Yep, this is exactly what I was trying to say. Sophie is 8 lbs. and a bit more meaty. Before I knew better we used the collar/leash and had no troubles. That's why i continue to use it for potty breaks only. For the walks and whatever else we do she is always in a harness. Thank goodness for YT or I'd not have learned that. Even at Puppy School she was on a collar/leash and no one ever said a word to me about it. There was a guy who was using a choker collar on his English Mastif and he was told about that.

Ellie usually wears a collar when I use her ID tags (which is almost never.:rolleyes: She is always walked on a harness. On rare occasions her collar may be sitting by the door and we do a quick trip with it but she does pull and I end up regretting it, so that probably won't happen anymore. One of the last times I took her out with a collar was when she got spayed. Her incision was very long because of a biopsy that was done and I didn't want the harness anywhere near it. She wasn't going anyplace anytime fast anyway. ;)

Unless you are showing your dog or are doing the CGC test, then there doesn't seem to be any reason at all to walk them with a collar.

Same here. Loki's the same size and he goes out on his collar w/ flexi for potty breaks. Sam doesn't pull, so she's fine on her collar for this too even though she's only 6 lbs. Walks are definitely with harnesses. Sometimes I leave their harnesses on during the day, but they get hot or uncomfortable and they go outside 20 times a day so putting harnesses on every time is not feasible. I leave Sam's harness on her much more often than I leave Loki's on him, because she wears soft fabric harnesses and he wears a nylon harness with hardware.

They wear their collars & tags at all times unless they are IN the bathtub. I've found way too many dogs in this neighborhood with no collar, no ID tags... :rolleyes:

What do they get caught on? My dogs are 3&4 and have had soft nylon collars on their whole lives and I've not noticed a problem. I do NOT use those big bulky leather or ribbon + webbing collars though. Only super soft Premier quick-snap collars.


The bottom line is - Collar + Leash is OK for like walking around your yard for potty breaks if they are NOT pulling and not coughing or showing any signs of trachea issues. For walks, always use a harness.

Uni wears a breakaway cat collar with her tags on it. it also came with a bell which is good so i know where she is all the time without having to actually *look* at her, I can just listen! :D

But for walks, yes harness only!

Also Uni has never gotten caught on anything before, EXCEPT when we were teaching her how to play basketball. Her collar got caught on the rim of the hoop and it scared her a bit. So we went back to "training" with out it on, and now that she knows how to play, the collar stays on.

i have never used any type of collar on Suzi. There is too much of a risk IMO . And I would not take the chance of using one on a Yorkie, ever. Especially a yorkie puppy .

I think it's all personal preference...Teddi is 3 lbs. and has always worn one and always walked on a leash with the collar.

Morgan is 3 years old and 4.5lbs. She has always worn a collar with a tag. Never had a problem with her getting stuck on anything. I too also with hook her leash up to the collar for potty breaks. again, no problem. she doesn't pull. i only use a harness when we're walking or going out where i know there i'll be putting her down to walk among other people and/or dogs.

:thumbup: Totally agree.

I've been around loads of dogs my entire life, families and friends dogs, etc... they've ALL worn collars and there's never been issues. I think it's a rare thing to get caught on things. I think the pros for wearing a collar with tags outweigh the cons.

This is what I do.

i have a collar on little lily with a bell so we dont step on her when she is out of the ex pen .but as soon as she is back in i take it off afraid she will get hung on it. and she scratches at it alot afraid her little foot will get caught.

I think I'm with the majority here. He has his collar for when he's in the house or in our yard, but for walks I use a harness. I want him to wear his ID tags all the time, in case of an emergency and I think walking around all day with his harness on is too cumbersome.

Laya always wears her collar with her tags on it, but I always walk her in her harness. She is a puller and the slightest tug on her throat and she starts gagging and coughing. I know at one point you had mentioned collapsed trachea in Munchie, so he definitely should not ever be walked on a collar.