play the “gotcha” game

“The ‘gotcha’ game is a great way to desensitize your puppy to having their collar grabbed,” says Montgomery. Here’s how to play.

1. Approach your puppy and lightly grab their collar. (If this is too much right off the bat, you can start by simply touching it.)
2. Immediately reward them with a treat, then quickly release them.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until your dog catches onto the pattern. Slowly add a few more seconds at time, continuously feeding while you hold their collar.
4. Keep practicing short sessions, increasing the duration and the firmness of your grip (being careful not to add any strain).
5. Once your puppy is used to having their collar grabbed, you can introduce a cue, like “gotcha” or “collar.”

While playing the “gotcha” game, Montgomery recommends paying close attention to your puppy’s body language. If they seem uncomfortable, take a break and try again later with a shorter duration and higher-value treats.

If your pup wears a harness to walk instead of a collar, no sweat. This game is easily transferable to other gear as well.

Collar Training FAQs

How long will it take for a puppy to get used to a collar?

Montgomery says it depends on the individual dog. “Some will adjust within minutes; others may take days to get used to wearing one,” she explains.

Does the type of collar matter?

A lightweight collar is the easiest for a puppy to adjust to. “For a safe and positive experience, choose a well-fitted, comfortable collar that supports your puppy’s well-being,” says Montgomery.

A martingale collar is a great option for the first few walks to prevent your pup from slipping out while you figure out sizing. These collars have a loop where the leash attaches that slightly tightens when pulled, helping to prevent escape without choking.

Should I use a collar or harness?

Harnesses are popular, and they’re generally preferred for walking as they distribute pressure more evenly and can deter pulling. However, they come with caveats, as Montgomery points out. “They can be more challenging for a puppy to get used to and trickier for humans to put on a squirming pup,” she says.

Once your puppy is feeling confident in their collar, you can start transitioning to a harness for walks.

What are the best types of collars for puppy training?

A basic flat nylon collar with a plastic buckle often works well for collar training a puppy. You’ll likely want an affordable but durable option since your dog will likely outgrow their first and even second collar.

What collars should I avoid?

Avoid prong collars, shock or wireless collars, and slip leads. “Prong collars can exert up to 500 times more pressure per inch on your dog’s neck, potentially harming their esophagus, thyroid, and other vital structures,” says Montgomery. “Wireless collars not only risk causing burns but can also lead to fear, anxiety, and stress due to unpredictable stimulation.”

Should I take my dog’s collar off at night?

Yes, it’s best to take a puppy’s collar off at night or anytime they are unsupervised to prevent the D-ring or tags from catching on something. “If a collar gets snagged, it can cause panic and, in the worst case, strangulation,” says Montgomery.

However, if you’re taking your dog’s collar off when you leave the house, you’ll need to have management in place until you can train your pup not to rush out the door. “Baby gates are an excellent option for controlling door dashers,” advises Montgomery. “A lost dog without a collar is harder to return home, so be sure to microchip your dog as an added safety measure.”