Personalized production follows the details submitted at checkout. Verify spelling, digits, punctuation, size and color before paying. Contact support immediately if you notice an error after ordering; changes cannot be guaranteed once production begins.
Start with the phone number
Use a number you actively monitor and expect to keep. Enter it in the format you want engraved. Spaces, parentheses and hyphens can make a number easier to scan, but consistency matters more than decoration.
When a country code is useful
Include a country code if you travel internationally, live near a border or regularly use the collar outside your home country. For a US or Canadian number, that may mean starting with +1. Stay within the available character limit and remove nonessential punctuation if space becomes tight.
Keep the pet name simple
Use the name most likely to get your dog's attention and the spelling familiar to your household. Avoid decorative symbols or long phrases that compete with the phone number. OPTCLA accepts one pet name up to 12 characters and one phone number up to 16 characters.
What not to include
- Outdated or rarely monitored phone numbers.
- More personal information than is necessary for contact.
- Instructions too long to read quickly.
- Decorative characters that may not engrave clearly.
- Medical or behavioral claims that could be misunderstood.
Review in four passes
- Read the pet name aloud, one character at a time.
- Compare every phone digit with the number in your contacts.
- Confirm the selected size using a current neck measurement.
- Check the color and final preview before payment.
Use our dog collar fit guide before selecting a size. For growing dogs, see the puppy sizing and growth guide. Then review the production and shipping timeline.
After contact details change
Replace personalized identification promptly when a phone number changes. An integrated plate is fixed to the collar, so unlike a removable hanging tag, the engraving cannot simply be swapped. Compare both formats in our nameplate vs hanging tag guide.
Visible ID is one layer
Collar identification does not replace a registered microchip where available, an appropriate leash, training or supervision. Keep registration details current and inspect the collar and plate regularly for damage or unreadable wear.
Enter and review engravingIf an engraving issue occurs
Compare the finished plate with the details on the order receipt. Our engraving error and personalized returns guide explains the difference between customer-entered details and an OPTCLA production error.
Frequently asked questions
What should I engrave first?
Prioritize a current phone number, then add the pet name when space allows.
Should I include +1?
It can be useful for international travel or cross-border use, provided the complete number fits.
Can I change details after ordering?
Contact support immediately, but changes cannot be guaranteed after production begins.
Does engraving replace a microchip?
No. Visible identification and registered microchip information serve different purposes.