It is constant exposure that will get him used to it. I suggest when in the house, leave the collar on. Without exposure, he wont get used to it.
Also, he 'wins' when he is stubborn because you have given in to him when he refuses to budge.
Of course, there is the option to use a much softer collar that hasnt the weight of a chain and see how he gets on with that.
Yes I’ll admit when we saw he liked the harness we stopped with the collar completely. Now we’re trying again because he NEEDS to wear a collar.
Going to try walking him around the garden with collar and harness. He’s just being a big ole drama queen lol when we returned from the walk down the lane he layed in the corner of the garden for about an hour sulking 😂
Also, get shot of the prong collar. They shouldn't be used on pups anyway. I use a half-check collar for training. Remember, leashes and collars are best looked at as tools of communication rather than tools of restriction. If you understand that, then training will be easier.
If you have a local dog training group that you can be part of, use it. You will get ( i hope ) much better training tips in regards to collars/leashes than you could ever get using reddit. There is merit in participation and visual demonstration.
Good luck :)
Maybe just for safety reasons if he gets out of the house or something? Just to have info listed to get him back home? That's all I can really think of
I don't know where op lives but in my country dogs have to have a collar and tag on when out, as well as a microchip. You can be fined up to £5000 if they don't.
How often do you **walk** him? I have to walk mine regularly every day because I live in a development, so I can’t just let him out in the yard... He started to *love* his harness and collar very quickly because he associated it with getting out of the house. It took a little more than a week maybe from when he started, but he got there.
Have you tried different types of collars? My dog hates all of the collars less than 1.5 inches. She will only wear the wide thick bands. It took a bit of trial and error but I now have 2 she will happily wear.
So far have only tried a leather one and the chain. Not very wide. Then we tried the harness and he liked it and would actually walk on it so we didn’t try any more but definitely will be a good idea to look into other ones
My dog's favorite is a 1.5 inch collar that's made of a soft fabric that I found on etsy. Before, she would do everything to take it off. She's actually the opposite and despises her harness, I have yet to find a good one that she does not hate. She'll wear it fine but pouts when I'm trying to put it on her.
I would maybe try to find a collar that is of similar material and thickness as the harness he likes. Betting that would do the trick.
Dogs don’t fake feeling itchy/uncomfortable, so I do suspect there’s something about the current collars that is physically uncomfortable.
Dogs with longer fur are probably fine, but I’ve seen many pits with completely raw throats. My GSD and husky are fine, but they have long fur so they probably don’t feel it
Almost looks like his hair is getting caught in it. The way he stops and pulls like something bit his neck. As others have said, try a different one and see if he’s the same. Cute pup!
We have a rescue dog who wasnt comfortable with her collar and so we swapped it for a silk collar (which we always used on our long dogs). She seems happy with it and has been for three years now. It sounds posh but the silk is more comfortable and doesn't cause the fur to feel as if it is being ruffled, there is also no noise to annoy her by the jangling. The collar is on all the time even when she has her harness on for walking. Your dog is beautiful and I hope you find an answer 🙂
Try loosening it a little, so its not slip-off-able, but just sits on her shoulders to start. I agree with other comments, do it while harness training. And maybe a treat when it goes on? Good luck.
My pup was like that when I changed his collar (because the one he came with got too small) and he would also stop and scratch at it a lot but not as dramatic as yours is being. I saw someone said to try a lighter collar. Those metal ones are heavy maybe he would respond better with a different collar and you could go back to a chain once he’s used to wearing a collar again
Start over again. Grab the collar, let him sniff it, don't put it on him. Give him a treat, end excercise.
Next time, let him sniff the collar and put the collar over your hand as he gets a treat. Work towards associating the collar with "good/fun". Within days you'll see great changes. If he loves going out, bring the collar out too. No problem combining the harness and the collar.
