Buying a new collar for your puppy is almost exactly the same as buying one for a grown dog; there are only a few differences you need to consider when choosing a puppy collar. The main one, of course, is what will happen when the puppy grows?
Because your dog needs a collar that fits him well, a growing puppy will either need an adjustable collar or will go through several collars as he gets bigger. It’s better to invest in several puppy collars for your dog’s safety. You want the collar to be tight enough that it won’t slip off, but loose enough for him to breathe; choose one that you can’t slide off his head but that allows you to slip several fingers between the puppy’s collar and neck. You don’t want to have a long strap sticking out that the puppy might chew on, so either find a collar without a long strap or cut it down to size so that it doesn’t stick out. Just be careful that you don’t cut it down too much!
A small dog shouldn’t wear a heavy collar, so you’ll probably want to get a thin, light one for your puppy. Remember that he’s still adjusting to wearing the collar, so you want to make it as comfortable as possible; a soft nylon collar is probably your best bet. You never want to use a choke chain or let the collar get caught on something so that it makes it hard for a young puppy to breathe.
Your puppy very likely might try to take the collar off by rubbing it against things, so make sure it’s securely fastened! Harnesses are a good option as well, as they avoid putting pressure on the puppy’s neck and are more difficult to take off; however, an unattended puppy may chew through his harness.
Remember to check your puppy’s collar regularly and make sure that it still fits correctly and is not becoming worn; this is particularly important for fast-growing dogs! Choosing the correct puppy collar is just one element in having a happy, healthy best friend.