Reasons to Remove Your Dog’s Collar at Night: Comfort
A close up look at a leather dog collar
Many dogs will enjoy having their collar taken off at night because it allows them to scratch parts of their neck that they were not able to during the day. It also offers some relief from the pressure of having it on for many hours in a row. It can also relieve your dog from overheating or getting too warm in the neck area, giving them some much-needed air.
If you have a dog with longer fur or curly fur, they are probably more prone to matting, and keeping their collar on all the time can cause matting around the neck. Matting is not only uncomfortable for your dog, but it can also cost you extra at the groomers if you’re required to pay extra for mat removal. You can attempt to remove the mats yourself, but this tends to be time-consuming and potentially painful for your dog if you’re not a professional groomer.
Try to avoid matting by giving your dog daily breaks from wearing their collar.
If your dog wears a harness regularly, it’s extra important to give them frequent breaks to avoid excess matting on their chest as well, which will make your dog even more uncomfortable. In fact, if you use a harness to walk your dog, it might be a good idea only to put the harness on your dog while you’re walking to ensure they aren’t feeling too smothered by it throughout the day.
Reasons to Remove Your Dog’s Collar at Night: Cleanliness
This type of matting can also affect your dog’s appearance and make them appear unkempt or messy. While this is not necessarily the most important reason to take your dog’s collar off at night, you don’t want other people to think you do not adequately groom your dog. If the fur around their neck is matted or sticking up due to excessive collar wear, your dog will not appear as sleek and clean as they should.
This step is especially important if your dog has recently been playing in the dog park, enjoying a jump in the mud, or swimming in a lake. These and other fun activities for dogs are a great way to give them some exercise in an exciting way, but they can also cause bacteria and dirt to build up beneath their collar. Taking off the collar at night is a great way to check if your dog needs their neck cleaned, and maybe a full bath depending on how dirty they got.
Do Dogs Like It When You Take their Collars Off
Although dogs will commonly have no reaction to having their collar taken off, in some cases, they may learn to enjoy it. If you have taken your dog for a walk and have arrived home to relax, making a point of taking your dog’s collar off every time you arrive back will teach your dog that it’s now time to rest.