Collar Chewer

kouda_kuma

Hello! I'm kind of at a loss with my 1-year old Shiba, Kouda, who has recently taken to chewing his collars off himself in about 5 seconds flat. He's always been really mouthy (any tips there also greatly appreciated. not a trainer in the area has been able to help so far!), but this is new, as in like the past 2 months. We've gone through 5 collars.

I put him in his collar we use for mountain hikes (a heavy duty, bright orange, reflector-sporting thing) for a while and that lasted at least a few weeks, but he got his teeth stuck in it once and scared himself (and me!) silly. That lead to him being collar-less in the house and I thought would have scared him out of it, but I left him alone with it on in the back yard for about two minutes yesterday - seriously, moved the laundry from the washer to the dryer - and he'd bitten through it ... The following collar lasted about 2 hours. He can chew through anything!!

Does anyone have any ideas how I can stop this? I'd like to be able to leave a collar on him. It makes me feel better in case, somehow, he decides to take himself for a walk!
Thanks!

Calia

Are you sure that the collar isn't too loose. I would think that properly fitted collars would not be reachable with the mouth of the one wearing it.

Racie

I would agree with Calia that the collar is most likely too loose, it should be tight to the skin but have enough room so about two fingers can slip underneath. You could try spraying the collar with bitterapple spray before putting it on, to deter him from chewing it up.

CreamyShibaMom

ditto Beth. Shao New had the same issue when we got her, turns out it was just too loose. I'd start by bringing your pup to the pet store and try a few on. Don't let their necks fool you..it's just furry.

JessicaRabbit

I don't have any advice. Miko chewed right through her Bark and Giggle harness in the 6 minutes I left it on her.I simply manage by a) having the pups naked in the house and b) never leaving them alone outside for even a second. I have resigned to that being my only option.

amesylph

Ki has chewed off collars in the past. I've had a lot of luck with, as has been mentioned, sizing it appropriately but also being picky about the material and the way it adjusts. Collars that adjust strap style (you know like the way a bra strap adjusts lol where you pull to tighten or loosen) can be easier for a dog to work loose. I have Ki in a buckle style rounded leather collar. It's a lot nicer to his top coat and is not one he can pull loose.

~Rainy

kouda_kuma

Thank you guys. I had his collar pretty snug ... I got a cheapo one from the grocery store (I had been buying him the pretty leather ones ... I think I'm over that!) and tightened it a little more (I used to keep it so I could fit two fingers beneath it, as I heard that was a good rule of thumb). I take it off him when he's inside or in his kennel. He hasn't bothered with it ... so here's hoping.

Problem seems to be solved ... and then I got home from school last Friday to find the other dog''s collar sitting next to him in his kennel ... must be a guy thing - like coming home and taking off your pants. Boys ... :)

yukidomari

Worse comes to worse, you can always buy your next collar from Lupine. They'll replace your collars for free if they get ruined, even if its your dog that chews it to pieces.. :)

ShikokuSpirit

This is why I have their I.D. tags on chains (choke or fur saver) around their necks . I'm still looking for better quality collars for them (namely, the Shikoku). I've run out of the "extra" collars that I've accumulated over the years. Very unfortunate. Otherwise, they just run "naked", especially while at home in crates.