How To: Ribbon Collars!

 On the back of our last post about how great costumes can be for marketing and promoting available dogs, here is a quick, low-cost and super easy way to dress up your dogs. Whether it is for a photo for Petfinder or for an event, these collars will garner a lot of attention! We used them at a dog speed-dating style adoption event two weeks ago and the dogs looked great, plus it softened some of our dogs who might appear intimidating but who are actually love bugs.



Materials: nylon or other collar (I used a flat buckle collar, but you can use the disposable ones too)
                ribbon in a variety of colors, textures, thicknesses and designs
                scissors
                beads or jewels (totally optional)
                very patient dog model!


Step One: Size the collar (if adjustable) to the approximate size of most your dogs. If you work in a larger shelter, make some for small dogs, some geared more for medium-sized dogs, and some for your larger dogs.

Step Two: Cut lengths ribbon in complementary colors and designs. You want each strip to be about 6 to 10 inches in length for a medium to large collar.

Step Three: Tie ribbons onto collar, double-knotting to ensure they won't slip off (especially important for the more silky ribbons. Space them out to create variety!

Step Four: If you are going to add beads or jewels, attach them to the ends of the ribbons; If not, have your most patient dog model try it on!


Tips:

• Instead of collars, try elastic headbands (drugstores) which also work very well and are less expensive
• Have a volunteer party and provide pizza and soda in exchange for a few hours of making party collars
• If you are going to use these at an event, consider desensitizing some of your dogs to them beforehand, so that they don't try to bite at them, shake them off, roll around or otherwise dislodge the collar!
• Many craft or fabric stores have $1 ribbon rolls or other good deals. Also, consider adding ribbon to a wishlist
• Do you have children who volunteer? This is a great arts and crafts project for minors who may not be able to do hands-on activities with the dogs. Take a picture of a dog wearing the collar afterward and give it to the child as a thank you!