My dog ate her leash! I thought Lupine was chew-proof.
We wish it was! Our stuff is Guaranteed (even if chewed)®, not guaranteed-not-to-be-chewed. Nylon webbing is extremely strong, but, like all fabrics, its chew resistance is quite low. Our Guarantee means we'll replace any damaged Lupine product returned to us including those items damaged by chewing. Some retailers offer in-store replacement, too. Our Returns Department is pretty fast, though. Replacements go out First Class Mail, usually the next business day after your damaged piece is received.

What's covered by the Guarantee?
It's probably easier to say what we don't cover! Lost or out grown items or stuff that's simply dirty, all fall outside the scope of our Guarantee. If you have a situation where you feel that our product has not performed as it should, send us an email and we'll do our best to fix the problem.

My cat's collar looks like a lion's mane. Is that replaceable?
Yes, and it's important to keep an eye on your cat's collar, to be sure that fraying does not cause the collar to tighten up. The webbing is woven, like a sweater. If the cat hooks a nail on one loop of thread and pulls it out, it may cause the collar to draw tighter. Cat collars should be inspected frequently for fit and condition. You can use an infant nail-nipper, and simply blunt the sharp points off the hind nails, or consult your vet or groomer for a quick demo on this easy remedy.

My cat lost its Breakaway collar. Now what?
The release point for the Cat Safety collar is approximately 5 lbs. of pressure, which is appropriate given the range of weights in cats. Although it can be frustrating to cope with lost cat collars, it is very much preferable to the alternative (not releasing when needed). Rule of thumb for fit-ting a breakaway cat collar: it should be snug enough to resist pulling over the cat's head. If it's too loose, the cat may be able to get it's jaw or paw under the collar and release the buckle. A cat that scratches at the collar may snag the D-ring or the webbing and, given enough purchase, may be able to force the buckle.

My dog has already chewed his replacement. Can I get another?
All of us have suffered through phases of our dogs' inappropriate chewing habits, so, yes, we'll replace your replacement. We do have some suggestions to help prolong the lifespan of your Lupine products. Harnesses should come off when the walk is over. Leads should not be used to tie the dog (we don't recommend any of our products for tie-out). When properly fitted, a dog should not be able to get its mouth on its own collar. We have had good results with Fooey® (synergylabs.com) taste deterrent. Ask for it by name! There really is a difference.

I want to get a different replacement for the damaged item I'm sending you. Will you do that?
It depends. A request for a different pattern (same width and product) can usually be accommodated. Just be sure that we get the message, by taping a large note to the item itself. Requesting a product with a different retail cost is, well, different. Requests for items with a higher retail value than the item being returned should be handled by a Lupine dealer.

I need a replacement for a pattern I don't see on your website.
We usually have a few pieces of discontinued patterns for a period of time. You can email with a description of the pattern and what the product is (item and size range/length). If we have it, we'll set it aside with your name on it, and wait to receive your damaged piece. If we don't have it, you can specify an alternate pattern in the same width.



I can't find the Lupine product I want in any of the stores around me.
One-stop Lupine shopping can always be obtained from any of the Online Stores that carry "All Patterns & Products". Our Dealer Locator searches for stores by ZIP code and is updated monthly, so check often for new listings!

I bought something through an Online Store and it doesn't fit. Now what?
Contact the retailer first, and they'll tell you how to go about getting the exchange . Here's a list of Online Stores.

Will you make a custom-sized collar, lead or harness?
Sometimes. It depends on what it is. Send us an email. Custom items are more expensive, non-returnable, and are not covered under our Guarantee.



Who carries your solid colors?
Lupine products don't come in solid colors. There are some terrific solid-color manufacturers out there, we're just not one of them.

Why don't all the patterns come in all the widths?
We so wish it was that easy! Jacquard webbing is woven. Remember those potholders you made at camp? Up-and-down, back-and-forth ... Our webbing is made much the same way. There's a grid of thread loops that makes our webbing very strong and durable, but which also presents some limitations as to how many threads and colors can be used.

Proportion plays a role too. Look at 1" Turtle Reef, shown here. This has been a very popular pattern, and lots of folks want it for their smaller pets. If we made it in a 1/2" webbing, or even 3/4" wide --they're not going to look like turtles! As a 1" pattern, you see the big turtles, and by association you know those are little turtles swimming along side. Take away the big turtles, you're pretty much left with ticks. Most designs just don't lend themselves to being made in narrower widths.

Why don't you have any Christmas (Halloween, St.Patrick's' Day, 4th of July, etc.) patterns?
While we support the concept of a multi-collar 'wardrobe', patterns with a very specific focus tend to have limited sales. We aim for broader 'themes' with year-round popularity.

I have a great idea for a pattern. Who should I send it to?
We love to get pattern-ideas! Colors, themes, icons-that's all great information for us. Send your ideas to us



My dog goes on a tie-out. Should I use a collar or a harness?
We say: neither. We don't recommend any Lupine product for tie-out. An animal tied to a fixed object can put tremendous force to the hardware (and it's own body), far more than when it is hand walked on a lead. With harnesses and leads, a pet can chew through the webbing in a matter of moments, and then be free to roam. A pet on a tie-out is also at increased risk of entanglement (hanging) or attack by at-large animals.

How do I pick the right size collar for my dog?
Picking the right width and size range for your dog depends on the dog's age, neck size and, to some extent, the size of the dog. 1/2" products are appropriate for pets up to 20 pounds or so.

