NationStates

My mother has two dogs. Neither of which is collared.

Recently, a friend of hers, who's studying to become a vet, told my mother that it was neglectful of hers not to have either dog collared. But my mother thinks collaring a pet is rather cruel. She sees no point in fastening a chain/leather collar around the pet's neck.

All the papers concerning shots and parasite treatments of the dogs is current, so she sees no reason to collar. More-so, where she resides, there doesn't seem to be any laws against collared or un-collared pets. The dogs are kept indoors and, when they're walked, they have harnesses fastened to their backs, which seems to be more comfortable for them.

My question to NSG is: do you think pets need to be collared? Yes or no and why?

There are pros, I don't deny it. If the dogs get lost, a collar could help in finding them. A collared pet also identifies the animal as owned and not a stray.

Cons, there are some of those too. If the collar is not appropriate, it could dig into the skin and cause a wound. A tight collar could also make a pet uncomfortable.

I think if you give a minimal amount of effort, you can find a collar that is comfortable for your pet. You shouldn't rely on luck. It's wise to properly identify them, especially in a culture where stray dogs (and those mistaken for stray dogs) don't meet the kindest of fates.

I'm really glad this turned out as innocent as it did. :s

Nanatsu no Tsuki wrote:My mother has two dogs. Neither of which is collared.

Recently, a friend of hers, who's studying to become a vet, told my mother that it was neglectful of hers not to have either dog collared. But my mother thinks collaring a pet is rather cruel. She sees no point in fastening a chain/leather collar around the pet's neck.

All the papers concerning shots and parasite treatments of the dogs is current, so she sees no reason to collar. More-so, where she resides, there doesn't seem to be any laws against collared or un-collared pets. The dogs are kept indoors and, when they're walked, they have harnesses fastened to their backs, which seems to be more comfortable for them.

My question to NSG is: do you think pets need to be collared? Yes or no and why?

There are pros, I don't deny it. If the dogs get lost, a collar could help in finding them. A collared pet also identifies the animal as owned and not a stray.

Cons, there are some of those too. If the collar is not appropriate, it could dig into the skin and cause a wound. A tight collar could also make a pet uncomfortable.

Well if they are going outside it makes sense they should have some identification on them so they are easier to find if they run away. Also it provide a defense form dog attacks. While the dog is indoors there really isn't a need.

Hey, some people like collars too.
As long as it's not to the point of choking I don't see the problem.

In the US the identification is on the collar.
If the dog gets loose, the collar is what keeps the pound from fast tracking the animal to be put to sleep.

Buffett and Colbert wrote:I think if you give a minimal amount of effort, you can find a collar that is comfortable for your pet. You shouldn't rely on luck. It's wise to properly identify them, especially in a culture where stray dogs (and those mistaken for stray dogs) don't meet the kindest of fates.

Even dogs that are kept indoors? What purpose would a collar serve?

Auremena wrote:Hey, some people like collars too.
As long as it's not to the point of choking I don't see the problem.

This thread is not about people who like collars for themselves, though.

Nanatsu no Tsuki wrote:

Buffett and Colbert wrote:I think if you give a minimal amount of effort, you can find a collar that is comfortable for your pet. You shouldn't rely on luck. It's wise to properly identify them, especially in a culture where stray dogs (and those mistaken for stray dogs) don't meet the kindest of fates.

Even dogs that are kept indoors? What purpose would a collar serve?

What if a kid leaves the door open ?
Or an aging parent.

greed and death wrote:In the US the identification is on the collar.
If the dog gets loose, the collar is what keeps the pound from fast tracking the animal to be put to sleep.

I don't fail to realize this. However, even dogs that are collared can be put to sleep at the pound if they're not reclaimed.

Nanatsu no Tsuki wrote:

Buffett and Colbert wrote:I think if you give a minimal amount of effort, you can find a collar that is comfortable for your pet. You shouldn't rely on luck. It's wise to properly identify them, especially in a culture where stray dogs (and those mistaken for stray dogs) don't meet the kindest of fates.

Even dogs that are kept indoors? What purpose would a collar serve?

I always thought the point of making sure animals were identifiable was in-case they managed to not be in-doors like they are supposed to be in this case?

greed and death wrote:

Nanatsu no Tsuki wrote:
Even dogs that are kept indoors? What purpose would a collar serve?

What if a kid leaves the door open ?
Or an aging parent.

Well, my mother's apartment has a gated door. They can still leave the door open and the dogs won't get out. Not to mention, that one of them doesn't know how to go downstairs.

