Collar trouble

Have you tried a harness? Maltese have such delicate necks that a harness would be much better. Also if you want to grow out his coat, the collar will mat it.

JMM have any tips? All I can say is I have just put a collar on Noel (short coat) and left it on. She eventually didn't seem to realize it was there. But if he does put up a fight, then perhaps save a special treat for those times that he wears it. Put it on and treat him, or get out his favorite toy and play with him to distract him from it.

I use step in harnesses for my dogs. And a show lead on Ava - which has a soft padded satin part that goes around her neck, also she doesn't pull on her lead.

I've always heard that maltese have delicate treachia's that could collapse if they pull too hard on a lead. The harness puts all the stress on the body....plus in an emergency you can pull them right up off the ground without hurting them. You can't do that with a collar!

Besides putting pressure on the trachea, collars are very dangerous to leave on all the time. I can't tell you how many tragic stories I have heard over the years of puppies getting their collar caught on something and hanging to death. We had a member years ago who came home to find her puppy dead. His collar had caught on his x-pen and he had hung himself.

Harnesses are much safer, but again, do not leave them on all the time.

The A Team said:

I use step in harnesses for my dogs. And a show lead on Ava - which has a soft padded satin part that goes around her neck, also she doesn't pull on her lead.

I've always heard that maltese have delicate treachia's that could collapse if they pull too hard on a lead. The harness puts all the stress on the body....plus in an emergency you can pull them right up off the ground without hurting them. You can't do that with a collar!

Click to expand...

:goodpost:



I would use a harness, you just don't want to take a chance with his treachia. I'm surprised your vet hasn't told you about not wearing a collar

missiek said:

Have you tried a harness? Maltese have such delicate necks that a harness would be much better. Also if you want to grow out his coat, the collar will mat it.

JMM have any tips? All I can say is I have just put a collar on Noel (short coat) and left it on. She eventually didn't seem to realize it was there. But if he does put up a fight, then perhaps save a special treat for those times that he wears it. Put it on and treat him, or get out his favorite toy and play with him to distract him from it.

Click to expand...

Yes, I actually have a harness too and would only use this for when he's ready to go on walks or he's outside NOT the collar. But don't harnesses mat the fur too?

The A Team said:

I use step in harnesses for my dogs. And a show lead on Ava - which has a soft padded satin part that goes around her neck, also she doesn't pull on her lead.

I've always heard that maltese have delicate treachia's that could collapse if they pull too hard on a lead. The harness puts all the stress on the body....plus in an emergency you can pull them right up off the ground without hurting them. You can't do that with a collar!

Click to expand...

I like this point about being able to pull if danger's in sight. Yeah, you definitely couldn't do that with a collar.

Ladysmom said:

Besides putting pressure on the trachea, collars are very dangerous to leave on all the time. I can't tell you how many tragic stories I have heard over the years of puppies getting their collar caught on something and hanging to death. We had a member years ago who came home to find her puppy dead. His collar had caught on his x-pen and he had hung himself.

Harnesses are much safer, but again, do not leave them on all the time.

Click to expand...

Yes, I read about these dangers associated with collars and decided, when I bought the collar, that it would just be for ID tag purposes when we would eventually be ready to go on walks or be outside and walk him with a harness which I had bought as well. But I'm now thinking it's just NOT worth it. They look so cute though with the tags so I thought I'd get him used to it for when we're outside.

Try a harness! The string ones won't mat the fur. I found that even the padded ones don't mat furs either. I chose the blue one in my siggy even though the salesperson said it might mat the fur, but it doesn't! I only put on the harness when we go outside, so every time he sees him pull out the harness he gets excited and happy

yeagerbum said:

Try a harness! The string ones won't mat the fur. I found that even the padded ones don't mat furs either. I chose the blue one in my siggy even though the salesperson said it might mat the fur, but it doesn't! I only put on the harness when we go outside, so every time he sees him pull out the harness he gets excited and happy

Click to expand...

I think I have a string one?? Or maybe it's string and padded? Not sure what that one I have is considered. You may know which one I'm talking about - it's one of those they sell for puppies at Petco. It's pale blue with little white bones printed on it. I have the matching harness, leash, and collar.

P.S. In my original post I had written, to attach a lead on the collar. Didn't express myself clearly. Not what I meant. I had my 80lbs LAB on a harness and so did my mom with her Lab so I wouldn't do that to a malt. My thing with collars is more of a dressing up sort of thing and for the ID TAGS but like I said, I'm starting to think it just isn't worth it.

So do you all NOT have collars on your malts, ever?

I keep a collar on my little one while his coat is short ONLY...matting issues. And yes, a harness will mat just as easily cuz I own both and use the harness only on my long haired malt...they just mat in more places than around the neck. In either case you must keep your baby brushed/combed out regularly to prevent matting and they can't wear anything ALL the time if in full coat. Just can't.

I use Tickled Pink's step-in harnesses. They are lined with satin and don't cause matting.

Kitkat said:

I think I have a string one?? Or maybe it's string and padded? Not sure what that one I have is considered. You may know which one I'm talking about - it's one of those they sell for puppies at Petco. It's pale blue with little white bones printed on it. I have the matching harness, leash, and collar.

P.S. In my original post I had written, to attach a lead on the collar. Didn't express myself clearly. Not what I meant. I had my 80lbs LAB on a harness and so did my mom with her Lab so I wouldn't do that to a malt. My thing with collars is more of a dressing up sort of thing and for the ID TAGS but like I said, I'm starting to think it just isn't worth it.

