When you are looking for a dog collar, you should definitely consider investing in the best martingale dog collar that you can find. These collars are some of the most popular ones that you will find on the market and there are many reasons for it. But it is not easy to choose the one that will suit your pet the most, especially if you never shopped for such a product before.
By following this complex guide you will find the right answers to all your dilemmas regarding these collars. You will also find a list of the best martingale collars on the market, which will save you plenty of research time. So, keep reading and make your dog happy with one of these collars!
What is a Martingale Dog Collar
A martingale collar is one of those collars that will allow you to take control over your pet during your daily walks or training sessions. The main difference between this type of collar and other types is that this one will not control your dog by using any choking technique. No choking is in the benefit of your pet but also in your own benefit because both of you will enjoy your walks together a lot more.
These collars were originally made for sighthounds but they are now used for almost all types of dogs. However, the best dogs that will benefit from a martingale collar are those with necks that are a bit larger than their heads. You will notice that both vets and trainers will recommend you to use this type of collar as they are less stressful for your dog and in most cases, more efficient than other types of collars!
How do Martingale Dog Collars work?
These martingale collars are not going to choke your dog when you need to control them or redirect them. But that doesn’t mean that they will not be as functional and even more functional than the other types of collars.
Such a collar will have two loops that are connected to each other in order to help you control your pet and prevent them from escaping the collar. Naturally, the loop that is larger is destined for your pet’s neck and the loop that is smaller will be for the leash that you will use to connect to the collar. This system is made so the collar will get tighter when your dog tries to pull or get out of it. The more you use such a collar, the better your walks and training sessions will get!
Types of Martingale Dog Collar
Even if the concept of a martingale collar remains the same, there are several types of these collars that you can find on the market. What you choose will be accordingly to your preferences but also the needs of your dog.you can go for one of the following types!
Classic martingale collar
This is the most common martingale collar and also the one that is used by many dog owners. It has a main loop made of a resistant nylon or leather material for the dog’s neck and a ring or smaller loop for the leash that gets connected to it. You should be able to use this type of collar regardless to the size of your dog as many of them come in all sizes and even with adjustable features.
The buckle martingale collar
The buckle martingale collar is very similar with the classic one but it has a buckle that allows you to take it off and put it on your dog easier and faster. This type of collar is perfect for dogs with their head larger than their neck. But you can use it on any breed of dog as well.
The Sighthound Martingale Collar
The sighthound martingale collar is the type of collar created especially for hound dogs. The structure of this collar is slightly similar to the previous two types only that it is usually made of a smoother material. The smooth material is meant to meet the soft fur of the hound dogs and increase their comfort during walks or training sessions as well.
Benefits of Martingale Dog Collars
There are plenty of reasons to trade your regular dog collar with a martingale one. And your vet as well as your dog trainer will support such an exchange thanks to all the advantages a martingale collar will bring to your loved furry friend.
The main benefit is that your dog will not feel choked whenever you are trying to correct them. This is the reason why martingale collars are considered the safest ones for training sessions. They will not hurt your pet but they will restrain them enough to keep them walking the line that you decide as to their owner.
Your dog will not be able to back out of the collar or slip out even when they give their best shot. And on top of the restrained qualities of this type of collar, it also provides a lot of comfort to your pet so you two can make the most out of your walks or training sessions.
And to add to all these benefits, you will also be able to find martingale collars of very good quality at budget-friendly prices!
Factors to Consider When Buying a Martingale Dog Collar
If you never invested in a martingale collar, you might need to be aware of what you are looking for in such a product. The market offers a wide variety of items that you can choose from. And to make it easier for you, here are some factors that you should always keep in mind!
The size of the collar
You can find martingale dog collars that come in all sizes to accommodate all types of dogs. Some of them are adjustable too so you can enjoy more flexibility. The manufacturer of the collar will most likely offer you a chart to explain the sizes of their products. So, all you have to do is measure your dog’s head and neck and decide which collar will fit them best!
Material
You will notice that these types of collars are made of different materials. The most common ones are nylon and polyester but you can also find martingale collars made of genuine leather. You should go for a resistant material but also for a comfortable one. You don’t want your dog to have any side effect reactions to the material of the color or to not feel comfortable during their walks. A good quality material will also increase the life of the collar and will make maintenance easier too!
Durability
The lifespan of a collar should be pretty long, stretching to even several years. But this durability depends greatly on the quality of the martingale collar that you use. The material should be of a very good quality but also the stitching. You can find collars with double stitching precisely to increase their lifespan. But you should check these details by reading the product description carefully before investing in a certain collar. You should also pay attention to the recommended cleaning options. There are collars that can be washed in the washing machine and some that can only be washed by hand. You want to choose one that can go in the washing machine because this is also a hint of a long lifespan.
