The dogs have out grown their puppy collars and in front of me now are two 'Sleeky' (Real leather it says on the lable) collars, they are very dry and feel like compressed cardboard rather than the leather of my belt for example that is work softened.

Before putting them on (the dogs) for a long walk I would like to soften the collars with something to make each of them more comfortable and hopefully increase it's lifespan. Ideally I would prefer to have a nice supply of a product called "Dubbin" that I have used in the past for my walking boots but doubt that would be availible here in Thailand. (Never seen any when browsing 'outdoor' type shops.)

I believe I will have to make my own softener, I post this question here rather than get lost in the General forum as I guess others will have considered this problem in connection with collars.

A quick Google of leather care websites suggest:

Beeswax and Vaseline melted together with some neatsfoot oil.

The first two items are easy to source here in Pattaya, the neatsfoot oil might be a little harder.

Maybe use glycerin? I think I've seen this for sale alongside cake ingredients in Tesco etc.

Any thoughts or suggestions most welcomed.

(Avoiding making the collar smell like food would be good.)

I've got my (I think it's) beewaxie stuff and the leather collars from Holland.

You may try to find a shop in Bkk that sells horse-riding boots and other horse riding stuff. They may have some of this wax. Or try at a shop where they make leather shoes.

Nienke

Use Vaseline only after you wash the leather.

Always use room tempered water when cleaning.

As for fat, use animal fat because it combines best with the leather.

The recommended product here is Lanolin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanolin) and NeatsFoot Oil.

Oberve to use Pure Neatsfoot Oil and not Neatsfoot Oil Compound.

Neatsfoot Oil Compound contains mineral oil and is use in combustion engines.

Do not drench the leather in oil.

Apply with a sponge while the leather is moist.

Repeat after a couple of days.

If the product you use smells sharp, like paint or solvent, throw it away.

Ground rule here is, if you can eat it use it. (OK, can be laxative )

If you got a stable nearby, go there.

They will have the right stuff.

The shoemakers uses softer leather, so it might not be so good.

Edited August 6, 200817 yr by PoorSucker

The recommended product here is Lanolin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanolin) and NeatsFoot Oil.

Oberve to use Pure Neatsfoot Oil

Thank you for re enforcing this idea, and Nienke for my beeswax thoughts. I'm just outside Pattaya and have never seen a real cobblers shop in Thailand - just the guys on the street fixing shoes using rubber glue and nails. I will look for a horse related shop as there are a few places around here that have stables, not sure of any other uses for neatsfoot oil that might lead to a source.

Google "tack shop pattaya" and take a look which one is closest to you.