Trying to find cool collar for my rottie

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by stale

wow, i wonder how many new members we manage to retain?

for a site that's putative goal is education, we sure come off as an abrasive bunch, eh?

NewUser: i have a question about XXXXX?

Community at large: (swinging the opinion/education club straight at the temple, then into the ribs while they're confused.) "you are wrong wrong wrong!!!! this is what we say you should do, you horrible scum you!!!"

and, to the OP, hope the 5-6 actual responses to your question were useful. and don't mind the community at large - (/sarcasm) we know what's good for you and your dog better than you do, eh? (/sacasm off).

stale

I don't spend my time here trying to retain members. If they want to be educated they stay and learn...if they don't...that's fine too....don't let the door hit you on the way out.

If you own a Rottweiler you must grow a thick skin and learn to roll with the punches. We are not here to sugar coat...what you want to hear.

I think most people are polite, and if they are not then the thread will be edited or deleted.

We are in real trouble with this breed and may lose the right to own one in the near future...it's happened here in Ontario with Pitts.
I hate the idea of our breed being touted as some bad, tough breed...and the image of spike collar does it.

It seems some people have been educated on why a spike collar is a bad idea...maybe the OP did not like it...but other's understand the reason for our dislike for them.

Gina

[Sasha's Mom]

I think the studded collar issue is very subjective.... what's more important than what a dog's collar LOOK like, is how the dog acts! It doesn't matter if a Rott wears a sparkly, pink glitter collar if it comes across as poorly trained and not socialized. I try to have Sasha be a GOOD ambassador for the breed, and so far she has gone a very good job..... regardless of what she is wearing at any given time. Sometimes I dress her up in a black bandana with a skull on it (now, what message does THAT give.. ) just to contrast it with my personal style.
I'm not saying that a studded collar is wrong or right here.... I'm not going to dwell on that. What I *am* saying is, that people should feel free to use whatever collar they'd like, granted that the dog's BEHAVIOR puts any bad stereotype of Rotts to rest!

[moondog]

Originally Posted by Sasha's Mom

I think the studded collar issue is very subjective....

There's a fundamental difference between a studded collar and a spiked collar. Studs are round and smooth, and can add really nice aesthetics to the look of a collar. Spikes are pointed protrubences, some longer and more pointed than others, that tend to give an observer cause for pause.

If you'd like to see some "real" spike collars, google Turkish Dog Collars and you'll see what they use on the Anatolian dogs that guard the herds in Turkey. They are 100% metal and have spikes that no wolf in its right mind would mess with.....which is precisely the reason they are there.

[stale]

Originally Posted by brunie's mom

I don't spend my time here trying to retain members. If they want to be educated they stay and learn...if they don't...that's fine too....don't let the door hit you on the way out.

If you own a Rottweiler you must grow a thick skin and learn to roll with the punches. We are not here to sugar coat...what you want to hear.

I think most people are polite, and if they are not then the thread will be edited or deleted.

We are in real trouble with this breed and may lose the right to own one in the near future...it's happened here in Ontario with Pitts.
I hate the idea of our breed being touted as some bad, tough breed...and the image of spike collar does it.

It seems some people have been educated on why a spike collar is a bad idea...maybe the OP did not like it...but other's understand the reason for our dislike for them.

Gina

difference in viewpoints here - i DO care if we retain members, given how many people we've the potential to reach. the more folks we manage to educate, the better off the BREED AS A WHOLE will be.

what can i say - i firmly believe in strength in numbers. don't see it doing our collective cause any good at all to chase off anyone who's foolish enough to ask a question about something you may disapprove of.

just noting a trend there is, no matter the subject. new person comes and asks a question about food, or training, or tails vs. no tails, or collars. and then people come crawling out of the woodwork to tell them how horrid a dog owner they are.

given it's easier to keep a person listening/reading what you have to say when you're not crawling down their throat or up their hind end with a holier than thou attitude, would think that a little bit of civility, and yes, bloody sugar coating, would be expected. almost the norm.

guess if you don't care about educating the new folks, it's not a big deal. i'd like to get as many rott owners, and just dog owners in general here, reading and learning. and i'd like them to stay, and maybe send their friends here to learn. won't happen if we drive off all the new members with iffy questions. difference in purpose, i suppose. but to each their own.

every single person who has a rott is a fellow member in the fight to keep our breed. each and every one that comes here, then leaves before they get to learn what we're up against is a mark against us. from where i sit it's in our best interest to keep more folks.....

and i apologise for the thread hijack, but it's something that comes up far far too often on these forums not to fight against whenever it happens. folks rarely listen when you're busy attacking them. rational speech normally goes a whole lot further.

later, eh?

stale

[TrinaJ]

I HAVE been educated in this post and I thank those posters who took the opportunity to EXPLAIN why wearing those collars will shed futher 'bad light' on our precious breed. I come to this discussion board TO be educated, by those with more experience than me (of which there are MANY of you, i've had rotts for 15 years and there are MANY things I dont know).