Comfort
Don’t forget the fact that you want a high quality martingale collar not only so you can control your pet easier and more efficiently but also to give them the comfort they deserve during their walks or training sessions. This is why you should go for a smooth material and a system that will get tight evenly on your dog’s neck. If the collar is made of a harsh material, most likely they will feel a high discomfort every time you correct them. And the same will happen if it doesn’t get tight on their neck with the same pressure all the way around.
Extra features
A martingale collar is just a collar you might say, but there are some models that come with interesting features. Some collars will have reflective stitching which makes it easier for you to see your dog during the night. This feature can turn out to be extremely efficient if you like to go for a training session in the park. There are also martingale collars that are waterproof which is a great feature for those rainy days or if you live in a humid climate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are good martingale dog collar brands?
If you are looking for a good martingale collar you should definitely consider the brand that made it. There are several brands that are very appreciated on the market, from which we name Max and Neo, PetSafe, BlueberryPet or MightyPaw and Dazzber. All these brands have over a decade of experience in the industry and they are well known for the high quality of their products. This is why you will find the best martingale collars produced by them in the list of products presented in this guide. These companies also offer increased warranty and a wide variety of sizes and colors to choose from so it is almost impossible not to find just the right collar for your dog!
Can martingale collars hurt dogs?
No, these collars will never hurt your dog as long as they are picked in the rightsize for them and used according to the instructions. They are the safest collars on the market which is also the main reason why trainers and vets recommend them and not the classic chokers. Keep in mind that these collars should be used outdoors and with a compatible leash to maintain their qualities.
How to choose the right size?
Choosing the right size of collar is not difficult at all. You will have to measure your dog’s neck and head to be sure that you can slip the collar easily and tie it up to remain comfortably on their neck. You can choose an adjustable collar which will fit more sizes in case you are not sure of the precise one. The ones that come with a buckle are even easier to lock in place so they will be perfect for your dog. Check out the size chart that the manufacturer offers you in order to decide which one is the best choice!
How to use/ adjust martingale dog collars?
You can use a martingale collar instead of a choker for walking your dog but also for training them. For safety reasons you shouldn’t let your dog unsupervised when they are wearing such a collar because the ring they come with might get stuck in different things and therefore, harm your dog.
As for adjustments, your collar should be easy to slip on the head of your dog and tighten it in order to fit their neck. Once you put the collar around your dog’s neck all you save to do is secure it with the buckles that it comes with or the tightening system incorporated in the design of the product. When your dog pulls, the collar will automatically get tighter around their neck, correcting their moves without choking them.
How to make a martingale dog collar?
If you are more of a crafty person, you might wonder if you can make a martingale collar yourself. And even if it might not be worth the hassle, you definitely can as it is not difficult for someone who likes to sew and create things. You will need a material, a sewing machine, metal rings and a slide adjuster. The sizes will differ from one dog to the other so go for what size works best for your pet.
First of all you will have to cut the material and iron it in order to stay as straight as possible. Fold it in two layers for increased resistance and sew its edges securely. Once you did that turn it inside out and iron it again. You will do this for both the long loop and the small loop. If you choose a different design apply this step for all the separate loops of your collar.
Add two rings on the small loop and the D ring and make sure that it is strongly stitched at both edges. The two oval rings will be attached to each of the edges of the long loop. This will allow you to safely connect the two loops together. Secure the rings in place by sewing the edges so your big loop and small loop will be tied together nicely.
The slide adjuster that you will use is very important so you should go for a sturdy one made of metal. You will add this to the larger loop by using the same system you would when you adjust any other strap. Loop the adjuster through one of the oval rings and secure it in place so it will not fall, by pulling the edge of the loop through the bottom part of the adjuster.
Sew the loose edge of the loop under the slide adjuster and you have a brand new martingale collar!
How to clean?
Cleaning your collar is very important too. Most martingale collars can be safely washed in the washing machine while some might only be made for hand washing. You should respect the temperature recommendations on the tag of the product as the way you will wash them will differ according to the material used to make the collar. But the manufacturer should specify clear cleaning instructions in the description of the product so you will not have any problems finding that out.
Conclusion
As you can see, choosing the perfect martingale collar for your dog is not as difficult as it might seem as long as you have all the details. These collars can save your dog from chokers and still correct their walking skills and posture when you want to train them. By choosing one of the collars presented in this guide you can count on the fact that you will end up with a great product because those are the best on the market! And when it comes to your fury friend, you should never settle for anything less than the best martingale dog collar!