So do you all NOT have collars on your malts, ever?

Click to expand...

I have THE SAME ONE! The blue one with the strings around the "waist" and padded area in the chest. I love it !!! It's super cute and Yeager loves it as well.

I never use a collar on Yeager, I put his ID tag on his harness(there's a ring for it), and since he wears the harness whenever we're outside, I don't feel the need for an ID tag/collar at home.

almitra said:

I keep a collar on my little one while his coat is short ONLY...matting issues. And yes, a harness will mat just as easily cuz I own both and use the harness only on my long haired malt...they just mat in more places than around the neck. In either case you must keep your baby brushed/combed out regularly to prevent matting and they can't wear anything ALL the time if in full coat. Just can't.

Click to expand...

Yes, that seems to be the general consensus on here. Some say collar matts, harness doesn't, vice-versa, both mat. I don't know. I guess I'll have to try it out and see what works. But I defenitely wouldn't have him wear something all the time - full coat or not - mines a bit of a free spirit so he hates anything on him. My objective was to slowly have him get used to having something on so that he's ready when we go outside - whether that be collar, harness, etc.

Nikki's Mom said:

I use Tickled Pink's step-in harnesses. They are lined with satin and don't cause matting.

Click to expand...

They sure make really cute things for girls and it seems as though the options are plentiful compared to boys - just like with human babies...the girls racks are full, the boys are limited to a few hangers -

yeagerbum said:

I have THE SAME ONE! The blue one with the strings around the "waist" and padded area in the chest. I love it !!! It's super cute and Yeager loves it as well.

I never use a collar on Yeager, I put his ID tag on his harness(there's a ring for it), and since he wears the harness whenever we're outside, I don't feel the need for an ID tag/collar at home.

Click to expand...

Oh, good. And it doesn't matt?!?! I only tried it on once a few weeks ago and he was sort of sleeping. LOL. It seems a bit difficult to get it on though. Is yeager in a puppy cut?

Are the tags on the collar now? I'm thinking it may be the weight that's causing him to not like it. Make sure it's the tiniest collar to start with and no tags, you can add them after he's used to wearing one. When you put it on him distract him with something he really loves so he'll forget he has it on.

Actually Angelyn (Think Pink) is one of our SM members here.. Keep checking her site as she updates it every so often with new colors/patterns. The quality is wonderful.

Harnesses, Collars, Leashes - Step-In Harnesses - Tickled Pink Boutique

thinkpink said:

Are the tags on the collar now? I'm thinking it may be the weight that's causing him to not like it. Make sure it's the tiniest collar to start with and no tags, you can add them after he's used to wearing one. When you put it on him distract him with something he really loves so he'll forget he has it on.

Click to expand...

Thanks. Yes, it's not really a tag just yet. It's a very teensy tiny meaningless (as in non identifying) paw tag - really just for show rather than id - and the collar is very light, nylon one. And since I not only worry about the collar getting caught on something but also him ingesting the tag, I'd surely not ever put it on him for a long time. But now I'm thinking of abandoning the idea of a collar altogether and going with the harness. I love your siggy btw and I'll make sure and check out your site.

Nikki's Mom said:

Actually Angelyn (Think Pink) is one of our SM members here.. Keep checking her site as she updates it every so often with new colors/patterns. The quality is wonderful.

Harnesses, Collars, Leashes - Step-In Harnesses - Tickled Pink Boutique

Click to expand...

I'm going to check it out. Thank's. I had no idea.

Whatever you pick...put it on, leave it on, and ignore the dog. No babying. Just ignore and when the dog acts normally praise and play. They'll get over it. Obviously only do this when you are around.

jmm said:

Whatever you pick...put it on, leave it on, and ignore the dog. No babying. Just ignore and when the dog acts normally praise and play. They'll get over it. Obviously only do this when you are around.

Click to expand...

Tough love huh? That's exactly what my mom says. It just breaks my heart to see him so depressed though. But if he's ever going to go outside.....

Your dog is only all depressed because when he does that you give him attention.

Kitkat said:

Oh, good. And it doesn't matt?!?! I only tried it on once a few weeks ago and he was sort of sleeping. LOL. It seems a bit difficult to get it on though. Is yeager in a puppy cut?

Click to expand...

Nope, doesn't matt at all! I take off the harness when we're at home and brush him daily. Yes he's in a puppy cut He's still a puppy!

The harness does seem tricky to get on, at first I just pulled his head through the already buckled harness because his head was so tiny LOL then adjusted the narrowness. Now I have to unbuckle it every time, you'll get used to it!

Maybe the tags are too big/heavy? All our dogs are microchipped, but when we go outside for walks they are walked using their harness but we also put on a collar with ID tags just in case (some people don't know to check for microchips). We have a tag we got from Fosters and Smith that lies flat (the small one > Pet I.D. Tags: Dog Collar Brass Nameplate ) and doesn't bother them as much as the kind that dangle down. With small dogs, dangly tags can be very annoying.

As a side note, I never leave collars on inside the house because too many weird things can happen. I've heard horror stories about dogs getting them caught on things like heater grates and I've personally had my dog get it stuck around her lower jaw (having been loosened unbeknownst to me while playing with the other dogs). I was glad I saw it pretty quickly as she was really panicking.