Collars and Tags: An essential evil?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

My dogs were doing the morning play romp in the living room when the screams began.  Horrifying.   At this time I still believe Starlit's mouth, teeth, or lips got caught up in Spud's collar or rings on the tag.  I still don't know what really was happening except I could not get them apart. 

It became so bad my two elderly cats came rushing in trying to figure out which dog was causing a fight.  Their little paws trying to reach out and stop the violence so no one got hurt. Sweet cats trying to protect their canines.  Even though they  hear the dogs growling and playing all day--they knew this was really bad--it was different.   "OH NO... not all four involved in a fight while my hands and face were down there too"

Been there, done that, and it became hard for me to stay calm.  A calm reaction was the only thing going to solve the problem and stop the screams.

Each time I seemed to be able to calm things down, one dog would move and the screams began again .

Eventually, I was able to remove Spud' collar but I thought he would die before I got it off.  He was listless. <-listless in not in Spud's realm of his hyper life.

So to collar and tag?

Tags provide identity and security for our dogs--something I thought was one of the most important things we could do for their safety.   Rabies and county license  are filed away and are not included on the collar,  but identity tags are  mandatory in my opinion even though I have both dogs chipped.

I know it is a good thing to remove the collar when dogs are crated! To many hang themselves because owners leave them crated with collars, but what do you do if it is normal everyday life?  Or is this just a fluke?

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I've been wondering about this myself and am thinking that the tags that are part of the collar are a better and safer option than the ones that dangle from them. Is Starlit injured?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Yes,  but I can't see what is going on.   She paced for 45 minutes, mouth drooling, wouldn't sit still, and clearly upset.  No blood anywhere though.  Emotionally she was a mess. Spud tried to get her to interact after awhile with some play bows, but she would have nothing to do with it.

No vet, or stitches,  or anything this time.  The collars are laying on the counter with my thoughts on what to do?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

The tag rings don't look bent and I want to think it was the collar.  That is where both of their chunks of hair are attached.

[F, Calla & Luca]

My dogs can't get at each other when I'm not home since they're crated but this happened when you were home. Scary.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

This makes me sad :(  How kind of Spud to try to help her feel better. Hopefully, she will feel better soon. We are sending hugs your way.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Nicky, that's a good idea!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I think so too, Nicky  :)

[Carol and Banjo]

Oh my gosh Joanne!  How horrifying.....it must have been awful to try and make sense of what was going on.   I've gotten into the habit of removing Banjo's collar when we come into the house.   He's never been one to run out when the door is open so I don't have to worry about that, but I know this is a problem for some dogs.   I wonder if there is some different "design" for tags.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I leave rolled leather collars and tags on all the time. What kind of collars were your doodles wearing. My dogs wear prong collars when out but they come off immediately when we get home. I always worry about a dog slipping out without any visible ID and no way for people to call me. My dogs are chipped too. But not everyone knows about chips or would/could take them to be scanned. I also like to have a "handle" to grab a dog if need be. Hope Spud is back to his rambunctious ways.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Love the rolled leather collars ( my favorite ) but two of mine broke at the rivits after just 6 months.  They don't make them like they used to.  I went to nylon clasp collars for both dogs.   Neither one ever wear prong collars in the house  unless we go away or have company. They hang in the garage 99% of the time.

So those are my thoughts too.  I really think both need to have identification on just in case they got loose because not everyone knows or would think to check for chips.  Plus, I need a collar to grab!

Both are fine.  Thank goodness I was here working.  What if I had been gone--which I was supposed to really be somewhere else today.  

I suppose this is just a fluke and not much I can do.  I will be getting him a new collar though. It is time. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

All you've said is true.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My doods also wear rolled leather collars and they last for a year or two.