Collar shy?

[BudGirl8]

I have had horses that were head shy/bridle shy but Billie all of the sudden is all jumpy about having her collar put on. I take her collar off when she's in the house. She loves to go for walks but doesn't want her collar put on in order to go anywhere.

I make sure not to chase her or force her, I sit down and let her come to me, give her a treat for letting me put it on. Lots of praise and excitement for going for a walk too. Shying away from the flat buckle collar is a new thing. She has always disliked the prong collar, and at this point I'm wondering if I should try a gentle leader harness or something else to help with her pulling...

Anyone else have this problem? Any suggestions how to work with her on it? If she were a horse, it would be lots of quiet putting on/taking off the collar with positive reinforcement and cookies (treats). I don't know what else to do. I hate feeling like she's scared of something.

[imported_bacatherine]

I would say do it like the horses and keep trying it and make sure it's positive.

[JacobAlthea&Tatum]

This might be a stretch but...

Make sure that the buckle is not irritating his skin. My Jacob's buckle collar rubbed his skin raw under his fur (did not rub off the fur) and I didn't notice until I went to pet him below his chin and it was all wet and oozie (yuck!). My only guess in your case is that perhaps the collar is physically causing discomfort. I now use a Martingale collar for Jacob.

[Ender's Mom]

Not sure I have much advice. Ender LOVES it when I grab any collar to put it on... his tail starts wagging... he's such a goof.

BTW... I'd suggest trying an Easy Walk or Sensation harness (same principal)... I use this for Ender's pulling and it has helped tremendously. Might be more comfortable than something around her neck from her point of view.

[BudGirl8]

I've been thinking about the Easy Walk...I don't want her in the "heel" position all the time, because I don't walk as fast as her, and she likes to run around me in circles after she's gotten out in front of me and sniffed, then she'll come back around me to get to the left side like she's supposed to.* The Easy Walk looks like it would get her all tangled in the leash because it clips in the front...but at this point I'm going to have to try something different because she really hates the prong.* She's a lot better than she was with the pulling...I think she's really settling down, she knows the routine and listens to* me a lot more now...but walking on the flat collar alone isn't going to happen for a good long time.* I need something in between.

Ender sounds like such a sweet boy.* And what a model he is!!* *;D

This might be a stretch but...

Make sure that the buckle is not irritating his skin. My Jacob's buckle collar rubbed his skin raw under his fur (did not rub off the fur) and I didn't notice until I went to pet him below his chin and it was all wet and oozie (yuck!). My only guess in your case is that perhaps the collar is physically causing discomfort. I now use a Martingale collar for Jacob.

I know the collar isn't irritating her (I'd thought of that too, guess it's that horse thing again - cinch sores are a problem) and her neck is all clear.* I don't know if she's messing with me or if it's the prong or what.* **sigh** She has been rather itchy lately, I'm wondering if maybe I should get her a new collar (maybe the old one is making her itch)...eesh...that could be a stretch but I'm grasping for any ideas at this point.

[Ender's Mom]

Ender walks all over the place as well... almost never in "heel" position but we manage not to get tangled up any more than when he was wearing a flat collar.

Personally I think she just wants one of those 3dirtydawgz.com collars She sees all the other pups on JL sporting their fancy collars and this is her way of telling you she needs one with some style. ;D

[BudGirl8]

She might just be playing on the new 'puter when I'm not home...you might be right.* Hmmm...I'll have to ask her tonight.* hehehehehe

If they have one that says "I love Dale Jr" it'll be express shipped to her right away!!* She watches the races as intently as I do sometimes.* Though the other night she actually LICKED the screen when Cesar Milan was on.* FREAKED ME OUT.* Guess that's my cue to read his book or something....

**edit**

Ohmygosh...I just looked at that site. Those are soooo cute!!! **grumbles** stupid school books are messing up my shopping habit!!!!

[Ender's Mom]

Maybe this is what you are looking for... at cozycritter.com



You know me... allways happy to help feed a collar addiction

[BudGirl8]

AAAAAAAAACKKKK!!! Ok now I'm in trouble!! Yeah that's what I'm looking for..... where's that credit card!!!

[Ender's Mom]

bomp bomp bomp "another one bites the dust"

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