How to Fit a Martingale Collar

If you're looking for a dog collar that gives you a bit more control over your energetic dog, a martingale collar is a perfect choice. While many dog owners love these types of collars because of their gentle control and safety benefits, they're still relatively new and a bit less straightforward than a traditional collar or harness.

If you'd like to learn more about how a martingale collar works and the merits of using one on your dog, the Mary's Tack and Feed team is here to help. Read on to learn how to use a martingale dog collar safely and effectively.

What is a Martingale Collar?

First, you should understand the mechanics of a martingale collar and how it operates. This type of collar features not one, but two loops: a traditional collar that fits around the dog's neck, as well as a second loop that hangs alongside the first and tightens when the leash is pulled.

The second loop allows you to add tension when the dog is pulling or misbehaving, but it also makes it easy to loosen the collar when the tension is released.

Measure Your Dog's Head and Neck

Martingale collars are perfect for dogs with narrower heads, as they make it difficult for the dog to slip or back out of the collar. Measure the width around the largest part of your dog's head using a soft tape measure, then measure their neck. Take the wider measurement (some dogs have necks that are wider than their heads), and add an inch or two to allow for growth. This is the collar size that you'll be looking for.

Adjust the Larger Loop

Martingales are popular because they're adjustable to your dog's specific size. Slip the loosened collar on your dog's neck, then slide it up around their ears, as this is the area where the collar would usually slip off. Slide the two metal rectangles until they're about two inches apart to get the perfect fit, then pull on the D ring on the smaller loop of the collar. If the smaller loop closes when you pull on it, it's fitted correctly; if it doesn't, you'll want to tighten it a bit more.

Check the Collar When You Use it on Your Dog

Each time you place the martingale collar on your dog, check to make sure it didn't accidentally tighten (and risk injuring your dog's neck) or loosen to the point that it will slip off. Do this by looking to make sure it sits at the middle of your dog's neck, rather than up by their ears, and by making sure that you can slip one to two fingers comfortably inside the larger loop when the control loops is pulled taut.

Train Your Dog with a Martingale Collar

Once the collar is properly fitted, you're ready to head out on a walk. By simply tugging on the dog's leash, the collar will work its magic a lot more effectively than a traditional collar. Keep in mind that you should never yank extremely hard on your dog's neck - a gentle but firm tug should do the trick when you use a martingale dog collar.