Question 1

Does your dog wear what you make?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Our dogs are our biggest supporters. Clyde's got as many collars as Imelda Marcos has shoes! He's been the biggest contributor of our research and development team. He always accepts a new collar with a sniff, wag of approval and bow of the head to make it easy to put on him. Johnny has the neck of a giraffe. He's clumsy and likes to roll in stinky things, so he makes a great gear tester and after a bath, a wonderful model.
 
The whole idea for this part of our business started because of Clyde. As a Service Dog AND a Therapy Dog, he's an active guy. We're on the go a lot and our needs are specific. We were frequently frustrated with existing gear and dreamt of improvements. After years of tinkering, dreaming and research, we've made something we love, we use and we believe in. We hope you'll find our products to be just as satisfying and exciting!

Question 2

What is BioThane®?

Accepted Answer

BioThane® explains their product as:
 
"BioThane® is the brand name of all coated webbing products made by BioThane Coated Webbing Corp. It’s basically a polyester webbing with a TPU or PVC coating that makes it more durable, waterproof, easy to clean and weldable."
Our explanation:
 
"It's like the coolest stuff ever!!! My dog gets muddy and it cleans right off! BioThane® laughs at dirt!  I wash it and it's instantly dry. I love it!!"

Question 3

BioThane® vs. Leather

Accepted Answer

BioThane® says that:

"BioThane® is more durable, cleanable, stronger and easier to maintain. It is also readily available in different colors."
 
Here at Antique ReVisions, we offer a large variety of BioThane® colors. Our personal feedback from dog world friends is that this product looks, feels and moves in a leather-like manner. We personally use BioThane® products on a regular basis for our dogs. We agree with others that this feels soft and supple like leather, but without any maintenance hassles.

Customer feedback has also been favorable for "communication with their dog". BioThane® will not "give" or "stretch" in the way that leather can. So we've had reports that dogs respond faster to leash communication with BioThane® than they do with leather.

Question 4

FLAT COLLAR - How to Measure? / What size should I order?

Accepted Answer

There are a few ways you can go about answering this. Size (length) matters, not weight. So not all dogs or similar breeds will fit the same. YOU WILL NEED TO MEASURE.
 
1. If your dog already owns a collar that you like the fit of, measure the wearable length of that collar.
 
2. Using a flexible measuring tape, measure around your dog's neck in the area where you want the collar to lay. Pull the tape snug, but not tight. Your dog needs room to breathe, so remember to leave about two fingers of space between the collar and dog's neck.
 
3. If you don't have a measuring tape, use something like a piece of string. Find the length around your dog's neck in the area where you want the collar to lay. Pull the string snug, but not tight. Your dog needs room to breathe, so remember to leave about two fingers of space between the collar and dog's neck. Then measure the length of the string that you needed to fit your dog's neck.
 
OUR STANDARD SIZES

Most dogs will fall within these ranges. Sizes are adjustable, but for the best fit try to order the size where you're dog's measurement falls in the center. 
Example 1: If your dog needs an 18" collar, we suggest ordering a 1" Small (NOT Medium)
Example 2: If your dog needs a 14" collar, we suggest ordering a 5/8" Medium (NOT Small or Large)
If your size isn't available, contact us to discuss if we can make it.

Question 5

TRAINING COLLAR - How to measure? / What size should I order?

Accepted Answer

Use a flexible measuring tape. If you do not have one, use a piece of string or something flexible. Then measure the piece of string that was necessary to fit the neck properly.
 
Measurements for a training collar should be taken in a different area of neck than measuring for a flat collar. Take note of the dog picture above. Measure under the neck and behind the ears for a training collar. Measure snugly to the dog's neck. Order the training collar size where your dog's measurement falls closest to the center.
 