My only suggestion, in future those people who just shout at others dont do it your only going to make a bad reputation worse, please explain why. Until moondog's post, I had NO idea why they were so bad. I've never had a studded collar for any of my dogs, why, because I think they are ugly *L* - however, I was also ignorant to the fact of what they were actually USED for. Now I know and now I know why so many people raised hell over the subject.

Just remember, its not WHAT you say its HOW you say it. Some people will come to the defence of others because of the way a post comes across (rude and judgemental). Next time, please explain the reasons, so that we all know and that we can all be informed.

Thanks,

Trina

[Sasha's Mom]

Originally Posted by moondog

There's a fundamental difference between a studded collar and a spiked collar. Studs are round and smooth, and can add really nice aesthetics to the look of a collar. Spikes are pointed protrubences, some longer and more pointed than others, that tend to give an observer cause for pause.

If you'd like to see some "real" spike collars, google Turkish Dog Collars and you'll see what they use on the Anatolian dogs that guard the herds in Turkey. They are 100% metal and have spikes that no wolf in its right mind would mess with.....which is precisely the reason they are there.

Yes, I can see the issue. I guess in my fogged head I was visualizing studs instead of spikes... yikes.

Thanks for clearing that up, moondog!

[dnkayser]

There is another safety issue here that I haven't seen mentioned, though with so many posts I may just have missed it...

Aside from all the issues of perpetuating a bad image, and the collar hurting the handler, there is also the safety of the dog itself to think about. A hind foot can be torn up in the blink of an eye if the dog goes to scratch it's neck while wearing a spiked collar. That alone would keep me from ever putting one on a dog.


Donna and Keli

[MonicaBH]

My golden retriever had to wear a spiked collar when Clyde was a puppy. He relentlessly went after Zellie's neck (she is VERY submissive to the point that she won't defend herself), and the spiked collar stopped it quickly. She didn't wear it all the time; it was mostly in the house or out in the yard. She wore it for a month, maybe?

I guess I am also of the opinion that the dog's behavior means more to me than what it's wearing. A person can be driving a $300,000 Bentley convertible but still be a piece of s*it. I mean, look at Paris Hilton. She oozes money, but she is trash. I guess it might be somewhat comparable with dogs? I don't know. Looks aren't always everything, but they are subjective.

On the other hand, I understand why it's a problem, especially since our breed is on the "vicious" and "dangerous dogs" list. That is why I just bought Clyde a floofy "party collar" that is very bright blue to wear on his therapy visits. :) (I am bound & determined to have him in a doggie clown suit before it's all said and done! LOL)

And that's my $0.02.

[freakygoldfish]

As stated before my dog wears a "spiked" collar. I did not choose this collar so my dog would look like a "bad ass." It's all about personal perception; I personally think prong collars look cruel and much more "thuggy" than a collar with small spikes. My dog is very well behaved. I do not believe I'm hurting the breed and I believe ignorant people will rush to judgement no matter what type of collar my dog wears. I also never associated spiked collars with dog fighting. Spiked collars originated with livestock guardian breeds to protect them from wolves and other predators. I think of dog collars more like jewlery that holds ID tags.

[moondog]

Originally Posted by freakygoldfish

I also never associated spiked collars with dog fighting. Spiked collars originated with livestock guardian breeds to protect them from wolves and other predators.

In an urban setting where herds are nowhere to be found, they are associated with dog fighting.

[zorro13]

In my neck of the woods, when I used to work in the shelter, I saw 'fighting dogs' daily being brought in. At the time, this was a severe problem in the area, so much so that anything remotely resembling a pit was instantly euthanized and never put up for adoption. These actual fighting dogs were kept awaiting court trial then were euthanized, not once, have I ever seen any of these fighting dogs wearing spike collars nor wearing such during the process of those 'fights' (I was told). The idiotic people involved in that crap aren't into prevention of any kind of injury. With that, I have never had any use for a spiked collar, I see them more as a fashion statement, even saw spiked harnesses. But as the poster above mentioned a safety issue while scratching, I can see that happening perhaps.

Anyways, my female rottie wears a baby pink suede collar and I will eventually paint her toenails pink to match--against my husband's objections! LOL Interesting to note, recently my neighbor saw someone walking their dog (non-rottie) in a prong collar, she was quite taken aback by the looks of it, I explained the collar to her, she still had a raised eyebrow because it looked so gruesome to her. I find all the hoopla and drama in here around someone just wanting to get a spiked collar completely ludicrous. A collar fueling BSL? Hardly, I imagine it's all the dog bites fueling that.

[MikeT66]

In my opinion a collar is a collar is a collar. It is a personal preference plain and simple. Spiked, studded, furry, fluffy who cares it is a collar. It is up to the owner on what they would like to put on their dog. Like I said before that was the original question. Then the experts who know everything come on here and jump all down the OP throat on why not to do that. NOT THE QUESTION!!!!!! For once I would love to see a post someone puts on here that the expert majority doesnt agree with just be answered and not the OP being belittled on why they are doing this and that wrong and how they are giving the breed a bad reputation. Come on get off your high horse.

