She Hates the Collar!!

[Everest]

I have been trying to get Piper used to her collar now for 3 weeks!! She wears it all the time when she's out of her kennel, which is alot! She scratches and scratches trying to get it off! The collar in question is a plain light flat collar. And forget the leash and walking...I have tried treats when she's hungry and all! She just puts her little butt down and refuses to budge even for grilled chicken and cheese, her favorite. What do I do?? She's 10 weeks old and I'd love to take her on VERY small walks plus I'm afraid when she gets bigger she won't walk at all.

 

[Louise501]

She will get used to it, with mine I just put the collar (a nylon light type) on at around 9/10 weeks and left it on, they stratched at it for a while but soon left it alone. Sometimes at night I take them off particulaay if its very warm.

Ruby used to sit and not budge like that, again it is just a matter of time! I'd have the front door open ready to go but she wouldn't move, in the end I carried her to the park across the road and once she was there the new smells and sights got the better of her

 

[amymboxer]

have you let her walk with the collar and let her drag a very light (and cheap) cotton lead? She'll get used to it, she's only ten weeks and everything is just so new to her. Let her drag it around somewhere familiar, it'll help her get used to the idea of being attached to something with a little weight. Don't make a big deal about it while she's just getting used to it. Give her treats and play with her, of course always being mindful that she doesn't catch herself on something, but don't pay much attention to the leash. Once she is used to it, which I would do after a few days depending on how she reacts, then just hold on the the leash (fairly long I'd say atleast 6-10ft), sit down with a toy or ball encourage her to move and come towards you, don't tug and keep the leash slack, if she ends up moving away and causes the leash to go tight just sit there calmly and encourage her to come back. She may respond to the resistance and be puzzled even fight it. Just be calm and ask her to come back showing her toys or treats. Wait until she moves toward you and slackens the leash. If she comes back and climbs into your lap, Great end right there. Try to end on a positive note and with small pups just a few minutes each time. This aids in teaching two basic lessons coming and sets you up for better leash manners when walking as a slack leash is rewarded. Better for your arm socket and your dog's windpipe
Once she's old enough get her in a puppy class, a picture is worth a thousand words when it comes to dog training and seeing things hands-on can sure make a difference. Plus they can offer other techniques, dog's like people arn't cookie-cutter and what works for one may not be as effective for another.
BTW just in case, I'd be careful walking her around the neighborhood just yet. You probably already know but she's still very vunerable to all the not-so-lovely diseases out there. Wait until she's done with her basic shot series

 

[Everest]

Thanks for both the tips!!! Yes, when I mean a small walk I mean just to the mail box and back! I will try attaching the leash and letting her drag it around! We have puppy kindergarten as soon as we get enough puppy shots under our belt.

 

[Lola's mum]

I think most pups don't like collars, just follow the advice given, they do get used to them in the end.

 

[freckledcat]

Fiona hated her collar at the beginning. We've had one on her since the day we brought her home. The only time she doesn't have it on is when she is in her crate.

She still scratches every so often, and if she isn't in the mood for it will fight you when you go to put it on, but generally she has accepted it.

Just leave it on, and they will get use to it.

As for the leash, we started with a very light leash (it was actually meant for small yipyap dogs). Since we don't have a fence yet it was mandatory she get use to it from day one.

 

[RachS]

Our pup is almost 9 wks old and we have his collar on most of the time except for when he is in the crate. He scratched at it alot at first but he seems to slowly be getting used to it. If we are having a good playtime and it keeps bothering him, I will take it off so that he can enjoy himself. Other times he is fine with it. The first few days we had him he would really struggle and jerk his neck and body all around because he was uncomfortable and unfamiliar with the collar and leash. The advice from my breeder was to just stop and wait for him to calm down if he is struggling, to not baby or console him when he does that and to not make a big deal when he struggles. Also, like other people mentioned, let him walk around the house with the collar and leash on for short periods at a time so that he can get used to the tension.

 

[dazsAngel]

When we first got Angel (4 weeks ago), we put a collar on her right away. For about 1 1/2 weeks she scratched at it constantly, and finally got use to it.

We just started leash training her this weekend. What we found works is that we walk in front of her until we come to the end of the leash and it is fully extended and every so lightly pulling on here collar. Then we just call her to us in a happy cheerful voice. She comes running to us. Then we repeat the procedure. By the end of 2 days she walks rather readily on the leash, and only once in a while stops and gives us resistance. When she does, we just call her to us again, and carry on. It was so cute though, watching her dig her little claws down into the ground, resisting to be guided anywhere.