Things You'll Need
- Three pre-cut leather cords Beads (optional) Blade cutter (or scissors) Safety pin Metal ring Clasp and hook Measuring tape Cardboard
Instructions
Measure your dog's neck with a measuring tape. Then, purchase some pre-cut leather cords. Leather is the best material for a dog collar. Strong and durable, it is also comfortable for the dog to wear. You can find pre-cut leather strips at any craft store. These come in a variety of colors. Choose a length and width that matches the size of your dog. The length should be equal to or a bit longer than the measurement of your dog's neck, plus 2 inches. If you can't find the exact length, you can always use scissors or a blade cutter to cut it down to size after you've braided the collar.
Spread out the three leather cords on a piece of cardboard. Hold the end of all three cords and tie them in a knot with a loop at the end. Use the safety pin to fasten the loop to the cardboard.
Braid the collar. Hold the far-right leather cord in your right hand, and the far-left leather cord in your left hand. Next, take the right cord and place it over the top of the center leather cord, then transfer the center cord into your right hand. Now, transfer the left cord over the center cord, and the center cord into to your left hand. Finally, pull the cords tight so that the braid is secure. Keep repeating this pattern until you come to the end of the leather cords. Tie a loose knot in the end, and measure it around your dog's neck again. Adjust the size if needed by trimming the ends.
Slip a metal ring onto the leather. This will be where you can secure the licensing tags. You can choose to add the tags before you slip the ring onto the collar, or you can do it after the ring is on the collar and the hook and clasp are attached.
Add clasps to the ends of the braided leather. You can choose from any number of hook and clasp units. They come in a variety of sizes. If you have a large, active dog, choose the biggest, strongest size. Some are made to be tied onto the leather, so make sure that you have left long enough ends to tie them onto the hook and clasp if you choose that type.