Waterproof dog collars for beach, creek and bath days

Ella spends a good part of the summer wet. Creek days, beach days, then the hose in the driveway to rinse off both. A regular fabric collar can handle a splash, but it holds water against the skin for a while and starts looking rough by August. That is the case for keeping a separate collar and leash around for water days, the same way you would keep a separate set of towels by the back door.

What changes when the water shows up

A fabric collar that gets dunked in a creek stays damp for hours unless you take it off to dry. It picks up a smell after a few soakings and the stitching starts to fray sooner than it would on a collar that stays dry most of the week. A PVC-style collar sheds water fast, rinses clean with the hose and dries in a few minutes on the porch rail. It is a different piece of gear for a different kind of day, not a swap for the collar your dog wears the rest of the week.

The Waterproof Dog Collar and Leash lineup

Lucky Dog Pet Company makes the Waterproof Dog Collar in black, navy, blue and pink, each in Small, Medium and Large. The matching Waterproof Dog Leash comes in the same four colors at 5 feet long, so you can match collar to leash or mix colors depending on what is already in the truck. Lucky Dog Pet Company describes this line as waterproof and odor-free, made from PVC-coated material meant to handle creek water, beach sand and regular rinsing.

Getting the size right

The collar comes in Small, Medium and Large, and getting that right matters more on a water day than any other, since a collar that slips will slip fastest when it is wet. Measure your dog's neck with a soft tape before you order, and check the size chart on the listing rather than guessing from the collar you already own, since sizing can run differently between a fabric collar and a PVC one.

A hands-free option for wet trails

If you are hauling a cooler, a camera or a second leash for a second dog, the Waterproof Hands-Free Leash in black goes over the shoulder so your hands stay free for the rest of the gear. It is built from the same material as the collar and leash line, which matters on a trail that crosses the creek on the way in and again on the way out. It is also a decent option for anyone photographing a beach day, since a shoulder leash beats a handheld one when you are also holding a camera.

In the Gear aisle

You can browse the full collar and leash collection built for wet days in the Gear aisle. Lucky Dog Pet Company ships these directly from Hamburg, New York through Shopify Collective, while our treats ship from right here in Malvern, Pennsylvania.

After the water: getting the rest of the dog clean

The collar rinses off fast. The dog usually does not. If a creek or beach day ends with a dog that needs a real bath instead of a towel-off, the Wash Bay is where we keep our grooming and detailing picks, including the Lillian Ruff shampoo we reach for after a muddy afternoon. We also put together a guide on how to wash a dog at home without the chaos for the days bath time ends with more water on the floor than on the dog.

None of this replaces a good meal after a long day outside. Ella gets the same freeze-dried treats every time, creek trip or not, and if you want to see what we make in the garage in Malvern, the freeze-dried dog treats collection is where we keep them.

Questions

Does the collar need to dry out before the leash clips back on?

No. The hardware on both pieces is built to be used wet, so you can clip the leash back on right out of the water.

Can I use the Waterproof Dog Collar as an everyday collar?

You can. Some owners keep one collar for everything, others keep a separate one just for water days so the everyday collar does not sit around damp. Either way works.

How do I know if a collar or leash needs to be replaced?

Check the stitching, the buckle and the D-ring every so often, the same way you would check any leash or harness you use often. If the hardware looks cracked, worn thin or does not latch the way it used to, it is time for a new one.