Something that IRKS me!
 

Today, I went to a 5 K Mutt Strutt and seen LOTS of small dogs having a collar on and no harness!

After witnessing 1 dog fight between a pitt bull and a golden retriever, I was so glad my babies all had harnesses on.

If another larger dog approached my dogs, one quick flash I could yank them up to safety, but if they had collars on it would break there neck.

Why do people put collars on small dogs? I can see a collar for decoration, but not to walk them! :mad:

I know what you mean! I saved Maddie's life once when she got attacked by a big dog, and that's because she was wearing a harness dress. I pulled her free of the dog and she only ended up with a small puncture wound. (and greatly traumaticed). If I'd not had that on her, she would have been killed. That was a dog that had never hurt a flea and Maddie had been around him before, so I thought it was okay. Never again...I just don't trust big dogs around my girls!

I don't know! I just don't understand either why people don't use a harness ... perhaps they don't know how dangerous it is to walk their small dog with a collar & not a harness? You should educate them :)

-Amy

I agree with you so much. I have used Joey's harness for pulling him to safety many times. I'm sure many people just aren't aware of the dangers of collars. That's one of the great things about Yorkietalk.

Not to excuse people... but sometimes they just don't know any better. I was one of those that always had big dogs. GSD and Chow Chows for 15 years before my Paris. When I first got her, I bought a swarovski crystal collar for her. And I thought I did right by her. I had no idea about trachea problems...

After a woman stopped my in Pet Supplies Plus and talked to me about her yorkie having trach problems...I ditched the overpriced collar and bought a $4 step in harness and never looked back!

That woman has saved so many babies since then. Through her actions.. She told me...I tell everyone I meet that uses a collar about the dangers. The more we share our stories, the more people who will share the stories...and better educated small dog owners will be.

I say keep right on saying something!!! (we just have to generate a conversation that has people listening and not tuning out.)

btw...the overpriced collar now looks fabulous on the Yorkie Stuffed Animal in our bedroom!! :D

A lot of people don't know, I wouldn't have known till I did my own research, there's this elderly guy who dearly loves his mini poodle in my apartment complex. He has it on a collar and uses it for walking, the poor thing is always gagging and hacking every time he takes it on a walk, if she gets excited the slightest bit of pull and I think she's going to throw up. I didn't say anything the first time, because I didn't want to offend him.

So I decided to print up articles on how small dogs shouldn't wear collars, information on collapsed trachea, a list of harness that don't cause pressure to the neck, and decided to buy him a puppia harness and a harness dress.

The next day when I noticed he was outside, I went out there with my baby and and his dog started to gag when she got excited about her buddy being outside. I took that time to tell him about the information, and to also show him why a harness is better.

And I lifted my baby up, and showed that it doesn't hurt the neck, and he wont gag. I mentioned its very important to have a harness where we live because we have a big field in our apartment complex and lately a lot of stray pit bulls have been coming through.

The guy was so happy that I told him, he felt so bad that he was "damaging" his poodle and even started to cry.

Aww, you are sooo sweet! You bought him a harness & a harness dress :) I wish there were more people like you in this world. Shoot, I wish I could meet some people like the wonderful people we have on YT! Good for you for educating him :thumbup:


-Amy

We all have to learn these things...and some one has to teach us. Thank you YT!!!

People just don't know.
Before joining YT I had no idea and Ellie wore a collar...

Bless your heart, what do they call it "Random Acts of Kindness," you set a fine example!

I know, I have some really nice collars as well, but we always walk the babies on harnesses!

Hopefully this thread will help educate others that just have no idea the dangers of walking on a collar.

What I do
 

I carry extra harnesses with me all the time .. so if I see a small dog without one on I take the time to talk to the owner and let them know. and I give them a harness;) Last week I was at Target and in the dollar ben they had step in harnesses. I bought them all ;)

wow! great find at Target!

Don't the people react funny when you tell them they should be wearing a harness?

Response to harness collars
 

I have harness collars for all three of my babies and they still have gagging with these. Are there specific kinds that absolutely will not cause this and if so please let me know. I hate it when they do this.

I use harnesses on all three of my babies and they still gagg. Is there a certain kind of harness that doesn't cause this. PLEASE let me know so I can get them one each.

I use the "step in" harnesses on mine and they do not gag, these do not go around the neck at all.

Carli - If Step-In Harnesses are fit properly, there is nothing in the thoat area to cause discomfort or injury. The picture below is one of the silk harnesses that I make -- and there are others here at YT that offer step-in's.

I had a dog come and attack my dogs and me on a walk, they both had harness on. When I saw that dog coming I pulled they both up off the ground and started to kick the dog to get him away. NOW I carry pepper spray.

This a fantastic idea good for you Daisy!!!!!!!! Education and then follow thru.
You not only talk it but you WALK it!!

Wow, you guys never cease to amaze me.

They do sometimes I say something like.
"I always walk on a harness that way it don't hurt there little necks."
and then I show them and If I have a harness with me they get one.
I mean who would pass up a free one? And I get to meet and teach a little something;):)

Those are great too:thumbup::thumbup:;)

Great idea! I think I might try the same thing. There are a lot of people that walk little Poms in my area and they use collars, a harness would be so much better. And like you said, who would pass up a free one?

Mika always wear a soft break-away kitten collar with an id tag letting everyone know she is chipped and my mobile phone number. But I would never attach a lead to it! All of my dogs have step-in harnesses for walks, even my big old sheepdog!!! They just look so much more comfortable in a harness and as the handler you have so much more control!

That is a GREAT idea, Lori! And, it's really a nice thing for you to do!!:)

I didn't know about harnesses before I got Meeko. I started researching yorkies and different dog products when I found an article about the trach problems. my roommate has a chi and never uses a harness. I told her what I read and she didn't care! :eek: She said she read that before and tried to get her chi to wear a harness but, she wouldnt walk with it on. So she just switched back to a harness. I couldn't believe it. At first I thought harnesses looked funny because I was so use to seeing a collar but now I can't look when I see an owner using a collar. I bite my tongue every time I go in Petsmart. I tried to talk to another owner in Petsmart once but, it didn't go well either. I think bigger dogs should wear harnesses too. You have more control over the animal with harnesses. I'm glad other users have had better luck talking people into using harnesses tho!!! :thumbup::thumbup:

Meeko only wears his collar for ID purposes. I made the mistake of keeping it on when I went to visit my family last month. My little cousins wanted to walk around the yard with Meeko and started to attach the leash to his collar :eek: I stopped her rite away and took the collar off for the rest of the trip! I couldn't take the chance and have him being pulled by his fragile, little neck.

exactly!!!

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:I agree. I did not know how important harnesses were until I joined YT. I have a Yorkie with beginnings of CT because of that. My little Cassie, may she R.I.P., had CT but no one ever told me why. Thank you YT!!!!!!