Do you use both a harness and a collar?

[Chico]

Originally Posted by drawlins27

...* The other problem is that the collar can get caught on something and the dog will strangle itself or their lower jaw will get caught in the collar and break their jaw or choke them.

* The biggest problem with collars is that when dogs play, one dog's lower jaw can become caught in the other's collar. The collar twists and tightens as they panic and try to free themselves from each other. Even when you are watching them and this happens, you often aren't able to cut the collar in time to save them. Thousands of dogs die each year from this.

Hopefully that helps you understand why so many of us are against collars.

That's why I use the breakaway collars. They come apart if too much pressure is applied to the collar. The girls (puppies) wear the ones made for cats because they are smaller and have a bell on them. My boys (seniors) wear the breakaway collars that are actually made for dogs.

When I read this I start to think if those collars on these dogs have been correctly fitted? My dogs could never get their collars in their mouth unless I have the collars way too big, impossible other ways.

Also the second thing, it is terrible that dogs have died that way But maby it is also caused by too loose collar?

Just a little bit to think about. But I kind of like the idea of a break away collar but i think I would be afraid that they would lose their collars more easily and thus have no identifycation for "non dog people" who don´t know what a microchip is

[drawlins27]

Originally Posted by Chico

When I read this I start to think if those collars on these dogs have been correctly fitted? My dogs could never get their collars in their mouth unless I have the collars way too big, impossible other ways.

Also the second thing, it is terrible that dogs have died that way But maby it is also caused by too loose collar?

Just a little bit to think about. But I kind of like the idea of a break away collar but i think I would be afraid that they would lose their collars more easily and thus have no identifycation for "non dog people" who don´t know what a microchip is

Yes, I think that sometimes the problem is caused when the collar is too loose. Its a no win situation because you don't want the collar too tight either.

Sometimes the danger has nothing to do with the fit. I hate this story but I'll tell it anyway. I know a Women whose Yorkie was laying on a wooden deck and the ID tags on his collar slipped down into the slates. When he tried to get up, he panicked and turned to try and get free. The collar twisted on his neck and choked him. Very Sad and the worst part was that it was avoidable.

The boys have breakaway collars from KeepSafe. They are not too easy to pull off so I feel pretty good about them. I highly recommend them to anyone interested.

http://www.keepsafecollar.com/index.cfm

[Thorsmom]

Your concern should be for the dogs safety. Put yourself in the dogs' position. Would you rather wear a collar or a vest? The vest is more comfortable, and the dog will not struggle against the vest, but the dog will fight against the collar. Do you really have a yorkie?

[Chico]

Originally Posted by Thorsmom

Your concern should be for the dogs safety. Put yourself in the dogs' position. Would you rather wear a collar or a vest? The vest is more comfortable, and the dog will not struggle against the vest, but the dog will fight against the collar. Do you really have a yorkie?

But you can´t really compare a dog to a person. Our necks are alot weaker than a dogs neck, completly diffirend structure.

My dogs pull harder when on a harness than in a collar. So, if they were human they would struggle against the west.
I am sure the same goes with many other dogs.

One more thing, who are you asking if they hava a Yorkie? So many people have answered this thread

[LoveMyJake]

I don't leave Jake's collar on him around the house because he once tried to get it off and got it stuck and scared me to death. But, when I have him outside, he has both a collar with his tags and a harness on.

[La Princesa]

Originally Posted by Chico

When I read this I start to think if those collars on these dogs have been correctly fitted? My dogs could never get their collars in their mouth unless I have the collars way too big, impossible other ways.

Also the second thing, it is terrible that dogs have died that way But maby it is also caused by too loose collar?

Just a little bit to think about. But I kind of like the idea of a break away collar but i think I would be afraid that they would lose their collars more easily and thus have no identification for "non dog people" who don´t know what a microchip is

My collars is fitted and measured for my dog. This is one aspect I research for myself and made sure it was fitted his neck. I also taught my dog to heel correctly,l so when i do have to use a collar instead of a harness it eliminated any unnecessary pulling on the dogs neck.

[suepal]

I have just had my puppy for 3 weeks and I keep a collar on him and walk (when he will walk) him on a harness. I am still having trouble with Geordie walking on a lead. Really frustrating.I keep trying.

[Thorsmom]

Originally Posted by Chico

But you can´t really compare a dog to a person. Our necks are alot weaker than a dogs neck, completly diffirend structure.

My dogs pull harder when on a harness than in a collar. So, if they were human they would struggle against the west.
I am sure the same goes with many other dogs.

