Jenni Williams wrote 10/04/2007 05:30 PM Suggestions for metal/plastic-free collar sources? #157112 - 10/04/2007 05:30 PM
Jenni Williams Webboard User Reg: 10-06-2005 Posts: 2686 Loc: llinois Offline	My poor Mia is severely allergic to metal, and apparently allergic to plastic. I have noticed before that her neck gets very raw looking when I leave a collar on her. I don't normally leave any collars on my dogs, but this girl is often in need of, shall we say...redirection. Dumba$$ me left a nylon/plastic/metal "D" ring collar on her yesterday while I was at work. Shouldn't be that big of a deal. I came home, took her for a walk, and she kept rolling around in the grass. I pulled her up and her collar moved, but it stuck for a second. I was horrified to see that her neck had a perfect imprint of the buckle and rivets in the form of bloody, pus-oozing sores. I could smell it as soon as I took it off. It was the most disgusting thing I've seen in a long time. I feel horrible. I know this is an auto-immune issue (one of the many I've been addressing in this poor, vaccinated beast), but the first step is to find a collar that she can wear. I can picture it, but I can't find it anywhere. I'm picturing an all-leather martingale or slip/choke w/wrapped rings. Has anyone seen these or have any other ideas? I've been Googling all day to no avail. I'm thinking I'll have to go custom, but thought I'd throw it out there. Anyone else seen such a serious contact allergy?
Top
Sandy Moore wrote 10/04/2007 05:45 PM Re: Suggestions for metal/plastic-free collar sources? [Re: Jenni Williams ] #157115 - 10/04/2007 05:45 PM
Sandy Moore Webboard User Reg: 07-25-2006 Posts: 2665 Loc: AZ Offline	Yikes! Poor baby! This collar has the rings away from the dog, doesn't touch the dog's skin because of the leather (you'll see what I mean when you see the collar): http://www.leerburg.com/1062.htm It's an agitation collar, but doesn't necessarily have only that function. I also find the handle to be, well, handy Comes in 1 1/4" wide and 2" wide, I'd think the 1 1/4" is plenty for the sake of just having a collar on. However, I don't remember what breed Mia is, so either size may not apply.
Top
Jenni Williams wrote 10/04/2007 05:54 PM Re: Suggestions for metal/plastic-free collar sources? [Re: Sandy Moore ] #157118 - 10/04/2007 05:54 PM
Jenni Williams Webboard User Reg: 10-06-2005 Posts: 2686 Loc: llinois Offline	Yeah, that may be what I end up with. I would still like to find something thinner that I could leave on her for more than just walks. I've seen a few where under normal circumstances the metal isn't touching, but she' SO allergic, if she lies on it and it's in contact, she breaks out. I think that's definitely a good choice for walks, though. I've even considered making her one out of hemp, no joke. Ya know, break out my macrame skills. She's an APBT, about 47lbs, and an agitation collar is just so darn wide. Thanks.
Top
Sandy Moore wrote 10/04/2007 06:26 PM Re: Suggestions for metal/plastic-free collar sour [Re: Jenni Williams ] #157123 - 10/04/2007 06:26 PM
Sandy Moore Webboard User Reg: 07-25-2006 Posts: 2665 Loc: AZ Offline	Jenni, I may be grasping at straws but here's an idea that maybe you could run with and come up with something of your own - how about making a martingale type collar out of long line material, like the long lines Ed sells. Buy a long line, cut off toward the end with the loop handle (leaving the end with the clasp for a drag line for some other use), and start cutting pieces of the line to fashion a martingale type collar with just fabric. It will mean some strong thread to sew the ends together with, but it would probably work. I'm also thinking you'd have to sew the ends of the fabric to keep it from fraying. Picture this with only fabric, no metal rings, etc. Even the "rings" can be made with the long line fabric: http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2751415&cp=&sr=1&origkw=martingale+collar&kw=martingale+collar&parentPage=search&keepsr=1
Top
Kimberly Bunk wrote 10/04/2007 08:19 PM Re: Suggestions for metal/plastic-free collar sources? [Re: Jenni Williams ] #157130 - 10/04/2007 08:19 PM
Kimberly Bunk Webboard User Reg: 05-04-2006 Posts: 384 Loc: PA Offline	Jenni, For the time being can you just cut the toe/foot end off a thick knee high sock and feed the collar thru it and use that, maybe stich the ends together but leave space for the leash to be attached or to gain access to remove the collar. Just a suggestion, maybe get some cool color socks to keep her looking fashionable . PS - On a side note, I have some ethnic jewelry that makes my neck turn green if I wear it for too long, you can just use a hot glue gun to adhere a felt type fabric on the underside of the collar to keep her skin from coming in contact with the metal like I do with the necklaces. Kimberly Edited by Kimberly Bunk (10/04/2007 08:23 PM) Edit reason: added ps
Top
Cindy Easton Rhodes wrote 10/04/2007 08:27 PM Re: Suggestions for metal/plastic-free collar sour [Re: Kimberly Bunk ] #157132 - 10/04/2007 08:27 PM
