Alternative to split rings and s-links for dog tags
February 27, 2018 4:52 PM Subscribe
I am looking for some piece of hardware that can replace the s-link/split ring that holds a dog's tags to the collar. Suggestions? Minor details within!
I've had bad luck with both the usual s-shaped links and split rings when attaching dog tags to a dog collar. In both cases they've gotten snagged in the carpet, resulting in a frightened dog and a line of missing loops in the carpeting. (This has happened multiple times, and with different dogs.) Surely there is some alternative? I've been googling, trying to find suggestions, but I think I must be missing some secret keyword that would get me the results I want. (And yes, I've looked at key ring alternatives!)
Ideally, the replacement thing would be sturdy, with a closing/locking mechanism that won't snag on anything. It should also be small enough to fit appropriately on a 3/4" wide collar, and big enough to hold 3 tags.
I've paid the dog picture toll here .
I've had bad luck with both the usual s-shaped links and split rings when attaching dog tags to a dog collar. In both cases they've gotten snagged in the carpet, resulting in a frightened dog and a line of missing loops in the carpeting. (This has happened multiple times, and with different dogs.) Surely there is some alternative? I've been googling, trying to find suggestions, but I think I must be missing some secret keyword that would get me the results I want. (And yes, I've looked at key ring alternatives!)
Ideally, the replacement thing would be sturdy, with a closing/locking mechanism that won't snag on anything. It should also be small enough to fit appropriately on a 3/4" wide collar, and big enough to hold 3 tags.
I've paid the dog picture toll here .
Response by poster: For now, I do need to use actual tags (ID, rabies vaccination, etc.)
posted by Janta at 5:03 PM on February 27, 2018
posted by Janta at 5:03 PM on February 27, 2018
Something like the Rubit! tag clip would probably meet your needs, though I did see some quick release safety clips on display the last time I went collar shopping. The quick release clips seemed to operate like the safety collar my cat wore.
posted by xyzzy at 5:03 PM on February 27, 2018
posted by xyzzy at 5:03 PM on February 27, 2018
Best answer: I'm not sure of the exact name but "quick links" are like single chain links with a threaded barrel, kind of like a locking carabiner but with no snaggy bits. Anyway google "quick link" and you'll see them. They come in all sizes (I use a tiny one for keys) and materials and your hardware store should carry them.
posted by gyusan at 5:06 PM on February 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by gyusan at 5:06 PM on February 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Keychain cable, if a loop doesn't put it in the "snaggable" category. I've been using the same one for my keys for 15+ years and it's never snagged on anything.
posted by rhizome at 5:14 PM on February 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by rhizome at 5:14 PM on February 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
A small length of ball chain would probably also work well. There's probably some on something somewhere in your house.
Barring that (or for a quick fix), you can thread the tags onto a strip of fabric and tie that onto the collar. I'd pull out a drawstring from a hoodie and re-use for something like this. Or use an old shoestring?
posted by hydra77 at 5:20 PM on February 27, 2018
Barring that (or for a quick fix), you can thread the tags onto a strip of fabric and tie that onto the collar. I'd pull out a drawstring from a hoodie and re-use for something like this. Or use an old shoestring?
posted by hydra77 at 5:20 PM on February 27, 2018
I’ve been using Boomerang tags for about 15 years now. We buy the flat stainless style that has openings to wriggle the collar into (my pets wear nylon breakaway collars). We’ve never lost a tag.
License and rabies tags for the dogs are on their leashes, since they are always on leash out of the house or their fenced yard.
posted by hilaryjade at 5:22 PM on February 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
License and rabies tags for the dogs are on their leashes, since they are always on leash out of the house or their fenced yard.
posted by hilaryjade at 5:22 PM on February 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
PS > darling pup! Who’s a most excellent pupser!
posted by hilaryjade at 5:23 PM on February 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by hilaryjade at 5:23 PM on February 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
Use a thin cable tie.
posted by DarlingBri at 5:37 PM on February 27, 2018
posted by DarlingBri at 5:37 PM on February 27, 2018
I have used these and I have used these. My dog is too small for either of these solutions (her tags drag on the ground when she walks) so I ended up using a split ring on a house collar and it works fine, no snagging and the tags display as they're meant to.
