[Cardi2008]

Hi all,

Okay, Cardi is annoying me with this scratching at the collar thing. When we first got him, after he turned 10 weeks old we bought his first collar and put it on him. And of course he scratched at it all the time. Well we ignored this thinking it would go away. It didn't. And he got to the point that whenever you would pet him and just brush by his neck area he would drop and lean into your hand like he had hives or something so you could itch it off for him. I thought it was dry skin....no. I thought it was fleas...no. Maybe something else irritatting the skin....no. Maybe it was the material of the collar....we have tried all the varities now. He is now 6 months old and still doing it. It is very annoying when I just want to pet him and he has to lean into my hand almost every time. Please help!
:shot:

 

[rmillstein]

Can you clarify a bit? Is the problem that he is scratching at the collar or that he is leaning into your hand? Scratching at the collar does sound like it is bothering him, or at least like he is having trouble adjusting to having one on. But leaning into a scratch... lots of dogs (and cats) do that -- it means "scratch harder." Who doesn't like a good scratch?

 

[Cardi2008]

He is doing both. He is scratching at the collar AND leaning hard into your hand when you touch his neck area. I know what your talking about when they will lean in for more scratching....but this is definitely not what he is doing. He will almost like fall into your hand for you to scratch at the collar as soon as you pass by it while you are petting him. And it is only the back and sides of his neck, not the front (which is a clue that it is not allergic).

I'm wondering if anyone else's dog took a really really really long time to adjust to a collar. I can't think of anything else it could be. I checked for dry skin, fleas & ticks, any allergic reactions, changing collars types, moisturizing the area, and purchasing anti-itch expensive shampoo. He's had a collar on since he was 10 weeks old, so he's had time to adjust. It's beginning to get real annoying, ya know?

Has anyone else experienced this? If so, what did you do?

 

[rmillstein]

Hmm, ok, I see what you mean now. What happens when you take the collar off? Does he ignore the area then? Maybe try putting the collar on and immediately offering a treat??? (grasping at straws here).

 

[Sam I Am]

Do you take the collar on and off alot because it is bothering him or you? If so, you may have taught him a neat trick, the "How I can get mom to take my collar off" trick.

 

[Cardi2008]

I never take the collar off. The only time it ever came off was when I bought a new collar and replaced the old collar...and that was only maybe 30 seconds. So I never reward him by taking it off. I just put a leather rolled collar on him last night. I am going to see what he does today. RM, that might be a good idea. Whenever I see him scratching at it I can tell him NO and then treat him when he settles. But what about when I am petting him and he leans into my hand? Any suggetions? (That is the annoying part).

 

[gwtwmum2]

What about a harness? Do you think he would react to that as strongly?

 

[Cardi2008]

What about a harness? Do you think he would react to that as strongly?

That is a good suggestion, however I wouldn't want to leave the harness on 24/7 like I would a collar.

I guess my real question for everyone is: how long did it take your dogs to get use to wearing a collar before they stopped reacting to it????

 

[Jehn]

Bauer was 10 weeks when we brought him home and as far as I can remember he only pawed at the collar for a day or so... Once he figured out that it wasnt coming off he forgot about it.

That being said, he has a facial harness for walking and he still has to stop every 100 feet or so to paw at it... he absolutely hates it but it's the only way I can walk him without him pulling!!

 

[Purple Poodle]

Hmm, he just sounds like he is being a puppy! Some dogs never really like having a collar on and get into a habit of scratching at it. I would just give him more time. Also like whom ever suggested it, correct him when he starts scratching at it and reward him for leaving it alone.