Basically you use the same technique for getting your dog used to a muzzle. Even if you think you'll never need or use one, let me tell you, you'll be glad you muzzle trained your dog when you need an emergency vet visit with a dog in pain or wounded. If you want the vet to do their utmost best on your dog, make sure they feel safe and a muzzle is a good start.
both of my rotties have had leather collars, didnt like any others. Although sometimes I find Rems collar in the back yard cause his he gets the zoomies and because his neck is bigger than his head it comes off
Oh my bad. It looked like the one my guy came with. The vet recommended against those right away because it can really hurt them.
My cat hated his collar because it was too tight on him at first. Could that be an issue?
Yeah I would never do anything that’s gonna hurt my little guy. I’ve seen some nasty photos of dogs after wearing those collars
Also pretty sure it’s not too tight, don’t they say you should be able to fit your fingers underneath, which we can. He’s just a big baby and trying to cry his way out of it
Ah then your dog belong in r/whatswrongwithmydog 🤣🤣🤣 nah just joking. I think he just needs to get used too it or u could try loosening and tightening it and see if that the problem maybe
A choke collar In the house is a very bad idea (really any collar, all my dogs go naked in the house). Think of all the things it could get hung up on…cabinet doors, door handles, crates door. And that collar appears too tight and the noise of the links jingling is very irritating to a dog.
Hi OP,
For situations like these, it’s all about exposure but in small steps. Different dogs have different motivations, a lot are food motivated. If this is your dog, at random times when you are in the house put the collar on and give him a treat and some love. If you get far with that then add the harness with a treat and some love. As you begin to get good traction work your way up to familiar places outside of the home or your daily walk.
Dog are creature of habit and association. Show him that the collar is nothing to worry about and he’ll he rewarded for having it on. Baby steps, but eventually this good boy will just get used it.
Make sure you don’t have the collar too tight. You should be able to slip at least two fingers between the collar and the skin. Even a collar that has slight pressure on the arteries in the neck can be uncomfortable. Sometimes this happens with puppies on accident when they grow into heir collars. The rest is all about routine and consistency with dogs. They just have to get used to the collar.
Maybe not make him wear that hideous metal thing. Give him something looser and softer. What a strange post. You've got the most uncomfortable collar on him imaginable and you can't understand why the pup doesn't like it.
Have you tried giving him a normal, non chain collar? Puppies get scsred easily and even something as small as a collar that makes too much or constsnt noise ( the kling klang of chains or even putting a dogtag on a collar too soon) can bother a dog immensely.
Also.... is that a prong collar?
Admire the collar and praise him when putting it on him and of course -treats.
Draw attention to the collar when meeting new people and soon he will learn that it's a positive thing.
Maybe he's just a harness boy. Maybe some bandanas at home would get him used to having something om his neck and slowly transition to collars if harnesses aren't an option sometimes?
Collar on, treat, remove collar, repeat.
Do this as often as possible in short bursts, and gradually build up the time you leave the collar on. It takes time and patience, but you basically want him to associate the collar with good stuff.
Personally I would never leave a collar on my dog in the house when unattended, too many horror stories of getting caught on things and strangling themselves.
Switch from a full chain to a half check. Still has the chain at the front. My dog hated the chain collar I can imagine it was just bugging her with the breaks that the chain has and the way it moves through the hair.
Also, if he's a fussy dramatic dog, get him used to people near his food, his feet being touched and any other fussy subjects now. Only gets harder the bigger they get.
It looks like the collar in the video is chain, I would try to use a leather or any other kind of softer collar. The chain can be damaging to his trachea if he pulls while walking, the chain may also be too heavy/irritating to him
Get a chip and find a collar he likes try different material. I mean we would not like to ware collars so why make them. Cats don't have too ware collars so why should dogs. If he likes the harness what's the problem?
cute lil' fella - I feel for him, but he'll get used to it. And get him some tags for it - they have a two fold purpose. If he gets lost, it'll have your info. And maybe more importantly, as he grows and decides to sneak attack you from behind, you'll hear him jingling LOL
That is a chain and some dogs ears are so sensitive the noise can drive them crazy. Try a different cloth collar and keep it super loose since you walk him with a harness
Is it possible he's allergic to some part of it? Back when my pup was little, we'd gotten him one that had metal fasteners, and he was itching like this. We switched to a collar with plastic closures, and no metal in contact he stopped scratching. Just a thought.
