Are you trying to get me in trouble?????

My Starla chewed a Lupine and we got a free replacement. No matter how tight that harness is, she can get her mouth under it and chew.
Would like to get some pretty ones for Christmas.

MI Squad NM

I NEVER use collars. I don't believe in taking a chance. Because yorkies are so prone to Collapsed Trachea they are more fragile than other small dogs. Even a breakaway can apply enough pressure on a little neck that might already be susceptable to CT to cause irreparable harm. Why take a chance? Use a harness! There are so many adorable harness vests that will not apply any pressure to their necks! Puppia are another good brand. Chattiesmom makes a really nice dupioni silk harness that won't bother their little trachs or mat their hair!

I made sure everyone that got one of my puppies knew NEVER to put a collar on them. I have heard all of the arguments that just wearing them in the house, only using certain kinds....etc.... does not take away from the fact that they are putting your pup in unnecessary jeopardy. JMO.

I'm not trying to change your mind promise, just explaining why we use collars.

We use harnesses (step-in) for walks. The collars we use only have their tags on them. No leash d-rings so they cannot be used to walk.

We put the tags on the collars because I think they're more comfortable for the girls to wear in their bags or in the home. I'm not comfortable with the girls not having ID tags on when we're not home or in the car. I'm also not comfortable with them wearing a harness without supervision. That's why we chose to use cat collars for our girls.

To me, the risk of a dog running away withOUT a collar is a bigger risk than getting injured by a collar, in my humble opinion. I remember dozens of dogs wandering into our neighborhood growing up that we would read their collar and they'd be returned home within minutes. I've never ever once met a dog who has been injured by a collar. I use a harness strictly to walk Jackson, but he is very rarely without his collar and ID tag. I never want the risk of him getting out without proper ID, and yes, he is microchipped too but a lot of general people do not know about microchips.

No collers here. Jackson has one for his tags but one time it got stuck in his mouth and I said heck no after that. He does have a harness though. Much safer, not as cute. Others I am sure have had better luck.

I agree that my opinion is not the only one here. I just figure erring on the side of caution is the only way to be sure a collar will do no harm. One dog with CT might change your mind,though. My very first yorkie had CT. She died at the groomers after I specifically told them NOT to put a collar on her due to CT. I even explained her honking cough. I believe they did put her in the grooming noose and then called me when she could not breathe. I was there in 10 minutes but of course that was too late.

I don't worry about a runaway dog as mine are always in a fenced yard with me, or in my house. If we are in public, they have their harness on with my number. Even more so if they were to run away if there was an accident or something, I would not want a collar on them as someone finding them might think using a collar to walk or worse, to keep them chained, was okay. So, when we go out,they get their harnesses on. They don't mind their harnesses at all. Thankfully, they do not try to get out of them like they do some clothes.

I know many use collars without ever having any trouble. Especially big yorkies can take a collar much more easily than the tiny ones, for instance. There is a HUGE difference in the trachea of a 15 pound dog and a 3-5 pound dog. Sometimes when we discuss things about yorkies, it is not a one-size fits all issue. There may be other concerns too that are different than mine.

You might go a yorkie's whole life and never have a collar mishap. But I know for sure I won't have one. I do take many precautions that might seem like it would be rare to happen. But I tell people -- rabies is actually rare -- but you wouldn't go without vaccinating your dog against it. Many people do not know their dog is predisposed to CT. If they are, the slightest extra pressure can be all that is needed to collapse that fragile cartilage. I know the history of the 2 yorkies I have now and there is no CT known on either side (they have the same lines/different generations). But you never know...... I just would rather be safe than sorry. But I don't think any less of another who weighs the pros and cons and decides differently. I know you care at least as much as I do -- just feel differently about this issue. Just want you to understand I do not think my way has to be everyone's way. I want to recommend it to others but not cram it down their throat. :)

I'm not disagreeing with you, there is risks to EVERYTHING you do. A 3lb dog can run into a wall and die, it's happened before. But that doesn't mean I'm not going to allow my dog to run around the house and have fun, just because there a .5% risk that they could die from it.

I've heard all too many times that a dog is always with them and there is a fenced in yard, but there is ALWAYS a chance. I like to think Jackson would never get away from me, either, but it HAS happened once. Things happen. And there's risks either way. To me, it's like the spay/neuter argument. Sure, most people could probably go without their dog getting pregnant or impregnating someone, but most on this site would always suggest getting a dog fixed because "there is ALWAYS a chance they could get out!" It's the same idea to me.

