We might not want to face that facts but the truth is our dogs at times smell bad, get into things they shouldn't and can behave in the most unbecoming ways.
If your dog has skin problems, seems to have an oily coat or loves rubbing itself in the most disgusting smells around then their collar might need to be replaced several times a year.
There is nothing worse than washing your dog or having it groomed and then placing a smelly greasy collar around their clean neck. Fancy collars can be expensive, people are willing to pay $50 or more for fine workmanship. While you would like to have something really nice for them sometimes you also need a simple serviceable collar that is easy to clean and not too expensive to replace. Making your own dog collars is an easy and inexpensive solution.
The most expensive part of your dog collar is its hardware, the metal buckle that you use to fasten it together and the D ring that you attach their dog tags to. If you have a quality buckle on a unusable collar cut it and the D ring off to recycle on your new collar. Quality metal buckles will last the life time of your dog. If you need to buy the hardware keep your eyes open at thrift stores and garage sales for collars but also for belts.
Buying belts and cutting them down to make dog collars has to be the easiest and quickest way to make a collar. It will probably be the most inexpensive way for you to get a 100% leather tooled collar for your dog at a fraction of the price that you would pay at a pet store. Look for belts that have small buckles that are well made, you don't want anything that is heavy and awkward and might dig into their skin.
With a wardrobe of useful and stylish collars you prized pooch will be the envy of other dogs.
Photography and Content
Copyright Ingrid Talpak 2009
Morestylethancash
Buying belts and cutting them down to make dog collars has to be the easiest and quickest way to make a collar. It will probably be the most inexpensive way for you to get a 100% leather tooled collar for your dog at a fraction of the price that you would pay at a pet store. Look for belts that have small buckles that are well made, you don't want anything that is heavy and awkward and might dig into their skin.
Look for belts that are all leather if it is something that you want your dog to wear every day but if you are looking for something fun for them to wear for just a few hours then the sky is the limit. You can have your dog wear collars that are made of plastic, cloth or rope but remember that these should only been worn for a few hours as plastic does not breath and they might become uncomfortable while your pet sleeps. If your dog has very sensitive skin stick to materials and metals that you know will not irritate them. Be sensible in your choices.
Belts at thrift stores usually sell for about $2 or less (our local thrift shop was selling them for 10 cents each) they should go for less if the area where the holes are cracked or very worn. Even though these belts are too worn for people to use they are ideal for collars as the damaged part will be cut off. Check for ladies belts as the buckle sizes tend to be smaller. If you are lucky you might find a buckle that was designed to be removable so different coloured belts could be worn with it. Generally the buckle and D ring are made of one construction and there is a grip in the back that opens and closes to insert the different belts.
Belts at thrift stores usually sell for about $2 or less (our local thrift shop was selling them for 10 cents each) they should go for less if the area where the holes are cracked or very worn. Even though these belts are too worn for people to use they are ideal for collars as the damaged part will be cut off. Check for ladies belts as the buckle sizes tend to be smaller. If you are lucky you might find a buckle that was designed to be removable so different coloured belts could be worn with it. Generally the buckle and D ring are made of one construction and there is a grip in the back that opens and closes to insert the different belts.
You can cut down a belt to make it into a collar two ways. If it is easy to reattach the buckle to the belt by sewing or using rivets you cut off the buckle and re attach it so you will use the original belt holes. This works well if there is a special cap on the end of the belt that you would like to keep.
The other way is to cut the belt to the length of the new collar and using a leather punch make new holes for the buckle. It always looks much better if you use a leather punch to make the holes. If you just use a nail to punch in the holes it can look sloppy and a leather punch gives a much nicer finish.
If you don't have a leather punch ask around, you might be able to barter off the use of a hole punch for a weekend in exchange for a dog collar. Use an existing collar as a guide to where you should punch in the holes.
For their daily collar you can make a collar from nylon webbing. Nylon webbing is sold by the yard at larger fabric stores and comes in many different widths and colors but if the width of collar is not too large or small it is much cheaper to buy an extended leash at a dollar store and use that.
These leashes are 20 feet long and made from the same nylon webbing as collars. Using the hardware from an old collar or belt make your new collar by cutting a section of nylon webbing the length you need.
Following the construction of the original collar fold over about 2 inches of webbing and slip the buckle inside.
Stitch several times back and forth right next to the buckle to secure it. Slip in the D ring and stitch on either side of it to secure it. Using a hole punch make holes in the webbing for the buckle.
Probably the most important thing about your dog collar is that it should always have its tags on it. If you are changing collars because your dog wants to go off for a swim or if you are putting on their fancy visiting collar always have their tags on.
Tragedies can happen in a split second and you want you best friend to have their identification. If the collar gets wet always check that it has not shrunk and is still comfortable around your pets neck.
With a wardrobe of useful and stylish collars you prized pooch will be the envy of other dogs.
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Photography and Content
Copyright Ingrid Talpak 2009
Morestylethancash