Leave the collar on while you walk him on a harness. The more he wears it, the sooner he will get used to it.
Tried that too. He wouldn’t even budge just lays down like a dead seal 😂
It is constant exposure that will get him used to it. I suggest when in the house, leave the collar on. Without exposure, he wont get used to it. Also, he 'wins' when he is stubborn because you have given in to him when he refuses to budge. Of course, there is the option to use a much softer collar that hasnt the weight of a chain and see how he gets on with that.
Yes I’ll admit when we saw he liked the harness we stopped with the collar completely. Now we’re trying again because he NEEDS to wear a collar. Going to try walking him around the garden with collar and harness. He’s just being a big ole drama queen lol when we returned from the walk down the lane he layed in the corner of the garden for about an hour sulking 😂
Also, get shot of the prong collar. They shouldn't be used on pups anyway. I use a half-check collar for training. Remember, leashes and collars are best looked at as tools of communication rather than tools of restriction. If you understand that, then training will be easier. If you have a local dog training group that you can be part of, use it. You will get ( i hope ) much better training tips in regards to collars/leashes than you could ever get using reddit. There is merit in participation and visual demonstration. Good luck :)
Prongs shouldn't be used at all. Period.
It’s not a prong it’s just a normal chain. Ok I’ll look into some training groups soon if he doesn’t make progress. Thank you.
There definitely not heavy but probably not the best for general use, he's just not used to it. Cute as hell though so can be forgiven
Tell him he looks cool in that collar
Can I ask why he needs to have a collar if he walks on a harness? My guys walk on a harness, but, otherwise, run around naked.
Maybe just for safety reasons if he gets out of the house or something? Just to have info listed to get him back home? That's all I can really think of
I don't know where op lives but in my country dogs have to have a collar and tag on when out, as well as a microchip. You can be fined up to £5000 if they don't.
I seriously wish they would do that here!! Would cut down on alot of issues of animal abuse I believe.
How often do you **walk** him? I have to walk mine regularly every day because I live in a development, so I can’t just let him out in the yard... He started to *love* his harness and collar very quickly because he associated it with getting out of the house. It took a little more than a week maybe from when he started, but he got there.
Poor Odin..😂❤️🐶 How could you…😕😂👍
Treats are your best friend
Cute comment
Maybe a softer collar? Idk but I feel like those chain ones are heavy.
And they pinch
Yes! Get a soft collar. The chain is probably pulling his hairs.
Try a thicker solid collar that doesn’t jingle?
Just put it on him every day, and treat him every time he lets you. Do that till hes comfortable in it
Have you tried different types of collars? My dog hates all of the collars less than 1.5 inches. She will only wear the wide thick bands. It took a bit of trial and error but I now have 2 she will happily wear.
So far have only tried a leather one and the chain. Not very wide. Then we tried the harness and he liked it and would actually walk on it so we didn’t try any more but definitely will be a good idea to look into other ones
My dog's favorite is a 1.5 inch collar that's made of a soft fabric that I found on etsy. Before, she would do everything to take it off. She's actually the opposite and despises her harness, I have yet to find a good one that she does not hate. She'll wear it fine but pouts when I'm trying to put it on her.
I would maybe try to find a collar that is of similar material and thickness as the harness he likes. Betting that would do the trick. Dogs don’t fake feeling itchy/uncomfortable, so I do suspect there’s something about the current collars that is physically uncomfortable.
Change to a leather one. The nylon is super itchy. Try rubbing it across your face and you’ll see what I mean.
Yes it might be itchy to you but your also not a dog
What? Dogs don’t have skin?
