The Martingale Collar – for dogs who slip out of their regular collars

It can be frustrating when your dog constantly slips out of their collar. This can also be dangerous, as they may run off and get lost or injured. Dogs that are fearful, aggressive, reactive, or have a strong prey drive are particularly at risk of running away suddenly, which can have serious consequences.

Fortunately, there is a solution: the Martingale collar. In this article, I’ll explain what a Martingale collar is and why it’s a good choice for dogs who can escape from a regular collar.

What is a Martingale Collar?

A Martingale collar (also known as a no-slip collar) is a special collar designed for dogs that can easily slip out of a regular collar. No-slip or martingale collars are ideal for breeds with long, slender necks and small heads, such as greyhounds, whippets, and other sighthounds. However, any dog can benefit from a martingale collar, especially if they have a history of wiggling their way out of their collar and you want to prevent it from happening again.

A Martingale collar has two loops: a larger loop that goes around the dog’s neck and a smaller loop that acts as a control loop. When the dog tries to pull out of the collar, the control loop tightens, preventing them from escaping. The collar is designed to release the pressure once the dog stops pulling, and it won’t hurt your dog.

Some martingale collars don’t have a buckle and are slipped over your dog’s head, making them perfect for dogs with small heads. Other martingale collars have a buckle, which is more recommended for breeds with larger heads, such as pit bulls.

Martingale dog collars give you better control over your dog when they are on a leash or when you need to grab their collar in an emergency situation.

It’s important to distinguish no-clip collars (martingale collars) from choke chains. They are not the same since martingales are not supposed to choke your dog. (FYI, choke chains are considered aversive equipment by Positive Reinforcement Dog Trainers, such as the Association of Professional Dog Trainers.)

Due to the martingale collar’s construction, the small loop prevents choking, provided that you adjust and fit the collar properly. It’s not difficult to fit it properly; for more details on fitting, see below.

How to put on a Martingale collar

The Martingale collar is designed to not choke your dog or restrict their breathing in any way. When it is not tight, it should hang loosely from their neck. When it is adjusted to be “tight,” you should still be able to fit two fingers under the collar strap.

Please refer to the infographic below to ensure that you adjust your dog’s collar properly.

To find the right martingale collar for your dog, follow these simple steps:

1. Measure your dog’s neck to get the right size. Martingales come in different sizes, so make sure you get the right one.
2. Consider the width of the collar. This should correspond to your dog’s size and neck length. For example, if you have a greyhound or whippet, they have very long necks and will need a wider collar.
3. Choose the right material. I recommend getting a martingale collar made from nylon or other solid fabric. Some collars have a partial metal chain, but unless you have a specific reason for that, an all-nylon or all-fabric collar will work just fine.