Originally Posted by Lovetodream88 (Post 4209575)

I'm sorry but I can't help but think your breeder is not a good breeder because good breeders of small dogs know never to use a collar for walking on a leash and your pup could very well end up with collapsing trachea later in life because of it. Dogs can be trained not to pull when using a harness and jumping is a much bigger problem for the knees then a harness. Collars also slip off very easy and if for some reason you would need to jerk your dog up because of a problem like a bigger aggressive dog you can do that with a harness but not with a collar.

Originally Posted by Maximo (Post 4209585)

Collapsed trachea is not just a genetic problem. It can be caused by trauma to the neck and throat, and even allergens or illness.

A dog and human can live without 4 limbs, but cannot live without an air passage. Plus, as I indicated above, CT puts stress on the heart and lungs.

Who is training her with a collar? I strongly disagree with trainers who insist on a collar.

If the theory is that a dog pulls only in a harness because it feels more free, then it would have to be acknowledged that the dog doesn't pull in a collar because the dog is being choked.

Whether a dog is in a collar or harness, training is still required. Neither one magically makes a dog heel and walk properly. Show Yorkies do not wear a traditional collar. A lead with a wide swatch of material is used and the placement is a little different -- plus the dogs are highly trained.

My Yorkies are larger -- 9 pounds -- but have the necks of a dog much tinier, less than 7 inches. No way am I going to put a collar & leash on a neck that delicate. I work hard to discourage pulling, but when the UPS truck goes by, and they snap at the ends of the leashes, I am thankful they are in harnesses. They also have pencil size legs and no signs of patella strain or damage after 4 and 5 years of harness use.

Harnesses are also helpful in emergency situations. I can swing my small dogs into my arms and not worry that their necks are going to be injured.

Patellas -- that has a lot to do with genetics, and activities like jumping from beds and couches and car seats. I am also not aware of many cases here on YT of front leg patella problems, which is where most of the pulling would be done.

Dogs should and must be trained to walk properly whether it is in a harness or a collar. There is equal potentially to train.

Originally Posted by xoCourtney (Post 4209384)

Hello,

I'm not sure if I put this under the correct spot in the forum but it seemed appropriate since my concern is health related! I will be picking up my baby girl in a month and was curious on other peoples opinion on what I've been suggested. Apparently using a harness causes strain on the patellas which is worse than a collapsing trachea? Has anyone ever had problems using a harness? I'm not comfortable using a leash and at this point a harness either. :eek::(

Originally Posted by Nancy1999 (Post 4209602)

Is this something you read from a vet site or just some other forum? There's an awful lot of garbage going around. I don't know why a harness would cause patella problems. I do believe you should train your dog to walk without pulling.

Originally Posted by xoCourtney (Post 4209601)

Thank you this was very helpful! A lot of what you just said makes complete sense and I WILL be using a harness with her. Is it okay to have a collar on her when on walks though just incase she where to ever get loose or something crazy happened? I purchased her a breakaway cat collar seeing that she is a tiny little squirt! I know its never safe to leave her in the house alone with a collar so that she doesn't get caught on something (thank goodness for breakaway collars ;)).

Originally Posted by Maximo (Post 4209606)

Collars for tags are a big source of debate. Yes, definitely safe to wear on walks (you can also put tags on the harness D-ring). When unsupervised, there is potential for accidents with collars. A breakaway collar prevents that.

On the other hand, collars with ID tags have saved many Yorkies here when the dogs got out of the house unexpectedly.

Whichever you choose, I recommend microchipping your baby as well.

Originally Posted by xoCourtney (Post 4209605)

I was given this information by my breeder who was given this information by an orthopedic specialist who does knee surgeries and such on dogs. The specialist has smaller yorkies as well.

Originally Posted by Maximo (Post 4209610)

I would have to say the orthopedic specialist has tunnel vision from his medical practice, and probably decided on the collar thing based on advice from trainers too. A lot of dog trainers believe this because they don't have experience with small dogs, let alone Yorkies.

Originally Posted by xoCourtney (Post 4209623)

Okay thank you for your help! I will most definitely NOT be using her collar for a leash and i WILL be going with a harness. Has anyone tried the Puppia harness? i am leaning more towards this one until this is fully grown.

Originally Posted by xoCourtney (Post 4209623)

Okay thank you for your help! I will most definitely NOT be using her collar for a leash and i WILL be going with a harness. Has anyone tried the Puppia harness? i am leaning more towards this one until this is fully grown.

Originally Posted by Maximo (Post 4209597)

It's possible to have LP in the front legs, not common, is my understanding.

Originally Posted by xoCourtney (Post 4209598)

I would appreciate it if we kept my breeder out of this. She is very loving and caring towards Miley and has done nothing to make me question her passion for yorkies. I simply wanted to know everyones opinion on harnesses and if anyone had any problems with knee's and shoulders after using them for years. I completely agree with your last statement. If a bigger dog was to come after Miley I would feel a heck of a lot better pulling her back to me on a harness than I would on a leash! :eek:

Originally Posted by xoCourtney (Post 4209601)

Thank you this was very helpful! A lot of what you just said makes complete sense and I WILL be using a harness with her. Is it okay to have a collar on her when on walks though just incase she where to ever get loose or something crazy happened? I purchased her a breakaway cat collar seeing that she is a tiny little squirt! I know its never safe to leave her in the house alone with a collar so that she doesn't get caught on something (thank goodness for breakaway collars ;)).