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.

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

I'm very glad to hear that Vern and Fudge are okay! I wanted to share info on a product that our doggie daycare recommends: the PlaySafe collar.

It looks like a normal nylon collar, but it has two Velcro tabs, one on each side, that allow someone to release it quickly. I don't think it's a solution for dogs who are playing unsupervised, because I think it needs human intervention to undo the Velcro. Cosmo has one of these, but we've never had to use the emergency release.

They also have a KeepSafe collar, which I think is a breakaway collar that releases automatically.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I am going to look up both these collars. Thank you!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Peri wears a safe collar at daycare too.

Both dogs are not allowed to have collars on when they are playing inside. Outside, Peri wears hers but Taquito doesn't wear his because she drags him around by it (and Tacky won't just run off). I also don't let them stay outside for long alone or without me being able to watch them. We have coyotes and birds of prey around that could scoop my guys up in a heartbeat.

Those collars are scary. I am so happy Fudge and Vern are ok. Geez, I am sure you were scared.

[Susan and Sasha]

We're so happy that Fudge and Vern survived this ordeal!!
Wow!! That must have been soooooo scarey!!
It's so hard to know what type of collar to buy for them.
We like the rolled leather collar...but that "breakaway collar" sounds like it might be the "safest" one for situations like this.
I'm going to check it out...
Sasha and I send our hugs and prayers to Fudge...Vern and your family...

[Becky, Savannah, & Raleigh]

Hi Laurie, So glad Fudge and Vern are ok. Thank goodness you were home to save them! Vanny has grabbed onto Raleigh's collar before, and because he's so much taller than her i'm always afraid her jaw will get caught in it and he will take off running causing her to get really hurt. We use the lupine collars with buckles for both dogs and haven't had a problem with them getting too loose. They do tend to bite each other's necks and for that reason i don't have bandanas on them often and take their e-collars for the fence outside whenver they are inside.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Becky. Fudge has decided to forgive Vern and they are back to playing constantly. The cold weather makes them want to stay out all day.

[Michael Gurley]

Wow! That is very scary! My dogs don't play with each other (sadly) so I have not had that situation happen before. Thank goodness they are safe. I had a panic attack when my Sunny rolled the car window up on her neck and started making that awful squealing noise. That's why I always keep the window lock on now...

I hope you find a collar that works well for you!! Would microchipping and then going collar-less be ok? Or would someone think the dogs were stray and not look for a microchip?

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I have them both microchipped, but I like the collars just so no one thinks they are strays. Until we find the right collar, I am just taking Fudge's off when she goes out with Vern. He just loves to pull on her collar. Is there a big age difference in your dogs? Mine are about one year apart in age and play all the time. Vern has done the window thing too. Do you see a recurring theme....ornery Vern :)

[Michael Gurley]

Yes, and a size difference. My doodle is just over a year now, and as playful as they come. My dachshund is 13 and very grumpy. She does have the right to be grumpy, though- like most dachshunds her age, she has back and joint problems.

Reba, the dachshund, was so unhappy that I got a puppy last year that she ran away from home! Luckily, a couple found her in about an hour and brought her home (where we promptly put her electric fence collar back on).

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Awwww, poor Reba. My friend is having the same problem with her two dogs. The older one is nine and has started going to the bathroom in the house since the arrival of the new puppy. All the new puppy wants to do is play. Good luck.

[GBK]

I am so glad that they are OK Laurie!!!!! This is why I never keep the collars on in the house when we are at work. I have nightmares of this happening when I am not home. I have heard of break away collars too, but do not know how they work exactly.