Example 1:
You want to order a martingale training collar.
Your dog's snug measurement under the neck and behind the ears is 14".Order a MEDIUM 13"-15" collar. (14" falls in the center of that measurement)
 
Example 2:
You want to order a slip collar.
Your dog's snug measurement under the neck and behind the ears is 16".Order a LARGE 15""-17" collar. (16" falls in the center of that measurement)

Question 6

How long will it last?

Accepted Answer

According to BioThane® :
"Under normal use, BioThane® will long outlast leather and nylon."

According to us:
That's a great nibble of information, but allowing your dog access to chewing on BioThane® will significantly shorten the life of the product. (As is the case with most things a dog chews.) BioThane® coatings are typically quickly destroyed by chewing. However, if the interior webbing is fully intact, your BioThane® has retained it's strength.

As long as it isn't chewed, you'll probably grow tired of the color long before your BioThane® gear wears out.

Question 7

Will it start to smell if my dog gets wet?

Accepted Answer

No, your BioThane® gear does not stink if it gets wet. What you are smelling is probably wet dog. BioThane® material is stink proof, the dog is not.

Question 8

How do I clean or disinfect my dog's collar?

Accepted Answer

Cleaning couldn't be easier! Typically a simple wash in cold or warm water with mild soap will do the trick. It's what we do here! We've had some REALLY dirty dog collars wash sparkling clean again with a quick rinse. We pat dry with a paper towel to finish the job, but that's really unnecessary. Some of our clients with white collars and leashes like to use a Magic Eraser cleaning sponge to clean off the dirt.
 
To disinfect, we'll share exactly what BioThane suggests:
"We recommend the following to disinfect our belts (choose ONE of the following):

1. 10% bleach solution (take the bleach out of the bottle, at 6.5% active ingredient, and dilute 1 part to 9 parts water)
2. Envirocide (follow directions on bottle).*
3. *Cavicide (follow directions on bottle).*

*We do not specifically endorse the effectiveness of these products only that they will not harm BioThane in proper use. For additional information on Envirocide please visit http://www.metrex.com/products/surface-disinfectants/envirocide or for additional information on Cavicide please visit http://www.metrex.com/products/surface-disinfectants/cavicide."

Question 9

Does this contain latex?

Accepted Answer

No, BioThane® coated webbing is latex-free.

Question 10

Is this made in the USA?

Accepted Answer

According to BioThane® :
"Yes, BioThane® is manufactured in our only plant located in North Ridgeville, Ohio in the USA."   
 
As for our manufacture at Antique ReVisions/ WaterProofDog:
We make the collars lovingly by hand, one at a time, in our rural Pennsylvania workshop. While we buy most of our hardware and parts from local small businesses, our hardware is not all made in the USA. All our BioThane® is made in the USA.
 
Products manufactured for Antique ReVisions/ WaterProofDog:
One select stitched collar in our shop is Amish made and hand crafted in the USA. It is made using the same, high-quality parts that we use for all of our items.

Question 11

Will insect repellant harm BioThane®?

Accepted Answer

In short, yes, it can.

Please read the following information from BioThane®:
 
"Insect repellents may cause staining or pitting on TPU/PVC coated belts and leather products. Many insect repellents use DEET as an active ingredient which will pit/stain Polyurethane products. An alternative would be to use an all-natural/organic insect repellent."

Question 12

Will synthetic hurt my dog or cause hot spots?

Accepted Answer

No more than leather would. If you size your dog properly, this should not cause issues.

Question 13

Does this freeze in the cold or get sticky in the heat?

Accepted Answer

BioThane remains flexible and durable in cold weather.
BioThane will not get sticky or tacky unless exposed to certain chemicals, like DEET.
(See "Will insect repellant harm BioThane" for more on that sticky subject.)

Question 14

Will the color fade?

Accepted Answer

BioThane advises:
"The opaque colors tend to hold color significantly longer than the fluorescent colors. In general, the deeper the shade of the hue, the longer it will last."
 
