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?

[Linda and Murphy]

Joanne, I am so sorry this happened to Spud and Starlit.  Did you find out where she was injured?

I don't have two dogs, but I will still rethink this thing. Murphy wears his all the time unless he is swimming or he has gotten it stinky and I have to hand wash it.

This is Murphy's collar. He has had it for almost 2.5 years. I ordered one for a friend of mine at the same time and they are still very happy with it.

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/44586?feat=506562-GN2

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

All is calm.  A few tail wags here.  Thank you all for your suggestions.  Collars are still off and on the desk.   On a lighter note, I don't know what the dogs will do with an intruder, but Laz and Dora ( the cats) would kill 'em!  I feel safe.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Glad to hear this, maybe you should get a beware of cats sign.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

So glad to read that things calmed down. Love your killer cats!

[laurie Wells]

I have the same thought but wanted to try and get one of the collars that snap off easily and have a tag that attaches right to the collar.

I'm so glad you got to him in time.

[Kyoko]

Oh, God! Its scary!! Thank god they were both OK!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

That is scary, Joanne.  One of my DIL's dogs got caught in another dog's collar. Luckily we were all right there to handle it.  I do think it is essential for the dogs to wear collars with id tags and mine do.

[Clifford, Cloud, Jake..and Kim]

I'm glad neither one was physically hurt.  I've been caught in the dilemma of leaving the collar off for safety but needing it on for identification.  We just got these tags from www.boomerangtags.com and really like them.  The different styles are for the different types of collar - if you have a quick clasp you would need the middle one, if you have a regular buckle you would need the first one.  Nice thing is they arenot rubbing against other things and wearing off the engraving.

 

[Ann ~Oliver & Rosie]

I LOVE the boomerang tags, these are the best! No rings to get caught up in and no noise from clanking tags when walking!   I'm so glad you were there to help your dogs Joanne, and no one was hurt.

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

We don't leave collars on when in the house.  We actually have the tags attached to a clip/buckle (our dogs have different ones) that I am then able to easily transfer.  We keep them on their harnesses because every time we leave the house their harnesses go on.  The only time they ever where collars is at the dog park.  Because their tags are on these separate clips, I just unclip from the harness and reclip to the collar without a hassle.  We live in an apartment so we don't have the yard concerns or anything.  This way we don't worry about them getting tangled and we also don't worry about matting under the collar. 

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

I am so glad that they are ok :-)  I will watch for the cat's protecting your house from now on!!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Well in the house, Peri will drag Tacky around by his collar, so T. doesn't wear one inside. Peri does.

This is my problem - I leave their collars off when I am not home.  What would happen in case of a fire/they got out/etc....?  YUCK. It is almost a no-win situation.  Even with those embroidered ones, I cannot leave Tacky with his on ever. Even when I am home.