Your dog’s collar — it’s just a place to hang tags and a way to grab your pooch on the fly, right? Well, there’s a lot more to consider with collars.

The fit needs to be just right. That means you should only be able to fit your thumb between the collar and your dog’s neck. If the collar’s too loose, your pooch can get hung up when jumping over an object. He could also get a leg or teeth caught under the collar while scratching or grooming. These are reasons why breakaway collars are so safe: they release under excess pressure.

If your dog’s collar is too tight, it can irritate the skin, resulting in scratching or even infection. That’s why some veterinarians recommend removing a dog’s collar at night to give the skin a rest. But make sure your dog is microchipped — in case she dashes out the door while collarless.