Make Your Own Dog Collar

Submitted by uberpest on Sun, 2006-10-08 23:54.

Flat Buckle Collar


Make this collar

The great thing about these collars is the hardware is recycleable, they're cheap, easy and virtually disposable. If you totally trash one out in the field or on the trail you can cut the hardware off and use them again for a new collar. In fact, everything used to make the collar shown here was scrapped off something else. It just happened that they all matched perfectly.

Materials needed:

  • 1" D-ring (1)
  • 1" triglide slider (1)
  • 1" side release nylon buckle (1)
  • 1" nylon webbing (about 3 feet, give or take for your dog)

Directions:

Sew the D-ring and female end of the buckle into one end of the web as shown. If you're sewing with a machine align the foot with the piece of harware for a straight seam. Double or triple stitch. It needs to be really strong.


Weave the web through the male end of the buckle and the slider as shown. Sew strongly.


That's all there is to it. This is the most user friendly collar to make.


Full Circle Collar

This is a good collar for sled dogs or something with loose skin around its neck (ie hounds) as it snugs down to the neck, not the loose hair and such. A personal favorite as the big ring makes it easy to manipulate with cold or gloved fingers.

Make this collar

Materials needed

Materials needed:

  • 1" O-ring (1)
  • 1.5" O-ring(1)
  • 1" triglide slider(1)
  • 1" nylon webbing 6" longer than desired maximum opening. About one foot longer than your dog's neck measurement (total)

Directions:

Sew 1.5" ring into end as shown.

Step 2
Wrap around 1" ring and double back through 1.5" ring as shown.

Step 3
Weave, as shown, through the 1" ring and triglide slider.

Finis

Voila! You're done and have a nice new collar to boot!

Questions? Comments? e-mail me!
All text and images copyright 2001-2002 Amanda Tikkanen. No reproduction without permission.
Submitted by S Braman (not verified) on Mon, 2009-02-09 02:32.

Fantastic instructions and well illustrated! These are so easy to make fancier- just embroider on the nylon or glue on rhinestones before sewing it. Mine don't last quite as long home made- but for the price they can't be beat. I even found a site for hardware and metal side release buckles: twistednotions.com

Submitted by Kell (not verified) on Wed, 2008-09-10 21:11.
Hi! We've never had standard issue dogs so finding collars has been difficult. Had a sharpei mix with sensitive skin so finding a collar that would fit (beaucoup dewlaps) and not irritate even more difficult. The sealed end of webbing on the d-ring end most collars is on the inside of the collar -- this can be uncomfortable if not stitched down really well (shaved the hair off the dog's neck). If you flip the seam to the outside of the collar the dog is much more comfortable. It can sometimes be done on commercial collars if the buckle isn't curved to fit the neck -- now I don't have to waste time looking for a flippable end. Thanks!
Submitted by Steph (not verified) on Mon, 2008-07-28 12:03.
Great website! I have made a few leashes & have been wanting to try to make collars, harnesses, beds, booties... everything you have here! I've been searching for info like this, thanks for the great site & I can't wait to try some stuff!
Submitted by Kristin (not verified) on Fri, 2008-07-11 14:46.
Wow! Awesome tutorial, I had been trying to find out how to make an adjustable collar and your tutorial was extremely helpful! I'm actually starting to work with fancy ribbons for cat collars and this technique is just what I was looking for :-)
Submitted by Paulet (not verified) on Mon, 2008-05-26 14:46.
my dog loves it! she hated all the other dog collars i've bought her. but when i made her a pink flat buckle collar, she left it alone! amazing! and she hates collars but she doesn't mind this one at all! and she looks so cute in her little pink collar! i can't believe that sugar(my dog) actually likes it! thank you soooo much