Dog Community

Collar For Dog With "Hack"?

Posted : 5/17/2008 1:23:40 PM

We have a 7y.o. mutt who has recently developed a bit of a "hack" when pressure is applied to his throat ... I first noticed this a few weeks ago while he was blowing his coat & I was using a stripper comb on him. When I ran the comb over his neck area, he began to hack. He seemed fine even on the leash up until a few days ago, when he was pulling mildly on the leash and again started to hack from the pressure of the collar around his neck. It didn't sound serious or uncontrollable, but it's something that has never been there before. His current collar is 1 1/2" leather, btw.

My first thought was to use a harness - and we do have a harness for him, however it's very heavy leather & not really appropriate for use in the summer. I don't like the feel of the regular nylon harnesses or single ply leather because this is a VERY strong dog, much stronger than he looks, and even though he's pretty well behaved on the leash, he has snapped those quik clip type harnesses in the past. So really looking for another collar, preferably leather, but if I can get double ply nylon that's strong enough, I'll consider that, as well. I'm thinking he needs either something padded or maybe even an agitation collar??? Anyone have any suggestions or know of a good collar I can use on him? This is the dog ... he's approx 65lbs of sheer muscle:

brookcove

Posted : 5/17/2008 9:01:03 PM

He's a beauty! Check out greyhound collars. They are made to minimize pressure on the throat and sit higher than normal collars. They come in very flashy styles (which would look simply stunning on him, incidentally!), but you can also get them in more utilitarian leather types as well.

calliecritturs

Posted : 5/17/2008 10:59:44 PM

If he's a puller use a Sporn. I think they are the BEST for a puller of anything. It is a collar, BUT there's a nylon strap that goes from the front of the collar down under the armpits and back up and attach to the back of the collar with an adjustable ring that adjusts that pressure. So the strap prevents the collar from riding on the throat (keep the collar loose enough literally to just easily pull over the head -- it needs NOT be any tighter than that). It's cool, they can NOT get out of it and won't snap it. I just ordered one straight from Sporn -- we've tried tons of them and like it best on Luna.

Also -- do yourself a favor -- before you do all sorts of stuff, have the vet take a look. When they are pulling they are also typically agitated -- and a heart cough can sound LIKE a throat hack in a big way and you won't always hear it. Just precautionary -- but I've seen it happen.

Workingdoglover

Posted : 5/17/2008 11:12:05 PM

If brushing his throat is causing him to cough or hack, then he probably needs something that isn't going to be putting hardly any (if any at all) pressure on his throat. I've heard that dogs who have had kennel cough have really bad hacks/coughs when pressure is put on their necks. Not sure if that would be the problem, though, since it just popped up. The only thing I'd know to suggest is a head halter (though I'm not too fond of them...), and second the Sporn idea. Hope you figure something out for the boy. :)

Suzzie

Posted : 5/21/2008 8:50:28 AM

i ADORE the sporn harness!

I have one for popper, he couldn't use a gentle leader (scraped his nose until it was bloody) like my other dogs could, so I tried the sporn. It was great! You wouldn't believe it, but he can pull harder than my 100# sheepdog. He's all muscle and used to drag me all over. It's much easier to walk him now. :)

Forgot to mention - Popper has the same problem, he can't be walked on a collar because he will instantly start to hack and cough.

Liesje

Posted : 5/21/2008 12:09:26 PM

That dog looks like a shepherd mix or even a purebred black shepherd, very pretty. My shepherd has very similar structure and size. I use a Ruffwear Webmaster harness. She's not a puller at all and walks flawlessly, but I was told my others that their pullers or reactive dogs cannot get out of this harness. It's light, but very strong. It is not too bulky and doesn't limit her movement (I have her run sprints in it, as well as road work alongside the bike). When walking, I usually connect the lead to the ring on her back and then connect a short attachment from the ring to her collar, so I have a "traffic handle", should I need one.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 5/21/2008 3:23:46 PM

My dog also wears a ruffwear harness, and I love it. It's totally adjustable, and I can't see it not fitting ANY dog securely.

Your dog is very handsome! He looks super strong, LOL. I'd either go with a wide, padded martingale, or a ruffwear harness. Whatever you're more comfortable with. I'd also have him vet checked.