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Collar Dangers My heart just sank! I am in the process of trying to get my 16 week old puppy used to a collar so she can wear her rabies tag. I thought I had it fairly tight. I walk out into my living room to find her with her collar in her mouth, unable to get it out and in a panic. Collars scare me just for this reason. Too tight is not good, too loose is not good. What rules do you go by in getting them used to a collar. I am always scared they are going to get hung up on something in my house and strangle themselves, or get it in their mouth just like she did. |
That must have been very scary! Maybe you can just keep the tags on her harness. (You should always use a harness when taking her for walks. The collar can collapse their trachea.) You probably already knew this, but I wanted to let you know, in case you didn't. |
That is so scary! I am glad she is ok. After a scare like you had I would try the tags on her harness. |
How scary! I don't put collars on mine and harnesses only when they go out. I know it is risky but we are very careful that they don't run out and they never really try to. |
I had this happen to mine ... it did scare her, but wasn't really hurting her in any way. It was the smallest nylon collar for dogs that Petsmart and Petco carries. I found a smaller one at Dollar Tree, and it is working out really great. She got used to it very quickly. And yes, I only use the collar for her ID/rabies tags. For walks, her leash is attached to a step-in harness. |
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. |
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mine don't wear collars at all, if we take them anywhere they wear their harness with tags. |
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Lucy did the same thing and bout scared me half to death. I think she scared Ringo too because was pacing about - trying to tell me something was wrong before I figured it out. I realized that her collar was too loose. As long as the collar fit properly; she was not able to do that. To be honest, though, I rarely put her collar on anymore as we use the harness when she goes out and about. |
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I use a collar on Sasha all the time since she taught herself how to step out of even the best fitting harness. When I was training her to wear a collar I used a breakaway cat collar and only let her wear it for 10-20 mins at a time under supervision. Now that she is older she has graduated to small dog collars. The only time Sasha is actually wearing a collar is when we are in PetCo, PetSmart, or on walks. As a side note: It is not the collar that causes tracheal collapse... It's the pulling. Teach them to walk at your side and not pull and you should not have a problem. Just be consistent and patient as with any other training. Trevor |
Callie did that few times but she always got her mouth free of it herself and after she got used to it she never did it again no she actualy dislikes not having her collar on at bath time when I wash it and set it out to dry after bathing her and will get it if it is on the end table and bring it to me. |
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Same here. Reno has no collar, just a harness. None of our dogs normally wear a collar, just Sasha, the Great Dane, when she goes for a walk. (so far I have been unable to locate a harness that fits her well) |
Thanks everyone! You have given me some great tips that I hadn't thought about. I will look for a break away cat collar. I have never heard of these. I too never have collars on my dogs while around the house, but I wanted her used to it for when we go out in public, which is often. This little one is a handful in every sense. Nothing with this pooch is easy. Having been around animals my whole life, I have come to realize what can happen, will happen, and I drive myself insane looking for possible hazards. Even still, it is impossible to be completely aware all the time. |
I too have asked about collars :) I was scared about using one on her .. At a poster's recommendation I did buy a thin/small break away cat collar for her and it seems to be working out fine. I leave it on her for a couple hours during the day to get her use to it ( I never leave it on at night or if she is in her pen) I wanted a collar because I switch harness' alot and hated tring to switch the tags but a poster ( sorry can't remember who) told me to get etra lobster claw type clips so I could easily switch the tags from one harness to another , which is working great. I still put the collar on her throughout the day though so she can get use to wearing one if she should need to ( plus her charms look cute :)) |
how tight was the collar? it should only allow you to fit one of your fingers in there next to the dog's neck, otherwise i think it's a little too loose. milu wears a cat collar, honestly, i don't even know if she is strong enough to "break away" if she needed to. so i am not sure how much safer it is from a regular dog collar? :confused: do other ppl have experience with their dog being able to take off the cat collar? my advice would be to make sure it's tight enough. that way the dog won't get her mouth caught. but make sure you check every week to see if it is still fitting comfortably. too tight is bad and dangerous. |
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Breakaway cat collar for $3 at walmart! I got Uni's orange leopard print w bell! |
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Laynee has a collar and a cloth-like harness but it's freezing cold so we haven't done many walks. But her tags are on her collar that stays in my purse until we have to go out or to the vet. Even then she hardly wears it, but just in case i have her info in hand.:) |
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Sugar was panicked and cried for help, I was frightened and I thought my heart paused for a while. She couldn't wait still, I have no choice but to grab and unbuckled the collar. I bought her another collar which is smaller, but the same thing happened...you might try the cat collar but it just wouldn't help in Sugar's case :confused: |
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But, if you're still insistent on putting a collar on your dog. Put it on them when you take them out in public......never attach a leash to it (use a harness). Take it off of them when you bring them in the house, or cannot monitor them. Never leave it on them when you crate them. |
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I dont even put collars on my cats and one is an indoor outdoor cat |
I do not like collars really for any size dogs. to me they are an accident ready to happen. even the big dogs to not wear collars. Our horses don't wear halters while in the pastures because one time one horse did not come up at night to be fed went looking for him and somehow someway he got his halter caught in a tree branch and could not get loose. I feel a dog collar could do the same thing to a dog . All dogs here are chip and have I all the necessary papers for everything else. |
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Are they trainable? Absolutely! Bravo916's dogs amazed me when I went to visit her. Her front door was left opened while she helped me get my luggage and dog equipment out of my car. Havoc and Diesel were told to stay. They sat right at the open door, not moving until she turned and said come...... |
are there any walk through gates that are solid panels? I have wondered if the little ones could slip through the bars. |
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