Terrible Tragedy Narrowly Avoided Today!

[Taz_Zoee]

I read this out loud to my boyfriend and we were both in shock as I went along.
We sell Martingale collars at the shelter where I volunteer. I ALWAYS tell adopters and patrons that look at or want a Martingale that they need to get a regular collar as well (to keep the tags on) because they shouldn't leave the Martingale on except for walks or training. We also discourage choke chains at ARF too.

My brother has choke chains on all three of his dogs. All the time. One time when he first got the puppies Abbie got her jaw caught in Jake's choke chain. At least I think it was in the choke chain. It could have been the regular collar, but I doubt that. The first one the scene was my SIL. Abbie wouldn't let her come near them. So then my niece came out and got them apart. Abbie would not go near my SIL for about an entire day. She thought Jen was the one that hurt her.

I am so glad this near tragedy had a happy ending. I hope Jewel will calm down and you can gain her trust again.

Another pointer (you probably already know, but I'll put it out there incase someone else doesn't) is even with a regular collar you only want to be able to put two fingers under the collar, flat against the dogs neck. With this space hopefully another dogs mouth would not fit under the collar to get stuck.

[Varga]

Oh man. I can only imagine the chaos and panic! I only have one dog and he wears a normal collar at all times. It never would even occur to me that dogs could get stuck in each others collar. Definitely something to keep in mind.
I have a friend back in Europe who has two Italian Greyhounds. I dunno if she has Martingale collars but maybe I should tell her this story to make sure that she doesn't.

[Twisterdog]

... even with a regular collar you only want to be able to put two fingers under the collar, flat against the dogs neck. With this space hopefully another dogs mouth would not fit under the collar to get stuck.

You wouldn't think so, but this incident is proof positive that it can happen. Granted, IGs have small jaws and muzzles, but she got her bottom jaw under the collar, and twisted, with two fingers of space.

[chocolatepuppy]

This same thing happened with my RB Lacey and RB Mandy years ago. They were wearing buckle collars. Mandy was being choked. Since then my dogs have worn 'quick release' collars, always. One hand release and no pulling the collar tighter to get it off.
I'm glad you're pups are ok.

[sasvermont]

I am so glad your pups are ok. The story is really an eye opener, for sure. I take my dog's collar off while she is in the house, since, as a puppy she often got herself caught on things in the house, while wearing her collar. Now, I wonder if I should talk to the doggie day care about collars on v. collars off. Hmmmmmm. I know the dogs wear their collars while they are at the day care. I think I may send a copy of this post to the day care place.

Thanks for the heads up.

I bet the incident took years off your life.

[Freedom]

Good heavens! I am SO glad all are OK physically. You must be shaken too! How scary.

My pups don't wear collars, period. In the house, out in the fenced in back yard, they are 'naked.' This was an issue when Sugar escaped last month, but "at least" she is microchipped.

When I take them out, I put on their harnesses; their tags are on those.

[Asiel]

I'm glad everything turned out okay, that was quite scary.
Mine don't ever wear collars in the house. The only time I put them on is when going out in the car or for walks.
There is no way they can escape as the door opens into their fenced in yard.

[Louie and me]

I have had three dogs over the years and as a matter or habit I always removed the collars when they came in the house. They always wore collars outside and we're never left alone outside anyway. Mind you, I only ever had one dog at a time so wouldn't have thought about choking.
I'm so glad you were able to separate them without major damage and I hope Jewel settles down when she gets over the shock.