When it comes to keeping our dogs safe, collars are often the last thing pet parents question — but they can pose hidden dangers. This week on Your Natural Dog, Angela Ardolino is joined by Hilda Castillo-Landrum, founder of Fauna in the Foothills, pet boutique owner, blogger, and passionate advocate for dog breakaway collars. After a terrifying incident with her own Rottweiler, Cooper, Hilda discovered just how common collar strangulation accidents are — and why breakaway collars can truly be lifesaving. In this conversation, Angela and Hilda share their personal stories, explore the risks of traditional collars, and discuss how pet parents can protect their dogs with safer options.

Episode Recap:

• Hilda shares how her Rottweiler Cooper nearly lost his life when his heavy-duty collar got caught on a fence. (00:37)
• Why collar strangulation incidents happen more often than most pet parents realize, and how they can be fatal without warning. (05:12)
• How breakaway collars work, why they’re different from cat collars, and how Hilda designed hers for both safety and style. (08:48)
• The pros and cons of harnesses, martingale collars, and what pet parents should know about pressure on a dog’s neck. (12:55)
• 26,000 cases per year – The staggering number of collar strangulation incidents reported annually in the U.S., and why many more likely go unreported. (16:16) 
• Common causes of collar strangulation in dogs, from catching on kennels, fences, and furniture to playing with other dogs,  (19:36) 
• How Hilda turned her painful experience into a mission to educate others and create safer, customizable breakaway collars. (21:19)

Episode Resources:

• Sign up for Angela’s tips & downloads at AngelaArdolino.com/podcast-downloads
• Learn more about Hilda & breakaway collars at Fauna in the Foothills 
• Follow Hilda, and Fauna in the Foothills on Instagram 
• Have a question about your pet that you want answered on the podcast? Email us at [email protected] 
• Visit Angela Ardolino’s website for more holistic pet health education: www.AngelaArdolino.com

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