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Martingale Collars for Shelties

If your dog is one of the breeds, whose neck is wider than his head.... these collars are for you!
These collars make it virtually impossible for your dog to back out of,  if properly fitted.  

Much safer than a regular collar.
All of our adopted Shelties leave with one of these collars and matching leash!

A martingale collar is a special type of dog collar that helps a dog stay comfortable and happy while being completely secure on their leash. One of the most frequent questions we're asked is "How does a martingale collar work?". This article demonstrates through explanation and illustration, the 
method by which a martingale style collar can keep your dog securely collared and safe from choking.
 

How it Works
A martingale collar is made with two loops. The large loop, which is usually adjustable in size, is placed around the dogs neck and adjusted to fit loosely. The leash is then clipped to the D ring on the small loop, also known as the control loop.

When the dog tries to pull their head out of the collar, the tension on the leash pulls the small loop taut, which makes the large loop smaller and tighter on the neck-- preventing escape. When adjusted properly the dog is never choked, but the collar stays snug around the dog's neck (just behind the ears) until the pressure is released.

This illustration shows how the large loop on a martingale contracts inward when the control loop is pulled outward.
 

Reasons to try a Martingale Collar:
When not engaged by a taunt leash,  the martingale collar fits looser than traditional collars,

lessening fur breakage, tangles, and skin irritation from too tight collars.
 

A martingale style collar gives a more gentle form of correction than a choke collar,

and is recommended by many top trainers for obedience training.
 

A Martingale collar relieves the pressure on your dog's trachea by translating a tug on the leash

to even pressure around the neck instead of direct pressure on the front of the neck.
 

A Martingale collar prevents escape of scared, aggressive, or excited dogs by securely contracting

the entire collar when the dog pulls in any direction.

Measure your dogs neck by parting the hair, and measuring close to the skin. 

The collar needs to lay flat on your dog.  

Please also note that your dogs ID tags should not be installed on the D-ring where you attached the leash !!!
 

Should I leave a martingale collar on my dog all the time?

All collars can be potentially unsafe . However, you should evaluate whether the risk of choking or

getting a collar caught is greater than the risk that you'll find yourself in  without warning where you'll need to be

 able to grab a collar that will not slip off.

We do not endorse either policy,  but we do stress that a martingale left on all the time MUST

be adjusted so that it  cannot choke the dog when the smaller loop is tightened. You might want to

consider removing all collars from your Sheltie if it is going to be crated for any length of time.

What types of dogs are martingale collars good for?

Almost all breeds can benefit from a martingale collar. Martingale collars were originally designed for greyhounds

and whippets- because of their thin face and small ears,  standard buckle collars slip off easily.  All breeds

with necks larger than their heads (bulldogs, some Labrador Retrievers) should wear a martingale when

on a leash. Dogs of any breed can learn how to slip a collar though, and owners and trainers of every size and

type of dog appreciate the gentle correction of a martingale over more harsh training collars like choke collars and prong collars.

( Some information provided, written and posted with permission by CISR)

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