I was recently admiring Quill’s handsome profile, thinking about how he’s my first dog without a permanent collar cowlick on his neck. Between going naked for collar safety reasons, and no longer wearing a collar at all due to his brush with megaesophagus, Quill has actually worn a collar fewer than 10 times in his entire life. Instead, I have his ID tag on his harness.
Collar Safety Awareness Week just passed, and my old website saw a traffic boost because of several posts I wrote there. So between that and thinking about Quill’s collar-free profile, I thought it was a perfect time to share some basic collar safety tips for dog owners.
Tinkerbell’s HVAC Vent Incident: Why We Went Collar Free
I originally wrote about collar safety back in 2017 on my old website. Tinkerbell had woken me in the middle of the night with the vent from our forced-air heating ducts hanging from her collar. She had been sleeping on the vent; her identification tag had slipped into the vent slat and twisted, and her collar got stuck in the vent cover/grille.
Thankfully the cover came out of the vent when she got up, or we could have had a horrific tragedy with our girl. I will never forget how she woke me up by pawing the mattress, and my shock at seeing her sitting next to the bed with the vent cover hanging from her collar. At that time, she wore a martingale style collar without a buckle, so I had to slip it over her head to get it off.
Unfortunately, not all dog owners are fortunate enough to be home when accidents like this happen. According to The Naked Dog Project, “Collar strangulation accidents happen in normal and safe circumstances, and they happen regardless of the collar choice. Every year, thousands of dogs get injured or die. Many owners are unaware of this danger.”
As an avid user of social media, I have seen far too many tragic incidents in my dog owner groups in which dogs did not survive collar accidents. For that reason I strongly encourage readers to share this post with dog owner friends and family.
Collar Safety Awareness: Why Some Dogs Go Naked
Whether it’s crate time, rough play, or sleeping, collars can pose serious risks. Things that might have never occurred to you become a collar safety hazard.
There are several reels circulating on social media where dogs get their tags caught on dishwasher racks. It plays out like a cartoon, with the dog scrambling away in fear, being “chased” by the dishwasher rack, dishes flying through the air.
Both Jackson and Tinkerbell did this when they were puppies. Until I saw the reels on social media of other dogs doing this, I thought we were the only ones. My dogs’ incidents were identical to the ones I’ve seen online. Both dogs licked the dirty dishes as I loaded them. Their tags got stuck in the lower rack. Then, they took off running, sending plates and silverware flying through the kitchen. We can laugh about it now, only because neither of them got hurt. But most collar incidents are more terrifying than funny.
Here are some other moments when the safest choice for your dog is no collar at all:
Crates and Kennels
Collars and tags can become choking hazards in any type of crate or kennel if left unattended. After I started looking into collar safety, I read about several dogs who accidentally hung themselves while their owners were away because their collars got stuck while they were crated.
Before Jax and Tink went totally collar-free, I began an easy routine. I took off their collars before kennel time and placed them on the floor in front of each crate. That way, whoever let them out could grab their collars without difficulty and put them back on.
Playtime & Rough-housing
Dogs love a game that many dog owners refer to as “bitey face.” It is a common game in multiple dog households or at dog parks. They engage in playful biting of each other’s face, neck, and body.
Many dogs get tangled this way. One dog’s jaw can easily get stuck in the other dog’s collar, and when they panic, the collars can quickly twist and tighten. I’ve read more stories about strangulation than I ever want to read because owners couldn’t untangle their pets in time.
Home Alone or Unattended
If your dog is home alone or their humans are sleeping, they may get into trouble with collars and ID tags and not be able to wake anyone like Tinkerbell did. Everyday items, like heating vents for HVAC systems, radiators, and some furniture, can be choking hazards.
Like we experienced with Tinkerbell, identification tags can slip between small spaces. I’ve read a tragic story in which someone left two dogs home alone. While playing, they got tangled up, which led to them strangling each other.
Fenced Yards
I’ve read about dogs jumping to look over the fence and getting their collars caught. In fact, that is one of the scenarios in the Pet Safe KeepSafe collar video that explains the inspiration for their collar.
I actually don’t recommend ever leaving dogs unsupervised in a fenced yard, even without collars. I always stay outside with my dogs for safety reasons. I know that it’s the dream of most dog owners to have a big fenced yard where their dog can spend hours a day, but I find that there are too many hazards for me to leave them outside without supervision.
Wooden Decks and Flooring
Dangling tags can slip between wooden or composite boards. This creates a choking hazard similar to how Tink got stuck to the HVAC vent, where the tag slips through a narrow opening and then turns sideways. Certain hardwood floors can also be hazardous depending on the size of the grooves between the boards.
