Collar hating

[ewarp]

Just a thought-

when my B was a pup, we had a grocery store collar on her. It was very pretty, but snapped when she spooked at something silly. She took off in a strange city, no collar, no tags, no microchip. She was found cold, filthy, and gimpy 4 days later.

Since then, I refuse to use cheap collars on my dogs. I don't (usually) splurge on the expensive designer ones, I simply make sure that it is sturdy and the dogs aren't going anywhere. Specifically, I'm quite fond of Premier, Hamilton, and EarthDog collars. Better safe than sorry!

[lvoss]

I agree that a good quality collar is a must. I too have had collars break, they were the lower end collars sold at pet stores like Petco and Petsmart.

My dogs' flat buckle collars are made by Bison, they are sold at Petco and have a website, http://www.bisondesigns.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BD&Product_Code=34&Category_Code=Collars_Leads

For martingales, I really like All Hounds Apparel. They are more expensive but are garunteed for life and I have sent in the chewed pieces and recieved a replacement collar for free. http://allhoundsapparel.com/custom/list.asp?c=18147

My pups usually can wear their "adult" sized collars by the time they are old enough for their rabies shots. They often look big on them but the fit is correct. For the Bisons that would be the 10-16 inch size and for All Hounds I believe it is the 9-13 inch size.

[Charlies_Mommy]

I definetly plan to get him a better collar, but I don't think this one will break for the 2-3 weeks that I use it on him. My 45 lb. lab/hound mix has grabbed Charlie's collar numerous times and pulled and tugged during their play fighting.
I'm also unsure of what size he would need as an adult, since I've never been around a full grown Basenji.
His neck is so tiny right now that a 9 inch collar would be huge on him.

I'll deninetly try all those methods and let everyone know how my little dork does.

[lvoss]

Have you measured his neck? You might be surprised. The picture I attached to my last message was Sophie at 3 months old in her Bison collar that fits necks 10-16 inches.

[Charlies_Mommy]

I'll measure his neck later today. Here's a question though. Can a Basenji wear a regular collar or is a martingale collar better? I know some dogs can easily slip out of a normal collar, but Charlie hasn't been able to slip his head out of the regular collar I have on him now.

[sharronhurlbut]

You might try to put something thinner and lighter on his neck to make him less senative.
Like some thin rope or thick ribbon, let him wear this 24/7 around the house…until he is used to having something on his neck.

[lvoss]

Martingales and limited slip collars help to prevent a dog from slipping its leash, particularly if the dog doesn't like wearing the collar. Martingales should not be left on them when they are not being walked since they can get caught on things.

[Charlies_Mommy]

I've worked with him on the leash a little bit. I think his main problem is that he doesn't want to be tugged on in the house. He'd rather go off and wrestle with the labs or beg for food from anyone whos in the kitchen.

I took him on a walk last night and he did really well. The only times he tugged was when I tried getting him out the front door while holding the screen door open and holding my lab back from getting out. He also slightly tugged when I tried getting him to get out of the street and walk in wet grass.

He does stop a lot during the walks, but I think it's just nervousness from the new sounds he hears.

[jenwilson]

@JasonWheeler:

I suggest using the Gentle Leader Head Collar it changed my Basenji Bentley's attitude on a leash almost instantly. He is much better now.

I had to go to a Gentle Lead for Hollie. It was the ONLY thing that kept her from pulling. She pulled with the harness, she pulled with just a collar… but now we have fixed that problem!!! She doesn't like the Lead on her nose, but I LOVE IT!! :)

[Charlies_Mommy]

I'm going to see how Charlie does on walks for now. He really doesn't pull much, but he is still getting used to everything around my neighborhood. I'm also going to be taking him to behavior classes soon. If he gives me a problem when he's bigger, I do plan on trying a gentle leader.

I've already decided to get one for my lab/ hound mix, Bandit. He practically dislocates your arm because of the pulling.