By Erin Shedd | August 20, 2026

We love a good dog collar around here. I mean, making collars is kind of our thing. 😂

But here’s something we believe just as strongly: dogs do not need to wear their collars 24/7.

In fact, we’re big fans of naked dogs around here.

Take Luke. He spends his days doing what Luke does best – hiking, swimming, running wild, getting filthy, and turning every outing into a full-blown event.

When the adventure is over, the collar comes off.

Taking care of his gear is just part of our everyday routine, and honestly, it’s an easy habit any dog owner can build.

Give Their Neck a Break

At the end of the day, Luke gets naked.

Taking your dog’s collar off at night gives the skin on their neck a chance to breathe. It also gives you a chance to actually check what’s going on under there.

Look for rubbing, redness, irritation, mats, or anything else that seems off.

While the collar is off, give it a quick once-over too. Check the buckle, D-ring, triglide, and stitching to make sure everything still looks secure and in good shape.

It’s kind of like taking off your bra at the end of the day. You can wear it all day, sure – but when it comes off, that relief is real.

Your dog deserves that same little break.

Keep That Dog Collar Clean

Luke’s collars go everywhere he goes – through the woods, around the yard, into the lake, through the mud, and straight into whatever gross puddle he manages to find.

So yes, his collars get dirty.

And we’re not in the habit of putting a dirty dog collar right back on and calling it good.

Regularly cleaning your dog’s collar helps remove dirt, oils, moisture, and that general dog funk that builds up over time.

Just like you wouldn’t want to wear the same dirty shirt day after day, your dog shouldn’t have to wear a dirty collar either.

Wet Collar? Take It Off.

This is a big one in our house.

Luke loves water, which means his gear gets soaked. If he comes home from a swim or a rainy hike with a wet collar, it comes off.

Wet collar? Off.

Clean it, let it dry completely, then put it back into rotation.

We don’t leave a wet collar sitting against his neck for hours, and we definitely don’t recommend it.

This is also why we like having a waterproof Biothane collar on hand. It’s a great option for swimming, muddy adventures, and rainy days because it wipes clean easily and doesn’t hold water the way fabric collars can.

And yes, sometimes Luke comes home looking like his collar went on a completely different adventure than he did. 😂

That’s fine. That’s what good adventure gear is for.

Rotate Your Dog’s Collars

We practice what we preach: Luke has several collars, and we rotate them.

If one is drying or getting cleaned, another one goes on. It keeps things simple, helps everything stay cleaner, and gives us a chance to check each collar regularly for wear and tear.

Also, let’s be honest – dogs deserve outfit changes too. 😉

One for everyday wear. One for adventures. One for swimming. One because we really liked the pattern.

We’re not saying your dog needs a whole closet.

But we’re also not saying they don’t. 😂

Our Simple Dog Collar Routine

The routine we use with Luke is simple:

• Collar off at night so his neck gets a break.
• Clean collars regularly, especially the ones getting daily use.
• If it gets wet or muddy, take it off, clean it, and let it dry completely.
• Rotate collars to make cleanup and drying easier.
• Check the gear – buckle, hardware, stitching, and overall condition.
• Check your dog’s neck anytime the collar comes off.

None of this takes much time. It’s just part of how we take care of Luke and the gear he wears.

Good Gear Needs Good Care

At Kudo the Dog, we make handmade dog collars and leashes for dogs who love to get outside and do dog stuff.

Luke is the reason so much of our gear gets put to the test. He hikes in it, swims in it, runs in it, gets muddy in it, and generally tries to see what he can get away with.

But even durable dog gear needs a little care.

A well-made collar is built to last, but it’s not indestructible. Taking care of your dog’s collar helps keep it clean, comfortable, and ready for whatever comes next.

So take the collar off at night. Keep it clean. Let it dry. Rotate your gear. Check the hardware. And pay a little attention to your dog’s neck while you’re at it.

And when bedtime rolls around?

Let that dog get naked.

Because around here, we believe in good gear, good habits, and very happy, occasionally naked dogs. 🐾😂

Good gear. Good habits. Happy dogs.