A 1/2" collar for a new puppy is a great way to introduce the concept of wearing a collar. It's lightweight and will give you a way to quickly attach a lead for those frequent trips outside during house-training. Early on in life, the dog has to be taught about being on a lead, and what it means. The 1/2" leads are going to keep the pup' connected' to you, but not be so heavy as to be annoying.

There are many full-grown larger dogs (like Labs and Retrievers) that wear a 3/4" width collar at maturity. It's important to remember that with the rapid growth rate of all young dogs, what fits in the beginning will almost certainly be outgrown before it wears out, much like kids' clothes! Buying with room-to-grow is OK to a point, but a collar set to it's smallest size has the most webbing doubled back and becomes somewhat bulky.

To determine collar size, use a dressmakers tape to measure around the middle of the neck. Measure snugly, against the skin, not how you'd like it to fit. Whatever that measurement is, add in 5% extra for wiggle-room. This gives you a good approximation of the current size of the dog.

Should I get an Adjustable collar or a Combo collar?
For small dogs (1/2" patterns) we only offer Adjustable collars. We make two types of collars in 3/4" and 1" patterns: adjustable collars (aka 'flat' collars), and Combo collars (aka 'martingales' , 'limited slip chokers' or 'half-check collars'). They do different things.

The Adjustable collar is the best all-around collar. The dog can wear it all the time, although many dog pros recommend removing any collar when the dog is crated.

The Combo collar is designed specifically to prevent a dog from 'backing out' of its collar. It has a 'martingale' loop of webbing. When tension is applied via the lead, the martingale reduces the size of the collar. It's not an infinite amount of closure, as with a choke chain, but enough to prevent the dog from slipping out. Click here to see a picture of a Combo in use. The Combo collar should not be left on when the dog is off-leash or unsupervised. Wearing a Combo collar off-lead increases the potential for getting caught on some object, or even another dog's jaw.

To determine what size of Combo collar to use, measure around the widest aspect of the head and jaw, as well as the mid-point of the neck. Take whichever measurement is larger, and add in an additional 5% to ensure a comfortable fit.

My dog pulls like a train! Should I try a harness?
A harness does one thing really well. It will reduce pressure on the dog's throat and neck. It doesn't stop a dog from pulling, it just makes it more comfortable for him to do so. It may actually cause a dog to pull harder!

What's the difference between an H-Harness, a Roman Harness and a Step In Harness?
The H-style is a really good cat harness that also can be used on small dogs. We especially recommend it for cats because it is harder to escape from. As long as the collar portion is snug enough not to pull over the cat's head, it is very unlikely the cat will get out of an H-harness. A harness should never be left on an unattended cat.

If you are considering a harness for a dog, and your main objective is to relieve pressure on the trachea, neck and spine, use either the Roman style or the Step In. These types of harness relieve pressure from a dog's throat, and put it on the shoulders and chest.

All harnesses should be removed when the outing is over as they are too accessible for chewing for dogs and may present an additional risk of entanglement or injury for cats. We do not recommend any of our products be used for tie-out.

How do I know what size harness to buy?
Harness sizing is based on the adjustability of the girth. If you don't have a dress makers tape, use a piece of string around the animal's ribcage, just behind the front legs. Measure snugly, not how you want it to fit. If you are using string, and don't have a ruler, you can use the known size of a standard piece of paper (8.5" by 11") to get a good idea of the pet's actual circumference. Whatever that measurement is, add in an extra 5% for comfort. If the cat measures 12" around, 10% would be 1.2", and half of that would be about 1/2" (5%). For this cat, a 9-14 size Harness would be purrfect (sorry.)

My dog can wear a 12"-20" Harness. Should I get a 1/2" wide or a 3/4" wide Roman/Adjustable Harness?
We use a body-weight of about 20 lbs. as the maximum size for 1/2" products. While 1/2" is light and easy to carry around, it does focus pressure on a smaller area. For this reason, some small dogs will find 3/4" wide products to be more comfortable.

How do I put the harness on?
Please click here to view our Harness PDF that explains correct fit and use.

Is Lupine colorfast?
All our patterns are made using threads which are dyed prior to weaving. Bleeding is very uncommon, but could happen, especially in response to whitening shampoos, flea products, and other topical products. We do suggest that a wet collar be removed from the dog, for the health of the skin. Would you wear wet shoes, given a choice?

How do I wash my collars?
Machine-washing our products is fine. Some people use a mesh bag (to save wear-and-tear on the inside of the tub), others just put them in with jeans and similar sturdy clothes. The key points are warm, not hot water; mild soap, no bleach; and air dry only - don't put them in the dryer or the nylon may get all shriveled! For extreme situations, pre-soaking in an enzymatic cleaner like Nature's Miracle or Simple Solution may be helpful. If bad dog-smell is an ongoing problem, consult your vet. It may indicate a health issue or the need for a change in diet.



Where is Lupine made?
All assembling and sewing is done at our facility in Conway, NH. The components (hardware, thread, webbing, etc.) are from a mix of domestic and international sources.

Do you have a catalog?
All current patterns and products are here on the website. We have a print catalog for wholesale accounts interested in retailing our products. If you are in the pet- or vet-industry, you can request a catalog. For a printable page of our current patterns and products, to show Aunt Lucy who doesn't have a computer, please see this PDF file.