Harness or Collar

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by Britster

This is why I keep a collar on Jackson ALL the time. I live with my mom, stepdad and little young sister who can be careless when it comes to keeping doors closed (and we have a TON of doors in our house, figures!) I don't trust that when I'm NOT here, someone won't accidentally let him outside. Plus, we have a few close family friends and relatives who on occasion will just stop by. When it's just him and I here, the possibility is very very low that he would get outside loose but ya still never know. Anyways, harness always for walks and collar is on for ID I will take the collar off him at night sometimes simply for comfort.

My fear is if he walked out on me before when I was sitting right there doing laundry, what are the chances he'll walk out when I'm not there to correct him?

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

I'm sorry, I didn't mean that you should do. In fact, I didn't mean to quote you. I understand your paranoia though. Except for me, I'm paranoid that'll he'll be out there all on his own with no ID. I'm afraid he'll walk out on his own like he did that one time. Kaji is usually stuck to me like glue. That unfortunate day he was just bathed, and was completely naked. I thought, why bother with the collar, he never leaves my side. I guess it was late, and I missed his usual potty time because I was doing laundry, my roommate was just moving in and left the door wide open, and Kaji just walked out undetected. He had no bell on, and without it he's super secret ninja yorkie. He's really hard to detect.

That scared me so much that I'll never EVER let him go around the house without his collar on. What if, now that we're living at home with my parents, one of the people at home leave the door wide open and Kaji walks out looking for me while I'm at work? I know my mom is careless and doesn't follow my rules for keeping Kaji safe. I just fear it'll happen again.

Ya i understand where you are coming from . I guess i dont stress at home bc it is just dh and myself.. but you never know, i should have a collar on him when he is home but when im gone i jusy stress too much!!

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

I'm sorry, I didn't mean that you should do. In fact, I didn't mean to quote you. I understand your paranoia though. Except for me, I'm paranoid that'll he'll be out there all on his own with no ID. I'm afraid he'll walk out on his own like he did that one time. Kaji is usually stuck to me like glue. That unfortunate day he was just bathed, and was completely naked. I thought, why bother with the collar, he never leaves my side. I guess it was late, and I missed his usual potty time because I was doing laundry, my roommate was just moving in and left the door wide open, and Kaji just walked out undetected. He had no bell on, and without it he's super secret ninja yorkie. He's really hard to detect.

That scared me so much that I'll never EVER let him go around the house without his collar on. What if, now that we're living at home with my parents, one of the people at home leave the door wide open and Kaji walks out looking for me while I'm at work? I know my mom is careless and doesn't follow my rules for keeping Kaji safe. I just fear it'll happen again.

Ya i understand where you are coming from . I guess i dont stress at home bc it is just dh and myself.. but you never know, i should have a collar on him when he is home but when im gone i jusy stress too much!!

[LeighJ]

I am also trying to start getting my puppy use to a leash so I can take her to puppy class. Tried her with leash and collar just to get her use to it tonight.....did not even try walking much. Just sat in the yard with her and let her walk around on it, but still, did not go well AT ALL. Major freakout. Will get a harness instead, but as I don't know much about harnesses, do some dogs wear them all the time or just when you take them on a walk? I would like something I could leave on my puppy. She will barely hold still when I put her collar on her, much less having to put a harness on her each time.

[LeighJ]

Originally Posted by lovespandp

I am too nervous to leave a collar on him when i am not there to watch.. i am really paranoid.

Me too. I got a collar for my puppy severl weeks ago. She got her stuck in her mouth the other night when I was home. Still on her neck, but pulled up into the corners of her mouth. She went crazy. Could not get it off, was crying like no tomorrow. I am there trying to get it off, but she would not hold still enough for me to get the button. Finally got it off, but I was afraid I was going to break her teeth. The thing wasn't that loose I didn't think. Just loose enough to not be choking her, but somehow she got it stuck. That said, I don't leave it on her when not at home anymore.

[keokis mom]

Originally Posted by LeighJ

Me too. I got a collar for my puppy severl weeks ago. She got her stuck in her mouth the other night when I was home. Still on her neck, but pulled up into the corners of her mouth. She went crazy. Could not get it off, was crying like no tomorrow. I am there trying to get it off, but she would not hold still enough for me to get the button. Finally got it off, but I was afraid I was going to break her teeth. The thing wasn't that loose I didn't think. Just loose enough to not be choking her, but somehow she got it stuck. That said, I don't leave it on her when not at home anymore.

