As we are sure you know, there are a million and one things to keep in mind when taking care of your precious pups, and something that might not always be first on your list is the scary possibility of tracheal collapse.
If you have a dog that is prone to tracheal issues like a chihuahua, Yorkshire terrier, pomeranian or other small breed, then you might already be aware that traditional collars aren’t always the best option for them, especially collars made from lesser quality materials!
The good news, though, is that there are plenty of great alternative options such as wide collars and harnesses that can provide more safety for your furry friend and peace of mind for yourself. With all of this in mind, let’s take a look at the tricky area of tracheal issues, and what you should be looking to buy in order to avoid any risk for your own canine companion!
What Is The Trachea?
Okay, let’s start out with the basics. What are we actually talking about when we say the trachea?
You are probably more familiar with the term ‘windpipe’. The trachea is a crucial part of your pup’s respiratory system, a flexible tube that is supported within the body by a series of C-shaped rings made from cartilage. It is essentially the passageway for air to travel from your dog’s throat to its lungs.
The trachea does an incredibly important job, but it can be very delicate in smaller and toy breeds. If any excessive pressure is ever placed on the throat area, there is a risk of restriction and damage. This can be anything from temporary discomfort to full blown collapse, which is obviously extremely scary for both pup and parent!
The more you understand the role of the trachea in your pet’s health and comfort, the better equipped you will be to make the right choices regarding accessories and gear.
Can Dog Collars Damage Trachea?
Dog collars are an essential part of pet ownership, purely for purposes of control and identification when out for walks, but if they aren’t chosen appropriately, they can pose an unfortunate risk to health. The connection between a vulnerable trachea and a badly fitting collar is something that isn’t hard to imagine, right?
Tracheal collapse is a scary thing to think about, but the more you know, the better prepared you can be. It occurs when the rings of cartilage that support your dog’s trachea start to weaken and flatten, resulting in a restricted airflow. It can be exacerbated by jerking on a leash or too much consistent pulling, as well as a collar that is too tight to begin with.
In terms of what you can do to avoid this, the best answers we can give you involve switching to wider dog collars and harnesses that help to more evenly distribute pressure across the neck. There are plenty of expertly designed accessories that focus on reducing the force around the tracheal area, with a harness in particular avoiding the neck altogether.
No matter what decision you personally make, the key thing is to ensure a proper fit. Collars that are too tight OR too loose can cause their own problems. Follow the ‘two finger’ rule of leaving enough space between collar and neck for two fingers to fit comfortably.
Wide Dog Collars And Leather Benefits
When it comes to safeguarding your dog against the risk of tracheal damage, wide dog collars can be an absolute game changer. This is particularly the case if you are the proud parent of a slender necked breed like greyhounds, whippets and Italian greyhounds. Their beautiful, slim neck structures are much more delicate and therefore much more vulnerable to injury. Let’s go through some of the key benefits of a soft vegetable tanned leather wide collar.
Benefits For Long Necked Breeds
Wider collars are a match made in heaven for any dogs with elongated necks, simply because they provide the most enhanced support whilst reducing risk of injury. Breeds like whippets and greyhounds are also likely to have more sensitive skin, and the wider surface area also helps to prevent excess irritation and rubbing as well.
These collars are also perfect for shorter necked breeds and smaller dogs that have thinner frames. For smaller pups, a collar width of between 1 and 3 cm is recommended for best fit that isn’t going to overwhelm their proportions!
The Leather Advantage
In terms of material, you really can’t do much better than vegetable tanned leather. It offers the ideal combination of style, comfort and durability, and thanks to the plant based tannins used in the manufacturing process, it is eco friendly!
The soft nature of vegetable tanned leather means that it will mold to the exact shape of your dog’s neck over time, and the lack of harsh chemicals eliminates potential skin irritation from the leather. All of this, plus being super durable to stand the test of time, it’s a real win-win situation!
Preventing Pressure And Irritation
The bottom line is that a properly fitted wide collar is the key accessory you can have to prevent a whole range of issues from excessive pressure to chafing to irritation and more. We can’t stress enough how importing the two finger rule is when making sure the fit on your dog’s neck is snug yet loose enough.
Leather Dog Harnesses For Added Safety
Comfort and safety is always top of the list when caring for your furry companion, and for these reasons alone we think that leather dog harnesses are a great option. Especially for pups we have already mentioned with slender necks like whippets, greyhounds and Italian greyhounds. They are incredibly athletic and elegant dogs, but they do have neck structures that are vulnerable to tracheal injury. Here are some of the reasons why a harness can be seen as an ideal alternative.
Distributing Pressure For Comfort And Safety
The great thing about a harness is that it can distribute pressure much more evenly across a dog’s chest and shoulders, instead of having all the force be focused on the neck. If your doggy likes to pull on the leash, then a harness gives you much more control as the walker, and ensures that you don’t accidentally harm them when trying to slow them down. Everyone is happier!
Ideal For Long Necked And Small Breeds
We keep bringing them up, but greyhounds, whippets and Italian greyhounds really are vulnerable when it comes to tracheal injuries. Harnesses completely eliminate the need to worry as they do not approach the direct neck area, and the same benefit can be felt for the entire range of small dog breeds that have more fragile frames.
The Leather Advantage
The secret power here really is the beauty and quality of the vegetable tanned leather that is used in the best harnesses. They offer the dream combination of comfort, style and durability that will satisfy both you as the buyer and your pup as the wearer! The way that the soft leather molds to your dog’s shape over time creates the most custom fit possible, and being free from harsh chemicals means that you don’t have to worry about pesky skin allergies either.
Training Tips For Loose Leash Walking
The very best walking experiences happen when both you and your dog are relaxed and confident. Here are some of the best tips to follow to ensure that those are the vibes you can bring to every walkies session!
Start With Treats
Start your walk in a spot that is quiet and free from distraction, and keep a treat in your hand to encourage your pup to stay close to you. When they are behaving in a calm manner and walking alongside without pulling ahead, reward them!
Stop When They Pull
If your dog gets over excited and starts to pull on the leash/harness, stop moving and stand still. When they stop to look back at you or reverse a little, then reward them with another treat. This will teach them to stay closer!
Reward Calm Behavior
Your dog is intelligent, and they will start to notice that they are being given more treats when they are acting calmly. Plenty of verbal praise and gentle patting helps too!
Keep Training Sessions Short
Consistency is key here, so don’t try to do too much too soon with your excitable pup. Just short, focused training sessions of between 5 and 10 minutes are a great place to start to encourage new good habits.
Ensure Proper Gear And Fit
And finally, back to the main point of things, we really can’t stress enough how important it is to have the right gear for your own dog, with the right fit to boot. Remember everything we have laid out about wide collars and back clip harnesses, as well as the two finger rule to guarantee a snug but safe fastening.
Find Everything You Need At The Lille Björn
Nobody knows your dog better than you do, so you will know exactly the right gear to keep them safe when you see it. Head over to The Lille Björn and we can promise that you will find the perfect combination of accessories from our range of high quality, vegetable tanned leather collars and harnesses. Don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance regarding things like sizing and other options.
Our pets are among the most important things in our lives, and when you buy from The Lille Bjorn you can be sure that they are getting the kind of premium product that they deserve!