I do not know where some of you people live but it seems like some of you live in areas that hate Rotties on matter what you have around their neck. I have owned Rotties for the past 12 yrs and have NEVER and I mean NEVER come across a person who looked at me the wrong way, berated me or was afraid of my Rott and with my hand on the bible that is the truth. Dakota (RIP) and Ryker have been out with us all over the place in many different social events and I have never come across a negative reaction. As a matter of fact they were the toast of the town on how well mannered and well behaved and how good they looked. Some of you all I hear is how you ran into this situation etc etc. I promote the breed well and do not pass judgement on anyone on how they raise their Rott on what they want it to wear.

Last topic to someone who said I have only been here on here a short time. SO WHAT!! All that means if you guys found this forum before I did and signed up. It has nothing to do with how long I have owned a Rott or anthing so you all need to get off telling posters well you have only been on here a short period of time so you dont know anything. What BS. You found this forum first is all the means plain and simple.

[poohbearsmom]

Mike.

The beauty of a DISCUSSION forum is that we discuss things. We each come here with our own set of ideals, ethics, and base of knowledge.

And I'm the one who said you've only been here a short time. I was inviting you to really peruse the forums and appreciate the wealth of knowledge contained on these thousands of pages. Many, many people have volunteered their precious time to assist others in reaching a maintaining wonderful relationships with their dogs, and you come here bitching and moaning because you don't like the responses ANOTHER member got on this thread, instead of appreciating the fact that we are all different, and we all are entitled to our opinions.

If your experience level is such that you can contribute educated responses in the Training, Behavior, Rescue, General, Puppy Development or Breeding Forums, why don't you give it a whirl, we invite you with open arms. Instead, your panties are in a wad over responses that weren't even directed at you, unless you have more than one username on this Forum.

Opinions are just that. However, if you would extract your head from your nether regions for just one moment, you'd really read what many of us are trying to say. We care about rottweilers. Your rottweiler. My rottweiler. Everyone's rottweilers. We work tirelessly to help people understand the plight WE ALL are in during this time of political correctness (which BTW is for the birds).

I agree, you can put any kind of collar on your dog you want; your dog is your property. But while you're worrying about us hurting someone's feelings in a thread like this, AR folks are trying to change your status from "owner" to "guardian" of your property e.g. "dog". When that happens my friend, it will be a sad day for all dog owners. While you're busy bitching and moaning because we think we know it all, you're really not getting the big picture. Breed banning is happening all over; just call your homeowners insurance company and see if they allow rottweilers. If they do, they are only of but a few these days and count yourself lucky.

So, enough with the whining, and please do something productive for your breed of dog.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by poohbearsmom

Mike.

The beauty of a DISCUSSION forum is that we discuss things. We each come here with our own set of ideals, ethics, and base of knowledge.

And I'm the one who said you've only been here a short time. I was inviting you to really peruse the forums and appreciate the wealth of knowledge contained on these thousands of pages. Many, many people have volunteered their precious time to assist others in reaching a maintaining wonderful relationships with their dogs, and you come here bitching and moaning because you don't like the responses ANOTHER member got on this thread, instead of appreciating the fact that we are all different, and we all are entitled to our opinions.

If your experience level is such that you can contribute educated responses in the Training, Behavior, Rescue, General, Puppy Development or Breeding Forums, why don't you give it a whirl, we invite you with open arms. Instead, your panties are in a wad over responses that weren't even directed at you, unless you have more than one username on this Forum.

Opinions are just that. However, if you would extract your head from your nether regions for just one moment, you'd really read what many of us are trying to say. We care about rottweilers. Your rottweiler. My rottweiler. Everyone's rottweilers. We work tirelessly to help people understand the plight WE ALL are in during this time of political correctness (which BTW is for the birds).

I agree, you can put any kind of collar on your dog you want; your dog is your property. But while you're worrying about us hurting someone's feelings in a thread like this, AR folks are trying to change your status from "owner" to "guardian" of your property e.g. "dog". When that happens my friend, it will be a sad day for all dog owners. While you're busy bitching and moaning because we think we know it all, you're really not getting the big picture. Breed banning is happening all over; just call your homeowners insurance company and see if they allow rottweilers. If they do, they are only of but a few these days and count yourself lucky.

So, enough with the whining, and please do something productive for your breed of dog.

Extremely well said. Kudos.

[gsnxz]

I had a leathersmith make a collar for my rottie. It is about 2 inches wide and 1/3 of an inch thick. I had a choice of colors and I'm pretty sure there were various kinds of studs and spikes there to choose from. I didn't get any studs, but the collar itself cost me $65 canadian and was ready in a couple of weeks. If you want I can send you pictures.