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Most of us don't give much thought to the possibility that our dog could be strangled to death, but it happens more often than you might think. I have two clients who have experienced this possibility recently, both under very different circumstances.
Strangulation can occur if your dog's collar is tightened around their neck, cutting off their air supply. How does this happen? It can happen if your dog's collar gets caught on a fence, crate, tree branch or any other object. If the dog panics, and tries to get loose, but gets further tangled, the dog panics even more and can end up strangling himself. If your dog is playing with another dog and the other dog's jaws get caught in your dog's collar, both dogs might panic and your dog could be strangled. If your dog is wearing a choke chain or other collar that can be tightened but has no mechanism to stop before it cuts off your dog's air supply, your dog can be strangled.
For one of my clients, her dog was playing with another dog. Both dogs had their collars on, but no one was there supervising their play. The other dog's mouth got caught in my client's dog's collar. Fortunately, she heard a cry and ran out to see what was happening. She managed to get the collar off just in time. The vet said if it had been a minute more, her dog might not have survived. Fortunately, her dog is now fine, but it was a very scary and dangerous situation.
For another client, she had her dog at a groomer for a routine grooming appointment. Upon her dog's return, she noticed the dogs eyes were red and did not look right. A quick trip to the vet confirmed her suspicions that her dog had been partially strangled. The groomer neither confirmed nor denied what had happened to her dog, but the groomer made comments about her dog being difficult to groom. Needless to say, her dog will never return to that groomer.
Dogs with collars on can be strangled, and it can happen when you least suspect it. While collars with ID can provide a degree of safety if your dog becomes lost, there is also a risk that a collar could strangle your dog in the wrong situation. Use caution and weigh your risks. I do not leave my dog's collar on when he is crated. I prefer to have collars off when my dogs are playing, but if they are, I am certain to be there supervising closely in case of a problem. I never use choke chains or other collars that could tighten and strangle my dogs. I make certain that when collars are used, I fit them properly so they are neither too loose (and more likely to get caught on something) nor too tight that they cut off the air supply.
Consider using a Break-away collar or a harness to further prevent strangulation possibilities. If using a regular buckle-type collar, consider using one with a buckle that can easily and quickly be released rather than the metal kind you have to tighten a bit to unhook. Keep your dogs safe!
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Good day/evening…
My name is Suné and I’d really love some advice. I’m not sure if I’m allowed to ask here but I’m really out of options and can’t seem to get any help elsewhere. I have a poodle that is terrified of being groomed and his fear turns into aggressive behaviour in seconds. When I tie him to the grooming table he pulls so hard to get loose he chokes himself. I’ve tried using a anti-pull leash but it doesn’t really work because he needs to be shaved and the leash restricts my access. Is there a method I can use to get him to stop pulling when he is afraid or some medication I can give him to sleep until I’m done ?
Hi Sune, the short answer is yes, there are things we can do and you can get help! What we need to do is back things way up and help your dog acclimate to grooming in baby steps. It’s called cooperative care and we can help dogs learn to be less stressed by taking things slowly and building positive associations with it. I work with clients regularly on helping dogs learn to tolerate nail trimming, brushing, grooming, vet handling, etc. You can look online for “cooperative care for dogs” and get lots of options such as the Cooperative Care: Seven Steps to Stress-Free Husbandry by Deborah Jones. Here’s an article about it in the Whole Dog Journal: https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/training/cooperative-care-giving-your-dog-choice-and-control/ Those are some good examples to start with. I also offer virtual consultations if you need some one-on-one coaching through how to get started. Good luck!
I had a very frightening experience with my lil Shih Tzu was rushing to catch train my friend had dog on v short lead as to keep away from track
When I looked her toung was hanging out mouth & was all limph
I rushed over quick thought my little dog was dead I quickly performed kiss of life & shouted for help this lovely gentleman came over & could see I was in destress we performed cpr & luckily was a Vera close by
She must of been trrangled by the collor being pulled must of cut her air supply
Was the worst experience ever
Luckily with the fast response from me & this kind gentleman we brought her back to life, Thank God
I have now brought harness for both my dogs & will never use collers again
Be careful & read up on how to revive a dog
Angie, I am so sorry – what a frightening experience! I am so glad your dog is ok. We only use harnesses on our dogs, no collars. Very good advice to know how to perform CPR on your dog!
I know I’m kind of late to commenting but I think it’s very much worth mentioning that window blind cords are also a very serious hazard for dogs that have tendencies to chew/play with them, especially smaller dogs. I just experienced this firsthand a couple days ago. I was taking a nap in my bedroom when all of a sudden I heard a yelp from the living room so I ran as fast as I could, thinking that perhaps my small dog had been clawed by my cat, only to walk in on my poor little boy hanging upside down in midair by the window! Most likely he had been chewing on the blinds and freaked out when he felt the cords on his back and managed to get his ankle actually tangled in basically a slipknot causing him to trip and fall off of the windowsill. Such a sight of disbelief to walk in on my dog like that, just hanging upside down right next to the couch and windowsill in midair.. Thankfully, I heard that poor little yelp of his and managed to get in there in time to cut the cords! He was terrified! 🙁 Needless to say, the problem is solved now, and I will never allow anything like that to even be a possibility again but I definitely think pet owners should be warned about this… They really are like children and you have to be on your toes at all times!
Thanks for the warning about window blinds, Frank. Yes, just as with toddlers in the house, we need to look for dangers to our dogs as well.
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