Cindy Easton Rhodes Moderator Reg: 07-14-2001 Posts: 2069 Loc: Wisconsin Offline	We sell a hemp collar with a fleece lining. It does have a chrome buckle though.... Hemp collar Cindy cindyr@leerburg.com
Top
Connie Sutherland wrote 10/04/2007 08:30 PM Re: Suggestions for metal/plastic-free collar sour [Re: Kimberly Bunk ] #157133 - 10/04/2007 08:30 PM
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005 Posts: 31571 Loc: North-Central coast of California Offline	Quote: Kimberly Bunk PS - On a side note, I have some ethnic jewelry that makes my neck turn green if I wear it for too long, you can just use a hot glue gun to adhere a felt type fabric on the underside of the collar to keep her skin from coming in contact with the metal like I do with the necklaces. Kimberly I coat the metal with colorless nail polish. I have to reapply it every so often, but it works great for me (nickel allergy). I don't know why it wouldn't work with a buckle, as long as you're not handling it a lot and wearing it off.
Top
Debbie Bruce wrote 10/04/2007 10:04 PM Re: Suggestions for metal/plastic-free collar sour [Re: Connie Sutherland ] #157138 - 10/04/2007 10:04 PM
Debbie Bruce Webboard User Reg: 08-23-2007 Posts: 1196 Loc: Centralia, Missouri Offline	I've never heard of such an extreme allergy, poor girl. And you sure don't have any wiggle or oops room with her skin. If she isn't allergic to nylon ropes you could go to a wilderness/rock climber/hardware store and buy a couple feet of rope and just tie it around her neck. If you're not knot savvy you can get a knot encyclopedia from the library, or an eagle scout, and find one or two knots that will work for a collar. Another option would be to get some flat cotton or nylon webbing from a fabric store, sew Velcro on about half the length so there is plenty of shear strength, and Velcro it around her neck. If your snap on the leash won't go around the webbing or it irritates her neck use some small diameter rope to make a small loop. You could also try using surgical tape to wrap the metal or plastic buckles on an existing collar. When it started to wear through it would be easy to see and you could reapply it.
Top
Sheila Buckley wrote 10/04/2007 11:29 PM Re: Suggestions for metal/plastic-free collar sour [Re: Jenni Williams ] #157139 - 10/04/2007 11:29 PM
Sheila Buckley Webboard User Reg: 07-14-2007 Posts: 1243 Loc: Offline	Poor Mia! If you haven't tried solid brass hardware on a collar, you may want give it a shot. It is more expensive but it usually does not cause the allergic reactions of brass plated or chrome hardware, though from your description her allergy is severe,so I'm not sure it would make a difference. As far as the oozing and sores....Gold Bond Powder.....would be my first choice. The active ingredient menthal is believed to interfere with homeopathic remedies so if Mia is being treated homeopathically, consult with your vet before using. It is not technically created for dogs so there is no scientific background on its safety or ability to heal, however; I have used it with dogs for different skin irritations and have had remarkable success. Also, when I worked in nursing it was the most effective treatment for bed sores. In my books it is good stuff.....though I was a nursing school drop out Goodluck with your search. It is so difficult to watch them suffer.
Top
Debbie Bruce wrote 10/05/2007 12:28 AM Re: Suggestions for metal/plastic-free collar sour [Re: Sheila Buckley ] #157140 - 10/05/2007 12:28 AM
Debbie Bruce Webboard User Reg: 08-23-2007 Posts: 1196 Loc: Centralia, Missouri Offline	I got some of my horse-halter rope (3/8" polypropolene) and tied it around my thigh. I came up with an easy set of knots that don't slip or stretch once I pulled them tight. It isn't the prettiest but it would hold a horse or a dog and is easy to do. If I started it just a bit snug it was about right when I pulled the knots tight. I doubled the rope, ran the running ends through the loop, then tied a half-hitch around the standing end, tightened it, then tied another half-hitch behind the first one, you can do a third if you want to. That set of knots will hold loads tied on a truck going down the hiway without slipping. I make horse halters out of 3/16" poly rope that will hold a mule. That size rope would be easier to work with and look better on the dog. You can heat the ends and stick them together after you get the right length. It took me longer to get the pictures on PhotoBucket than it took to tie the knots. http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc270/DebbieBruce/?action=view&current=b68090a8.pbw
Top

Previous Topic

Index

Next Topic

Page 1 of 3 123>>

When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.

Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional. The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.

Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc. By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.