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.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

The funny thing is right before this all happened I did see snowflakes.

[BG and Gavin]

Our neighbours behind us had a male and female huskie. The male used to be very freindly, but turned protective and snarly once the female arrived on scene. One day I heard crying and looked out the window to see that the female was hung up by the collar on the side of the garage. As it turned out she was hung up on some wires that were on the side of the garage used for climbing plants to cling to. Ok - so what I did next was NOT a well thought out plan and I paid dearly for it. I ran straight outside, jumped the fence and went about trying to free her. I totally forgot about the male, who way lying in a hole nearby and attacked me. He was jumping up on my back and snapping around my head and ears. I had no choice but to abandon the female and run out the gate to the front of their house. Oh yeah, I was in my pjs, and it was cold and raining and their house faces a busy 4 lane road and I had to walk around the entire block to get back to my house. Her back feet were still on the ground and she was not thrashing around so I just kept an eye on her and luckily her parents were back within 15 minutes.
I am glad everything turned out okay for you today, We use a flat collar with the easy release metal buckle. Gavin broke the easy release plastic buckle. The metal one seems much more durable and easy to undo.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Wow. You were very brave and I am glad the female dog was ok.

[Camilla and Darwin]

This is horribly scary. I'm glad you and the dog were okay.

[cheryl & oliver]

On my what a horrible ordeal that was!!!!...thank goodness that Fudge and Vern are ok, I was really scared reading the post...I have no real suggestions, as I usually have no collars on them in the house, and when they are out, they are on a leash, as we do not have a backyard for them to run around. But when we go to the dog park, I watch and worry constantly that something will happen with the collar...You WERE there thank goodness, so lets not go to the other what if...No good thinking about that. they are ok, and you are ok too. tonight is for snuggling with them, special treats for them, and a bottle of wine for you anhd your hubby...Just relax my friend, or at least try....

[Kyoko]

Wow! That was scary!! I am glad that they are OK!!

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

This does sound very scary and I can see how it can easily happen. I bet you won't forget the sound of them yelping for a long time.
I do tend to take their collars off while we are home, but it really is inconvenient when you want to go for a quick walk or like you say, someone opens the door and they run past you. The rolled collar sounds like it could minimize this from happening again. There is no clear answer because both the chances of two dogs getting tangled up together are probably as much as the chances of them getting out or away and not having a collar on and being lost. However there is always the microchip. I would think the best we all can do is take the collars off when we are not going to be around 2 dogs, and work on really solid "Come" if they run past us and out a door.
As a matter of fact, Bella did just that this afternoon. She darted past me as I was opening the door leading into the laundry room from the garage as the garage door was going down. She looked like she was running for her life, when I sternly called her back with a big "Uh-Uh! COME!" Luckily she came from the breeder with great recall training, so she stopped so fast she skidded across the garage floor before she got to the door. But it could've been very different. And ofcourse she had no collar on. Either situation is scary though.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Fudge and Vern I am so glad you guys are ok. That is quite a scare you gave your mom, I bet you got lots of extra hugs and kisses after your ordeal. You be sure and give your mom lots of hugs and kisses back I think it will make her feel better.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I want to thank everyone who replied to my discussion with kind words and wonderful suggestions. Doodle kisses really is a special place with lots of special people! I am going online next to look up rolled collars. Fudge and Vern are back to snuggling and all is forgiven. Vern spent the day rubbing noses with Fudge about 100 times. She gave him the cold shoulder for awhile, but he is back in her good graces. I know she is a dog, but I swear she can hold a grudge :)

[Jersey, Jasmine, Jypsy and Diane]

So happy to hear the Vern and Fudge are OK and you survived too! My neighbors dogs had the same thing happen, the one dog was twisting and choking the other one. It was very scary with all the screaming and everyone in a panic. I managed to get the dogs teeth unstuck and all were OK. We were all exhausted after that ordeal, I imagine you were too.

[Pocket & Beth]

Oh no! Laurie, I am so glad Vern and Fudge are okay! How very scary!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

How scary. I am so glad that all is well. I know some people don't have their dogs wear the collars all of the time, but I do. My guys have rolled leather ones. I have no idea if they are good in preventing these type of mishaps or not.