Collars and Tags: An essential evil?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

My dogs were doing the morning play romp in the living room when the screams began.  Horrifying.   At this time I still believe Starlit's mouth, teeth, or lips got caught up in Spud's collar or rings on the tag.  I still don't know what really was happening except I could not get them apart. 

It became so bad my two elderly cats came rushing in trying to figure out which dog was causing a fight.  Their little paws trying to reach out and stop the violence so no one got hurt. Sweet cats trying to protect their canines.  Even though they  hear the dogs growling and playing all day--they knew this was really bad--it was different.   "OH NO... not all four involved in a fight while my hands and face were down there too"

Been there, done that, and it became hard for me to stay calm.  A calm reaction was the only thing going to solve the problem and stop the screams.

Each time I seemed to be able to calm things down, one dog would move and the screams began again .

Eventually, I was able to remove Spud' collar but I thought he would die before I got it off.  He was listless. <-listless in not in Spud's realm of his hyper life.

So to collar and tag?

Tags provide identity and security for our dogs--something I thought was one of the most important things we could do for their safety.   Rabies and county license  are filed away and are not included on the collar,  but identity tags are  mandatory in my opinion even though I have both dogs chipped.

I know it is a good thing to remove the collar when dogs are crated! To many hang themselves because owners leave them crated with collars, but what do you do if it is normal everyday life?  Or is this just a fluke?

[F, Calla & Luca]

Strength is not an issue so much for the rolled leather collars since leashes are rarely attached to them. My dogs have separate collars for their leashes.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Oh how scary! I'm hearing this more and more and I don't think it's a fluke. Now that we have a fenced in yard I would totally consider taking their collars off when we come in! I would never want this to happen especially if nobody is home, thank goodness you were there, I know how you feel about not being able to do anything! My 2 got into it in the hallway and there was an ACTUAL fight where I could not separate them, I picked up the smaller one and tried to pull them apart not the smartest thing to do but it was a reaction. I hope they recover quickly from this and not be afraid of eachother. I'm thinking if possible, leave them off until they NEED them on, I hope you recover from this also!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

About two weeks ago Luca danced out the front door when someone was there. Luckily he doesn't go far but I always worry. And that's with a fenced yard but the front door is not inside the fence.

[Adina P]

I'm so sorry.  I've heard of these instances...scary!

I have never been able to figure out how collars can get stuck in crates...can anyone help me see this. I've looked at our crate and can't think of anything that would snag a collar.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Starlit and one of my fosters destroyed two crates.  I wasn't home so I have no idea either.  Both dogs got out, the crates were flattened and in pieces on the ground. Metal Crates.  Never in my wildest dreams.  The crates looked like they were dumped off a mountain.  Starlit had horrible gashes to her snout.

Some dogs really have will or freak out so badly when crated. So if they can flatten a crate, I am positive a collar could get caught.  Both instances the dogs had no collars on.

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

Cailtin and Albus posted not long ago about collars with engraved buckles so no need for ID tags.....I think this link will take you there.  I always take Murph's collar off in the house but mainly because he mats so bad under his collar.  In NC though it is law they have to wear the rabies tag so we still don't have an engraved buckle collar.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/flying-dog-collars?comment...

[F, Calla & Luca]

I've thought about this too. The slats are too wide to catch tags and the only hook like things are outside the crate for holding the tray in or the side up, not sure which since they don't seem to stay put. Since my dogs don't mind crating at all, they know they get a treat once in the crate : ), they never fuss. I've peeked in at them and they are always just resting or sleeping. I feel quite safe the way it is.

[GBK]

I am so sorry Joanne, what a very scary situation!  Both of my dogs go naked when they are in the house just because I am afraid of this happening and what if no one was home to help.  Kona being so much smaller, I dread to think what would happen if her jaw got caught up in Buddy's collar with him dragging her around to try to get her off.  We are very secure in our yard with 10 ft brick walls and a gated front entry.  They are also chipped.  Wasn't there a discussion on break away collars a while back?  That might be an option for you......  Hope Starlit is feeing better and back to her old self.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Joanne, I'm so sorry....this must have "scared the pants off you"...of wait, it's not Yappy Hour.  Seriously though, I'm sure it was terrifying for you and the Doodles.  I take the collars off of my guys when we're not home....after last Summer's "grate incident".  But the way my guys play it certainly could happen while we're here.  I tried the breakaway collars for a while, but they were always falling off, so I gave up on that.  After hearing this, I think I'm going to order one of the collars with the contact info that's embroidered right onto the collar.  When we're actually out for walks I'd put their collars with tags on.  This is a great reminder.  Again, I'm so sorry this happened, but it's a great warning for the rest of us.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Poor babies, hope they are both ok, that must have been such a scary situation, amazing that you could stay calm. There was a discussion awhile back about leather collars with the names stamped into the leather, I'm sure other info could be stamped in as well. I think it was Taylor's discussion. I don't keep Quincy's collar on inside since he got hooked in the dishwasher rack and had a little freak out, he was ok, the dishes were not.

[Jennifer and Jack]

How horrifying for you!!! I am so sorry. I know someone who's dog hung themself in a crate with a collar so Jack has never worn his collar inside the crate.

 

At home, when I am not here, even though he has full range of the house, he does not wear a collar. I don't like the sound of the jingle of all his tags either so I usually take it off even when I am home

 

When Jack was a little puppy and went to daycare, I took his collar off when I brought him there as well. I didn't let him wear a collar to daycare until he was at least a year old and able to fend for himself a bit. I still don't like him wearing one there, as he can wrestle with other dogs and get locked in but the risk is also great for him to get lost there with so many dogs....

 

Ugg what is a doodle mom to do?? I am glad everything turned out okay.

[Connie & Bocelli]

Scary, scary stuff Joanne.  Kudos to you for keeping your cool.  

I've wondered about this discussion myself.  My doodle isn't home yet but I worry about collars in the house too.  I've gotten him the Boomerang tags because they don't hang down from the collar.  I don't even think that I will have a collar on him when he's in the house at all although there is always the risk of no identification if he runs out of the house.  Geez....