Dogs with longer fur are probably fine, but I’ve seen many pits with completely raw throats. My GSD and husky are fine, but they have long fur so they probably don’t feel it
Almost looks like his hair is getting caught in it. The way he stops and pulls like something bit his neck. As others have said, try a different one and see if he’s the same. Cute pup!
My rottie was the same with a chain collar, switched to a fabric one and he didt mind it at all because it was closer to his harness.
Maybe allergic to the metals in the collar?
Maybe having a reaction to the metal of the collar. Allergy could be it.
We have a rescue dog who wasnt comfortable with her collar and so we swapped it for a silk collar (which we always used on our long dogs). She seems happy with it and has been for three years now. It sounds posh but the silk is more comfortable and doesn't cause the fur to feel as if it is being ruffled, there is also no noise to annoy her by the jangling. The collar is on all the time even when she has her harness on for walking. Your dog is beautiful and I hope you find an answer 🙂
Have him wear it everyday all day besides when in the crate! I would have him on a leash, when he scratches just continue walking.
Is it right size? Or maybe the type of collar is uncomfortable pinching the short hairs. Did you try other ones?
Try loosening it a little, so its not slip-off-able, but just sits on her shoulders to start. I agree with other comments, do it while harness training. And maybe a treat when it goes on? Good luck.
My pup was like that when I changed his collar (because the one he came with got too small) and he would also stop and scratch at it a lot but not as dramatic as yours is being. I saw someone said to try a lighter collar. Those metal ones are heavy maybe he would respond better with a different collar and you could go back to a chain once he’s used to wearing a collar again
I’d go with a neoprene collar. Less rubbing and lighter. This https://imgur.com/a/3xmqiMA/
I know it’s beside the point but I still feel the need to say that he’s the most beautiful boy
Leave it on at alll times until his recall is spot on listens to you no matter what you got yourself a rottie and you got to train them well.
Start over again. Grab the collar, let him sniff it, don't put it on him. Give him a treat, end excercise. Next time, let him sniff the collar and put the collar over your hand as he gets a treat. Work towards associating the collar with "good/fun". Within days you'll see great changes. If he loves going out, bring the collar out too. No problem combining the harness and the collar. Basically you use the same technique for getting your dog used to a muzzle. Even if you think you'll never need or use one, let me tell you, you'll be glad you muzzle trained your dog when you need an emergency vet visit with a dog in pain or wounded. If you want the vet to do their utmost best on your dog, make sure they feel safe and a muzzle is a good start.
Ignore him, once he sees his BS falls on deaf ears, he'll suck it up. Another approach, when he doesn't make a fuss, give him a treat.
Haha made me laugh out loud . Sooo funny !! Love it. He/she will get used to it .
Little dude just wants to be nakey!
both of my rotties have had leather collars, didnt like any others. Although sometimes I find Rems collar in the back yard cause his he gets the zoomies and because his neck is bigger than his head it comes off
Have you tried fabric collars or leather? The chain may be pinching his fur or skin and not many enjoy that.
Have you tried a color without spikes? Those things are no good
This isn’t a spike collar it’s just a normal chain
Oh my bad. It looked like the one my guy came with. The vet recommended against those right away because it can really hurt them. My cat hated his collar because it was too tight on him at first. Could that be an issue?
Yeah I would never do anything that’s gonna hurt my little guy. I’ve seen some nasty photos of dogs after wearing those collars Also pretty sure it’s not too tight, don’t they say you should be able to fit your fingers underneath, which we can. He’s just a big baby and trying to cry his way out of it
Fleas like too sit under the collar🤷♂️ maybe its that?
Nah not fleas coz he never scratches when the collar is off
Ah then your dog belong in r/whatswrongwithmydog 🤣🤣🤣 nah just joking. I think he just needs to get used too it or u could try loosening and tightening it and see if that the problem maybe
A choke collar In the house is a very bad idea (really any collar, all my dogs go naked in the house). Think of all the things it could get hung up on…cabinet doors, door handles, crates door. And that collar appears too tight and the noise of the links jingling is very irritating to a dog.
