putting on his collar

[Kendall Aliza]

For the past month or so my dog is always not happy when I have to put his collar back on him. I have no clue as to why this is because the collar isnt tight and it isnt rubbing him. This past week he has gotten to the point where when I have the collar in my hand he wont even come to me. He used to only act like he wasnt going to come, but then he'd suck it up and let me put it on him. Well, today he made it nearly impossible... I actually had to grab him and hold him in place! I've never chased him and I refuse to start. But I feel like he is winning and if I dont figure out some way to make him stop, it is going to keep escalating. What makes it more odd is that generally we put his collar on we are about to somewhere- he loves going places. Do any of your dogs dislike their collars?? Thanks!

[babyblue]

Neither of my dogs dislike collars, but maybe you can give him treats while you put the collar on. Just like if you were desensitizing him to it. So when he see's the collar or has it on him then you give him treats or praise or some kind of reward. I would start with just when he see's the collar and then move on to putting it on him when he gets excited to see the collar. That way he will just love it when the collar comes into sight!

[Casey Laurie]

What kind of collar is it? We just keep our dog's regular flat collars on them all the time unless they're getting a bath. Rusty hates any kind of "gear", but doesn't really mind the collar since I don't have to fuss with it. Josie would like a different one for every occasion. She acts like it's a present just for her and gets kinda sad if I have to take it off unless I've got a new one for her, lol.

[Monique Shimm]

Yes, I like the treat idea. I give my dog neck rubs before putting the collar on and off - just to redistribute the hair so it won't get tangled. She really enjoys the rubs and will even stick her head in my lap when I am towling her off.

If the treats don't work, maybe your dog doesn't like what comes after it... collar, means walk, but does it also mean going in the car (ie car sickness)? I'm not sure if dogs make associations like that...

[Casey Laurie]

just a random thought; is he a smooth haired dog? Can you feel the inside of the collar? Sometimes they use plastic thread and it frays. If a hard bit is poking out it may be irritating him.

[babyblue]

I'm not sure if dogs make associations like that...

I just wanted to say that is exactly how dogs minds think. They make associations with things that are good as wanting to do it and things that they don't like as bad. So that's why I was thinking maybe the treats would work. So everytime your dog see's the treats he/she would associate the treats with having the collar out or on.

[Sharon Alcon]

I have a similar problem but not as bad. As a puppy I always put on and took off Dakots's collar, he wouldn't sleep with it on and in the morning we called it getting dressed with putting on the flat collar for the day. He is now 6 yrs old and a few years ago I noticed the same thing he doesn't run from it but he does walk away or turn his head. Luckily its not any kind of struggle. Once his head is in a position that I can slip it under the neck to buckle on top he just stands there quietly. Same thing with his harness and the harness means we are going in the back of the truck to go swimming, which is his favorite. I don't know why he does it because the collar only means walks, car rides or truck rides to swim?? Sometimes my husband will tell him if you don't put this on your not going with me, like he understands?? The other thing we will do is if you tell him to come, then sit and then stay he will also let you do it that way sometimes too. Like you I always make sure the fit is good, that its comfortable and clean. Your is not the only one out there and I am glad to on these pages that some of the things my dogs do that I am not the only one having questions.

[Kendall Aliza]

Yeah. the collar always means good things. He loves walks and car rides and swimming. He doesnt act fealful of it... He even starts whinning, like when I make his dinner, as soon as I get it out. I dont know what he is feeling, but it seems to be some kind of mix between I know I am about to go do something fun but I dont want to wear the collar. I actually have a harder time with the harness than I do with the collar. Is there any possible way a dog could view this as resisting me as the leader and seeing the collar as being under my control???? Shaddy is graduating on Sunday and it sucks because I am somewhat frustrated with him right now because of his antics lately(see previous post about pitching a fit).

[Luciann]

Well I have to say that i leave the harness on my dogs all the time. the only trouble that i have had was when frodo pulled out of his harness and evidently hurt himself in some way and would not let me put a collar or harness on him for several days.

i would check to see if something is irritating him where the collar might be, and check the collar. Depending on the type of hair he has the might have a bite from an insect, a burr or something in the fur and then the collar might have something that is poking him.

then the treat idea is good as well. you might want to try the desensitizing him as well to see if that helps

now under doggie chat i posted a comment on a new harness i got, thanks to Mario, it is called sense-ible harness and it does not fit around the throat but aournd the body and chest you might look at that as an alternative. my two don't seem to mind these harness near as much as the regular ones

[Renee Premaza]

Hi Kendall,

How old is your dog? If he's just beginning his adolescent period, consider him like a teenager who wants to test out behaviors to see what works and what doesn't. Try not to look at what he's doing as "winning" or "losing" because you don't want your relationship to be based on competition.

I have a question for you: do you or anyone else who lives with him make a practice of grabbing his collar anytime he's done something wrong? Does he get put into his crate by grabbing his collar and shoving him in there?

Another thing to consider since I don't know his size is that he might be experiencing some discomfort in the throat area. Maybe he's been pulling on the leash a lot? If he's a small dog, keep him on his harness and use his collar for identification tags. Little dogs are very prone to having collapsed tracheas.

Here's a suggestion to get you over this hump. Try using a slip lead. This is a lead that can be used as both a collar and a leash, and you can get one that has a leather piece which can come down and tighten up around the dog's neck. Voila - now you have a collar and a leash. I think you can probably get this at any major pet supply store. If you can't find one, ask your local shelter where they get them, because shelters commonly use them.

Hope this is helpful to you!



For the past month or so my dog is always not happy when I have to put his collar back on him. I have no clue as to why this is because the collar isnt tight and it isnt rubbing him. This past week he has gotten to the point where when I have the collar in my hand he wont even come to me. He used to only act like he wasnt going to come, but then he'd suck it up and let me put it on him. Well, today he made it nearly impossible... I actually had to grab him and hold him in place! I've never chased him and I refuse to start. But I feel like he is winning and if I dont figure out some way to make him stop, it is going to keep escalating. What makes it more odd is that generally we put his collar on we are about to somewhere- he loves going places. Do any of your dogs dislike their collars?? Thanks!

[Nikki Jackson]

putting a collar on them means you now have control, of
course most dogs don't like this. Be firm on putting it on
(verbally assertive) and when the collar comes off, nice little
massage always helps.