Dog Community

How to fit/size a martingale

Posted : 1/8/2007 9:50:07 PM

Hi, I'm new here and have a quick question. I've seen conflicting information on the web about sizing/fitting a martingale collar. Should it be loose on the neck and then tighten to the diameter of a standard flat collar when closed? If that's the case, it tends to move around the neck alot when we're walking----will that cause chafing? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

houndlove

Posted : 1/8/2007 9:56:57 PM

Yes, it should tighten only to the diameter of a standard collar (meaning, a martingale is not a choker collar, just an option for dogs with small heads/thick necks).

My dog who has a thick double coat and wears a martingale has never chafed, but his collar never even gets near his skin becuase of all his hair. But greyhounds always wear martingale collars and they have extremely short, thin coats, and they never seem to have a problem. Short coated dog owners, anyone have chafing issues? Conrad's collar doesn't really move around that much when walking, it just sits sort of low on his neck, towards his shoulders.

jjsmom06

Posted : 1/8/2007 10:06:20 PM

Short coated dog owners, anyone have chafing issues?

yep, but only my Prudence because she is a PULLER!!! For her I buy the martingales that are lined with moleskin and this has helped DRAMATICALLY!!!

here is a piccie from a few months ago before getting the moleskin ones...you can see the pink skin above the collar there and her whole neck was that way on the underside. I don't buy from this company anymore...and I have heard that moleskin is better than using suede or satin lined ones even and it has worked great for us....

Dave Hill

Posted : 1/8/2007 10:08:51 PM

Thanks for the info and the quick response. Maybe if Scout didn't constantly have her head down sniffing every blade of grass in the neighborhood, her collar would sit back towards her shoulders too.

Xerxes

Posted : 1/8/2007 10:55:25 PM

I've never had chafing issues with the martingale style collars. With a regular flat buckle collar I have. Xerxes actually got friction pimples and chafing because of the nylon collar. From the nylon we went to a rolled leather collar. The rolled leather worked very, very well. But when he walks I use a martingale-esque lure coursing lead www.pfarou.com
(I think) which is line and cushioned.

Gaia has a Martingale and no chafing issues at all.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 1/9/2007 3:53:01 PM

I adjust my martingales to tighten more than a flat collar, because my dogs slip flat collars. I don't make them to where they *choke* the dogs, but to where they won't slip over their heads. They're comfortably snug[

]

GreytPeke

Posted : 1/10/2007 1:49:15 AM

I've never had chafing with Giselle, but you shouldn't really have problems unless your dog wears the collar 24/7. Then, there are other alternatives such as skin-lined collars and I know of one collar maker who lines her collars with some type of fur for dogs who are recovering from injuries. Personally, mine are both nekkid in the house and collar-time is restricted to walks.

Liz

Posted : 1/10/2007 1:57:09 AM

Yes Dulce chaffs. I considered getting her a martingale, but just because they look pretty, not for a real purpose, hhaha.

But there are some martingales that are lined with silk or satin, to reduce chaffing.