A Ring Around The Collar

A martingale collar is made with two loops, one large and one smaller. The smaller loop is where the D-ring is attached and the larger loop is where the slides are located. The slides are what you use to adjust the collar to properly fit your dog. The large loop is placed around the dog’s neck and then adjusted to fit loosely. The leash is attached to the D-ring on the small loop. When the dog tries to pull, the tension will pull the small loop taunt, making the larger loop smaller and tighten around the neck, which helps prevent escaping.

A martingale provides more control over the dog without the choking effect of the standard slip collar. The martingale is also known as a humane choke collar. They were designed for sight hounds such as Greyhounds, Salukis, Borzois, Afghans, Whippets, etc., because their necks are larger than their heads and they can slip out of a buckle collar. It prevents them from backing out of their collar. Because a martingale offers limited closure, it is safer than a choke collar. These collars have become more popular among other breed owners and trainers who now recommend them instead of choke collars or choke chain collars.

Martingale collars fit to the exact size of the dogs neck when the collar is pulled closed. If the martingale collar is properly adjusted, the dog is not choked, but will fit snuggly around the dog’s neck, just behind the ears, until the pressure is released. When properly fitted, it will be comfortably loose when not in use. When the control loop on the collar is pulled, the two slides should pull together although the two slides should never touch. It is extremely important to properly adjust your dog’s martingale style collar.