SearchCollar change?
So, Skye has a nylon collar, it rubs, but we can't afford to take it off of her while at home because my sister, who is autistic, just doesn't understand that you can't stand in the doorway while its open and Skye has gotten out before. Now, we usually catch her within 10-15 minutes, and she has good recall, but she usually only runs out the door when she sees a squirrel or something. I want to keep her collar on just in case she does get away. We don't hook her leash or her tie out to her collar, she wears a harness when she goes out, so do you guys think it might be a good investment to get a "choke" collar just as something to hold her tags?? I would just like to get it because it won't rub or cause her to be uncomfortable (she's always itching where it rubs). She is microchipped and registered, but I don't want to place my faith in that as the one in my friend's dog malfunctioned and it took them months to find her.
That wiggly girl has some of the brightest and whitest teeth I've ever seen... WOW.. do you brush them all the time?
What about a leather collar? Maybe a more 'natural' fabric would work a little better..
Or being the pretty girl Skye is... I can see a lovely blue silk scarf!! 
(( ( Sorry delete that .. Sofia has learned to type...)
She gets her teeth brushed once a week... with BEEF flavored doggy toothpaste... lolz... she loves it and chews on the bristles... will have to get a pic of her toothbrush.
I have tried leather and it irritates her more than the nylon... grrr... I'm running out of ideas.
found a smily/sleepy pic from her other collar... this one was cotton.
Thank you Sofia... I love scarfs... but somehow they all end up with little bits of ground-gunk from outside and I just have to tear them off or risk looking scruffy in front of the cute rottweiler that moved in across the street!!!
You can try a choke collar for identification, but I don't know what else to do for poor Skye :( The only problem that i've had with Zelda and collars is that her collar carries a lot of dirt (she stays outside when me and my immediate family aren't home while unreliable family members are) and caused major canine acne on her neck.
Thanks for the Input... Will wait for more posts, I just kon't know what to do... I know a lot of people are againsts using choke collars... but I don't think I have any other options.
When you used a leather collar, did you pre soften it by oiling it? I love leather and only use it because I have seen a horse break its neck with a nylon halter when its hoof got stuck while scratching its head. Where as leather will break. Yes it takes more to clean and treat. Try oiling your leather collar it might just work. I use Horsemen one step, you can get it at any tack shop, Tractor and supply or Walmart. Any conditioner and cleaner will do.
Don't know what to tell you...Reesie's collar is bothering him a little too. I've been paranoid b/c the hair on the front of his neck seems to be wearing thin. He wore a choke chain around for a while, but we didn't use it for the leash. Didn't seem to bother him. Right now, we're at no collar, but I know that's not an option for you. Hope you find something to work for that beautiful girl. Kate is right, her teeth are amazing! She's a great looking girl.
I am not suer I would put her on a choke chain and leave it on her all of the time just for her tags. It could get caught and hurt her. I found a company that makes high end leather collars and they line them with lambskin. The also have id holders, its just a thin leather the holds tags. They custom make everything so you might be able to get a id holder and have them line it with lambskin.
http://californiacollarco.com/home
To add to oiling the leather (Who knows... It might work) there's this stuff called Hot Glove that's used to break in a baseball/softball glove. You spray it on, the put it in the oven for a few minutes and TA-DA! a brand new glove feels like it's been used for years. It's faster than the oiling process.
Just another option if you decide to try it.
I never leave collars on my dogs when they are home....putting a collar on is like getting 'dressed up to go out' to them. LOL Ziva has a nice silver choke chain that she wears just for looks (I love the way the thinner ones look on a black dobie's neck) but I would be hesitant about leaving one on all the time, especially if you're not home and she is loose in the house. I always worry about the dog getting a collar stuck on something and hurting itself trying to get loose....a metal chain collar wont break, no matter what, and it could possibly even tighten up if the loose ring happened to get snagged on something. I'm a worry wart....that's just how I am.
I'd go with a nice soft latigo leather collar if I had to leave on one all the time, though.
I use Ezydog collars. They're padded and very adjustable
http://ezydog.mybigcommerce.com/categories/COLLARS/
Check um out!
I recently saw some products made of soy. I'll have to see if I can find a link and if they make collars.
I agree, no choke 24/7 it can be a real hazard.
Miles has sensitive skin, just like Skye, and would get little hot spots from nylon collars and would fuss at almost anything on his neck. I purchased a rolled leather collar and he's warn it without issue for 6 years!
I'd look into a leather collar of some kind, I liked the rolled because it stays smooth along the neck and lays perfectly with the coat.
There are also hemp products. Advertised as no burn benefits. Might check it out. I have a hemp 6ft leash that I like, but no collar. Another idea is to purchase a couple of rings and make your own, if you have a sewing machine or take to a leather/repair shop. I've made several collars of material that are designed like a choke chain but made of material. Leo is quite talented at ditching a collar. He lowers his head at just the right time and slips his head out of a collar like Hudini! Kind of a funny feeling, holding a leash and an empty collar!
The collar in his avatar is a material of Mexican weave cloth
Leather collars work really well! Also the organic fabrics are pretty good on their hair. I don't keep Laith's collar on inside, but I understand your worries. Also the leather collars you can order them where the tags aren't hanging and making all that noise! And they are lined with soft skin (deer, elk, rabbit, etc.)
I'll look through my bookmarks tonight and try to find a website we were in love with. But we were going to wait until Laith's neck grew full size because they can get quite expensive!
Here it is: I love this company!! Like I said, a little expensive but we are going to invest in one once his size is set. Probably a custom made design. :)
Poor Skye! It does sound like leather would be your best bet...she's gotta be close to her full size now, close enough anyway that you could invest in a good one without worrying that she'll grow out of it. Definitely use some conditioner though to soften it up. We have Dakota's tags on a choke collar, she only wears it when we go out...half the time I just stick it in my purse and don't even bother putting it on lol, just so I have it with me "just in case." Dakota has a leather one also but the fur on her neck was starting to wear thin, I think it was catching between the metal loop and the collar. Now she just goes naked most of the time.
Thanks for the input guys!!! My worry-wort self didn't even think of softening the collar... Ya learn something new everyday I guess!! My friend's dad works with leather... so I'll give him a call. I was just so worried because no matter what I did... the irritation wouldn't go away.
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Here is a pic of her harness and current collar (sorry for the blur... she's a wiggly lil girl!!)