Never, EVER put a collar on a small Yorkie and lead it...

[Jan & the M&M's]

I've been reading threads on this site and people talk about putting a collar and a leash on a Yorkie.

Don't do it, people, put them in a harness instead. You can cause collapsing trachea by letting a little dog tug on a leash with a collar on. These furbabies have tiny little bird bones in their necks, protect them, use a harness!

[twalla]

Sammy Sam has a harness... thats all I ever use even with my other two boys.

[Anna Banana]

I haven't read anything about YT members using collars instead of harnesses. Usually everyone is eager to inform collar-users about the safety risks...

Thank you, however, for the reiteration. Hopefully new members that are unexperienced with yorkies will read this and know the dangers of collars.

[MommysBabyRoxy]

My baby only has a collar for beautification. It is never used to walk her. She has a little pink collar on with her name on it, but I almost never put a leash on her, and if I do, it is always on her harness shirts. She has many shirts that have little harnesses built right into them with a little loop on the end. I feel so bad when I do have to have her on a leash. She stays in a doggy carrier, car seat, or a stroller.

[LoveMyGirlz]

You know....since you brought it up....I also use a harness....but am I the only one that finds the harness still allows Vixxen to "choke" herself?? She pulls so hard on it (no, she wasn't trained - kicking myself) that the harness still chokes her

[Kodak]

Originally Posted by LoveMyGirlz

You know....since you brought it up....I also use a harness....but am I the only one that finds the harness still allows Vixxen to "choke" herself?? She pulls so hard on it (no, she wasn't trained - kicking myself) that the harness still chokes her

Do you think maybe the harness is on wrong and it might be pulling her neck? Most harnesses are no where near the neck but sits close if the legs aren't in properly. My mom was putting Kodaks harness on wrong when she walked hime while I was work. She said he kept getting 1 leg out of it to, he hadn't choked or anything. I just noticed she was putting it on wrong. Most Yt members use harnesses, and a lot of the members with pet stores sell them.

[LoveMyGirlz]

Originally Posted by Kodak

Do you think maybe the harness is on wrong and it might be pulling her neck? Most harnesses are no where near the neck but sits close if the legs aren't in properly. My mom was putting Kodaks harness on wrong when she walked hime while I was work. She said he kept getting 1 leg out of it to, he hadn't choked or anything. I just noticed she was putting it on wrong. Most Yt members use harnesses, and a lot of the members with pet stores sell them.

Well hell I probably don't know what I'm doing! Haha! But this one is a velcro one and I "think" I'm putting it on right? Maybe I have to take pictures for assistance....

[dean29]

the best collar I used was a clip-on one from PetPeople. One strap went around her tummy and the other around her chest in front of her legs.

I agree completely with the harness. Collars are good for recognition + I guess beauty ...hehe

[Catrina]

Yes I never walk Princess with her collar... I just saw a little small dog someone was walking today.. looked like a long haired chihuahua.. she was walking it by its collar!! I wanted to tell her she should use a harness.. but she walked by too fast..

[MyTrixie143]

All my dogs have collars on them with their id tags on the collars. The only purpose for them is so they will have their tags on all times and because the collars are cute on them. But as far as walking, they each have their own step in harness. I would never suggest walking a small dog with a collar, it should never be done.

Originally Posted by LoveMyGirlz

Well hell I probably don't know what I'm doing! Haha! But this one is a velcro one and I "think" I'm putting it on right? Maybe I have to take pictures for assistance....

I think I know what type you are talking about and I suggest for walking to use the step in harnesses. They don't put pressure on their necks like a regular harness does. I have never had mine choke themselves with a step in harness but they have with a regular harness. I believe the step ins also help with the pulling without hurting them in any way.

[autumn star]

What do you use then when you take them to training classes. All of the training classes that I have been to in the past us a choker (training collar) what should I use because I know they are not going to let me us a harness. (which is what she is walked w/right now)

[tlakva]

that is so good to know, thank you for passing that along

[MyTrixie143]

Originally Posted by autumn star

What do you use then when you take them to training classes. All of the training classes that I have been to in the past us a choker (training collar) what should I use because I know they are not going to let me us a harness. (which is what she is walked w/right now)

Use a regular collar or harness. If the instructor tells you that you have to put a choke collar on your yorkie, run far away!! Never ever use a choke collar on a yorkie!! Classes shouldn't be taught with the dogs wearing choke collars anyways, the only time I would ever consider it is with a large and strong dog breed, there are far better methods out there that are even more successful.

[Elisandra]

I think the majority well all Yorkie owners on here all use harnesses on their since we are well informed thanks to Yorkie Talk. I noticed you have only posted a few threads and if you are new i would like to welcome you to . But if you do search on the search button you will see that there are so many threads on here for new Yorkie owners. Welcome to our family and enjoy your stay

[vivi]

Originally Posted by Jan & the M&M's

I've been reading threads on this site and people talk about putting a collar and a leash on a Yorkie.

Don't do it, people, put them in a harness instead. You can cause collapsing trachea by letting a little dog tug on a leash with a collar on. These furbabies have tiny little bird bones in their necks, protect them, use a harness!

Kissie has an harness with a retractable leash.