OMD--It happened to Rosco and Boca!

[Adina P]

So there I was out in the yard, the kids playing on their swing set, when suddenly what was innocent rough wrestling by Rosco and Boca turned into something that didn't seem right. It got more vicious and I heard yelping...franticness.  It looked like Rosco (i'm guessing) somehow got stuck in his grip on Boca's collar.  Or vice versa, but I think it was Rosco.  In any case it scared the carp outta me because I realized there was nothing I could do to get them apart as I got close.  They were wiggling too fast and I couldn't even tell who or what to grab!  I went to the hose in case a hose down would help them forget the current freak out and then thank God, they broke free.  But the hose did come in handy because the moment they broke free they were still riled up and kinda angry toward each other.  So I aimed their way and they separated to get away from the water.  PHEW!  Rosco had a bloody nose but wouldn't let me get near.  Otherwise they both seemed fine and are friends again.  No lasting damage, but I have Boca's collar off right now--which I'm conflicted about. 

You're probably wondering..."CONFLICTED ABOUT WHAT?  KEEP THE DANG COLLAR OFF...DON'T YOU SEE WHAT CAN HAPPEN??"  Yes, yes, I totally get that, but in the 6 years I've had dogs this has never before happened so I can only imagine it may never happen again.  However, the chance of my dog needing to be detained by the collar or the collar needing to be looked at should they ever get loose is far more likely to happen.  Anyway, it was scary!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm so sorry this happened, how scary for you and the doodles! I hope Rosco's nose is okay.

Adina, what about a breakaway collar?

[Adina P]

It has crossed my mind...the thing with a breakaway collar is I'd never grab it right or at least I envision it constantly coming undone.  I'm not worried about either of them bolting, but it has happened that a gate has accidentally been left ajar or cracked open just enough.  Since then I've been religious about checking both gates visually before letting them out and we've 'fixed' that now with those watchamacalit springs that close gates if they are left open at all.  But still.  Thule got out once and Rosco WITH Thule got out once and Rosco got out once on his own (this was all before religious gate checks and the springs) so...I get nervous about it. 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Terrifying! So glad everyone is okay now!

[Jennifer and Jack]

Gosh how scary... Uggg.... I worry about this a lot. In the house Jack never wears his collar ever... It comes off when he comes in..and he has a break away collar. Molly does not have a break away collar because my mom can not put it on right. I have actually demonstrated to my mom what can happen to  Molly because she take her to the dog park. I had Molly sit and put Jacks paw right through and it showed her how it could choke her...

Maybe that was over the top to do but I worry so much about this happening to sweet Molly especially at the dog park, It is all senior citizens there and I am not too sure any of them could do much....

I am glad they are okay..

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Having one doodle I guess I never even think about this...well until I read discussions, she does after all play wrestle with her little sister on every occasion they are together.

I really wish I knew what a break away collar was...I think I do but really am not sure.

I am glad they don't seem hurt or no longer angry with each other, what a fright for everyone.

Okay, just went and looked at them, not so sure I would be comfortable using that in a regular use capacity, like walking down the street and something startles her...wouldn't that apply pressure if she tried to bolt? She stops and comes back if I yell stop but sometimes it's a few more feet then I am comfortable with.

[Adina P]

The breakaway collar just unbuckles easily unless you grab both rings...that's how I understand it.  It doesn't apply extra pressure.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It actually opens if there's any pressure placed on it, unless you have a leash through the rings or you;'re holding the ring.

http://www.breakawaycollar.com/products.cfm

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

No it says it opens when pressure is applied.

* after reading Karen's response:

Oh I get it, you need to put the leash clip through both rings, well now that makes sense, this sight has a way better description then the one I looked at.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I think this would result in more trouble. Say the dog is going after a woodchuck. I would grab a collar, not doubt incorrectly, and end up with a collar in my hand and a dog I have no way to restrain. Unless I carry a lasso this would never work!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

whenever I'm out anywhere I leave their easy walk harness on, that way I can grab that when I need to. It is really easy to grab.

[F, Calla & Luca]

But surely not in your backyard. I was talking about the backyard otherwise the dogs are leashed 99.9% of the time.

[Leslie and Halas]

I'm glad they both seem to be OK. I take Halas' collar off Inside the house, but he has it on if he's outside. Barley always has his on outside, too, so we try to keep a close eye on them if they start playing. But I'm not sure what we'd do if they did get tangled up.