Martingale Collar

I have a martingale and I love it. I have it sized so that it never produces any choking effect on the dog. Some people use it that way, but I size it so that it tightens just enough so it can't come off a dog's head, but not enough to cause any pain constrict in any way.

I use it for certain situations, not for others though. Because it hangs quite loose naturally I don't use it if I send my dogs offleash, for instance, into a field (usually a field with tall grass/vegetation), in case it snags on something. I also wouldn't ever leave it on a dog because again, of the looseness factor. But they are so easy to get on and off, there is no fumbling with a buckle or snap, which is one thing that I really like, since I don't leave collars on my guys in the home ever.

I have one for Neiko and use it as a loose-around the house- collar only. I've tried using it for training but I must not size it right because it just chokes him when he pulls. For training I make it tight enough to stick 2 fingers through so it's supposed to pinch and not choke....doesn't seem to pinch at all though 

I use a Martingale when Kenya has bouts of pulling/obsessive tracking.  I've found that the Martingale stays in a better position on her neck, whereas her flat collars are too loose and slide down to the base of her neck.  She has a very good nose so the biggest challenge with her is getting her attention when she gets on a track.  Her Martingale is not adjustable and I put it on and off over her head.  When it's totally tight, I can still slip all my fingers under it.  I do not use it for leash corrections, it's more of a self-correcting device for us.  On a flat collar, she will pull and pull and throw the weight of her shoulders against it.  B/c the Martingale stays higher up on her neck, she won't pull down against.  I also use it when going to a potentially scary place (the vet) just as a precaution.  She can't break it or slip out of it if she totally freaks out (which she's never done). 

I prefer to do obedience work off-leash. If a leash is required by law or for safety I usually attach it to a harness of some type or sometimes a flat buckle collar. I can't believe people are still training obedience with choke collar corrections.

You realize a martingale isn't supposed to be used as a "correction" collar? it should be used solely to prevent dogs from slipping out of their collars. It should be adjusted so it doesn't tighten enough to actually choke the dog.

I know that is not for correction.  The reason for using this collar instead of a flat buckle is so that Harley knows that with that collar he is doing obedience work.  I use flat buckle for agility. 

We are still in lower level obedience classes...those classes we took in the spring were outside and in an open area with many other dogs.  I do some obedience work at home off leash.

mudpuppy

I prefer to do obedience work off-leash.

I use a flat collar, a martingale (set on minimum tightness just so it can't be slipped), or a front-clip harness, depending on what we're doing. I only use a body harness for tracking, so I don't choose to use a harness for everyday walks, as in tracking I encourage a slight pulling/tension on the leash and I don't want that to move over to normal walks/interfere with tracking work.

mudpuppy

I can't believe people are still training obedience with choke collar corrections.

I use a martingale for Conrad because he's got a thick neck and a (relatively) tiny head and he can slip a regular buckle collar if he puts his mind to it. That's what they are for. It irks me when people refer to them as "limited choke" or "humane choke" because properly adjusted they should not be "choking" the dog. "Humane choke" is a total oxymoron anyway.

Firestorm

Does anyone else use a martingale collar?

Been using them for a couple of years now.  It's almost a necessity for a sighthound. 

You know, I've heard so many people in these forums mention the martingale collar, but I have no idea what it looks like or where I can get one.  Misty's still a puppy, and I don't know if it's recommended for pups or not.  If anyone here knows a place where I can see one, and possibly buy one, I would love to know.

Janet808

and possibly buy one, I would love to know.

SAME HERE!

i don't know why, but i'm finding next to impossible to get my hands on one. There are only about 2 pet stores in my area, and i always keep my eyes open for them- but can never get one!

i have a JRT, so i'd love to have one (she's so persistant- little bugger). it's hard to keep her attention...

~V~ & Zoey
 

Martingale collar.

Though once again, martingales are not, I repeat not, "training collars".  A properly adjusted martingale will not choke the dog, it will simply adjust down far enough that a dog with a small head (or a big neck) can't back out of the collar. I have one for Conrad because he has a huge football-player neck with a large dewlap and his head is actually relatively small and pointy, hence he can back out of buckle collars unless I cinch them tighter than they really should be. The martingale is a great solution because 99% of the time it hangs loosely around his neck, but when we're in a situation where he could back out of a regular collar, it tightens far enough that that becomes much less of a worry. That's all a martingale is. If you can't get your dog's attention while training, a martingale is not going to make an impact on that problem.

 I got Conrad's at PetCo. They're not that difficult to find, but you'll probably have to go online to find the pretty kind like this one:

whoa, hang on here. So you are deliberately creating a "collar wise" dog? why do you want to do that? if you "teach" your dog that he only does obedience when he is wearing a particular collar, what are you going to do when he runs in front of a car and you need him to COME RIGHT NOW and he doesn't happen to be wearing his "obedience" collar?

I just got a Martingale collar for Morrison this week, I bought it at our training club since the price was right and it was the best I've seen.  I love the fact that it is nice and wide because Morrison has a long and narrow neck.  It is easier to get on and off although it doesn't help with his pulling (I didn't expect it to) I feel better knowing that he can't back out of it.

 It looks pretty nifty on him too!  

 i just put a bid on ebay for one (and it looks soooo cute!) for my little Zoey. She has a bad habit  of occasionally backing out of her collar, OR if we put her out on her tie-out (supervised of course) and she goes running and hits the end of it, sometimes the clip in her collar just releases! she broke her previous clip collar like that and we thought getting a thicker one would fix it, but nope. this one releases, but doesn't break.

i'm looking forward to getting her new collar :) it seems like such a great idea for dogs that can slip out or don't enjoy a tight collar on their necks just sittin around the house. 

the online store on ebay is called "If it wags" and has really cute reasonably priced collars, all with beautiful patterns. check it out! :)