How scary and awful. I agree with using a martingale or limited slip collar. Squash just backed out of his harness a week or so ago when I was biking with him, the effer.
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Okay, I've ordered the martingale off of amazon, so it should be here by Saturday. I'm going to be in a constant state of anxiety for the next few days while I'm away and other people are responsible for taking care of him, but I'm sure it will be fine. My husband certainly seems to think I'm being a little obsessive 
On the other hand, he wasn't there to feel that terrible sensation of helplessness... sigh. Stuff of nightmares.
By the way, we really do have an amazing vet, and will keep going to her as long as she's around! My family has been going to her practice for decades - starting way back when it was her dad's practice. She's incredible, and this isn't the first time I've seen her go above and beyond. I feel lucky to have her - I kind of wish I could find a human doctor who cared that much for myself...
On the other hand, he wasn't there to feel that terrible sensation of helplessness... sigh. Stuff of nightmares.
By the way, we really do have an amazing vet, and will keep going to her as long as she's around! My family has been going to her practice for decades - starting way back when it was her dad's practice. She's incredible, and this isn't the first time I've seen her go above and beyond. I feel lucky to have her - I kind of wish I could find a human doctor who cared that much for myself...
So glad your dog is safe and sound.
Like everyone else has said, I think something similar has happened to most of us at one time or another.
My first foster slipped her collar when she darted in fear and fortunately came when called- I got her a harness for walking and left the collar for the tags.
I had another foster go UNDER a chain link fence while I was standing there... never imagined a 60 lbs dog could fit through a 3 inch gap but I got to chase that silly boy around the neighborhood for a half hour. He had a collar but no tags since they hadn't dropped off his ID tags yet.
I have also had a prong collar pop open, the dog just ran over to play with another dog and she still had her martingale collar with tags on it.
I have learned this:
Always a flat or no-slip (depending on head size) martingale (the flat kind without a chain) with the tags on it. Never attach the leash to this.
If using a prong collar, use a small carabiner to clip it to a choke chain or to a martingale. The choke chain will not engage unless the prong pops open. Also use a choke chain as a backup collar if the dog has strictly a flat collar that could go over his head or one with a crappy buckle (not anything I would buy but dogs come to me with varied equipment)
If I am going to walk the dog on a flat collar, I use a second wide collar in addition to the "tag collar", the wider (2 inch nylon) ones are easier on their throats.
I prefer to walk on a harness, not so much for the no-slip factor as some harnesses aren't very hard to back out of, but to protect their necks/throats and make it easier to control a dog that tries to dart. I also buckle them into the car using a tie-out safe harness and a carabiner (weight bearing for human climbing activities) - aside from the obvious safety help while driving, it means that I can open the car door without fear of them leaping out and darting away.
the best no-slip harness I have found is the Ruffwear Webmaster. The second underbelly strap makes it virtually impossible to back out of and no amount of rolling around has managed to shift it anywhere near enough to get loose.
This is my "full" gear set-up for Chester. He doesn't often end up wearing it all- but in various combinations depending on the situation. The little red thing on his harness is a motion/dark activated flashing safety light.
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Like everyone else has said, I think something similar has happened to most of us at one time or another.
My first foster slipped her collar when she darted in fear and fortunately came when called- I got her a harness for walking and left the collar for the tags.
I had another foster go UNDER a chain link fence while I was standing there... never imagined a 60 lbs dog could fit through a 3 inch gap but I got to chase that silly boy around the neighborhood for a half hour. He had a collar but no tags since they hadn't dropped off his ID tags yet.
I have also had a prong collar pop open, the dog just ran over to play with another dog and she still had her martingale collar with tags on it.
I have learned this:
Always a flat or no-slip (depending on head size) martingale (the flat kind without a chain) with the tags on it. Never attach the leash to this.
If using a prong collar, use a small carabiner to clip it to a choke chain or to a martingale. The choke chain will not engage unless the prong pops open. Also use a choke chain as a backup collar if the dog has strictly a flat collar that could go over his head or one with a crappy buckle (not anything I would buy but dogs come to me with varied equipment)
If I am going to walk the dog on a flat collar, I use a second wide collar in addition to the "tag collar", the wider (2 inch nylon) ones are easier on their throats.
I prefer to walk on a harness, not so much for the no-slip factor as some harnesses aren't very hard to back out of, but to protect their necks/throats and make it easier to control a dog that tries to dart. I also buckle them into the car using a tie-out safe harness and a carabiner (weight bearing for human climbing activities) - aside from the obvious safety help while driving, it means that I can open the car door without fear of them leaping out and darting away.
the best no-slip harness I have found is the Ruffwear Webmaster. The second underbelly strap makes it virtually impossible to back out of and no amount of rolling around has managed to shift it anywhere near enough to get loose.
This is my "full" gear set-up for Chester. He doesn't often end up wearing it all- but in various combinations depending on the situation. The little red thing on his harness is a motion/dark activated flashing safety light.
I'd love to see a pic off the little guy, he sounds cute
i dont know of a dog person who hasnt had that 'oh sh**t' moment when a dog slips a collar or backs out of a harness, its a heart-in-the-throat moment for sure :S
i dont know of a dog person who hasnt had that 'oh sh**t' moment when a dog slips a collar or backs out of a harness, its a heart-in-the-throat moment for sure :S
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