I have a 5 month old Chihuahua with tons of energy! My little energizer bunny! She is 2 1/2 pounds and according to the vet, very healthy! I have a little collar with a little bell on it. Whenever I put the collar on, leaving 2 fingers in between, she still manages to somehow, hook her lower jaw under the bottom part of the collar and get it jammed to the back of her mouth, trying to get the collar off! I don't want her to injure her jaw or break any teeth! If I make it any tighter, I'm afraid the collar is going to be too tight, and choke her! Anyone have any ideas on how to stop her from doing this or any idea, on what else I can use as a collar with a bell, where she can't hook her jaw underneath it? I am very careful where I'm walking but as added security, I'd also like to hear where she is, at all times! Anyone else had this problem?
2007-12-14 05:06:30 · 18 answers · asked by Chihuahua Addict Adores Scooby 7 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Just so you know! I would never, under any circumstances, intentionally do anything to harm any of my dogs. They mean the world to me and I love them dearly! I will make her collar smaller and try that! I have already also tried a halter, but even the smallest halter, cannot be adjusted to be small enough to properly fit her tiny body! Since this happened, I have stopped using a collar, until I find a solution, so this doesn't happen again!
2007-12-14 05:43:22 · update #1
The collar I'm using is a small Kitty Collar!
2007-12-14 05:47:52 · update #2
I suggest a harness....
2007-12-14 05:24:11 · answer #1 · answered by Boxer Lover 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Iam Kim Sellers I own and bred these little pocket chihuahuas/you are right about the collar,you need to know where it is at all times /go buy a body collar and the ones for cats are the ones that have the bell no them/but you can put the collar as to where your little finger is to be able to get under the collar and it will not be to tight. I have a little girl that is 8 weeks and I am saleing her for 250.00/I know what you are meaning but I have sold them for over30yrs of my life.KIM
2007-12-14 13:54:11 · answer #2 · answered by Kim S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One finger underneath is plenty for a small dog. Maybe the collar is too bulky or made of some material she has an aversion to? I would try another collar making sure it's very comfortable and lightweight, and make it tighter than 2 fingers. Or you can definitely try a harness, they are good especially for small dogs with sensitive throats. Hope this helps.
2007-12-14 13:43:55 · answer #3 · answered by msundancer98 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
make the collar tighter, as stated above the two fingers rule is for larger dogs, I generally do a one wiggley finger under cats and small dog collars
also, if you continue to have problems then try a harness, most harnesses are meant to fit lower on the chest, towards the breast plate, therefore your dog would have a heck of a time trying to get it off, and you can pick up a bell attachment for the harness at most any pet supply shop in the cat aisle
good luck!
2007-12-14 13:15:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The two finger rule will work for a larger dog,but you must scale it down to fit her size.As long as you can fit a finger under the edge of the collar you are safe.And she is safest with it on too.Is she microchipped?In Cols Ohio,all dogs must wear their collars and tags at all times,even in their own yard,could be fined $100.if caught without!(And thats a shame too!)
2007-12-14 19:35:59 · answer #5 · answered by Shar Pei Lady 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a shi tzu pup who used to slide out of his collar when I used the 2 finger rule. Now I adjust it to a loose on finger instead of a snug 2 finger. He seems fine. I also had to switch to a cat collar because even the x small dog collars were too loose. now that he's bigger, we've got him in a dog collar.
2007-12-14 13:20:13 · answer #6 · answered by Teresa 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe try a small harness and put the bell on the harness? You definitely want to lose the collar since she could choke.
2007-12-14 13:09:46 · answer #7 · answered by LuvMyBT's 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Kudos to you for actually worrying about stuff like this. Talk to your local pet store and see what they can do or look online. My dog hasn't had a collar on in 2 years so im of no help other than this sorry
2007-12-14 13:57:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try a small harness or a Martingale collar. Also, one finger is probably enough wiggle room for as small a dog as that. The two finger rule is for bigger dogs.
2007-12-14 13:12:26 · answer #9 · answered by marci knows best 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The 2 fingers rule is for larger dogs. What you're doing now is endangering her as she could easily break her jaw. Make the collar tighter... just not so tight she can't breathe.
2007-12-14 13:11:11 · answer #10 · answered by animal_artwork 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
she will get use to the collar she just probably letting you know that she has some say so on what she likes and doesn't like. when she is in one of those moods of being defiant and trying to get that darn collar off pet her and tell her why she has it on and how important it is to you she is an animal she understands freedom but also understands love
2007-12-14 13:22:38 · answer #11 · answered by saveitok 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