Sometimes it’s hard to know what kind of collar would be best for your dog, especially if you’ve recently adopted the dog.
The martingale collar is a good choice for a variety of dogs because it gives you a little more control than a regular collar. Plus, it has some safety benefits. It’s my go-to collar for when I’m fostering a dog.
This post goes over some of the details on why I like using martingale collars.
What is a martingale collar?
Martingale collars fit loosely on a dog’s neck but tighten only a limited amount when the handler makes a leash correction or the dog pulls.
It has two loops. The first looks like a traditional nylon collar that is adjustable and hangs around the dog’s neck. The second is for control when the leash is attached. When the dog pulls, the collar tightens and will stay snug around the dog’s neck without choking the dog. When the tension is released, the collar loosens again.
Reasons to use a martingale collar
1. The martingale collar makes it difficult for a dog to slip free.
Some dogs can slip out of their collars easier than others, depending on their fur texture and the shape of their neck compared to their head. If your dog has ever slipped out of or backed out of his collar, you may want to think about getting a martingale collar for safety reasons.
Martingale collars are especially safe for dogs with narrower heads such as whippets, shelties and greyhounds, as these dogs often have an easier time slipping out of a regular collar.
2. Martingale collars are helpful for training.
The martingale collar tightens slightly if the dog pulls on the leash, but not so much where it will choke the dog or harm his neck in any way. If you prefer to give your dog slight tugs on the leash while working on leash manners, the martingale is a nice option.
Dogs that are still learning good leash manners are also more likely to pull or try to twist out of their collars when they see other dogs and other distractions. As mentioned above, the martingale collar is a good tool to prevent your dog from slipping out of his collar.
3. They're gentler than a choke collar or prong collar.
The martingale collar allows you to give slight corrections if you’d like, but it is much gentler than a choke (or slip) collar or a prong/pinch collar. This makes it a nice option for a variety of dogs, even puppies or senior dogs.
4. They're stylish.
Martingale collars come in all sorts of colors so you can find the right style for your unique dog. For example, dogIDs carries a chain martingale collar that is made with our silky smooth heavy-duty nylon material for the main collar strap and a steel chain for the second loop. If you prefer an option that's all nylon, check out our embroidered nylon martingale option. We also offer a new waterproof chain martingale collar with personalized name plate, which works great when training a dog that loves the water.
Do any of you use a martingale collar for your dog?
What more information about dogIDs collars? Check out these blogs.