Our Amish friends told us:
They USED TO notice that colors sitting on shelving with constant exposure to sunlight would fade. However, they have seen many improvements to the product over the years and they do not notice fading of colors anymore.

Question 15

What if you don't have the color I want?

Accepted Answer

We stock many, but not all Biothane® colors. We may not obtain special edition colors, sometimes colors are discontinued by the manufacturer, and other times limited availability precludes us from offerings. At times, we've simply chosen not to stock colors that have low demand. We apologize if we don't have everything your heart desires, but we feel we're rather colorful. When it comes to color, your dog has a totally different view on the subject.

That said, feel free to reach out directly if there's something you're looking for that isn't listed. It's possible we have what you need. We have a lot more in the workshop than we can ever list online.

Question 16

Will Beta colors "bleed" or transfer onto other surfaces like hair, skin, or fabric?"

Accepted Answer

According to BioThane®:
 
"It is possible for certain colors, especially fluorescent colors, to transfer from the Beta rolls or finished products onto hair, skin or fabric. These colors are not hazardous and they should not present a health or safety hazard. If color transfer happens, wash with soap and water. If irritation persists, get medical attention."
 
Our experience:

In working constantly with the material, we have experienced VERY MINOR color transfer from a couple colors. The color transfered lightly onto our hands after handling a very large quantity of those particular colors. A quick, light wash with soap and water and it was completely gone. Our Amish friends have taught us a lot about BioThane®. They advised  they've seen many advancements and improvements in the product since it's start and that this is now a fairly rare occurrence.
 
What we do see more commonly, is that sometimes a color from something else will bleed or transfer dye onto the BioThane®. For example, a dyed suede chair or denim jeans may transfer dye onto a lighter color BioThane®, in particular colors like yellow or pink. When this occurs, it seems to be permanent and we have been unsuccessful at removing the transferred dye on the BioThane®. We also see that colors will sometimes "bleed" onto each other. For instance, a collar made with lemon and orange may have permanent "bleed" from one color to another.

Question 17

Is BioThane® strong, and how thick is it?"

Accepted Answer

YES, it's strong!
BioThane® boasts a tensile strength of 1000 lbs. per inch.
 
The Super Heavy Beta material that we use is:
.140" - .160"
3.56mm - 4.06mm
 
The Standard material that we us is:
.095" - .105"
2.41mm - 2.67mm

The polyester webbing inside the PVC or TPU coating of BioThane® is what gives it strength. The coating on the outside makes it waterproof. This exterior coating can be harmed by chewing or sharp objects. If only the exterior coating is damaged, your BioThane® will retain strength.

Question 18

Prop 65 / Do you have the regulatory information about this product?

Accepted Answer

For specifics, please visit the BioThane website.

Question 19

Can I find this cheaper?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you may find what seems to be the same thing, only cheaper. We can assure you, it's likely to be just that, cheaper. Many of the products available from other sources are using a coating different from that of BioThane®. It may not look, feel or perform like ours. We use only genuine BioThane® products. Few others use strong and durable stainless steel or solid brass hardware, like we do. Shockingly, many manufactures don't seal the product, thus leaving it vulnerable to water penetration. We heat seal the ends of our items for waterproof integrity. Each collar is lovingly hand crafted, to assure quality control. If we wouldn't let our dog wear it, we wouldn't sell it. We can assure you, we are QUITE particular, which is why we started making these in the first place.

Question 20

Can I get all of the styles and colors in my dog's size?

Accepted Answer

Usually, however, there some exceptions. Due to manufacturing limitations, we are unable to make certain items. Other times, we may not stock a color, width or hardware required to make your desired gear. We're sorry your tail is tucked between your legs. We didn't mean to upset you, but we DO have plenty of other fun offerings that we hope will get your tail wagging again.

FAQ'S

You should be able to sniff out answers here. Go ahead and nose around. However, if you're still a little fuzzy, feel free to ask us questions, no begging required.

Frequently Asked Questions