Another scary reminder to take collars off

[DangerousBeauty]

wow. I never thought about not leaving the collar on for safety reasons. I usually take Baron's off because I hate the collar mark they get. Also because I can't imagine having something so close to my throat all day long even though I keep his at a length that I just slip it over his head.

[Abbysmom]

How scary, so glad you were there.

[blackviolet]

Originally Posted by onyx'girl

If your dogs are chipped, it should be no problem ID'ing them if they get loose w/out a collar.
Next time I take dogs to the vet, I am going to have the chips scanned to be sure they are still in the right location, haven't migrated.

Originally Posted by lsoilm1936

Unfortunately chips are just not enough. Joe Blow down the road who finds a dog 'MIGHT' call if there are tags with contact info on it, but will not take the time to take the dog to the vet to get scanned. All of my dogs are chipped, but that doesn't give me a sense of security if they are lost without their collars/tags.

Exactly. Or they might stop to pick up a loose dog with tags, but not a stray.

Originally Posted by selzer

Chips should not make you feel safe. Not all shelters HAVE a scanner. Some do not bother to scan. Certain chips work with certain scanners. If your dog shows up at a vet clinic accompanied by a human, they WILL NOT scan the dog unless asked to do so, or if they have a flyer on a missing dog that looks like yours. If they are asked to scan the dog by the person, they are not going to bother to send the number in anywhere or look if it is missing. They will just read it off to the person.

Also, dogs running loose with a collar on have half a chance that someone will try to capture or call the warden. Dogs with no collar may be shot as strays..

I've also heard too many horror stories about the shelter not even bothering to scan their chips. I'm scared to have their collars off, and scared to have them on.

I've never known anyone who has ever had collar issues like this. It's funny that I was just directed to this thread, because a few days ago, I went to check on my mom's dogs and cats while she was out of town for a day or two. She had them separated, but her old (little) dog had gotten her foot caught in her collar, and wedged it all the way up to her armpit. Her collar had been properly tightened, so I have no idea how she managed that. I'm surprised she hadn't choked herself out. Her head was stuck to the side, and her foot was stuck up and forward, and she still managed to run away from us when we tried to help her. It was soooo tight that even though it was a squeeze-release collar, it was hard to get off, esp since she was trying to bite us, and it was hard to find the release through her fur. Poor old baby.

[DogTuff]

I had a similar experience with my two dogs. They love to play fight, and somehow one of their mouths got stuck in the others collar. Trying to get free they twisted it even more. The buckle would not unlatch! One was being suffocated; the other was bleeding from his mouth.

I'm sure it all happened over a few seconds, but it seemed like forever. I ended up have to pick one of the dogs up in the air and twist him to loosen the collar. I'll never forget the dogs yelping in pain as i was trying to get them undone.

The collars immediately went into the trash and i ordered break-away collars that evening. The dogs are also micro-chipped.

I've read several comments about the down side of the chips. I live in Georgia and I've never had a problem here. All of the animal control officers carry readers that scan all three brands. The local vets also have them. When ever i pick up a stray, i just bring them to the closest vet and have them scanned for a micro chip. I also have the vet scan my dogs when they are in for their yearly checkup.

It's better to be safe than sorry. Microchips cost about $25, that's worth it for the chance to get your dog back.

[billsfan820]

I had that happen with my BC and Sheltie recently. Thank god I was there. So Scary.

[DogTuff]

Originally Posted by billsfan820

I had that happen with my BC and Sheltie recently. Thank god I was there. So Scary.

Do a search for the break-away collars. They are made by keepsafe. They are worth every penny.

[Sashmom]

wow, I jst had a collar incident last week! I heard a bang noise in the house and went looking. Theres Neek in the bathroom (hes nosey) and the cabinets have kind of big knobs. He had managed to somehow get his collar wrapped around the knob. He looked so scared, Im so glad I was home! When I leave now or hes alone I am DEFINATELY taking his collar off.

[CaseysGSD]

So glad they are ok! Very scary! Maybe he won't do that anymore now that he scared him so bad!!

[dane]

Originally Posted by Kroush

These have a seat belt button release, which is really easy to get on and off in a pinch if needed. They also have very cool artwork.

Buckle-Down - Wholesale belt buckles, web belts, seatbelt belts, dog collars and leashes.

Vader sports that collar..we love it!

[JanaeUlva]

Originally Posted by lsoilm1936

Unfortunately chips are just not enough. Joe Blow down the road who finds a dog 'MIGHT' call if there are tags with contact info on it, but will not take the time to take the dog to the vet to get scanned. All of my dogs are chipped, but that doesn't give me a sense of security if they are lost without their collars/tags.

That is my biggest worry - Minka getting loose by mistake and having no collar and ID on her. Many folks think a a dog without a collar is a stray. And if there is a number to call they might. However, I have a flat nylon collar with the plastic release and her name and my phone number sewn into the collar in big obvious stitching, it's called a "personalized" collar. What I like is there are no tags to catch on to things or too fall off.

This thread does worry me with any collar now. I guess I need to weigh the odds. My two don't tousle much and when outside they are in separate pens. I always kept the collar loose thinking she could slip out of the collar if it got hooked up, but now I see a looser collar could result in body parts getting hung up. Geez.

Well anyhow, hoping folks who want ID on their dog the nylon personalized collars are nice, at least no tags are dangling.