What is a martingale collar?

A martingale collar fits loosely on a dog’s neck but tightens when it needs to.

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.

Martingale collar

Reasons to use a martingale collar

  1. The martingale makes it hard 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 4 Reasons to Use a Martingale Collar 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, dogs carry a chain martingale collar that is made with heavy-duty nylon material for the first loop and a steel chain for the second loop. If you prefer an option that’s all nylon, check out the new embroidered nylon martingale option.
    The martingale collar works great as your dog’s normal, everyday collar. Or, it can be used specifically for training. It just depends on what your needs are.