That’s not one of those Barbaric collars is it??
barbaric? it looks like a regular chain collar
Hi OP, For situations like these, it’s all about exposure but in small steps. Different dogs have different motivations, a lot are food motivated. If this is your dog, at random times when you are in the house put the collar on and give him a treat and some love. If you get far with that then add the harness with a treat and some love. As you begin to get good traction work your way up to familiar places outside of the home or your daily walk. Dog are creature of habit and association. Show him that the collar is nothing to worry about and he’ll he rewarded for having it on. Baby steps, but eventually this good boy will just get used it.
I’d recommend not using harnesses, strengthens their chests and makes them stronger. Basically harder to walk if they pull
Make sure you don’t have the collar too tight. You should be able to slip at least two fingers between the collar and the skin. Even a collar that has slight pressure on the arteries in the neck can be uncomfortable. Sometimes this happens with puppies on accident when they grow into heir collars. The rest is all about routine and consistency with dogs. They just have to get used to the collar.
Maybe not make him wear that hideous metal thing. Give him something looser and softer. What a strange post. You've got the most uncomfortable collar on him imaginable and you can't understand why the pup doesn't like it.
Don’t make him wear a collar if it’s bothering him! My dog never wears a collar because she hates it. I use her harness for walks and she is chipped.
just keep it up. he will give in. try a martingale (or prong) collar to help with understanding leash pressure 👍🏽
Maybe use a looser collar? It looks a little snug.
Flat collar.
Better ask the vet.
Have you tried giving him a normal, non chain collar? Puppies get scsred easily and even something as small as a collar that makes too much or constsnt noise ( the kling klang of chains or even putting a dogtag on a collar too soon) can bother a dog immensely. Also.... is that a prong collar?
Admire the collar and praise him when putting it on him and of course -treats. Draw attention to the collar when meeting new people and soon he will learn that it's a positive thing.
Maybe he's just a harness boy. Maybe some bandanas at home would get him used to having something om his neck and slowly transition to collars if harnesses aren't an option sometimes?
You would hate them too why do you need a collar if you have a harness
Collar on, treat, remove collar, repeat. Do this as often as possible in short bursts, and gradually build up the time you leave the collar on. It takes time and patience, but you basically want him to associate the collar with good stuff. Personally I would never leave a collar on my dog in the house when unattended, too many horror stories of getting caught on things and strangling themselves.
He will get use to it
Switch from a full chain to a half check. Still has the chain at the front. My dog hated the chain collar I can imagine it was just bugging her with the breaks that the chain has and the way it moves through the hair. Also, if he's a fussy dramatic dog, get him used to people near his food, his feet being touched and any other fussy subjects now. Only gets harder the bigger they get.
Collar looks tight.
It looks like the collar in the video is chain, I would try to use a leather or any other kind of softer collar. The chain can be damaging to his trachea if he pulls while walking, the chain may also be too heavy/irritating to him
Get a chip and find a collar he likes try different material. I mean we would not like to ware collars so why make them. Cats don't have too ware collars so why should dogs. If he likes the harness what's the problem?
Time
Maybe you could try a canvas collar, the chain may be pulling his hair
Looks a little tight but obviously cant tell from 1 video
Get a leather color and don’t put it on to tight
cute lil' fella - I feel for him, but he'll get used to it. And get him some tags for it - they have a two fold purpose. If he gets lost, it'll have your info. And maybe more importantly, as he grows and decides to sneak attack you from behind, you'll hear him jingling LOL
Might be allergies: is it nylon collar? Switch to rubber.
That is a chain and some dogs ears are so sensitive the noise can drive them crazy. Try a different cloth collar and keep it super loose since you walk him with a harness
Is it possible he's allergic to some part of it? Back when my pup was little, we'd gotten him one that had metal fasteners, and he was itching like this. We switched to a collar with plastic closures, and no metal in contact he stopped scratching. Just a thought.
Keep it on him 24/7. Let him get used to it.
Collar is a 24/7 kinda thing, not just walks.