Breakaway Collars: PetSafe KeepSafe Collar Review
In 2017, I wrote an older blog about why pet identification matters. After that, PetSafe reached out and sent me two samples of their KeepSafe Break-Away Collar.
The KeepSafe Break-Away Collar by PetSafe was born from tragedy—a dog named Chinook lost his life to collar strangulation. Tenney Mudge, his owner, transformed grief into innovation. She created a collar that releases under pressure. It’s a simple yet powerful safeguard against entanglement.
I tested this collar with Jackson and Tinkerbell and found its quality and thoughtful design impressive. The breakaway buckle disengages when caught, but stays secure during leash walks thanks to dual metal rings. It’s not a replacement for being alert, but it adds smart protection. This is especially true for homes with multiple dogs or curious pups that like to explore tight spaces.
If you aren’t comfortable with the KeepSafe collar, my suggestion is to use one with an easy-release clip instead of a belt-buckle style closure. And I absolutely would never leave a chain link or martingale collar on my dog when not actively training. Even with the breakaway collar, I would still always remove it when crated or left alone.
For Gracie’s Sake: The Naked Dog Project Mission
After I shared the collar safety blog back in 2017, the founder of The Naked Dog Project reached out to me. Her late dog Gracie lost her life to a collar accident while at a dog daycare facility.
The Naked Dog Project teaches dog owners about collar risks. It promotes safer options, like the PetSafe breakaway collar. It also informs pet owners and dog park visitors about the need for pet collar emergency kits. They have even placed emergency kits in several dog parks. The kits consist of industrial scissors to cut through fabric and leather collars and bolt cutters to cut through chain link collars.
Alternative Dog ID Tags and Microchips: Safer Identification Options
Whether you use a collar or harness in public spaces, a visible ID tag can mean the difference between reunion and heartbreak. Tags should be current, easy to read, and securely attached.
Microchips are an important part of getting lost dogs back to their owners, but they need a scanner and for your information to be up to date in the chips registry. Proper identification means that a good Samaritan can make a quick call to the owners of lost dogs without needing to bring the dog to have their chip scanned.
Because of Quill’s megaesophagus, he only wears a harness, and I have his id tag attached to it. You can also buy collars with phone numbers embroidered on the actual collar or with flat ID tags that slide on or attach with rivets.
These options slightly reduce the risk of a collar accident because they don’t have anything to dangle. However the collar itself can still get tangled with other dogs during play or get caught on crates or fences.
Training Tips for Collar-Free Dogs: Recall, Safety, and Habits
Going “naked” all the time can seem scary at first. If you are like me, a collar provides peace of mind that you have something to grab onto if your dog tries to run out the door. As a result, going naked means focusing more on training and impulse control.
If you’re thinking about going collarless, train your dog to wait patiently when you open the front door. You can find training videos on YouTube to teach the idea of “go to your space” so that your dog sits on a bed or mat when you answer the door. You can also keep a collar or harness near your front door to put on your dog if you have a visitor or delivery.
I also recommend working with your dog so you can develop a very reliable recall in case they do get loose. You can even practice having fun running in the opposite direction of your dog to get them to see that behavior as fun and not scary, as experts recommend running away from a lost dog instead of chasing them.
Collar Safety Resources: Flyers, Links, and Pet Care Binder Tips
It’s okay to start small, one habit at a time. You can immediately start to remove collars at bedtime and when crated. Then, practice door manners and reliable recall while your dog wears a collar.
It took some time to get used to having naked dogs. Now, it feels normal. I don’t think twice about Quill not wearing a collar at home.
Collar safety is a daily decision that can save lives. Your choices matter. Using a breakaway collar, going without one at home, or opting for a non-dangling ID tag can save your dog’s life.
Collar Safety Quick Tips
- Remove collars during crate time, play, and sleep.
- Use breakaway collars or harnesses with ID.
- Keep ID tags current and legible.
- Practice recall and door safety daily.
- Include collar instructions in your pet care binder.
Collar Safety Resources and Links
Naked Dog Project: https://nakeddogproject.com
Naked Dog Project Collar Safety Flyer: I keep a copy of this printed in my own version of my Pet Care Binder.
PetSafe Collar Safety Video: https://youtu.be/2ZGBqojERb4?si=RPELyXtf8oeJMl-Z
PetSafe KeepSafe Breakaway Collar: You can purchase on the PetSafe site or on Amazon. They no longer offer the multi-color version in my photos, but they have a vivid red, blue, and classic black.
* This post includes affiliate links to products I trust and have personally tested. If you choose to purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work and helping spread collar safety awareness.
