Well yes, I know what tracheal collapse IS, and I'm one who agrees that collars would seem to lead to it...however I can't find a clear medical source stating (the above examples define it, and one gives a rather mild suggestion and an opinion). I'm looking for something to use to convince others, this would require something like a vet saying "Collar training is the most frequent cause of collapsed tracheas" or even a vet saying "Collars are not safe for Yorkies." I want to convince hard-headed skeptics who think this is hooey.
But I've only found a few pieces of anonymous advice inserted more as opinion than fact in all my readings...Look at how much the author here is NOT commiting to their stand:
can make a collar a potential health risk. You can do considerable damage by using the wrong tools. We recommend harnesses for most small dogs.
Lots of mushy wiggle room in that statement. They say that a callar CAN be a health risk, not that it is. That you can do POTENTIAL damage using "wrong tools". And that they RECOMEND a harness only for MOST small dogs. Finally, who are these people? Just one set of trainers...
Now this is enough for me to play it safe...But what about somone who doesn't buy this? |