Warning about collars - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Texanna · 01-21-2010, 02:13 PM

I normally come home at lunch and check on Bilbo, but I didn't yesterday because I had errands during lunch. When I got home, my husband was there and I could tell he was upset. He said, "We nearly lost him today, honey." I thought he meant that he ran out the door when DH came in, but then I noticed Bilbo didn't have his collar on.

When my husband came in, Bilbo had his lower jaw hooked through his collar and was choking on it. DH said that he thought he was going to die before he got the collar off.

The only thing I can think of was when I put the collar back on him after brushing him I didn't fasten it tight enough. It's leather and has holes like a belt.

Needless to say, I'm retiring that collar and getting one that is adjustable.

yorkieusa · 01-21-2010, 02:18 PM

I'm glad your husband came home when he did, but why not leave the collar off when he's in your house? I've never used collars myself. I'm sure you have your reasons, though, so I'm not second guessing you. I've only ever used harnesses. Collars are so dangerous, because they can get caught on things when you're not around and they can choke, too.

mscat · 01-21-2010, 02:18 PM

Always use a harness on a Yorkie... They have very sensitive trachea's and are such little dogs, it is reccomended not to use a collar ...

TresCutePiggies · 01-21-2010, 02:19 PM

That's so scary, but I am glad he is okay. I don't leave any collars on my girls when they are home alone for that very reason - maybe that is something you could consider?

We live in a high-rise, so even if they darted out the door, they'd have to make it 14 floors down before they'd be "free," so I don't worry as much about them escaping without a collar on them.

I wanted to add that my girls used to just have their id tags on their harnesses, but when they started going to daycare they wanted all the dogs to have breakaway collars with their id tags on them - maybe you could just use a harness instead.

Texanna · 01-21-2010, 02:24 PM

I use the collar for his ID tags--he's been known to make the mad dash out the door before we get the leash on him (we are working on that!)

I do use a harness when we go on walks, the collar is strictly for his tags.

DunkinDoodle · 01-21-2010, 02:29 PM

This happened to Dunkin when he was a puppy, maybe 14 weeks old! Same situation, we used the collar for his tags only. Luckily we were home with him playing, when we noticed he started walking funny. He was stuck, and it was very scary because his mouth was so tiny at the time. It was so hard to get a hand in there to unclasp it (of course the clasp part was in his mouth). Needless to say, no more collar!!

Nancy1999 · 01-21-2010, 03:01 PM

Great reminder! I won't ever use a regular collar, I do have a cat's breakable collar for decorative things, but there is no way he could choke himself with it because one good tug, and it breaks away. If tags are important, I would use a harness.

Sashabear0430 · 01-21-2010, 03:08 PM

I would use a collar regardless if they are indoor or outdoor. My reason is the whole name tag thing. I know many people who have had their dogs run away and were indoor dogs only. There is always a chance that they could get out. It makes it a lot easier to find a dog and look at the phone number on the tag and find the owner. More dogs are returned home that way. Of course I use a harness when going on walks though.

Sashabear0430 · 01-21-2010, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DunkinDoodle

This happened to Dunkin when he was a puppy, maybe 14 weeks old! Same situation, we used the collar for his tags only. Luckily we were home with him playing, when we noticed he started walking funny. He was stuck, and it was very scary because his mouth was so tiny at the time. It was so hard to get a hand in there to unclasp it (of course the clasp part was in his mouth). Needless to say, no more collar!!

Same happened to Sasha when she was around that age but she would bite it until it broke in half lol.

misslissa · 01-21-2010, 03:16 PM

i also keep a collar on gatsby all the time but i would recommend a cat breakaway collar i cant use them because gatsby yanks them off but it would be best

jadabug · 01-21-2010, 03:26 PM

I have always had a fear of something like that happening. When I first got Jada I did have a collar on her for her tags only. I would take it off when I went to work. One day I was rushing and forgot. I had to call my father in law to go to my house and take her collar off. From that day forward I have never put it back on her. I have their tags on their harness for when we go outside. I was almost sick with fear by the time I realized what I had done. Luckily she was okay,but it is not worth the risk. I am so glad your little Bilbo is okay, that had to be the scare of your life.

BanditSocks2 · 01-21-2010, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texanna

I use the collar for his ID tags--he's been known to make the mad dash out the door before we get the leash on him (we are working on that!)

I do use a harness when we go on walks, the collar is strictly for his tags.

I use a collar for their tags and harness for their walks too. That might have to be rethought!!!

