Collar and Leash

[HaloLover]

Halo has chewed threw many collars and leashes. She even had surgery for chewing her tags on her collar (previous owner). We are tired of constantly replacing them. Any suggestions for collars that she cannot chew through? Leashes that you prefer? Where to purchase? Thanks!

[nobarkus]

@HaloLover:

Halo has chewed threw many collars and leashes. She even had surgery for chewing her tags on her collar (previous owner). We are tired of constantly replacing them. Any suggestions for collars that she cannot chew through? Leashes that you prefer? Where to purchase? Thanks!

How does she chew through a collar or tags if she's wearing it? Don't you pull the leash out of her mouth right away when she starts to chew it? Buddy tries to chew the leash when he wants to go after a squirrel or something when he's excited but I pull it right out.

[HaloLover]

Yes, when she's wearing it. And no obviously not. Any other suggestions?

[crystalncody]

Cody is the same way, and for him, it doesn't matter what the leash or harness is made of. In four months, he has chewed 1 collar, 4 leashes, and more than 6 harnesses, all of varying materials. Most of that was in the first two months. Luckily since July I have only had to replace the harness twice and the leash once.

Does she chew the collar or leash while she's wearing them or does she find them and chew them?

What I have recently done is find a collar that fits well and that he can't reach to chew while he is wearing it. The only time I take that off is when he is getting a bath. The harness comes off as soon as we come home from a walk/ride and it goes on top of the refridgerator, as does the leash. This is because if he can reach it, he will chew it into hundreds of tiny pieces in 2.6 seconds, whether he's wearing it or he finds it laying around. I also keep an eye on him while we are are out because he has chewed through a leash while we were sitting at a table and I was having coffee with a friend.

Good luck, and hopefully someone can recommend something. While changing my habits worked for us, I'd be interested in any basenji-proof leash and collar suggestions as well

[nobarkus]

@HaloLover:

Yes, when she's wearing it. And no obviously not. Any other suggestions?

OK, so I can't picture the collar chewing unless it's really so lose around her neck that it hangs down. So my question on the leash is,why don't you pull it out of her mouth right away when starts to chew it?

[HaloLover]

@nobarkus:

OK, so I can't picture the collar chewing unless it's really so lose around her neck that it hangs down. So my question on the leash is,why don't you pull it out of her mouth right away when starts to chew it?

It is not loose. I have a basenji and she loves to chew. She bends her head down and chews. I also have been known to not have my eyes on her at moments, so that is when she chews her leash. We take her everywhere with us, but "us" includes my 4 and 6 year old, so I am also keeping my eyes on them. I did not ask this question for any reason other than a suggestion, not criticism. If I thought the answer was pull it out of her mouth then the problem would be solved. If Halo chews her leash for less than 1 minute, it is on it's way to being split into 2 pieces.

[Basenjimamma]

I don't know of any other things to try except maybe trying a different brand.. I am using Lupine collars on Otis, the martingale style but they also have other styles, the of course have harnesses and leashes as well. The reason I like them is because they will replace them for free, so no matter haow bad they are chewed up,, send them in, now collar on the way back to you..and they are affordable as well, I think I paid about $15 for a martingale collar, not bad.

Good luck

[Rita Jean]

HaloLover, everyone has had suggestion's or ask questions so they may make a suggestion. Please no one has criticism but I would like to ask you a question. Why do you not use a chain type leash and collar until you can break her of this habit?

Rita Jean

[nobarkus]

@HaloLover:

It is not loose. I have a basenji and she loves to chew. She bends her head down and chews. I also have been known to not have my eyes on her at moments, so that is when she chews her leash. We take her everywhere with us, but "us" includes my 4 and 6 year old, so I am also keeping my eyes on them. I did not ask this question for any reason other than a suggestion, not criticism. If I thought the answer was pull it out of her mouth then the problem would be solved. If Halo chews her leash for less than 1 minute, it is on it's way to being split into 2 pieces.

I'm not criticizing just trying to get more info. You didn't say you had your kids with you on your first post then I would of understood how the dog would chew the leash. The collar should be just tight enough to slip 2 fingers in.

[snorky998]

Halo, I use a chain leash for neighborhood walks. If you are looking for a long line visit your local saddle shop and look for a lunge line with a stud chain…...ie.
http://www.horsetacksupply.com/pics/lg/1095.jpg there are many varieties and they tend to cost less than a long dog leash. The chain is long enough that if your dog turns his/her head to chew the leash, they encounter chain instead of leather or nylon.

I wish I had advice on the collar but I've not had the problem you have experienced. I use a chain collar when safety is a priority, but they are never worn in the house or yard, just on walkies. The fancy collars are saved for special circumstances like pictures;).

I agree with you, even a slightly chewed leash or collar compromises the safety of your dog, you and your kids if you have to go on a Basenji chase.

[nobarkus]

I thought about getting a chain extension for the leash but I don't want Buddy busting a tooth. Then I thought about putting some duck tape around that area where he tries to chew it. Duck tape is pretty tuff and you can replace it if if gets a little ratty.

