Our featured product for this review is The Company Of Animals’ The Company Of Animals Opti Fit Collar. The Company of Animals is a training and behavior center that was created sometime in 1979.
This supposes to us that The Company Of Animals does not produce pet products for leisure or such. All its products are stuff that are used in training and teaching pets proper behavior. So its lineup of products includes stuff like therapy balls, muzzles and halti collars.
The Company Of Animals Opti Fit Collar is one of its halti collars and halti collars are training collars. They are used to teach dogs proper walking behavior, making them keep to the side of their walker at all time.
Now here is an important question we need to ask:
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Who Can Wear The Company Of Animals Opti Fit Collar?
The Company Of Animals Opti Fit Collar comes in a range of sizes so every dog should be able to find something that fits. However, bear in mind that this collar is a training collar. And what it implies is that certain dogs should not be using it.
The category of “certain dogs” includes small puppies, senior dogs, invalid dogs and pregnant and lactating dogs. These dogs cannot be undergoing training and so do not need a training collar.
Features Of The Company Of Animals Opti Fit Collar
1. Material
The Company Of Animals Opti Fit Collar is made of nylon. We’ve said before that this collar is a halti. Now a halti is meant to be worn kinda like a muzzle. It goes around the muzzle, under the chin and locks at the back of the head.
The idea of this style is to lead the dog with his head instead of his neck. The Company Of Animals believes that for effective dog walk training, pressure has to be removed from the dog’s neck to his muzzle. And that is what this collar does.
The part of the collar that actually rests on your dog’s nose is padded with neoprene. The reason for this is so that your dog does not develop injuries or burns where the collar rubs naked flesh. Especially since there will be a lot of pulling on this collar.
Now the straps that go under his chin are reflective. This means that you can use this collar in training your dog even if it is dark out. A dog wearing this collar should be seen by everything and everybody; motorists and pedestrians alike.
2. Clasp
This collar uses a black buckle as a clasp and it is pretty easy to work. If you fix the collar properly, the buckle should clasp behind your dog’s neck. So whatever you do, make sure that the collar fits that way.
3. Sliding Camlock
The Company Of Animals Opti Fit Collar is an adjustable collar. But unlike most adjustable collars, it doesn’t just have a tri glide, it also has a sliding camlock. How does it work? You guessed it! You just side it up or down, depending on what you are trying to achieve.
The camlock is made of plastic and is easy to work. It tightens the part that goes around your dog’s nose. Ensure that you fit that part properly so it doesn’t slide up into your dog’s eyes.
3. Tri Glide
Because there are a number of parts to this collar, it has two different adjustment mechanisms. Now, the tri glide is used to adjust the strap that goes around your dog’s neck.
4. Safety Clip
The collar “ends” with a short leash and a metal clip at the end. Now, when your dog is wearing The Company Of Animals Opti Fit Collar, it is expected that he wears a regular collar. This is because this collar is just a training collar and has no provision for an ID tag.
Also, the metal clip on this collar is supposed to be attached to your dog’s regular collar so that the extra strap forms a loop. Now at the beginning edge of the loop is an O ring that connects all the different straps on this collar together. That is what you attach your dog’s leash to.
Altogether, the idea is to give you better grip on the collar. And somehow serve as a backup if, for any reason, the noose of the collar slips off.
Is The Company Of Animals Opti Fit Collar User Friendly?
It is possible for you to operate this collar without assistance, especially if you have used a halti collar before. However we do think The Company Of Animals could have made things easier by selling this collar with a training manual. That said, there is a video you can check out if you find things too difficult.
Pros Of The Company Of Animals Opti Fit Collar
1. Comfort
We like that there is neoprene padding on the inside of the strap that goes on your dog’s nose. Because it means that in pulling on the collar to get your dog to mind, the collar doesn’t cause scratches, chaffs or injuries.
2. Reflective
The straps that go around your dog’s chin are made to be reflective. So that your dog can wear The Company Of Animals Opti Fit Collar and be seen even in the dark.
3. Safe
The Company Of Animals Opti Fit Collar has the safety clip that is supposed to give you a firmer grip on the collar. Also, it acts as backup.
Cons of The Company Of Animals Opti Fit Collar
The strap that goes around the back of your dog’s neck might loosen overtime. You’ll have to adjust it as often as that happens. We do think that The Company Of Animals could have made this collar more secure. Thankfully, there is a safety clip.
Also, we would have liked for this collar to have come with a training manual. Especially for the new dog parents.
Alternative Options To The Company Of Animals Opti Fit Collar
Is The Company Of Animals Opti Fit Collar not what you need? Check out these other options:
More User Friendly Option
PetSafe Gentle Leader Collar
The PetSafe Gentle Leader Collar is a more user friendly option because it comes with a training manual and a training DVD. So, not only can you read up on how to work the collar, you can actually watch someone else do it.
The PetSafe Gentle Leader Collar is actually a less pricey option than our featured product. However, it does not feature the safety clip that our featured product does. Check out our article on this collar to find out more about it.
Option With Designs
Petsafe Gentle Leader Chic Collar
The Petsafe Gentle Leader Chic Collar comes in three different designs; bonez, puppies and donots. So your dog can get trained in style. Like our featured product, the Petsafe Gentle Leader Chic Collar is made of nylon and is padded on the inside of the nose loop with neoprene.
However, this collar does not have the security clip that our featured product does. But it is less expensive than our featured product.
Opposite Spectrum
Rogz Obedience Half-Check Dog Collar
If you don’t want a halti but are still in need of a collar to use in training your dog proper walk behavior, you could try a martingale. And if you want to try a martingale you could as well try the Rogz Obedience Half-Check Dog Collar.
The collar itself is made out of nylon while the martingale loop is metal. Go check out this review for more detailed information.
Comparison Table
The Company Of Animals Opti Fit Collar
|
PetSafe Gentle Leader Collar
|
Petsafe Gentle Leader Chic Collar
|
Rogz Obedience Half-Check Dog Collar
|
|
Reflective? |
Yes | No
|
No | Yes |
Designs? |
No | No | Yes | No |
User Friendly? |
Kinda. Has a training video online | Yes. Has a training manual and training DVD that both come with the collar | Yes. Has a training manual and training DVD that come with the collar | Yes. Doesn’t need training anything |
What Others Think About The Company Of Animals Opti Fit Collar
People seem to like The Company Of Animals Opti Fit Collar well enough because it does its job well. And also because it is padded on the inside of the strap that goes on your dog’s nose.
Our Take
We think you’ll be fine with The Company Of Animals Opti Fit Collar. However, be ready to make adjustments when the back strap loosens.
