[becky101803]

Our breeder said to never use a collar (because of potential choking/hanging) and recommended a slip lead instead. He said that the rule in our state is that the dog must be able to be identified (so get her microchipped). But when I go to our village's website and read the dog ordinance it says:

(b) The dog license tag shall be securely attached to a collar. The collar with the tag shall at​

all times be kept on the dog or cat for which the license is issued.

So, could I just attach the license to the slip lead (there is a ring on it) and use it when we are outside/on walks or do I really need to get an actual collar?

 

[LibertyME]

My 'guess' is that your breeder suggest that dogs don't wear collars when indoors or on your property especially when no one is home or paying attention to them for the reasons you list.
However IMO collars with tags are not only required by law (in most places)....they are also the fastest way for someone to identify your dog if they are lost.

Slip leads are incredibly handy to have around...I used them every single day to escort my dogs from the house to the yard...and in/out of the car...without having to put collars on...

 

[nolefan]

Are you in any training classes with your dog? If so, the trainer is usually a wealth of knowledge on this issue. Personally, I always use a buckle collar and leash and that is what was recommended to me by different trainers I have used.

I believe a "choke" type collar is no longer the suggested training tool for most dogs, due to the risk of damage to the animal's throat and neck. A collar can always be removed when you aren't around to supervise. When a dog is wearing a collar there is always the risk of having his collar snagged on another dog's tooth when playing together or a fluke accident snagging on a branch or spiked fence if they are unattended outside. I personally know of dogs that have died from both type accidents. But I also know of dogs that ran off with no identificiation or collar that were never seen again. So you sort of have to weigh your decision. There are also breakaway collars, just like halters for horses.

 

[becky101803]

My 'guess' is that your breeder suggest that dogs don't wear collars when indoors or on your property especially when no one is home or paying attention to them for the reasons you list.
However IMO collars with tags are not only required by law (in most places)....they are also the fastest way for someone to identify your dog if they are lost.

Slip leads are incredibly handy to have around...I used them every single day to escort my dogs from the house to the yard...and in/out of the car...without having to put collars on...

Thanks - so would a collar be used then for going for walks and to the park? And then slip lead for taking outside to go potty?

 

[Penny & Maggie's Mom]

Our business partner's dog got out on New Years Eve in San Antonio and they are still searching. It's so sad... they have search dogs out looking for her. Don't know what the collar situation was with her ( didn't want to upset them further ) but I so hope she had one on. Always makes me nervous if ours are outside without one on ( like after a bath), even though we have a securely fenced yard....... However, I never crate them with collars on.

 

[becky101803]

Are you in any training classes with your dog? If so, the trainer is usually a wealth of knowledge on this issue. Personally, I always use a buckle collar and leash and that is what was recommended to me by different trainers I have used.

I believe a "choke" type collar is no longer the suggested training tool for most dogs, due to the risk of damage to the animal's throat and neck. A collar can always be removed when you aren't around to supervise. When a dog is wearing a collar there is always the risk of having his collar snagged on another dog's tooth when playing together or a fluke accident snagging on a branch or spiked fence if they are unattended outside. I personally know of dogs that have died from both type accidents. But I also know of dogs that ran off with no identificiation or collar that were never seen again. So you sort of have to weigh your decision. There are also breakaway collars, just like halters for horses.

Thank you - we get our puppy next month so no puppy classes yet (we'll start that in March - still need to figure out where). It looks like most places require a certain kind of collar/leash though.

 

[SheetsSM]

My pups wear regular buckle collars 24/7 and when we're outside a fenced in yard they wear a martingale style collar (in addition to the buckle collar w/ tags) so they can't back out of them.

 

[nolefan]

Thank you - we get our puppy next month so no puppy classes yet (we'll start that in March - still need to figure out where). It looks like most places require a certain kind of collar/leash though.

Congratulations!!! You must be getting so excited! Can't wait to hear all the stories and see the baby pix...

I can't emphasize to you enough what a valuable resource a good puppy class will be for you. If you really haven't found one you like yet, it's not too soon to start looking. It can be trial and error to find one you like, you might even want to go now and observe a class, see what you think about the demeanor of the trainer and how encouraging they are. I know it sounds a little silly, but i'm telling you, the good places fill up really fast and they don't have classes running continuously. Keep us posted! So excited for you!! :wave:

 

[aerolor]

Our breeder said to never use a collar (because of potential choking/hanging) and recommended a slip lead instead. He said that the rule in our state is that the dog must be able to be identified (so get her microchipped). But when I go to our village's website and read the dog ordinance it says:

(b) The dog license tag shall be securely attached to a collar. The collar with the tag shall at​

all times be kept on the dog or cat for which the license is issued.

So, could I just attach the license to the slip lead (there is a ring on it) and use it when we are outside/on walks or do I really need to get an actual collar?

I would not put a slip lead/collar on a young puppy. There is even more risk of choking/hanging if this type of collar is left on. A simple buckle collar I think is best to start a puppy off with and I always take it off at night or when left alone in the house or crated.
Later when the puppy is older and walking on an ordinary colllar and lead a slip lead is useful. I use the gundog slip leads, soft braided cotton (never a chain one) and I leave the normal buckle collar on as well (and keep the ID tags on the buckle collar).
With any type of slip lead it is important to put it on the correct way, depending on which side you have your dog on. If not the slip doesn't release easily when tightened. I'm not very good at describing, but if you "google" how to use a slip lead on a dog I am sure there will be a diagram of how to put it on.

 

[becky101803]

Thank! We are looking at this place:
Puppy Class
But would not do the Puppy Class I since I want to wait until puppy has all of its vax. The breeder said not to do any of the PetSmart, etc. types of classes.

Congratulations!!! You must be getting so excited! Can't wait to hear all the stories and see the baby pix...

I can't emphasize to you enough what a valuable resource a good puppy class will be for you. If you really haven't found one you like yet, it's not too soon to start looking. It can be trial and error to find one you like, you might even want to go now and observe a class, see what you think about the demeanor of the trainer and how encouraging they are. I know it sounds a little silly, but i'm telling you, the good places fill up really fast and they don't have classes running continuously. Keep us posted! So excited for you!! :wave:

 

[becky101803]

Good thing we still have a month - I feel like I have so much stuff to figure out (such as figuring out what a martingale collar is, ha ha!). So glad I found this forum.

 

[harrym]

Both of our dogs wear a Martingale-type collar 24/7 with their tags attached. There is nothing in their crates to catch on -- unless in the unlikely event they could catch between the wire grid and the plastic case. I could see the danger if a wire crate were used, but I think the Pet Lodge crates are safe.

 

[LibertyME]

Martingale collars:
http://www.amazon.com/Premier-Martingale-Collars-Large/lm/R34ISSXSRJPA71