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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Hating his collar

10 replies

Sunflowers765 · 16/08/2023 20:14

My 1 year old dog hates having his collar on. When he sees it he jumps backwards, leaps about and then rolls over on his back with his legs in the air (which I know is a sign of him being uncomfortable ) although it does look quite cute. He then just lies still and has his collar on, then gets up and stands as close as he can to me with his head down sort of frozen. Then has a shake and is happy and waggy again. Then he's fine and enthusiastically leaves the house for his walk or car trip.
I've tried giving him treats and taking the collar off and putting it on again and more treats etc,
I don't really want to leave it on all the time but it's getting worse trying to get it on him for walks. I never react to his antics or run after him, I just sit down and wait and he eventually comes over and lies down in front of me.

OP posts:

Spanielsarepainless · 16/08/2023 21:03

My dogs have always worn their collars until they die. I don't take them on and off. If your dog is uncomfortable with the process just leave it on.

IngGenius · 16/08/2023 21:40

I never leave collars on in the house so understand why you are taking it off.

Some dogs are sensitive to the noise. So it could be the clip of the collar locking shut or if there is a name tag that dangles.

You could consider the width of the collar and see if a different width is more comfortable.

Floralnomad · 16/08/2023 23:46

Have you tried a harness ?

Hmmmbetterchangethis · 16/08/2023 23:48

I’d try a harness. He could be reacting to the noise of a plastic clip or the jangle of a metal name tag……

Cluckycluck · 17/08/2023 05:25

If it is a clip collar it could be yhe noise. One of my dogs hates the sound of the clip on a collar so she has to have either a buckle or a style of clip that doesn't make a noise.

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 17/08/2023 06:30

Maybe he's been hurt or scared by the collar being put on in the past - did you desensitise him to it all when he was a a puppy?

I agree with PP who said to try a quiet buckle-style collar rather than a clip one, and do lots of positive reinforcement when you're putting it on/taking it off.

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 17/08/2023 06:30

Spanielsarepainless · 16/08/2023 21:03

My dogs have always worn their collars until they die. I don't take them on and off. If your dog is uncomfortable with the process just leave it on.

You should never leave a dog unattended in a collar, especially if they're going to be crated or with other dogs.

Original poster

Sunflowers765 · 17/08/2023 13:45

He's never had a bad experience with a collar, I've always put it on very gently from a pup. It's a buckle not a clip so no loud noise. It does have a metal tag on it. It's in no way tight on his neck, a bit loose if anything.
He hates the harness even more! He literally flinches when it touches him. Again it's always been put on carefully and quietly. I don't know if he's genuinely scared or just got into a habit of being ultra sensitive. It's a routine of leap away, spin round in a big backwards jump, creep nearer and lie on his back with his legs in the air. He's a bit of a flighty boy generally but quite confident in other ways!

OP posts:

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 17/08/2023 14:19

Did you ever desensitise him to wearing collars and harnesses when he was a puppy?

hedgehoglurker · 17/08/2023 14:51

One of my dogs has a similarly silly routine when it is time for her harness. Firstly, she'll run outside through the doggy door, often for a quick wee, and come back inside.

Then as you offer her harness, she'll walk away to another room, return, walk away, return, walk away and return for 3rd time. Then she'll duck and turn her head away from it, but stay still and let you put it on. Finally, she'll walk off, have a shake to get it comfy and come back, ready to go on the lead.

It's such a performance, but predictable. It's a PerfectFit and seems really comfortable for her. In contrast, the other 2 dogs are desperate to get theirs on.

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