Quote:
Originally Posted by MorkieMomma  Hi,
I'm sure there's a post about this somewhere, but I can't find it.
For those who are just now getting their little dreamyorkie, please make sure you buy him or her a harness and not a collar for walks and romps.
My husband and I did not know this when we purchased Brussels (our 12 year old) about 11 years ago. We have had him since he was 3 mos old. We had him using a collar only (a nice small leather one which we thought we were being responsible pet owners) when he was very small (2 lb)...even on walks. WE ARE THE REASON his trachea has a partial collapse. When we took him into the vet so many years ago, we were informed about harnesses and how vitally important they are to a small dog. For 10 years now we've been informed and only use harnesses. His trachea causes him no problems, and hasn't for 10 years now, and has not collapsed any further. The vet says it probably won't (thanks to another vet telling us what's what and thanks to us listening and immediately switching to a harness).
Collapsed Trachea isn't always caused by collars, it can be caused by a number of things.
That being said, please get your new puppies and tiny dogs of any breed a harness and NOT a collar unless the collar is used for decorative purposes only..and even then (personally) I don't recommend it as they can still get caught on things and damage the trachea.  |
Just a note: Collars, whether fitted properly or if too loose, can get caught on things, usually furniture legs, around the house. Just another area to puppy proof, keeping that in mind.
Also, with young pups, the collar will need to be adjusted as the pup grows, and the fit should be checked regularly.
A few members have lost their Yorkies due to strangulation, some either from a collar.... but one member used to hang her bra on a door knob. The pup smelled her scent on the bra and started playing with it, and eventually stuck his head through the armhole and got all twisted up. She woke up and her pup was gone.
I used to put stuff in bags.... tote bags or grocery bags and such. One night I was awakened by the sound of a bag rustling. Peek a Boo likes to sleep on plastic bags (I don't 'get it' either) , and I jumped out of bed to find him struggling with his head through one of the handles.
I used to leave a t shirt that I wore that day for him to sleep on (he loves sleeping on clothes, clean or dirty, and found him with his head through the sleeve and in trouble.
Cords from window blinds can be another hazzard. Puppy proof as you would for a human baby or toddler, and then some.
Having your pup wear a collar with tags is a personnal choice, I do see the benefits... but I am also aware of the hazzards and feel that all new (and old) owners should be aware also.