01-21-2010, 02:13 PM	#1
Texanna Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 100	Warning about collars I normally come home at lunch and check on Bilbo, but I didn't yesterday because I had errands during lunch. When I got home, my husband was there and I could tell he was upset. He said, "We nearly lost him today, honey." I thought he meant that he ran out the door when DH came in, but then I noticed Bilbo didn't have his collar on. When my husband came in, Bilbo had his lower jaw hooked through his collar and was choking on it. DH said that he thought he was going to die before he got the collar off. The only thing I can think of was when I put the collar back on him after brushing him I didn't fasten it tight enough. It's leather and has holes like a belt. Needless to say, I'm retiring that collar and getting one that is adjustable.

01-21-2010, 02:18 PM	#2
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 21,173	I'm glad your husband came home when he did, but why not leave the collar off when he's in your house? I've never used collars myself. I'm sure you have your reasons, though, so I'm not second guessing you. I've only ever used harnesses. Collars are so dangerous, because they can get caught on things when you're not around and they can choke, too. __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

01-21-2010, 02:18 PM	#3
mscat YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hanford, CA Posts: 4,895	Always use a harness on a Yorkie... They have very sensitive trachea's and are such little dogs, it is reccomended not to use a collar ... __________________ "No matter how little money & how few possessions, you own, having a dog makes you rich."

01-21-2010, 02:19 PM	#4
TresCutePiggies Owned by Rory & Lane Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,893	That's so scary, but I am glad he is okay. I don't leave any collars on my girls when they are home alone for that very reason - maybe that is something you could consider? We live in a high-rise, so even if they darted out the door, they'd have to make it 14 floors down before they'd be "free," so I don't worry as much about them escaping without a collar on them. I wanted to add that my girls used to just have their id tags on their harnesses, but when they started going to daycare they wanted all the dogs to have breakaway collars with their id tags on them - maybe you could just use a harness instead. __________________ Rory and Lane now have a dog blog, Doggie Debutantes. Find us on Facebook here. Last edited by TresCutePiggies; 01-21-2010 at 02:20 PM.

01-21-2010, 03:01 PM	#7
Nancy1999 I ♥ Joey & Ralphie! Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 25,396 Blog Entries: 2	Great reminder! I won't ever use a regular collar, I do have a cat's breakable collar for decorative things, but there is no way he could choke himself with it because one good tug, and it breaks away. If tags are important, I would use a harness. __________________ NancyJoey Proud members of the CrAzYcLuB and YAP! ** Just Say No to Puppymills – Join YAP! Yorkshire Terrier Club of America – Breeder Referrals

01-21-2010, 02:24 PM	#5
Texanna Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 100	I use the collar for his ID tags--he's been known to make the mad dash out the door before we get the leash on him (we are working on that!) I do use a harness when we go on walks, the collar is strictly for his tags.

01-21-2010, 02:29 PM	#6
DunkinDoodle Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: West Chester, PA, USA Posts: 49	This happened to Dunkin when he was a puppy, maybe 14 weeks old! Same situation, we used the collar for his tags only. Luckily we were home with him playing, when we noticed he started walking funny. He was stuck, and it was very scary because his mouth was so tiny at the time. It was so hard to get a hand in there to unclasp it (of course the clasp part was in his mouth). Needless to say, no more collar!!

01-21-2010, 03:08 PM	#8
Sashabear0430 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: California Posts: 175	I would use a collar regardless if they are indoor or outdoor. My reason is the whole name tag thing. I know many people who have had their dogs run away and were indoor dogs only. There is always a chance that they could get out. It makes it a lot easier to find a dog and look at the phone number on the tag and find the owner. More dogs are returned home that way. Of course I use a harness when going on walks though. __________________ Mommy of Sasha Peaches Buttercup and Dutchess

01-21-2010, 03:16 PM	#10
misslissa YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: canton ohio us Posts: 1,574	i also keep a collar on gatsby all the time but i would recommend a cat breakaway collar i cant use them because gatsby yanks them off but it would be best __________________ Don't say I love you unless you mean it, but if you do say it a lot. People forget.

01-21-2010, 03:26 PM	#11
jadabug Jada + Bogie = ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mayberry AKA smalltown usa Posts: 24,078	I have always had a fear of something like that happening. When I first got Jada I did have a collar on her for her tags only. I would take it off when I went to work. One day I was rushing and forgot. I had to call my father in law to go to my house and take her collar off. From that day forward I have never put it back on her. I have their tags on their harness for when we go outside. I was almost sick with fear by the time I realized what I had done. Luckily she was okay,but it is not worth the risk. I am so glad your little Bilbo is okay, that had to be the scare of your life. __________________ Michelle, Jada and Bogie Last edited by jadabug; 01-21-2010 at 03:28 PM.