[Rita Jean]

Dan if they chew the duck tape what about when it gets like string and the glue will that hurt them?

Rita Jean

[HaloLover]

She's chewed through a metal collar and tags. She's had surgery to deal with the damage to her mouth. We've resorted to taking off her collars, and have tried to be good about placing a leash out of sight. The process of taking off and putting on her collar is a problem because she hates it, and time consuming when she needs to go to the bathroom right now. This is on top of the table surfing she does (which is actually quite amazing considering how high she can jump). We're just frustrated, she loves and is great with our kids, and really affectionate with us, but we are just hopeful that we can find some measure of making this better.

[HaloLover]

@Basenjimamma:

I don't know of any other things to try except maybe trying a different brand.. I am using Lupine collars on Otis, the martingale style but they also have other styles, the of course have harnesses and leashes as well. The reason I like them is because they will replace them for free, so no matter haow bad they are chewed up,, send them in, now collar on the way back to you..and they are affordable as well, I think I paid about $15 for a martingale collar, not bad.

Good luck

HI– Thanks for this! I googled it and found www.lupinepets.com but they dont do the selling– do you remember where you ordered/bought from? Also, do you know which collar they sell that is the style you got? Is it called martingale style? Thanks so much- I am excited about this.

[Rita Jean]

What about bitter apple on the collar? Maybe something else make her turn her nose away. Just found this on martingale collars. Go to www,puplife.com

Rita Jean

[Basenjimamma]

This is the style Otis has, and he has it in 10-14" size, and he has lots of room in it..
I bought mine at my local Raw dogfood store but found them on these sites,
http://fouryourpawsonly.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=FYPO&Product_Code=LUP34D-320515&Category_Code=LUP34D

http://www.petexpectations.com/catalog/item/7127061/4252906.htm

http://www.jbpet.com/Lupine-3and4-Combo-Collar-Patterns,538.html

here is the actual Lupine vendor page..http://lupinepet.findlocation.com/search.aspx

You could just google lupine 3/4" adjustable combo collar or if you want the more common style the adjustable collar fits that bill.

Good luck, I think you might like these.

[HaloLover]

@Basenjimamma:

This is the style Otis has, and he has it in 10-14" size, and he has lots of room in it..
I bought mine at my local Raw dogfood store but found them on these sites,
http://fouryourpawsonly.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=FYPO&Product_Code=LUP34D-320515&Category_Code=LUP34D

http://www.petexpectations.com/catalog/item/7127061/4252906.htm

http://www.jbpet.com/Lupine-3and4-Combo-Collar-Patterns,538.html

here is the actual Lupine vendor page..http://lupinepet.findlocation.com/search.aspx

You could just google lupine 3/4" adjustable combo collar or if you want the more common style the adjustable collar fits that bill.

Good luck, I think you might like these.

Just ordered both a collar and leash for the price of one leash in the past! Thank you so much for your help!

[Basenjimamma]

Halolover,
You are so very welcome, I hope you like it when you get'em..
Which pattern did you go with? I am just curious, 'cause I have such a hard time deciding..Otis got the turquois one called "City Lights".

[nobarkus]

@HaloLover:

She's chewed through a metal collar and tags. She's had surgery to deal with the damage to her mouth. We've resorted to taking off her collars, and have tried to be good about placing a leash out of sight. The process of taking off and putting on her collar is a problem because she hates it, and time consuming when she needs to go to the bathroom right now. This is on top of the table surfing she does (which is actually quite amazing considering how high she can jump). We're just frustrated, she loves and is great with our kids, and really affectionate with us, but we are just hopeful that we can find some measure of making this better.

Wow! You have quite a challenge. The important thing is she is great with your kids. I use Lupine on Buddy. If she chews through the Lupine they will replace it for free. I leave Buddy's collar off during the day when I'm not home.

[ComicDom1]

@HaloLover:

She's chewed through a metal collar and tags. She's had surgery to deal with the damage to her mouth. We've resorted to taking off her collars, and have tried to be good about placing a leash out of sight. The process of taking off and putting on her collar is a problem because she hates it, and time consuming when she needs to go to the bathroom right now. This is on top of the table surfing she does (which is actually quite amazing considering how high she can jump). We're just frustrated, she loves and is great with our kids, and really affectionate with us, but we are just hopeful that we can find some measure of making this better.

Their is a round Nylon Choke collar that is made. You might find it on ebay. As long as it fits your dogs neck pretty close it should not hang down where your dog should be able to chew it. Another suggestion for walks might be a Gentle leader or something along that line. I have no idea if your dog pulls or not when walking but its a different kind of collar.

As far as chewing the leash goes, Tanza once suggested using Tea Tree oil to keep my dog from licking his stitch area after he was neutered. You could try putting that on the leash closest to the area where your dog could chew, treat the whole leash in bitter Apple that you can buy at Pet Smart, or try something like Vapor Rub until you find either a taste or scent that your dog does not like. Tanza was quick to tell me that Tea tree oil does not work for all dogs but it has been very effective with ours.

Hope this helps.

Jason