Bed, Bath, and More

Pet Locket Collar Charm: A Simple Way to Keep Family Close

Written By: Andrew Siemon


If you’re the kind of person who thinks of your dog as part of the family (and let’s be honest, that’s most of us), a photo locket on their collar is a surprisingly sweet touch. It’s a small accessory, but it can be a meaningful gift for a parent, partner, or anyone who loves both the dog and the people in the picture.

This post walks through how the locket works, how to get a photo inside it securely, and a few things to keep in mind before you gift it. You can grab it here on Amazon if you’re interested.

Overview / First Impressions

This locket is designed to attach directly to your dog’s leash or collar, just like a tag or charm. Inside, you can place a small photo—maybe your family, a loved one, or even another pet.

It’s a simple, sentimental accessory:

  • Looks like a small, classic locket
  • Clips onto a leash or collar
  • Holds a small printed photo inside

It’s not a high-tech gadget—just a straightforward, emotional little add-on that makes a great gift, especially for dog-loving parents or grandparents.


Build Quality & Design

The locket is built to stay closed most of the time, which is important since it’s hanging off a moving dog.

Key design points:

  • Riveted interior: Inside the locket, there are small rivet-like edges at the bottom.
  • Photo slot: The photo tucks under a raised inner lip, which helps hold it in place.
  • Closure: Once it’s shut, it stays closed securely during normal use.

It’s not a heavy-duty, industrial piece of gear, but for everyday walking and hanging on a leash, it feels solid enough and does its job.


Features & Functions

Here’s what the locket actually does and how it works:

  • Holds a small photo: You can insert a picture of your family, a loved one, or anything meaningful.
  • Attaches to leash or collar: It’s meant to be worn by your dog, much like an ID tag.
  • Non-permanent photo mount: The picture isn’t glued in; it’s held in place by pressure from the inner edges.

It’s more of a sentimental accessory than a functional tool like an ID tag or GPS tracker, but that’s the point—it’s for emotion, not utility.


How to Insert the Photo

The main “trick” with this locket is getting the photo in the right place so it stays put. Here’s how to do it:

  • 1. Print and trim your photo
    Start with a small printout of your picture. It doesn’t have to be perfectly sized at first; you can trim it down gradually.
  • 2. Open the locket
    Lay it flat and open it so you can see the inner area clearly.
  • 3. Locate the bottom rivets / lip
    At the bottom inside edge of the locket, you’ll see small rivet-like points or a slight raised area. This is where the bottom of the photo will tuck in.
  • 4. Slide the photo under the inner lip
    Gently push the bottom edge of the picture under that raised area or between the rivets. You’ll essentially be pushing it down into that slot so it’s gripped by the metal.
  • 5. Adjust for fit
    If the photo is too large and buckles, trim it slightly and try again. The goal is for it to sit flat and snug, held down by the inner lip.
  • 6. Close the locket
    Once the photo is tucked in and flat, close the locket. Since it stays closed most of the time, the photo is unlikely to fall out.

Even if the photo isn’t a perfect custom cutout, as long as the bottom edge is secured under that inner ridge, it will hold just fine for normal use.


Limitations / Things to Know

A few practical notes before you rely on this as a long-term keepsake:

  • Photo sizing matters
    If the picture is too big, it will crumple or refuse to sit flat. Expect to trim and test a couple of times.
  • Not waterproof
    There’s no mention of waterproof sealing. If your dog swims a lot or gets caught in heavy rain, the photo could get damaged. Laminating the picture or using a small, glossy print can help.
  • Not a replacement for ID tags
    This is a sentimental accessory, not a functional ID. Your dog still needs proper identification and contact info on a real tag.
  • Movement and wear
    On a very active dog, the locket will swing around. The photo is still held primarily by that inner lip and the fact that the locket stays closed, but over a long time, you may want to check it occasionally.

Final Thoughts

This pet locket collar charm is a simple, thoughtful way to keep family close—literally—when your dog is out and about. It’s especially nice as a gift; for example, putting a family photo inside and attaching it to the dog’s collar for a parent or grandparent is a touching gesture.

It’s not complex, and it doesn’t need to be. As long as you:

  • Trim the photo to fit,
  • Tuck it securely under the inner lip or rivets,
  • And close the locket properly,

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Hey — I’m Andrew Siemon, the creator behind Andrew Reviews Everything. I’ve been a guitarist for years, and along the way I’ve gone deep into the world of music gear, recording, and production — not just the fun creative side, but the real-world side too: what gear is actually worth buying, what’s overrated, and what’s just marketing.