KeepSafe Break-Away Collar Information
How does the Premier KeepSafe Break-Away Collar work?
- The KeepSafe Break-Away Collar protects a dog from collar strangulation by using a patented safety buckle that releases in emergency situations, such as when a dog is entangled with an object or another dog. The KeepSafe Break-Away Collar is available in four sizes; the breaking strength of each safety buckle has been engineered for its corresponding collar size. If a dog's KeepSafe Break-Away Collar becomes entangled, sufficient force is supplied to cause the safety buckle to release, freeing the dog from danger and saving it from possible strangulation. After the collar has released, it can be reattached and used again and again.
- Although most dog owners care for their pets as a true member of the family, many dog owners are unaware of the risks of strangulation associated with traditional collars. Thousands of dogs are injured or strangled by their collars every year. In fact, in a recent survey, 96 percent of veterinarians report having seen an incident of collar injury or strangulation within the last year.* The same veterinarians report the most common sources of collar-related injuries and strangulations as dogs becoming caught on a fence or a crate or one dog's lower jaw becoming caught on another's collar during play. Other commonly reported accidents occur when collars become entangled with branches, air vents or deck boards.
The most frequently reported accidents include:
- * Premier conducted a survey of more than 100 veterinarians at the 2003 North American Veterinarian Conference.
What dogs are at risk?
- Any dog wearing a collar can potentially get into trouble with the collar becoming caught. Accidents happen regardless of size/type of dog, type of traditional collar or amount of supervision. The majority of collar accidents occur in the safety of the backyard or even the living room.
Puppies and young dogs are at a higher risk of this and other types of collar accidents. Our experience shows that puppies or young dogs are often trying to initiate play with an older dog and can more easily trigger a collar accident. Educating puppy owners about collar safety will help create a customer for life and possibly save a life.
- For everyday use, the KeepSafe Collar has a side-squeeze snap to take the collar on and off. As with any collar, dog owners should adjust the KeepSafe collar so that one or two fingers can fit between the dog's neck and the collar.
- It's important to be able to securely walk your dog on a leash; that's why the KeepSafe Collar has an override feature to prevent an unwanted release. Simply attach the leash snap to the two "D" rings that cross over the safety buckle, and the break-away feature is disengaged.
Can I attach my dog's ID tags to the collar?
- Yes. Identification is very important. Attach your dog's tags to one D-ring. A nameplate may also be attached to the collar.
- After an emergency situation forces a release of the KeepSafe Break-Away Collar, dog owners can snap it back together by following these steps:
- Hold the clip above the buckle base at a 90 degree angle;
- Align the clip above the button on the buckle base;
- Press firmly to connect the two pieces;
- Rotate the clip to the left.
- No, the KeepSafe Break-Away Collar is not for use in tie-out. When the collar is attached to a leash the break-away feature is disengaged. The collar is designed to be a dog's everyday collar to keep them safe from collar accidents when they are not tied out.
I keep my dog's regular collar loose so he can slip out of it. Isn't that safe?
- No. A loose collar is far more likely to get snagged and twist, creating a life-threatening situation. There is little opportunity for a dog to slip out of the collar once it has become caught and twisted. If a dog loses his conventional collar, it is a red flag that he may not be so lucky next time.
- A KeepSafe Break-Away Collar with proper identification is a far safer choice than no collar at all. The collar is designed to provide peace of mind for dog owners and safety for their dogs.
My dog is microchipped and tattooed. Does he need a collar?
- Microchipping and tattooing are very important but a visible collar on a dog is an instant message that a dog belongs somewhere. A Keepsafe Break-Away Collar with identification is a safer choice than no collar.
What if my dog loses the KeepSafe Break-Away Collar and his identification?
- This can happen. A dog may lose a conventional collar as well or the collar may be removed and the dog is without identification. The KeepSafe Break-Away Collar is designed to be part of a dog's collar "wardrobe" with different collars suiting different needs. For example, a dog may wear the KeepSafe Break-Away Collar as his everyday safety collar when he is not supervised, the Gentle Leader headcollar when he is out for a walk, a Jingle Bell Collar to celebrate the holidays, and the Gentle Spray Citronella Anti-Bark Collar as a behavior tool as necessary.
