She hates her collar... HELP! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

NinaPants · 01-14-2006, 12:27 PM

Hi!
I'm new to this website, and this is my first post!
My little Nina, now 16 weeks, has never liked wearing ANYTHING! She likes to be fully clad in a birthday suit only. Which is fine I guess, even though I have purchased some very cute t-shirts and sweaters for her. But the collar is another issue. I want her to wear it, just in case she runs away or something. Everytime I put it on her though, she seems to get very depressed! I asked the vet, and he said to just leave it on, and she'll get used to it. I left it on for a week, and she behaved like a different puppy the whole time. My boyfriend felt so sorry for her, he took it off and she snapped back to her normal perky self almost instantaneously. He spoils her, now I'm the bad guy. Does anyone else have this problem? Should I just forget the whole thing? She actually just got her microchip today... but the little pink collar is so cute!

Olivier · 01-14-2006, 12:34 PM

I never place a collar on a puppy .

Skidlie · 01-14-2006, 01:52 PM

isn't that interesting how clothing can change their personality? We have two dogs and have kept both collars on since we got them. Our larger dog Riley (who is a bichon X cocker) feels naked without the collar and after a bath will go sit underneath tha table her collar is on and bark at it until it gets put back on! Titus (our little yorkie X maltese) has his collar on all the time and dosn't seem to notice but will absolutly not go anywere near clothes... unless it's to play with my socks! Is the collar too big for your pup? Or maybe to heavy? You could try a lighter, thinner collar if you want her to wear it all the time. I like my dogs to be tagged all the time, but i know some don't like collars on the little ones at all.

FirstYorkie · 01-15-2006, 01:56 AM

Here's what I would do. I'd put her collar on just before feeding her and take it off when she finishes eating. Maybe also put on right before short play sessions and then take it off when play is over. Let her get the idea that "good things happen when I wear this collar". When she's eagerly letting you put the collar on, gradually lengthen the time that she wears it.

red98vett · 01-15-2006, 06:44 AM

A word of Advise - Collars can easily get caught on something.... and also hurt the trachea of a yorkie - they have very small necks ....and wearing a collar can put pressure on that area.......

Small breeds have issues with "Collapsed Trachea" ....I would advise you to have her in a Harness rather than a collar.....

Many people microchip their yorkies for identification purposes....

lillissy82790 · 01-15-2006, 07:33 AM

Collars are really really bad for the breed of yorkies especially since their tracheas are so delicate!

FirstYorkie · 01-15-2006, 07:42 AM

I like to keep a collar with tags on Joey. If he was crated, I probably wouldn't but as it is now, I consider the risk of strangulation to be lower than the risk of him getting out (if the gardener or trashmen leave the gate open, for instance).

I never attach a leash to his collar; we use a harness for that.

NinaPants · 01-16-2006, 05:04 PM

Thank you all for your advice and comments... Yep I use a tiny cat collar. It used to have a bell on it, but that really drives Nina insane! I will try the "good things happen when she wears a collar" tip (without the bell). And I think she's just about big enough for her harness now... before even the smallest setting would slip off! Now my baby is 16 weeks and 3.5 pounds, yay! She's so friendly and thanks you all too!

PS, anyone need a small purple and pink handpainted bell?

doggieluver · 01-16-2006, 05:21 PM

I have Sugar Bears collar on at all times and when we leave the yard she has her harness with leash. Ive always thought that you werent suppose to leave a harness on a dog regardless of size am I wrong?

FirstYorkie · 01-17-2006, 12:47 AM

I think you're right. No need to leave a harness on.

txshopper73 · 01-17-2006, 05:41 AM

cat collars can strangle if they are not the break away collars. Either way, collars can hurt the trachea and cause it to collapse. It's best to not allow your baby to wear one.

hunniebunnie · 01-17-2006, 05:59 AM

my bunjee hated the collar to start and would do anything to get out of it. but i just kept leaving it on him (except when he's in his crate) and he eventually got used to it. he still doesn't like me putting it on him, but at least he's not screaming bloody murder to get it off anymore. i find using a collar is easier for training and for the id tag. even though i'm having him microchipped, sometimes it's easier and faster for someone to see his id tag and call me than to bring him to the shelter and have him scanned.

01-14-2006, 12:27 PM	#1
NinaPants Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 24	She hates her collar... HELP! Hi! I'm new to this website, and this is my first post! My little Nina, now 16 weeks, has never liked wearing ANYTHING! She likes to be fully clad in a birthday suit only. Which is fine I guess, even though I have purchased some very cute t-shirts and sweaters for her. But the collar is another issue. I want her to wear it, just in case she runs away or something. Everytime I put it on her though, she seems to get very depressed! I asked the vet, and he said to just leave it on, and she'll get used to it. I left it on for a week, and she behaved like a different puppy the whole time. My boyfriend felt so sorry for her, he took it off and she snapped back to her normal perky self almost instantaneously. He spoils her, now I'm the bad guy. Does anyone else have this problem? Should I just forget the whole thing? She actually just got her microchip today... but the little pink collar is so cute!

