Dog Collars Stretching After Rough Use

[shtoink]

I have been looking closer at the image of the two collars together and something kept bugging me about the darker one. The buckle looked oddly familiar, but it just dawned on me why.

It's a from a brand called Circle T and I have the same collar for my dog. He a big puller and has gotten his collar wet. I'd like to call BS on using the darker collar as a comparison for "not stretching" under similar conditions, because my dog stretched his out. It stretched out enough that I had to use my punch to put a new hole in it so it'd stay on him.

I know this doesn't really help with the whole "how to prevent stretching" thing, but I felt it might give you a bit of reassurance that you are on the right track and that you just got stuck with a crappy end-user as one of your clients. Too bad there isn't screen process to help prevent unwanted, accidental exposure to jerks.

How I wish for such a thing... A guy can dream, can't he.

[NicoleAlaine]

I have been looking closer at the image of the two collars together and something kept bugging me about the darker one. The buckle looked oddly familiar, but it just dawned on me why.

It's a from a brand called Circle T and I have the same collar for my dog. He a big puller and has gotten his collar wet. I'd like to call BS on using the darker collar as a comparison for "not stretching" under similar conditions, because my dog stretched his out. It stretched out enough that I had to use my punch to put a new hole in it so it'd stay on him.

That's really funny, I hadn't noticed the brand on it. Now that I look closer on it, the dark collar actually does look stretched thinner on the bulk of the collar below the stitching. Good to know I didn't totally drop the ball! Oh well, I refunded her $ for good PR and let it go at that. Glad it prompted me to do the research though, it's nice to know that veg tan is just like that.

[lightingale]

Cliff Ketchum, one of the early noted leather designers in Hollywood made a lot of leather work for use in stunts and such in the western movies back in the 1950-1960's era. He would use layer(s) of fiberglass strapping tape sewn between leather layers to strengthen his work. It adds very little in thickness, but a lot in strength and stability. Strong enough for a horse should be strong enough for the largest of dogs.

This is brilliant, I'm going to pick up some fibreglass tape next time I go to the hardware store to try this out. The only downside is that it would have to be sandwiched between two layers that are sewn together, which already reduces the likelihood of stretching.

[NicoleAlaine]

This is brilliant, I'm going to pick up some fibreglass tape next time I go to the hardware store to try this out. The only downside is that it would have to be sandwiched between two layers that are sewn together, which already reduces the likelihood of stretching.

You could probably use the fiberglass to make a lined collar with something like 2/3 (not sure what thickness you would usually use since I have not done lined collars) on the back and a tooled front that would be less bulky than a normal lined collar.

Lightingale, I wanted to tell you also that I have been a fan of your collars for a long time. They are really beautiful! Your artistic work is really an inspiration to me!

[Northmount]

Just in case you haven't thought about it, keep the edge of the fibreglass far enough back from the edge of collar so you won't run into trouble burnishing the edges.

Tom

[alyshae]

Great advice from all, especially the fiberglass tape! I was also wondering about the clients definition of "oiling". When I first got into leather and decided to research it, I found several people advising to soak new bridles in oil overnight. Serious over-oiling could have produced the stretch and the appearance of dye running out of an undyed collar.

[Geneva]

You have learned not to make your dog collars from latigo. It has a very bad habit of stretching. I make a 1" wide collar out of English bridle and I use natural tanned vegetable leather, harness leather too. The only time I oil the natural tan is to change the color to a medium brown. I never oil my collars. Another great material is harness leather. The weight of all my collars is 10/12 ounce material. This will hold a dog weighing around 40 pounds.

If you do decide to put reinforcement in the collar you will need for sure a good walking foot machine capable of 1/2" sewing.

I use 3/8th inch tubular rivets to lock the buckle and d-ring in place with a belt keeper also. I edge every thing with a #1 edging tool. As far as the finish goes I don't put any finish on the material. Once in a while I will finish with Resolene. Keep in mind that once you apply Resolene the material is sealed nothing will penetrate Resolene other than Acetone to remove the Resolene and return to the original finish of the material.

You should make a practice of trying to stretch your collar before you make it. If you can stretch it (more than 1/4") a dog will wreck it and your reputation.

I hope my 2 cents helped. Best of luck to your new and improved dog collar.

[wlg190861]

In every kind of work from construction to leatherwork, lamination is key for strength