Gumbo's collar

[Gumbo and Ashley]

Hi everyone! Yesterday was another great day with Gumbo. He got his first bath and loved it! He loves to be brushed too! I put his collar on, and he didn't even seem to notice too much. But ever since, he is scratching it with his hind leg like they do when they itch. Very excessively. About every 2 or so minutes he goes to sit down and then scratches at it. Doesn't do any other behavior (no whining, rolling around etc). And he doesn't seem to be uncomfortable. He is just doing it waay too much. I don't want it to become a habit. Is this normal "new collar" behavior?

[Gail and Bailey]

You might try only having it on him for short amounts of time throughout the day so he can ease into the new feeling on his neck.  Or maybe a thinner collar?

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

I agree, he isn't used to feeling something there and he is re-acting to it.  My girls are used to their collars but if we put on bandanas or flower collars they do the same thing for a bit.  They are older and more adjusted to this so they stop sooner.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

What kind of collar is it? Some of them are too rough around the edges for my dogs. I like the material ones. They are softer.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

He is not used having anything around the neck. Sometimes a collar might feel heavy for the tiny puppies. Both of my boys did what you are describing when I put a collar on them. I would only put it on for several minutes a day. Monty, my drama king, was even limping when he had a collar on as as puppy. Eventually, they get used to the feeling just fine, but do check to make sure the edges of the collar are not too rough.

[Julie, Eloise & Beasley]

Beasley did the same thing for about the first week I had her.  It took me a few days to realize it was the collar - I thought she was really itchy, lol (so it's good that you asked here!).  Hers was also way too big for her, so I know it bothered her.  She was so tiny and wobbly, she would tip over every time she tried to scratch there, too.  That was pretty cute.  :) 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I had a collar with a bad edge. I know a puppy will scratch when introduced with a collar but Spud was three years old. So, check on along the stitching and edges too

[Chelsea Herman]

AnnaBelle has been doing the same thing.  Constantly scratching at her collar.  Glad to know she's not the only one!

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Maci's scratches at hers occasionally also. I think it's normal

[Emily, Bentley, & Maserati]

It seems like pretty normal puppy behavior to me! He has to get used to wearing something on his neck. Feel the edges, if it is smooth he is most likely just getting used to it. If the edges are scratchy feeling try a new collar!

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Quincy was the same as a pup.  Now, we tend to leave it off as much as we can to keep him from getting mats on his neck.  

[Gumbo and Ashley]

Thanks everyone!  He kept doing it, so I took it off and looked in the inside closest to his neck and BINGO. The stitching had these sharp edges on the corners so I rounded them out with scissors. He still scratches from time to time, but NOTHING like before! Thanks guys!!