She needs to buy an appropriate collar. If she's afraid that the dog might get hung up on something and choke, there are breakaway collars. It shouldn't be hard to find one that fits, or can be made to fit, correctly. A dog without a collar is easier prey than one with - thieves (particularly those a..holes who steal dogs for the purpose of dogfighting) will pick them up and without collars, chips and other forms of id. you've lost a dog - frequently to a cruel end.

Nanatsu no Tsuki wrote:

Auremena wrote:Hey, some people like collars too.
As long as it's not to the point of choking I don't see the problem.

This thread is not about people who like collars for themselves, though.

It was meant as a little humour. I'm trying to repress my angst in little ways.
Back on topic, IMO, identification is important, as most people carry some sort of ID card (although I usually forget to take mine with me), a pet should have similar, whether it's a tag on a collar or whatever else that I can't think of ATM.

Well, I collar my dogs. I don't see how it's cruel, though, as they all fit loosely and well. They're kind of necessary because they've got identification and rabies shot certification and such on them.

Gauntleted Fist wrote:

Nanatsu no Tsuki wrote:
Even dogs that are kept indoors? What purpose would a collar serve?

I always thought the point of making sure animals were identifiable was in-case they managed to not be in-doors like they are supposed to be in this case?

They are indoors. Yet, the lady studying to become a vet told my mom she was being neglectful by not collaring her dogs.

Nanatsu no Tsuki wrote:

greed and death wrote:What if a kid leaves the door open ?
Or an aging parent.

Well, my mother's apartment has a gated door. They can still leave the door open and the dogs won't get out. Not to mention, that one of them doesn't know how to go downstairs.

Well if you're more than certain the dog won't escape then don't put a collar on it. I don't think this is an either/or question, personally I suspect it's simply safer to keep the collar on but whatever works. I don't think dogs care one way or another given time.

The real question is why you don't have cats, who will actually come back from being outside.

Imsogone wrote:She needs to buy an appropriate collar. If she's afraid that the dog might get hung up on something and choke, there are breakaway collars. It shouldn't be hard to find one that fits, or can be made to fit, correctly. A dog without a collar is easier prey than one with - thieves (particularly those a..holes who steal dogs for the purpose of dogfighting) will pick them up and without collars, chips and other forms of id. you've lost a dog - frequently to a cruel end.

I get what you say.

But I do find humorous the idea of dog thieves putting my mom's miniature Daschunds to fight.

Seperates wrote:The real question is why you don't have cats, who will actually come back from being outside.

Er, I had cats. My mom though is not a cat person.

Abaven wrote:Well, I collar my dogs. I don't see how it's cruel, though, as they all fit loosely and well. They're kind of necessary because they've got identification and rabies shot certification and such on them.

I personally prefer, in that case, the harness collar. It seems to be far more comfortable for the pet.

Nanatsu no Tsuki wrote:

Abaven wrote:Well, I collar my dogs. I don't see how it's cruel, though, as they all fit loosely and well. They're kind of necessary because they've got identification and rabies shot certification and such on them.

I personally prefer, in that case, the harness collar. It seems to be far more comfortable for the pet.

Ah. I actually have a few of those, although my shepherd will not stand for them. My smaller dogs seem to like them alright, though, so I'll do that when I'm walking them.

Nanatsu no Tsuki wrote:

Imsogone wrote:She needs to buy an appropriate collar. If she's afraid that the dog might get hung up on something and choke, there are breakaway collars. It shouldn't be hard to find one that fits, or can be made to fit, correctly. A dog without a collar is easier prey than one with - thieves (particularly those a..holes who steal dogs for the purpose of dogfighting) will pick them up and without collars, chips and other forms of id. you've lost a dog - frequently to a cruel end.

I get what you say.

But I do find humorous the idea of dog thieves putting my mom's miniature Daschunds to fight.

LOL. No I was thinking more along the line of another attack your dog while you happen to be walking them.

Abaven wrote:

Nanatsu no Tsuki wrote:
I personally prefer, in that case, the harness collar. It seems to be far more comfortable for the pet.

Ah. I actually have a few of those, although my shepherd will not stand for them. My smaller dogs seem to like them alright, though, so I'll do that when I'm walking them.

Those are the ones my mom uses for her miniature Daschunds.

Anitgrum wrote:

Nanatsu no Tsuki wrote:
I get what you say.

But I do find humorous the idea of dog thieves putting my mom's miniature Daschunds to fight.

LOL. No I was thinking more along the line of another attack your dog while you happen to be walking them.

Yes, that could be a risk. But that hasn't happened to them where she resides. Not it couldn't happen, mind.

But I do wonder. Such a small dog can't really sport one of those spiked collars one sees in bigger breeds.