dog collars/tags

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

Hey all!

So Moose is now 7months (almost 8) and he is crated during the day when I am at work. I have a dog walker who comes to take him and Loki for a walk exactly half way through my typical work day and if it's a day I have extended hours they get two breaks (one with my mom and one with the dog walker or some combination of them)- all this to say he is never crated for more that 4-5 hours. They also go for a big walk with me in the morning and every night so they get plenty of exercise. Not sure if any of that is relevant or needed- anyways.

So the past two days I have come home to find Moose's ID tags on the floor either inside the crate or out side the crate... not sure how. I have them on a typical ring and little connecter piece that they sell at home depot (seems very very sturdy) and I came home and the ring was pulled apart so I got rid of the connector and just hooked the ring right to the collar and it happened again. I have no idea how he's getting them off his collar nor do I really care but they fact is he is managing it and it really really scares me that he could maybe chew on them and choke or get obstructed some how. Any suggestions? I bought the boomerang tags that Adina had recommended a while back but since they wear the Hydro collars that Nancy Ned and Clancy recommended (the only thing that doesn't mat their fur) the boomerang tags don't work with those collars.

I really really don't want to not have a collar or any piece of identification on him during the day because while I completely trust my dog walker and mom, I would never want him to slip out without a visible ID. 

Anyone have advise? Currently I have a regular flat collar on him that has his information engraved on the metal buckle, so there are no tags hanging at all. This is nice because at least his name and my phone number are on there. But he doesn't have his license tag or rabbies tag on during the day anymore, the important ones if he was on the loose lol.  Also we are back to having a horrible matted mess that I need to de-mat everyday I get home from work. I don't mind spending the time de matting him although its not my favorite thing to do, but Moose clearly minds! He and Loki are both microchipped and all of their information is on there but still the average person who may find a loose dog does not have a wand to scan for a microchip to see this is a safe/licensed/vaccinated dog. :)

Thanks for your help guys! It's always appreciated! 

Jess,Loki, Moose

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We have narrowed our tags down to one with all the information on front and back.  We bought ours from Lucky Pet: http://www.luckypet.com/categories.php?cat=238  I call them up so that we work through what to put where and the size needed.  On the front I have the dog's name, license number, our town (so they would know where to call for info. on the license number), my phone and my dh phone number.  On the back I have the word microchipped and the name and  number of the microchip company and the number of our vet. One little tag might not bother too much.

[Christine & Shelby]

I have a couple of thoughts.... he may be getting his paw/nails caught in the loop while scratching and thus is pulling the ring apart or is it possible he had gotten the tags caught in the crate structure somehow and pulled to get loose?    When I was crating my Shelby - I would remove her collar and tags for safety.   You might want to consider that.

[Gail and Bailey]

It is so much safer to remove collar/tags when leaving a dog in a crate. The dog walker can put it on before walking and remove before crating. I saw a dog get his tags caught in a crate once and almost choke to death.....very scary and certainly avoidable!

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

:/ so scary!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Jess, can you write on the collar with a sharpie? Just a thought. Otherwise I like Gail's idea best. I have never crated mine, but it sounds safer to be collarless.  

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

I guess I could do that- the girly part of me doesn't want to ruin the way their collars look, yes I know there are more important things! I do agree it's probably best to have no tags on him at all while in the crate. I will just have to make sure my dog walker is extra careful. Moose always looks so pleased when they are laying on the floor so I'm sure he's having fun but I look at it like this could be very bad and extremely avoidable.

[Gail and Bailey]

There are collars that you can order that have name and phone number embroidered on them. My daughter got some for her dogs and the color combinations were very bright and pretty! No tags necessary. You can show proof of rabies shots if it is ever necessary.