How to Make a Chain Collar

Chain collars, or slip collars as they are also called, are useful training devices which dog owners can create and use to teach their dogs to heed basic training commands. These collars are sometimes called choke collars, but their purpose is not to punish or choke the dog, which would block the air it needs to survive. Rather, chain collars are safe when used properly and help dogs learn to obey commands and not to panic when they are frightened. Never use a collar that is too small or leave a dog tied to a post or other object in a slip chain collar. Instead, use it under your supervision for short periods of time.

Things You'll Need

Fabric tape measure
Chain link
One eyelet ring, 1-1/2 inches in diameter
One eyelet ring, 2 inches in diameter
Needle-nose pliers

Instructions

- 1
  Measure your dog's neck, high up near his head and not lower near his shoulders. Add 2 inches to the figure and write it down. Go to your local home improvement or hardware store and purchase smooth chain link with 1/2-inch dull links. Purchase the length you need from the measurement you took of your dog's neck.
- 2
  Cut the chain link to match the measurement of your dog's neck. Use a pair of needle-nose pliers to open two eyelet rings and attach one to each end of the chain link. Attach the 1-1/2-inch diameter eyelet ring to the left end of the chain and the 2-inch diameter ring to the right end of the chain so that the larger ring can slide over the smaller one when you slip the collar around your dog's neck.
- 3
  Test the fit to ensure it's not too tight by sliding the collar over your dog's head so that both eyelet rings are above and not below the dog's neck. Attach your leash to the left eyelet, understanding that when you pull on the chain, the collar will shorten slightly around the dog's neck, making the collar a bit uncomfortable and thus training the dog to heed whatever command you have issued at the moment you tugged on the chain collar.