Leather Dog Collar Clean and Maintain

Leather dog collars cleaning and maintenance are not complicated tasks. You just have to remember a few things to keep it from developing mold and mildew and experiencing degradation. Here are a few pointers in taking care of your dog's leather collar.

Regular Cleaning and Maintenane

Over time, even without the leather collar getting wet by water, it could still get soaked and damaged by the oil present in the dog's fur. This oil can build up and eventually cause damage to the leather collar. To prevent this, you need to clean the leather dog collar regularly. This will not only be good for the dog collar, but also for your dog.

Damage Prevention

Aside from regularly cleaning the leather dog collar to prevent damage to it, you can also prolong the life of the collar by keeping it away from water. Whether the dog is going to join you swimming or if you are going to give it a bath, or even if you are going to let the dog play in the rain, you should remove the leather collar until the dog is clean and dry again. Water can degrade leather fast, so keeping it away from wet environments is a good way of taking care of it. Chemicals that are not formulated to clean leather should also be kept away from leather. Prevent your leather dog collar, and your dog too, from getting prolonged exposure in moist, hot, cold or dry weather.

When Leather Gets Wet

In case your dog collar accidentally gets wet, remove it immediately from the dog's neck and lay it down flat in a place that is cool and away from direct sunlight. Leaving it out to dry under direct sunlight will damage the leather, so it is imperative that when drying your leather dog collar, you place it somewhere cool and well-ventilated. Pointing an electric fan at it will speed up the process of drying. Just remember that drying leather using things that emit heat like vents or radiators is a bad idea since it will cause more damage than the moisture you are trying to get rid of.

Leather Cleaners

To clean leather dog collars, it is recommended that you use cleaners designed specifically to clean leather. Leather cleaners are formulated to clean and preserve the quality of all kinds of leathers. Other products specifically designed to protect and clean leather include polishes, weatherproof formulas, conditioners, soap bars and wipes. These products protect leather from grime, dirt and even the weather. These leather cleaners are not exclusive for use on dog collars. These products can also be used to clean and protect leather upholstery, clothing and other items made of leather or simulated leather.

Applying the Appropriate Product on Leather

Not all of the mentioned types of products are to be used at any time on leather. Weather and climate conditions contribute to the factors you need to consider when cleaning leather. Extreme climate conditions like very hot, very cold, very dry and very humid can cause more damage to leather that normal climate conditions. In these cases, small amounts of leather conditioner can be applied to in a regular manner to prevent leather from getting hard or too soft.

Conclusion

In conclusion, leather dog collars cleaning and maintenance are pretty easy tasks as long as you stick to the main rule of keeping it away from wet situations and extreme weather conditions. Regular cleaning is also a must.

About dog collars

About dog collars

Dogs have not always held a special place in the hearts of their human companions. Their role among humans was mostly utilitarian until the 18th century, when the term "man's best friend" came into the lexicon. Their working roles are reduced today, but their importance at home has only increased. From pets to sporting companions to service dogs, canines add a measurable degree of quality to the worlds of the humans they share their lives with.
Companionship
Dogs provide companionship and company. They can be a comfort to people who crave unconditional interaction with another living being. According to Vanderbilt University, dogs can decrease levels of human loneliness and give humans a sense of purpose as they care for their animal companions. This can be especially beneficial for people who live alone, don't socialize much, are empty-nesters or recently experienced a major change of life, such as the loss of a close human companion to death or divorce.
Stress Reduction and Health Benefits
Dogs can help reduce stress levels in human beings and are often used for therapeutic purposes in hospitals, nursing homes and hospices. Playing with a dog, exercising, walking or running can help human beings reduce stress levels and increase their health and well-being. Studies by Harvard University and Kansas State show dog interaction with humans can help combat challenges associated with some form of heart disease and autism.

A dog collar is a piece of material put around the neck of a dog. A collar may be used for control, identification, fashion, or other purposes. Identification tags and medical information are often placed on dog collars. Collars are also useful for controlling a dog manually, as they provide a handle for grabbing. Collars are often used in conjunction with a leash, and a common alternative to a dog collar is a dog harness. Dog collars are the most common form of directing and teaching dogs.

Dog collars are made with a variety of materials, most commonly leather or nylon webbing. Less common materials can include polyester, hemp, metal, or "oilcloth" (vinyl woven with cotton). Collars can be decorated in a variety of ways with a variety of materials. The basic collars for everyday wear are:

Buckle collars, also called flat collars, with a buckle similar to a belt buckle, or a quick-release buckle, either of which holds the collar loosely around the dog's neck. Identification is commonly attached to such a collar; it also comes with a loop to which a leash can be fastened. This is the most standard collar for dogs. A flat collar should fit comfortably tight on your dog's neck. It should not be so tight as to choke your dog nor so loose that they can slip out of it. The rule of thumb says you should be able to get two fingers underneath the collar.

Nylon quick-release buckle collar with identification and medical tags.
Break-away collars look similar to buckle collars, but have a safety mechanism installed that allows the dog to break free of the collar if excessive force is applied. These collars are useful in situations where a non-quick release collar could get snagged and strangle the dog.
Safety stretch collars contain an elastic panel in the sturdy nylon collar, which allows escape from potential strangulation dangers such as branches, fences, gates and other dogs. Unlike breakaways, a stretch collar acts like a traditional collar when clipped with a leash.