No More Death By Collar

Do not risk your dog’s life.

Do not put pressure or force on a dog’s throat.

Ways dog collars pose risks to a dog’s life.

1. Collars can catch on crates, fence wires, wooden decks and other dogs’ teeth.
2.  Any dog that wears a collar may be strangled by it.
3. Dogs suffocate when hanging from the collar. They risk dying from a lack of oxygen.
4. Certain dog breeds have pre-existing problems, which make them more likely to get chronic bronchitis or a collapsing trachea.
5. Yanking on a collar jeopardizes dogs’ lives.
6. Small dogs and toy breeds are most likely to suffer a collapsing trachea, but they are not the only dogs which do.

Four things to avoid when a dog is wearing a collar.

1. Never yank on the collar.
2. Never chain or tie out a dog by a collar.
3. Never leave a dog’s collar on when he is alone.
4. Do not let a dog pull against his collar.

Other Health Risks From Collars

• Injury to the muscles in a dog’s neck
• Fractures to the bones of a dog’s spine
• Damage to a dog’s vocal chords

Dog training and the use of collars

Visit Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue

They advocate the use of quick release collars vs. buckle collars. They urge you to prevent choking and accidents to dogs with quick release collars and remind you, “Always remove your dog’s collar before you leave.”

Need help choosing collar options for your dog?

Visit Boxer World on Different Types Of Collars. This webpage displays good photos and explanations of different collars and harnesses “The best type of collar is no collar. Many trainers feel that the best training collar is no collar at all. If you start training on a collar, the dog may learn that it has to obey *only* when the collar is on. Collars are, at best, training tools – and at worst, crutches.” Julie Michaels  http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/view_different-types-of-collars.htm

Dog Training And The Use Of Collars

Kirsten Frisch is a dog trainer in Northern Carolina. She dubs her work with dogs as falling into the category of being hands off or force free.  She is an Alaskan Husky lover and a sled dog trainer.“Collars: No matter how strong or thick-headed your dog is, don’t let him pull you by his collar. He needs a harness. He can really hurt his neck and spine by pulling you and your bike via his collar.” Find Kirsten’s blog The Gentle Canine at http://www.gentlecanine.com/

Dog Sports Enthusiasts Beware When Biking Or Sledding With Your Dog

Visit Kirsten Frisch’s Alaskan Husky blog to view a proper pulling harness.http://www.alaskan-husky-behavior.com/bikejoring.html

I strongly suggest that you protect your dog’s health by using a harness or head leaders while walking your dog on a leash. And yes, we trained our dog Sydney not to pull on a leash, to heel, and to walk comfortably with us. For his safety and health, we never hook a leash to his collar.

For ID purposes, Microchips are best because if your dog gets lost without his collar and dog tags, you will get a call from the nearest animal shelter. My dog came already Microchipped to the shelter that rescued him. I know if Sydney ever gets lost and is turned into animal control or a shelter, I will get a phone call indicating where I can pick him up.

PETLVR COMMUNITY Alog and Forum Dog Collar Dangers http://petlvr.com/blog/2009/05/19/dog-collar-dangers and http://petlvr.com/blog/2009/05/19/dog-collar-dangers/http://www.ygrr.org/doginfo/safety-collars.html

What do I use? A collar or harness on my dog?

I use a harness on my dog, Sydney. He gets excited, so a harness is the safest way I found to keep him from impulsively jerking on a collar.

This is my safety car seatbelt, my other harness is in the wash.

Sydney is also an escape artist, flexible, and foxy. Here is a fun post on another dog escape artist. He kept getting out of his collars, so his parents got him a harness.

Go see Radar’s Blips.

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