If your dog slips out of their collar, the collar is almost always a little too loose for the shape of their head. Narrow-headed dogs have a skull that's about as wide as their neck, so a fit that's fine on a Lab gives them room to back straight out.
The good news is that it's fixable. Measure in the right spot, check the fit with your hands rather than by eye, and move the leash to a harness on walks if your dog is a determined escape artist.
Why do some dogs slip out of their collars?
A flat collar stays on because the head is wider than the neck. The collar sits in the dip just below the ears, and the skull stops it going any further.
On some dogs that dip barely exists. Sighthounds like greyhounds, whippets, Italian greyhounds and salukis have long, slim heads and necks that are often wider than the skull. Some other slim-headed breeds and plenty of mixes have the same build. When the leash goes tight and the dog pulls backward, a collar with any slack in it slides up the neck, past the ears and off.
It usually happens at the worst moment: a loud noise, a dog they don't like, a squirrel the other way.
How do you measure a narrow-headed dog for a collar?
Measure the neck where the collar should sit, and measure the head too. That second number tells you how much room you have to play with.
- Neck: wrap a soft tape around the neck just below the ears, where it's narrowest. Snug against the skin, not squeezing. Don't drift down toward the shoulders, where the neck is thicker.
- Head: wrap the tape around the widest part of the head, over the ears and just above the eyes.
- Compare the two. If the head number is only an inch or so bigger than the neck, or even smaller, you've got a slipper. The collar has to sit close to the neck number.
- Add two finger widths to the neck number for comfort, as our size guide says. That's the number you order by.
Then match it to a size:
- Small: 8 to 11 inches
- Medium: 11 to 14 inches
- Large: 14 to 18 inches
- XL: 18 to 22 inches
- XXL: 22 to 28 inches
Every collar adjusts about 4 inches within its range. If you land between sizes, size up, then tighten it on the dog. On a narrow-headed dog, make sure you can still close it at the snug end of the range.
How should the collar fit so your dog can't back out?
Two checks, every time you put it on.
The two-finger check. Slide two fingers flat under the collar. They should fit, but only just. If you can wiggle a third finger in, or fit your whole hand, it's too loose for this kind of dog.
The ears check. Hold the collar at the back of the neck and gently push it forward toward the head. It should stop at the ears. If it slides over them with a light push, it will slide over them when your dog pulls back. Tighten one step and try again.
A few more things that help:
- Keep it high on the neck. A collar that sits low near the shoulders has more distance to travel and more slack to use. Settle it in the narrow spot just behind the ears.
- Check the slide. On an adjustable collar, make sure the strap is threaded properly and the slider holds. A strap that creeps loose over a walk gives back the room you took away.
- Re-check after baths and coat changes. A wet or freshly clipped coat takes up less space.
If your dog has a thick neck rather than a slim head and still slips out, the fit advice is a little different. Our guide to collars for thick-necked dogs covers that build.
Should a dog that slips its collar walk on a harness?
For many escape artists, yes. The collar does its job for ID. The harness does the job of keeping your dog attached to you.
A harness holds around the ribcage, behind the front legs, so a dog can't reverse out of it the way they can with a collar. Every one of our collars has a harness option under Style, sized by chest rather than neck. Measure around the deepest part of the chest, just behind the front legs, and add two fingers.
One tip from the size guide that matters here: deep-chested dogs like greyhounds often need a size up from their collar size. Don't assume the harness matches the collar. Measure the chest on its own.
Fit the harness with the same care. Two fingers under every strap, and check behind the front legs for rubbing after the first few walks. A loose harness can be slipped too.
You may also hear about martingale collars, which tighten a little when the dog pulls back. Lots of sighthound owners like them. We don't list a martingale in our shop, so if you go that route, follow the maker's fitting instructions closely. A martingale only works if it's sized to the dog.
When is a custom size worth it?
Sometimes the right fit falls awkwardly. Your dog's neck sits at the very bottom of a range, or the strap length leaves a long tail flapping once it's tightened. That's when a made-to-measure collar earns its keep.
Our custom order form asks for your dog's breed and neck measurement, and you can request a custom neck size or width. Tell us your dog slips collars and send the head measurement too, so we know what we're working with. There's no payment until you've approved the details.
And if a standard collar arrives and doesn't sit right, send it back within 30 days and we'll adjust it for free.
Ready to get a collar that stays where it belongs? Browse our handmade dog collars, add the harness option for walks, and measure twice before you order.
FAQ
How tight should a collar be on a greyhound or whippet?
Snug enough that two fingers slide under it with no room for a third, and tight enough that it won't push over the ears. That's firmer than many owners expect, but it's what keeps a slim-headed dog from backing out.
Can my dog wear the collar all the time if it's that snug?
Take it off once a week and look underneath for redness or flattened hair. If the skin is fine and two fingers still fit, the fit is right. If it's leaving marks, loosen one step and lean on the harness for walks.
What should I do if my dog has already slipped the collar once?
Re-measure the neck and head before the next walk, tighten to the ears check, and clip the leash to a harness until you're confident. Make sure your phone number is on the collar too, by embroidery or a tag, in case it happens again.
Find a fit that stays put in our handmade dog collars.