One more thing, who are you asking if they hava a Yorkie? So many people have answered this thread

I did not know how to direct it to an individual, I was addressing it to the comments made by La Princesa. Everyone on YT except this person puts their Yorkies' safety first. It just seems like she is really hostel, all of the other YT members talk about and treat their Yorkies like human. Probable because Yorkies think/know they are human. Priority wise my Yorkies are up their with my human children. She talks about her yorkie like it is a dog. I am very sorry if I offended anyone I did not mean to.
The Yorkies neck is not the concern, it is not the muscle structure but the concern is their trachea is delicate.

[Chico]

Originally Posted by Thorsmom

I did not know how to direct it to an individual, I was addressing it to the comments made by La Princesa. Everyone on YT except this person puts their Yorkies' safety first. It just seems like she is really hostel, all of the other YT members talk about and treat their Yorkies like human. Probable because Yorkies think/know they are human. Priority wise my Yorkies are up their with my human children. She talks about her yorkie like it is a dog. I am very sorry if I offended anyone I did not mean to.
The Yorkies neck is not the concern, it is not the muscle structure but the concern is their trachea is delicate.

Thank you for answring my questions. Will look more at how the collar can affect the trachea.

[red98vett]

Originally Posted by La Princesa

I never attacked anyone.. I have been attacked since my first post and I am not really crying about it.

Most people get scared when they see someone with the ability to articulate a message such as myself. I cant help it that my writing is aggressive, that is what I get paid to do and I do it well In my life. I wont come in here and be fake for anyone, or have a group become one of the group and agree with you all when i dont.

Just because i dont agree when i am typing something deosnt make me a mad or upset while doing it. I am very calm and happy that I just won a 65,000 ad campaign that last 7 weeks for my website so why would U posting something toward me make me mad? Thas dumb. You guys should stop playing the victim man up and respect the other people on here.

Respect my oppinion as i respect yours. I dont break any rules when I am in here, nor do i post hate post.. I just do me. if you cant respect me for who I am then thas on you. I am still gonna smile at the end of the day, especially today!

there are MANY people on this site who are VERY articulate - no one is scared of you hon - but what you just said was pretty offensive ....and being a paid writer or not - there was no need to go off on anyone

[red98vett]

Originally Posted by Chico

Thank you for answring my questions. Will look more at how the collar can affect the trachea.

Aside from what everyone said already - Collars can easily get caught on something and with yorkies being so small - a few twists and they can strangle or choke -

The safe way to go is a harness and always take it off when you aren't right there with the dog. I remember someone who left their puppy in a harness (in a playpen) and the poor dog ended up hung. Yorkies move so fast and get into so much it's better to be safe than sorry

[drawlins27]

Originally Posted by red98vett

Aside from what everyone said already - Collars can easily get caught on something and with yorkies being so small - a few twists and they can strangle or choke -

The safe way to go is a harness and always take it off when you aren't right there with the dog. I remember someone who left their puppy in a harness (in a playpen) and the poor dog ended up hung. Yorkies move so fast and get into so much it's better to be safe than sorry

Great Post I never thought about a harness being dangerous too Thanks for the info!

[Judy in Waco]

I put Gizmo's tags on his harness along with little bells. I have one of the step in silk harnessess that come nowhere near his trachea.

There are different styles of harnesses, that's why I make the distinction. The Lil Pals (I think that's what they're called) rode right on Gizmo's trachea and my vet took it off of him and told me to throw it away. My vet confirmed my thoughts about collars. He said to avoid them to prevent trachea damage.

I am sure that La Princessa's dogs are VERY well trained, but most of us are not that lucky. Gizmo is still a puppy in training, and I won't risk it.

Now for MY question...I leave his harness w/ tags and bells on him almost all of the time. I'm concerned about that now. Does anyone know if the puppy who was hung was in a certain type of harness? I really can't see how that could happen with the step in harness. Can it?

[red98vett]

I honestly don't know if certain harnesses are accident proof -

here's the post about little Mocha - http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sho...ighlight=mocha it's very very sad - She's still a member and if you wanted to ask her what type I think enough time has passed where she wouldn't mind -

and my vet also stresses no collars - back when I first got Chanel he ran thru all the 'to watch for' things when having a small breed dog - one was reverse sneezing and only using harnesses to keep pressure off their necks. My vet's great about educating people - which is what people were doing in this thread....I'm by far NOT an expert in yorkies but it stands to reason their tiny necks could easily be damaged from a collar

[Judy in Waco]

Thank you. That's why I love this site. We all share information, and I have learned so much. Hopefully, I will always be open-minded enough to learn new things.

I will do the research on harnesses. This is an important issue to me.

Thanks again.