[faysie]

Well ...I learned a valuable lesson yesterday. We had just returned from a weekend away and after MUCH LOVIES AND TREATS for the babies, I sat down at my desk to check emails,etc. Dixie is always right by my side but Belly went off to do his thing. After a few minutes, I heard him softly whining from the living room. I yelled three or four times for him to "shush" or "come IN HERE!".

Finally, I sent Steve to play with him or make him go outside and play. When he got in there, he found my poor angel standing in front of the fireplace with his paw against his neck ...HIS TOENAIL WAS caught ON HIS COLLAR HARDWARE!!

I felt so bad. I cried of course. He wasn't hurt ...and he's not a drama hound ... he just matter of factly sat there, knowing we'd come eventually

 

[2hounds]

Aww poor baby. That's totally how my Gibbs would react.

~Heather

 

[Terry]

A couple weeks ago the same thing happened to Moe. When it's hot at night he sleeps in our room because we have AC. Early one morning he was whining and I kept telling him to go to sleep. He continued to whine so I got up to give him the boot (meaning banish him from the bedroom, not kick him - I had worked late that night and was very tired ) and then I saw that his foot was up near his neck. His claw was caught in his collar's clip-ring. I felt absolutely horrible. I freed him and gave him hugs and sympathy. What's worse is that now I have something new to worry about when no one is home...

 

[Aruuuu]

Keeping nails short would, I suspect, prevent this problem. I know how difficult this can be because I have one who hates to have his nails done and carries on like he's being killed. BUT, for his own good, we have to periodically have this battle -- and I always win !!!!! The sweat and tears of doing Charlie's nails is worth it to keep him healthy.....

 

[faysie]

I know ...that's exactly what happened. We haven't had a toenail clipping session in a good while. It's a nightmare that I always put off. I'm going to take him to the vet and let them do it. It really scared me because we had been away for the weekend. I'm thankful that it didn't happen while we were gone.

 

[Bassets3]

You were so lucky you were home when it happened. He would of been miserable until you got home.
I never leave collars on unless I'm with them. I never thought about them getting their nail caught in their own collar. The reason I don't is my sister-in-law's corgis where home alone and probably started playing and one got his teeth caught in the other's collar and choked him to death. They came home to find one of them squirming to get his tooth out of the other ones collar. They had to cut the collar off the dead one to release the other one. It took him quite a while for the dog to get over it. What an awful experience. I used to leave the collars off for cosmetic reasons. I didn't like the mark it left on the fur but now I've got more reasons which are so much more important.

 

[faysie]

Well ...there's the argument that the collars are their main source of identification should they get loose. I keep them collared because we have yard service and I am afraid that even though our guy has always been careful, something could happen and they could get out. And I'm sure all of you know what hounds do when they see the light of day ...

I have one of my dogs chipped and didn't bother with the other one after hearing that our local shelters are not bothering to check for them. I've heard so many stories about this that I've decided that they need collars, with clear, legible "dog tag" type ID's that might get them home to me quicker, should they ever get out. I just need to keep their toenails cut and of course we should all use good quality, safe collars.

 

[Betsy Iole]

Mine always wear collars with ID, too. The collars are either martingale or limited slip fabric, not metal training collars.

 

[faysie]

I forgot about those ...the toenails wouldn't get stuck in the plastic clasps. We use the nice leather with metal buckles but I'm going to shop for one this weekend. Hopefully they come in pretty colors :lol:

Thanks ...

 

[Kaira]

I always take of the collar when my dog is inside. He prefers to
be without it. He is chipped and should he get loose people would
know where he belongs, since this is a small place with few bassets.
And he's easy to catch even without a collar, that's why they have
such long ears XD.

I was just wondering is the ear tattoo thing outdated? I remember my first
dog having a ear mark but I don't think I've seen it on a dog for ages.