Beware of collars

Wow, swampyann, that was scary! I'm glad you were able to untangle them without any damage.

When fitting a collar to a dog (or puppy), you should only be able to fit two fingers in between the collar and the dog. It sounds as if your collars were too loose. Right now, while you are recovering from your fright, you might try walking them on harnesses.

I don't think there is anything like a perfectly safe anything. (You can drink too much water and kill yourself!) You have to take a look at the risks and the benefits, trying to keep the risks as low as possible. A puppy with no collar on may get outside and be unable to catch -- certainly, you don't want to walk them without a leash. And the puppies need the socialization they will get from the walk!

Good luck with your puppies. Give them a hug for just being who they are -- your best friends!

kjd

Sorry, swampyann,

I, myself, do not have a preference on the collar. Perhaps another forum member does.

The nylon buckle collars have never twisted on me. Sunna came from rescue with a flat nylon slip collar, which does twist, But that collar is loose enough to slip over her head (and she has gotten it off). I use it more as a convenient leash. A smaller nylon buckle collar carries her tags (in a pocket). If she were living with another dog, I'd remove the loose collar.

The first family dog I remember, an English cocker, had a thick leather collar. She felt naked without that collar. Since we put it back on by letting her slip her head through, I suspect it was too loose. However, we got her at two and the only training she got was from her previous owners (they gave her up when they had a baby).

As for leashes, I do prefer a leather leash, as well as the cotton leads. I've found the nylon ones hurt my hands, while the ones that look like rope are too large for my hands. Chain leashes are two heavy and have a tendency to break.

Back to the collars: get ones you like and have them fitted properly. I don't think you can go wrong. Of course, others my have stronger opinions. . .

kjd

You are very welcome, swampyann, but I do hope someone else also replies to your questions. I am sure there are people with very definite ideas of what is the proper collar.

kjd