Keep an eye on those collars folks....

[Fabguy]

Yesterday morning my beagle Leo was out on this tether in the yard and ran after a squirrel that was running around... When he got to the end of the rope the plastic clasp on his collar BROKE and he was running free.

Wifey got him contained and took him to Petco and bought a new collar. This morning he did the same thing, and the new one broke as well. Just glad he was in the yard and we weren't walking him at the time.

So, today I went to a better pet store and bought a collar with no clasp at all. It's kind of a hybrid thing that also can act like a choke collar, but most of it is 3/4" wide nylon strapping. I feel much safer about his security now.

It's similar to this.... New Collar

[BCSnob]

dturm wrote:
There are some breeds and individuals where the structure of the head and neck make safely using a collar impossible. Ever seen a wrestler with no neck, there are some dogs like that too.

This is where the Martingale collars are recommended, like greyhounds.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

dturm wrote:
we keep metal chokers on the ends of their leashes that are used when we walk them. The leash never attaches to their "decorative" collar :B

I use those fat braided nylon choke collars for my guys - I've seen WAY too many dogs slide out of their collars - happened to a lady yesterday. Fortunately, her cocker only ran around for a minute before getting scooped up by a guy.....

[dturm]

Seems like most of the collars (and harnesses) have plastic snaps, that just scares me. The collars we have on both dogs and the harness for Henry all have the plastic snaps, but we keep metal chokers on the ends of their leashes that are used when we walk them. The leash never attaches to their "decorative" collar :B

Also, I've found that most owners have the collars way too loose, they easily slip over the ears and more easily could catch on something. Most believe they are making the dog more comfortable and safer when it's not the case.

There are some breeds and individuals where the structure of the head and neck make safely using a collar impossible. Ever seen a wrestler with no neck, there are some dogs like that too.

[sue_t]

We've also had the plastic clasps break too many times with our dogs. Now use only martingales or ones with metal buckles.

On walks both are harnessed. Our 40 lb muscular guy can wiggle out of a harness so need to keep a close eye on him if an elk or squirrel goes by.

Yard is fenced so they have free play time, without collars or harnesses. Their wrestling is intense and the collars become strangulation devices ... she bites onto his collar and twists and pulls.

The fence is more to keep the coyotes and wolves out then it is to keep the dogs in. Coyotes and wolves around here consider dogs & cats as prey.

[Tvov]

Fabguy wrote:
BTW... He's broken a harness before too.

He's only 25Lbs but he's ALL muscle and he knows how to use it. He is VERY strong for a 25Lb dog an they just don't make stuff in his size that's strong enough to hold him.

One time he pulled the tether from the wall and I had to re do the whole thing WAY stronger than original. Now it has a spring on each end of the run, and one on the actual tether. That's why we NEVER let him outside unless one of us is with him.

I know about that... we had a boxer. All muscle is an understatement. We went through numerous collars and leads. Finally ended up using coated cable and the heaviest duty collars we could find -- actually had a friend who was a Veterinarian Tech help us buy collars. Scarlett would break the metal buckles! Don't worry though, someone was always with her at campgrounds, we always were ready when people would be walking by.

At home I setup an "invisible fence". Worked great! She quickly learned the boundaries, and could run to her hearts content in the yard.

Anyways, stay away from collars with the plastic clips. Use good quality collars with metal buckles.

[BCSnob]

We use collars with the plastic snaps on our Border Collies so that if the collar gets snagged while they're running or jumping over things they won't get hung by the collar.

Sam has a collar with a metal buckle so that he can be securely attached to a drag.

[Francesca_Knowl]

Code2High wrote:
Martingales have their uses but for a regular collar I would reccommend a flat collar with a metal buckle. Those plastic clasps just aren't all that secure for some dogs.

Times 2...

And do be sure d-rings are good and stout- my rat terrier got off one time because the d-ring the lead was clipped to bent.

[Code2High]

Martingales have their uses but for a regular collar I would reccommend a flat collar with a metal buckle. Those plastic clasps just aren't all that secure for some dogs.

[lasparrot]

The collars with plastic connectors that I have came with instructions not to use on a tie out. The dogs wear them around the house with tags (just in case they get loose), but for camping they have buckle collars with sturdy hardware (also with tags of course). They always leap around when I get out their camping collars 🙂

Their house collars are from Lupine and are 7 years old and in such good shape that I can't justify getting new ones with new patterns. I believe that they also make harnesses that would be of good quality as well.

[Fabguy]

BTW... He's broken a harness before too.

He's only 25Lbs but he's ALL muscle and he knows how to use it. He is VERY strong for a 25Lb dog an they just don't make stuff in his size that's strong enough to hold him.

One time he pulled the tether from the wall and I had to re do the whole thing WAY stronger than original. Now it has a spring on each end of the run, and one on the actual tether. That's why we NEVER let him outside unless one of us is with him.

[Fabguy]

Go Dogs wrote:
"Martingale collars are best used with a dog Trainer. Martingale collars should not be worn on a puppy or dog when they are unsupervised.

This is a quote from the ad you posted. I would not leave my dog chained up with this collar. If he tries to run, he could hang himself. Use a harness.

He is NEVER unsupervised while outside.

[Fabguy]

DOTLDaddy wrote:
If you have to keep your dog on a tether, I might suggest that you can get a cable that has a built in shock absorber, really just a spring. Something like this:

Exactly what we use.

[DOTLDaddy]

If you have to keep your dog on a tether, I might suggest that you can get a cable that has a built in shock absorber, really just a spring. Something like this:

[doxiemom11]

You can still put a collar on with the harness - just put the id tags on the collar but only use the harness to walk or restrain. Better yet is training so that if they get off their leash or collar breaks they will stop and come to you.

[Go_Dogs]

"Martingale collars are best used with a dog Trainer. Martingale collars should not be worn on a puppy or dog when they are unsupervised.

This is a quote from the ad you posted. I would not leave my dog chained up with this collar. If he tries to run, he could hang himself. Use a harness.