Collar Care Guide

Each Lei Custom Collar is handcrafted from high-quality leather and finished with carefully selected hardware and decorative elements.

With proper care and regular inspection, your collar is designed to maintain its appearance, structure, and function over time.

👉 Learn more about how our collars are built

Regular Inspection

We recommend checking your dog's collar periodically for signs of wear.

Please inspect for:

loose hardware
worn leather
loose screws
missing stones or decorative elements

If you notice any damage or excessive wear, the collar should be removed from use until the issue is addressed.

Regular inspection helps ensure both safety and longevity.

Water Exposure

Leather is a natural material and should be kept as dry as possible.

If the collar becomes wet:

remove the collar from the dog
allow it to dry naturally at room temperature

Do not dry leather using:

hair dryers
heaters
direct sunlight

Allowing leather to remain wet for extended periods may cause it to absorb moisture and develop odor from the dog’s coat.

Leather Care

Natural leather will gradually soften and develop a rich patina over time.

You may occasionally apply a light leather conditioner to maintain flexibility and prevent dryness.

Avoid over-conditioning, as excessive oils may darken the leather.

Natural Aging

Because our collars are made from genuine leather, some natural changes may occur over time:

leather may darken
the surface may develop a natural patina
minor variations in texture may appear

These changes are a normal part of leather aging and add character to the collar.

Metal Hardware

Hardware made from brass or copper may naturally darken or develop a patina over time.

This is a normal characteristic of these metals and does not affect their strength.

If desired, hardware can be gently polished with a suitable metal polish.

Decorative Elements

Some collars include decorative elements such as:

crystals
cabochons
conchos
studs

👉 Learn more about crystals, cabochons, and decorative elements

These elements are securely set but may loosen over time if exposed to rough terrain, heavy activity, or repeated friction.

We recommend avoiding:

swimming with the collar
hiking in rough terrain
heavy outdoor activity where rocks or branches may scratch the collar

Training Collars

If your dog wears a prong collar or chain training collar, care should be taken to minimize constant contact between collars.

Metal training collars rubbing against decorative collars may scratch leather or loosen decorative elements.

Storage

When not in use, store your collar:

in a dry place
away from excessive moisture
away from direct heat sources

Proper storage helps maintain the leather and decorative elements.

With proper care, your Lei Custom Collars piece will remain a beautiful and functional accessory for your dog for many years.

Explore Our Leather Dog Collar Collections

Collar Care FAQ

1. How often should I check my dog’s collar?

We recommend checking your dog’s collar regularly for signs of wear, including loose hardware, worn leather, or missing decorative elements.

2. Can leather dog collars get wet?

Leather collars should be kept as dry as possible.
If the collar becomes wet, allow it to air dry naturally at room temperature.

3. Can I use heat to dry a leather collar?

No. Do not use heat sources such as hair dryers, heaters, or direct sunlight, as this may damage the leather.

4. How do I maintain leather over time?

You may occasionally apply a light leather conditioner to maintain flexibility.
Avoid over-conditioning, as this may darken the leather.

5. Is it normal for leather to change over time?

Yes. Leather may darken, develop a patina, and show natural variations in texture.
These changes are a normal part of aging.

6. Will the hardware change color?

Yes. Brass and copper may develop a natural patina over time.
This does not affect strength or performance.

7. Are decorative elements durable?

Decorative elements are securely set, but they should be treated with care.
Rough activity, impact, or friction may loosen stones or damage settings over time.

8. Can my dog wear this collar during training?

If using a prong or chain collar, avoid constant contact between collars, as this may cause wear or scratching.