Sorry you got such a scare Patti! I understand how you must have felt, having had a collar incident when Ruby was young (hers got hung up on pillow fringe).
I use collars sometimes, when were going out for their tags, otherwise I use only decorative bling type collars for pictures. If you want to continue to use collars I would suggest the break away cat collars. I've never used them but have heard they are at least safer.
As far as, getting them used to a collar, it was never a problem for us even though we don't use them often. It was like, once they were used to the harness, the occasional collar didn't bother them at all.
__________________  ~Ruby, Reno, Razz, & Jack~ |