Dog Collars-- Feeling like I need help!

[KarissaTepp]

I make dog collars but I'm not happy with them. They "look" very cool, but they aren't practical. I've been using vegetable tanned leather so that I can tool it, but I've found that they aren't holding their shape well, they get stiff and hard, crack, and if they get dirty they look like crap. I'm looking for suggestions! 

 

A separate issue:

Also had a client's dog roll in poop... she washed and scrubbed the collar in soapy water. Yeah... well the entire middle is totally ruined now. I was really upset because I spent a lot of time on that one, but I couldn't be mad because she was just trying to clean it, which made me realize I don't know what to tell people to clean with in situations like that. 

 

Long story short I've stopped making collars for now until I can make a better product. 

 

I use all Tandy products right now. Not sure if this is part of the problem or not. 

[Roq]

6 minutes ago, KarissaTepp said:

I make dog collars but I'm not happy with them. They "look" very cool, but they aren't practical. I've been using vegetable tanned leather so that I can tool it, but I've found that they aren't holding their shape well, they get stiff and hard, crack, and if they get dirty they look like crap. I'm looking for suggestions! 

Do you oil (pure neatsfoot oil) the leather after you dye it? Do you let your customers know that leather needs to be cleaned with a barely damp, soft cloth and conditioned and waxed regularly?  Avoid excess moisture as in rain, swimming, bathing, etc. Pretty collars are for show dogs not working or yard dogs, they need to understand that.

 

A separate issue:

Also had a client's dog roll in poop... she washed and scrubbed the collar in soapy water. Yeah... well the entire middle is totally ruined now. I was really upset because I spent a lot of time on that one, but I couldn't be mad because she was just trying to clean it, which made me realize I don't know what to tell people to clean with in situations like that. 

I don't know how to clean it and it is not covered by any warranty.

 

Long story short I've stopped making collars for now until I can make a better product. 

Educating your customers and your disclaimer/ warranty may need work.

 

I use all Tandy products right now. Not sure if this is part of the problem or not. 

Not

 

 

[Thor]

I'm not making dog collars, but if I would, I would use harness or bridle leather. I think the same as Roq, the pretty blingy thingies is for the show and for those dogs that carried around in the ladies' handbags.

Had to chuckle on that Tandy note. Is it part of the problem? No, yes, maybe. I have not idea which leather you used of them and whether it was of good or not so good quality. If leather cracks it can have several reasons but usually is due to missing oil/grease which keeps it supple. 

If you'd see how I abuse my saddles at times, scrub and rub the soap onto the leather you'd be amazed that they don't look bad, but that's something one can expect of good quality leather. Never heard that one should only use a damp cloth. Heck, I've even cleaned some saddles using a pressure washer. Dry and recondition them afterwards and everything's fine.

[KarissaTepp]

Sorry I didn't include very much information! I did this post from my phone and it was kind of hard. Yes I do educate them on how to clean them properly and I told her not to soak it or that it can get dry, cracked, etc.

I oil and condition everything I make using mink oil, Fiebings 4 way care leather conditioner, and snow-proof weather proofer. They are nice and supple when they leave my hands.

I agree that some leather collars are for show purposes only but I know many people keep a leather collar on their dog at all times and the collars last several years if not longer even if they get wet and are cleaned. That's where I assumed a different type of weather would be better then veg tan.

[Dwight]

I was tasked with a special problem with two Boston bull dogs.  Each one would tug at the other one's braided cloth shock collar, . . . until it fell off.  Then the other dog would get his off, . . . and the pups would flee the yard for squirrels, frogging, mud running, . . . whatever.

I made two new collars, . . . 8 oz veggie tan, . . . two layers, . . . sewn together like a cowboy belt, . . . Feibings stain, . . . Resolene finish, . . . and I have not had one bad comment from the owners, . . . 

That was a couple years ago, . . . I consider it a total success, . . . but just my situation, . . . YMMV.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Martyn]

1 hour ago, KarissaTepp said:

They "look" very cool, but they aren't practical.  

Do they need to be tooled? Perhaps use bridle leather or some kind of leather that has lots of oil and wax in it and restrict the tooling to sewn on panels or something. Shift the focus from pretty to practical.

[Roq]

46 minutes ago, Thor said:

 Never heard that one should only use a damp cloth. Heck, I've even cleaned some saddles using a pressure washer. Dry and recondition them afterwards and everything's fine.

 

The point was for the general public. If you saturate the leather it will be fine. If it just gets wet in some areas it leaves your pretty collar no longer pretty.

[KarissaTepp]

Yes, that was kind of what I had in mind Just wanted to make sure I get the right kind of leather for the job! English Bridle, I've been hearing a lot of good things.