Harness vs. collar?

by Rebecca
(USA)

Hi all,

Thank you so much for all of the helpful advice you have given us on medical info! I think we have decided to get our little Coton puppy and are so excited! We wanted to purchase a collar for our little pup but were wondering what was best for a tiny puppy. Do you think that the harness or the collar are better for a puppy/Coton? Looking forward to your advice and thank you so much for all of your help!
Rebecca

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Nov 08, 2012
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by: Iris Miller

I read that small dogs like the Coton can injure the asophagus (sp?) if they pull against the collar. If they sound like their choking or hoarse sounding it is a sign of that type of injury. I used a collar for the dog tags* and a harness to walk him when he was young. When Tuffy was about two or three, a dog trainer told me I'd have better control of the walks using only the collar and a short leash, that his neck muscles were strong enough for that. I took her advice but it still makes me nervous. Sometimes I think Tuffy will break his neck straining at the leash to get to another dog or a person running. I haven't used a harness again because it stresses him to be bound up in anything and also there is the hair matting problem(that happens every year anyway)., I still massage his neck and throat every morning and night.
Nov 08, 2012
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by: sherry cotton candie

We were told by the breeder we got Cotton from NEVER to walk her with just a collar. We know lots of people do without any issues but I do feel she is safer with a harness. That being said.......it does definetly make a mess of her long hair. I always brush them shortly after taking it off.

We took both of the cotons to some halloween contest last month. I did use only a collar on them because of their outfits. Candie slipped her collar off twice and I was fortunate that she just stood there beside me and did not run. I had it very snug, only one finger space on it but she somehow slipped it off.

I feel better about the harness as I let them run the full 16 ft. on their leashes while walking. A sudden pull on their neck could be bad. If they are trained to walk with you and you can trust them not to bolt maybe a collar would be easier. I just do not like them being tugged on their little necks.

Congrats on your puppy and wish you the best.
Nov 08, 2012
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by: Ellie

You've gotten great advice. The only thing I will add is that when you first get your puppy, and until after her last shots, you won't be walking her in public places where other dogs have been.
So at the very beginning, a little collar will be fine. They need to get used to that from the get go.
Have fun with your new bundle of joy.
Nov 08, 2012
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by: Vicky & Jonah (Az)

I use both. I have always used a rolled collar made by Circle T also they make it for Petco under Petco's label. I used it for my Silky's & now for Jonah. It prevents matts around the neck hair. I stick w/tan since colors can bleed.

Unless Jonah is being brushed he has his collar on. Even thou he is micro chipped as I have learned from many yrs of dogs always be prepared with a license & tag on ur pet or at least an ID tag. U never know what may happen in 1 quick second of time & many stories have been written.

I also have a harness when he was young they wiggle alot when walked they r more protective yet I have no recommendations since all I have seen still will rub their hair & they mat somehow. But a quick brush daily corrects this. Jonah now is such a great walker from practice that we just use his collar yet he is not a puller again w/practice.

I picked a harness with a dull purpose which will work w/a seatbelt restraint & for walking. Again I look at harnesses all the time yet w/a Cotons hair I feel the mat problem comes along w/all kinds u see. So find one u like. Also just for info weather it is 1/2", 1/4" or 1/8" wide the Coton hair will basically mat.

(Just thought of this:) I will say thou a $10. mesh one that seems great for beginning so u do not have to spend alot of time looking for ur perfect one at first is the "As seen on TV" one u can find at Walgreens & I'm sure the mall TV store. It was not around when Jonah was a pup & will also give u the protection for restraint in a car while driving & is low cost enough to start out since their of thousands to decide between.

Good luck hoped this helped. Congrats on ur new Coton.
Nov 08, 2012
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by: Julissa (New York)

I have a 7 month old male Coton named Sparky. When we first got Sparky I put a collar and let me tell you he was not happy. He went crazy on me when I put that collar, it was the first time a collar was ever put on him. He is my first pet so I wasn't expecting that reaction.

He was clearly not happy to have that collar on and when it was time to go for a walk. He was not trying to hear it. I tried everything to try to get him to walk and he refused. I tried to do everything I read about in order to get him comfortable like connecting the leash and just letting him walk around the house dragging it. Didn't work he wouldn't move and I was afraid that I would hurt him by pulling to hard.

I posted a comment on FB about me thinking I was never going to be able to walk Sparky because he thought he was human and refuse to be walked with a leash. I had many friends comment and tell me to get a harness.

It was the best thing, at first he still didn't walk but I would pull a little and he had no choice but to walk. I felt comfortable pulling him because I knew I wasn't hurting him. It took a couple of walks for him to feel comfortable.

Now when it's time to go out I have to stop him from running out the door...lol. He has a collar(one with little colorful studs) to be stylish and to hold his little bling bling dog tags and if I have him on a leash inside the house.

Hope I was helpful:)
Nov 08, 2012
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by: Anonymous

When Tolo was very small, I used a harness. He loved it. As his hair started getting longer, I noticed I couldn't leave it on him full time. It interefered with his hair growth.

Now that he is full grown, I use a rolled leather collar. He only wears it when we go outside. Seems to be the best for reducing matting and hair growth problems that might occur.
Nov 08, 2012
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by: Debra

I have found the best harness for Heathcliff -- Walk in Synch. You can find it using Google. He responds to it perfectly... no pulling!

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