posted by Nyx at 5:48 PM on February 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Nyx at 5:48 PM on February 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
I use the second one Nyx linked. It locks and it has never snagged.
posted by irisclara at 6:09 PM on February 27, 2018
posted by irisclara at 6:09 PM on February 27, 2018
My dad just rivets the rabies tag, address tag and phone number tag onto a leather collar. By the time you get to year 3 or 4, the dog needs a new collar anyway. Also, no jingle noise which is awesome.
posted by PorcineWithMe at 6:27 PM on February 27, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by PorcineWithMe at 6:27 PM on February 27, 2018 [3 favorites]
I LOVE my Pawdentify Links-It Pet ID System. I have broken so many nails changing split rings. With this, there is a latching system that holds it closed. My dog runs in the backyard, crawls under the house, etc. and it hasn't gotten caught at all. It's also a breeze to switch to a new collar.
You can get just the connector but I actually also super recommend the ID tag itself. It's printed instead of engraved, so it doesn't wear off from rubbing against her rabies tag! My dog is 40 lbs, wears a size medium collar with 3 tags. We use the standard size link, but there's also a smaller version.
posted by assenav at 6:32 PM on February 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
You can get just the connector but I actually also super recommend the ID tag itself. It's printed instead of engraved, so it doesn't wear off from rubbing against her rabies tag! My dog is 40 lbs, wears a size medium collar with 3 tags. We use the standard size link, but there's also a smaller version.
posted by assenav at 6:32 PM on February 27, 2018 [2 favorites]
The “secure lock” carabiners resulted in us losing a set of ID/rabies/license tags. A small zip tie (with the tail cut off) worked so much better.
posted by halogen at 6:32 PM on February 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by halogen at 6:32 PM on February 27, 2018 [1 favorite]
We use nylon cable ties tightened down to a small diameter (maybe 0.5" or so) and then with a drop of Krazy Glue applied to "lock" them. Only once has our dog ever managed to break one, and even then there is some dispute as to whether the nylon or tag broke first.
Also much quieter than the metal S-hooks that our municipality supplies with rabies/dog-license tags.
posted by Kadin2048 at 10:37 PM on February 27, 2018
Also much quieter than the metal S-hooks that our municipality supplies with rabies/dog-license tags.
posted by Kadin2048 at 10:37 PM on February 27, 2018
I just use the rings that you would use for your keys. Cheap, durable, weatherproof, and super easy/functional. You can get them in different sizes, too. (Edit: sorry, missed your below the fold reply, ignore this useless answer!)
posted by stillmoving at 11:02 PM on February 27, 2018
posted by stillmoving at 11:02 PM on February 27, 2018
The simplest thing would be to use a split ring, and entomb it in some gaffer's tape, especially at the ends, which is where (I am guessing) the carpet gets snagged.
posted by adamrice at 5:42 AM on February 28, 2018
posted by adamrice at 5:42 AM on February 28, 2018
Split rings are the worst, aren't they? We've replaced all split rings in our household with binder rings. Although we haven't used them on a dog collar, I assume they'd work for that purpose as well.
posted by DrGail at 5:48 AM on February 28, 2018
posted by DrGail at 5:48 AM on February 28, 2018
I've used these mini locking carabiners for my dogs, and they work really well. Makes it easy to change tags, but they also stay put. We have large dogs, so I'm not sure if the additional length would be a problem for small dogs.
posted by thejanna at 5:49 AM on February 28, 2018
posted by thejanna at 5:49 AM on February 28, 2018
A small dab of jb weld in the gap of a regular hog ring/s-link would solve your problem.
posted by Mitheral at 10:48 AM on February 28, 2018
posted by Mitheral at 10:48 AM on February 28, 2018
Response by poster: Thanks, all! I'm going to try to find a sufficiently thin-gauge quick link (which I had a very clear mental image of, but I guess google image search doesn't accept telepathic information. Yet).
posted by Janta at 5:54 PM on March 4, 2018
posted by Janta at 5:54 PM on March 4, 2018
« Older Entertainment/treats for long-haul flight | Where can I find a business case study of College... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
You can also get some nylon collars with their information printed right on the fabric.
posted by Saminal at 4:58 PM on February 27, 2018