While you won't risk a dog getting hurt on a collar, I won't risk a dog not having a collar and id tags on. Both things have a minimal chance of actually occurring, but to me... the latter is more important. Nothing is ever for sure with us or our dogs no matter what we do.

Just offering another opinion :)

I understand what you are saying too. I probably would have cute little collars on mine too if I had not lost one with CT. But that just sticks in my mind so much, I just can't do it. I'll probably always be anti-collar for yorkies. Mine wear their harnesses quite a bit, but usually not at night. I may start leaving their harnesses on more often but I won't go to collars. I will continue to let mine run around the house too, against all odds of them running into a wall ;) But I really do understand what you are saying. I don't think you would have to worry about Jackson getting CT either -- he is a sturdy boy! In your case, I would probably not fear a collar. But I still think they are not for all yorkies. It is good to have both sides out there -- the new owners can take it all in and make up their minds.

For others -- Pls though -- if using collars, make sure they are at least break-away collars (as several have mentioned using) and test them to see how much pressure is required to separate them.

I'm glad we're on the "same page!" hehe. I totally do get what you're saying. Our personal experiences will, of course, always effect our opinions on issues like this. I'm sure I'd be the same way had I been with a dog with CT.

But with a dog that has no pre-existing tracheal issues, I just think the chance of getting CT from simply wearing a collar are really minimal.

I just don't see a difference between wearing a collar all day vs. wearing a harness. Harnesses have a chance to get hooked or stuck on something JUST as much as a collar, imo. It also seems much more uncomfortable so I never like to leave a harness on Jackson for a large portion of the day anyways. He has chattiesmom and Puppia harnesses. I even usually take his collar off during the night just for comfort reasons, or if it's just the two of us home during the day with no visitors or guests, or doors open. I don't know, I just don't see the difference between collars and harnesses in the wearing safety sense (obviously, I see how harnesses are much safer for walking on leash with).

No -- I don't think collars often cause CT, that would take quite a tug -- I think many yorkies are pre-disposed to CT and getting pulled on with a collar can make it worse and start to show symptoms or worse collapse to the point of danger. Most CT pups just honk, but they can get worse and actually die from it.

Yes, harnesses do have just as much of a chance of getting caught on something as as a collar. The difference would be that the dog would not be putting pressure on their trachea when they struggled against being caught. That is the big difference.

Mine don't mind their harnesses. I think they must be pretty comfortable since Ben doesn't try to take them off. He is the one that will rub his head on the couch to try to dislodge a topknot band. :) But I always take them off at night too. Just figure they want to relax in the nude.

We are on the same page though -- either way -- collars with caution or a harness with caution too. But .... (you knew that was coming, didn't you? ;) ) I'll stick to my harnesses. :)

You know it does not happen often but sometimes I do change my stance. I think you have made me look harder at collars as an acceptable alternative to harnesses. I may not use them myself, but I understand better that they may not be AS unsafe as I thought for all yorkies. Of course if anyone knows that there are CT pups in the line, or that their pup as exhibited possible symptoms of CT, then they should not use a collar. But I googled and read more about the break-away collars and I don't see anything being written about dangers. In fact 93% of the vets recommend them (not sure if they recommend using the collars or if you use a collar 93% say they should be break-away) but .... they do seem pretty safe.

It is recommended not to leave a collar on for various reasons, getting caught to something while playing, hair getting long, other pets playing with little Ziva. If it is not absolutely necessary, then I suggest not to put any collar. Thank you.

Even the softest harnesses can make a rash under there arms and when there are laying it can dig into them it would be like a women wearing a bra all the time oh my I would hate that. I feel like there is much less of a chance of there being a freak accident with the collar then the chance of my dog getting out so mine will always have a collar with an id tag on at all times other the bathing. Everyone in my home and who messes with Callie know to never grab her by the collar or hook her leash to the collar.

If you use cat collar, there isn't anywhere to hook a leash too. This makes people instantly aware that they are not to be used for leash walking.

FlDebra- I'm very sorry for the loss of your yorkie. I'm always very nervous taking the girls to the groomer.

We switched to the break away collars because I did see a dog almost die from a collar incident at the dog park. It was a traumatic experience for me and my dogs weren't even involved. We immediately switched to break away cat collars.

I have a big issue with that. I have a super soft harness for Kaji that looks like the puppia (I might have spelled it wrong) but it matts and irritates sometimes. Not as bad as others but still. I still use them though. :)