01-15-2006, 01:56 AM	#4
FirstYorkie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London Posts: 1,739	Here's what I would do. I'd put her collar on just before feeding her and take it off when she finishes eating. Maybe also put on right before short play sessions and then take it off when play is over. Let her get the idea that "good things happen when I wear this collar". When she's eagerly letting you put the collar on, gradually lengthen the time that she wears it. __________________ FirstYorkie We Love Clicker-Training!

01-15-2006, 06:44 AM	#5
red98vett Yorkie Kisses are the Best! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Houston TX Posts: 33,590 Blog Entries: 1	A word of Advise - Collars can easily get caught on something.... and also hurt the trachea of a yorkie - they have very small necks ....and wearing a collar can put pressure on that area....... Small breeds have issues with "Collapsed Trachea" ....I would advise you to have her in a Harness rather than a collar..... Many people microchip their yorkies for identification purposes.... __________________ Villette, Chanel & Cheri www.DesignsByVillette.net Custom Address Labels and Note Cards using YOUR Photos! Just Click HERE!

01-15-2006, 07:33 AM	#6
lillissy82790 YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Central Florida Posts: 497	Collars are really really bad for the breed of yorkies especially since their tracheas are so delicate! __________________ MAISY!! go to maisy's dogster and add her as your pup pal!: Dogster

01-15-2006, 07:42 AM	#7
FirstYorkie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London Posts: 1,739	I like to keep a collar with tags on Joey. If he was crated, I probably wouldn't but as it is now, I consider the risk of strangulation to be lower than the risk of him getting out (if the gardener or trashmen leave the gate open, for instance). I never attach a leash to his collar; we use a harness for that. __________________ FirstYorkie We Love Clicker-Training!

01-14-2006, 12:34 PM	#2
Olivier Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 2,999	I never place a collar on a puppy .

01-14-2006, 01:52 PM	#3
Skidlie Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Calgary Posts: 30	isn't that interesting how clothing can change their personality? We have two dogs and have kept both collars on since we got them. Our larger dog Riley (who is a bichon X cocker) feels naked without the collar and after a bath will go sit underneath tha table her collar is on and bark at it until it gets put back on! Titus (our little yorkie X maltese) has his collar on all the time and dosn't seem to notice but will absolutly not go anywere near clothes... unless it's to play with my socks! Is the collar too big for your pup? Or maybe to heavy? You could try a lighter, thinner collar if you want her to wear it all the time. I like my dogs to be tagged all the time, but i know some don't like collars on the little ones at all.

01-16-2006, 05:04 PM	#8
NinaPants Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 24	Thank you all for your advice and comments... Yep I use a tiny cat collar. It used to have a bell on it, but that really drives Nina insane! I will try the "good things happen when she wears a collar" tip (without the bell). And I think she's just about big enough for her harness now... before even the smallest setting would slip off! Now my baby is 16 weeks and 3.5 pounds, yay! She's so friendly and thanks you all too! PS, anyone need a small purple and pink handpainted bell?

01-16-2006, 05:21 PM	#9
doggieluver My Heart, My Life, My Dogs Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: El Paso,TX Posts: 759	I have Sugar Bears collar on at all times and when we leave the yard she has her harness with leash. Ive always thought that you werent suppose to leave a harness on a dog regardless of size am I wrong? __________________ Jessi and my 4 's SugarBear's Taz Gizmo's Gidget

01-17-2006, 12:47 AM	#10
FirstYorkie YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: American in London Posts: 1,739	I think you're right. No need to leave a harness on. __________________ FirstYorkie We Love Clicker-Training!

01-17-2006, 05:41 AM	#11
txshopper73 Donating YT 14K Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 14,226 Blog Entries: 1	cat collars can strangle if they are not the break away collars. Either way, collars can hurt the trachea and cause it to collapse. It's best to not allow your baby to wear one. __________________ As always...JMO (Just My Opinion) Kimberley

01-17-2006, 05:59 AM	#12
hunniebunnie Follower of Yorkietology Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Cali-fo-nee-ya Posts: 1,325	my bunjee hated the collar to start and would do anything to get out of it. but i just kept leaving it on him (except when he's in his crate) and he eventually got used to it. he still doesn't like me putting it on him, but at least he's not screaming bloody murder to get it off anymore. i find using a collar is easier for training and for the id tag. even though i'm having him microchipped, sometimes it's easier and faster for someone to see his id tag and call me than to bring him to the shelter and have him scanned.