If you are keeping a collar on for id purposes it should be a breakway collar ( cat collar) if pulled it breaks off so you won't have accidents like that. I use the puppia harness for walks- seriously though a cat collar is the only way to go.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by LeighJ

Me too. I got a collar for my puppy severl weeks ago. She got her stuck in her mouth the other night when I was home. Still on her neck, but pulled up into the corners of her mouth. She went crazy. Could not get it off, was crying like no tomorrow. I am there trying to get it off, but she would not hold still enough for me to get the button. Finally got it off, but I was afraid I was going to break her teeth. The thing wasn't that loose I didn't think. Just loose enough to not be choking her, but somehow she got it stuck. That said, I don't leave it on her when not at home anymore.

What Keoki's mom said is true, but I also wanted to add that the collar was probably to big for your little one. It should fit snuggly. Not too tight, and definitely not too loose.

[LeighJ]

Originally Posted by keokis mom

If you are keeping a collar on for id purposes it should be a breakway collar ( cat collar) if pulled it breaks off so you won't have accidents like that. I use the puppia harness for walks- seriously though a cat collar is the only way to go.

It is a cat collar. Even cut the little bell off. I actually thought it was a break away collar as it has just a black slide that you push together. Obviously I should have tugged on it to test it.

[beachdog]

Originally Posted by LeighJ

Me too. I got a collar for my puppy severl weeks ago. She got her stuck in her mouth the other night when I was home. Still on her neck, but pulled up into the corners of her mouth. She went crazy. Could not get it off, was crying like no tomorrow. I am there trying to get it off, but she would not hold still enough for me to get the button. Finally got it off, but I was afraid I was going to break her teeth. The thing wasn't that loose I didn't think. Just loose enough to not be choking her, but somehow she got it stuck. That said, I don't leave it on her when not at home anymore.

OMG the same thing happened to Paris when he was little. I came home and there he was covered in slobber from having the darn collar stuck in his mouth for who knows how long. I never keep a collar on him. But the cat collar is a great idea.

[lovespandp]

The reason why I dont like the cat collar idea is bc say they do get out and they get into something and the collar breaks off.. Then the collar would be no good.

[zoedo]

Collar is more convenient but definitely not safe. I use a harness.

[lil louis]

Originally Posted by Roccosmommy

Welcome to YT! Without doubt, ONLY a harness should be used to walk your yorkie. Their tracheas are very delicate and could suffer injury from a collar. Puppies take some time to learn being walked, so be patient, he'll get it. Just be sure you keep him close by your side without too much slack on the leash and tell him "good boy" when he walks steady and close by. By the way, how old is he? Any pics?

Great post!

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by lovespandp

The reason why I dont like the cat collar idea is bc say they do get out and they get into something and the collar breaks off.. Then the collar would be no good.

They are surprisingly strong. At least the one Kaji has. I've taken it off him and given it some tugs and it doesn't break off. It takes a little more force for it to fall off. It's a little hard to explain Kaji's collar because it holds up well but in an emergency it just falls right off. Example situation:
Kaji was running around the inside of my car, freaking out because we were in a new place he had never been in. He somehow managed to hang himself on my handbrake! Before I could react the cat collar just broke apart and Kaji was fine, he landed on the floor by the gas peddals (car was off) and he went right on with his pacing and panicking. It all happened in less than half a second.

I use to think just like you, what's the point if it's just going to fall off? I guess my new way of thinking is, it's just another chance to get him back. The chip is one way, but the tags are quicker. And, in case of any emergencies (like the hanging situation) he's still safe from harm.

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

They are surprisingly strong. At least the one Kaji has. I've taken it off him and given it some tugs and it doesn't break off. It takes a little more force for it to fall off. It's a little hard to explain Kaji's collar because it holds up well but in an emergency it just falls right off. Example situation:
Kaji was running around the inside of my car, freaking out because we were in a new place he had never been in. He somehow managed to hang himself on my handbrake! Before I could react the cat collar just broke apart and Kaji was fine, he landed on the floor by the gas peddals (car was off) and he went right on with his pacing and panicking. It all happened in less than half a second.

I use to think just like you, what's the point if it's just going to fall off? I guess my new way of thinking is, it's just another chance to get him back. The chip is one way, but the tags are quicker. And, in case of any emergencies (like the hanging situation) he's still safe from harm.

Poor guy pnut would have freaked out if that happen to him!! I know if pnut ever gets away from me the chances of getting him back are slim to non!

[jennanny3]

I use a harness with both of my yorkies. 1) Trachea issues and 2) I personally think collars are cruel. Especially with tiny dogs. I wouldn't want to be pulled but something wrapped around my neck. Harness all the way!!