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Posts: 5
From:Modesto, Ca.
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 01-27-2004 06:54 PM         

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I'm hoping someone has some ideas that can help me with my 3 month old miniature dachshund. We just recently began putting a collar on her to get used to it so we can take her for walks. When we put her collar on she hides her face and acts deeply depressed. She won't play or interact with us at all. I've left in on her for several hours a day and her mood hasn't changed. Does anyone have any hints or advice to share. I' sure with time she may get used to it, but in the meantime she wont do anything with it on. Help Please and thanks in advance.

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Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 01-27-2004 07:15 PM         

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Hi Brandy,

I think you need to leave it on all the time and just give her time to adjust. By taking it off you are sending her the message that at some point it will come off...so when you put it on she begins the waiting for it to come off.
Both my dogs were less than thrilled with wearing a collar as pups. Now when I take them off for baths they both get a little upset and mouth the collar, It's theirs and they know it...if I set it down they go get it and carry it around.

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Posts: 1392
From:
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 01-28-2004 04:55 AM         

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Nala scratched at her collar for weeks! I'm glad she pretty much leaves it alone now.

I agree with Maisey - just put it on and leave it on. And then just treat her normally. If you hover over her and try to comfort her and say "Oh, you poor thing!" or try to coax her to play, you are really sending her the signal that you are upset too and therefore there really IS something to be upset about!

Just pretend she is not lying there like a lump and talk to her as normal, or totally ignore her until she gets up and starts to interact with you.

It may take a while since she is used to having it come off after a few hours, but she'll catch on!

They can really be pathetic when they want to, can't they?

Jamiya

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Posts: 944
From:Columbus, Tx ,USA
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 01-28-2004 05:10 AM         

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My puppies did the same for awhile. DO NOT take it off. Thats just teaching her that if she pouts, you'll give in....she's testing you...

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Posts: 813
From:Santa Maria, Ca.
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 01-28-2004 12:49 PM         

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Hi! I have a mini dauchshund as well! I tried the collar on her in the beginning, but she never got used to it. I put a harness on her and never had a problem. You might concider a harness instead, in a small breed dog i personaly like them better, but not in a large breed because you have no control. Good luck! Susan

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Posts: 1392
From:
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 01-28-2004 12:57 PM         

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LOL, in a small breed with a harness on you can just pick them up by the leash and float them through the air....KIDDING!

Jamiya
(have an image stuck in my head of carrying a chihuahua like a lunchbox)

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Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 01-28-2004 12:59 PM         

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Good idea Susan, trying a harness might work too...in flyball alot of the dogs wear a harness with a handle on it. One of the dogs on my team named Rocky is a JRTerror and he is hell bent on trying to kill Dooley for some reason, his owner picks him up off the ground a couple inches when he gets in his "gotta kill Dooley" mode, by the harness, just to keep him from pulling so hard. The first time she did it I nearly died laughing...he was still going..all four legs going like mad running to kill Dooley, of course he was doing this in the air and it was hysterical, I don't think he noticed he wasn't getting anywhere he was in such a frenzy. He carries on like he thinks he is a Doberman...his owner says he has "the little man complex".

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New Member

Posts: 5
From:Modesto, Ca.
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 01-28-2004 04:46 PM         

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Thank you all for your responses. At this point her collar is on and not coming off!!!
I did try the harness before the collar and she totally did not tolerate it so I switched to the collar. I'm hoping that once she gets used to the collar we can eventually use the harness which I like better due to her small size.
Again thank you all very much I really appreciate the support.
Marcia

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Posts: 15
From:canada bc langley
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 01-28-2004 07:59 PM         

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when u walk her then pit it on only

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Posts: 29
From:missoula,mt
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 01-28-2004 09:49 PM         

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ya, just keep it on her. she will get used to it eventually. My pup scratched at it at first, but now she's fine.

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Posts: 813
From:Santa Maria, Ca.
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 01-29-2004 12:26 AM         

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Hi! Whatever works best for you and your pooch! Good luck!

Maisey, what kind of dog would like to kill Dooley? It's funny how small dogs don't have the fear of big dogs like they should. (well not all, but alot of them) Once while walking Casey we were approached by a huge dog, thank Goodness for the harness! she was in my arms in a hurry! And of coarse no owner in site to stop the dog, it scared the heck out of me! Susan

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Posts: 790
From:uk
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 01-29-2004 03:21 AM         

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Hi I always keep my pups collars on until they are used to it, Then once they used to it they only wear there collars when they go for walks same as my adult dogs never have there collars on all the time as this can kill the fur around the neck but its a owner prefernce to how long there dogs have there collars on.

mike.
boro_lad1976@hotmail.com

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Posts: 19
From:Santa Rosa, CA, USA
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 01-29-2004 09:55 AM         

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My boxer pup, Oskar, scratched at his nylon collar (the kind that is supposed to be adjustable and clips on) for weeks! I switched over to a real nice leather collar (more expensive)and he hardly ever scratches at it. I think it just takes the pup some getting used to is all . . . plus, maybe he didn't like the feel of nylon?

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Posts: 1387
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 01-29-2004 02:20 PM         

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The killer dog is a Jack Russel Terrier, but we call him a Terror. He is a cool dog but for some reason finds Dooley threatening or just doesn't like him.

Mike, just my opinion of course...but I keep collars with tags on my dogs at ALL times, even though they are microchipped, if they got away from me unexpectedly, or out the door on accident...I feel like it adds to the chances of them being returned to me. In the past the dogs that I have found and had to help get them back to their owners most always were found without collars which makes it extremely hard to find the owner! It's impossibble to be on gaurd all the time and accidents happen, they do get out. What if there were a house fire? or someone broke in and left the door open when they were done? Stuff like that, that you can't control.

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Posts: 1179
From:,Calif. U.S.A.
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 01-29-2004 05:16 PM         

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Make sure the collar is not too heavey or thick of leather. You may want to try the lightweight nylon collars. My dogs I think feel loved when I put them on them. One of mine will stand on his hind legs and stick his head into his collar to get it on. Your dachsie will come around be patient. Maybe give her prase and a cookie for being such a good girl while putting it on.

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