Very Scary Morning!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Today, I was sitting out on our swing on our deck while Vern and Fudge were playing in the yard. The next thing I know I start hearing yelps....lots of squeals and yelps. This never happens, so I knew something was very wrong. I ran down our steps only to find that Vern's mouth was stuck on Fudge's collar and he could not let go. He was choking Fudge. Her collar was so tight, I could not get my fingers under it. I couldn't find the clasp and I could not get his mouth unstuck. So, back up the steps I went like a wild woman, screaming for my husband, to try and get scissors to cut the collar off. The sounds they were making were terrifying. Of course, our scissors were not were they were supposed to be, so I am yelling and running around trying to find the scissors. I found the scissors and my husband and I ran down the steps and just as he got to them, they came unstuck. Both dogs were so scared and I will never forget Vern's eye looking up at me while they were stuck. He was terrified. They play great together and are very good with one another, so this was an accident, but when I think of all the things that could have gone wrong, it makes me sick. What if I had not heard the commotion...what if my DH had not been home....what if I never found the scissors????

I have Christmas collars on both the dogs. Fudge takes a medium, but I keep having trouble with the collars loosening and there is a gap created that makes it easy for the other to grab onto. Does anyone have a solution or a better collar I could buy? Right now, we are not letting Fudge play outside with a collar on, but that could be trouble if she ever got loose. I would appreciate any suggestions.

[Pat and Traveler]

Oh, good! I've been going broke on collars! I have some hand strength problems, and couldn't unclamp most of the clip collars, so got a buckle one. Then another, bigger clip one for day care (I could undo the clasp on this one), then a rolled leather. Yikes!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Yeah, they are different now that I'm looking around on the web. I think the backpack type snap is the quick release, the one that my daycare requires, and the one that we personally use.

[Pat and Traveler]

Perfect! I'll sure never leave Trav alone with ANY kind of collar, after hearing what happened to Laurie and others! And I'm soooo glad I don't have to get any more collars. :)

[Camilla and Darwin]

This happened to the lady who taught Darwin in puppy kindergarten. It was two of her dogs, playing. Unfortunately, her dog was wearing a choke chain so she couldn't break the collar free. The dog passed out and nearly died before they could get her loose. She now makes it very clear that no dog should be on a training type collar for play, even a martingale. I'm glad yours was a regular collar! My only advice is a collar that snaps instead of buckles. It seems that that would make it easier to release.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Fudge's collar did have a snap, but I could not find it. I don't know if it was inside Vern's mouth, but truthfully, I was in a full panic because Fudge was so agitated and making horrible sounds and jerking around. I am going to look up rolled collars and I am putting a scissors somewhere outside in our yard, just in case. The only one who has any wound to show is my DH who I passed the scissors to while he was running and he cut himself. I told him he is not supposed to run with scissors :) He stayed calm throughout and acted unfazed, but he later gathered Fudge onto his lap and just held her. Vern spent all day touching his nose to hers as if to say he was sorry.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Yeah, that makes total sense. I would definitely have been panicking, I don't even know that I would have thought to get scissors. Such a scary situation. I hope your husband's cut heals quickly.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Those screaming sounds are horrible aren't they? I've heard Darwin make that sound once, and I never want to hear it again.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Oh, how scary. Poor Albus. For me, it was the sounds too that scared me the most.

[Linda and Murphy]

I'm so sorry, Laurie. I don't have any suggestions. I'm just glad everyone is okay.

[Anna and Achilles]

I agree with Shelly don't dwell on the what if. you were there and they are both safe. Thank Goodness. Take a deep breath! Tonight pour yourself a glass of wine.

[Lisa {Zoe's Mom]]

Thank goodness they are okay! I was terrified reading your post and was afraid to get to the end! Lord have mercy, that must've been terrifying. Have you tried a slip collar? I have one for Zoe and it's sort of like a choke collar, but nylon. It has a clasp that hooks on a ring that slides, but it is meant to be sng aroune the neck and also has another ring that is stationary for a lead to attach to. Hope that you find something that works for you and again, soooo glad to hear all is well.....

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Thank goodness everything worked out. We have a quick release collar but Daisy seems to be too big or too little for everyone. The buckle collars fit her better but I am afraid of this type of incident since she goes to daycare and they require quick release She has had tags catch on her food bowl two times (this is one of the stand ones) and flips everything over. Quite the mess and she is terrified of things flying and bowls hitting grounds.

I don't think there is any sure fire answer. Bottom line is we just have to do the best we can and always watch our babies, as we know you do Laurie. The what ifs are hard to get out of your brain but they are both safe and sound.

PS/ What the doodle....I am jealous of your ability to just sit on the porch swing while the rest of us are fighting snow balls on our pups feet in 30 degree temps ;-)