proper fitting of martingale style collar?

[majicka]

Hi all..at the advice of my trainer I got a martingale style collar for Happy (dog has a weird neck and slips regular collars far too easily!). I found a few blurbs about how the collar should fit but I'm not entirely clear on it, one site says on thing another somethinig else.

We have training class in a few weeks and the trainer said he'd show me how to fit it then..but I would like to be able to use it in our at home training sessions in the meantime so we can both get used to it.

This collar will only be used while he is on a leash and training.

If you think the best advice is to wait on my trainer to show me please let me know.

[Judi W]

I think a martingale collar is as easy to slip out of as any so if that is the reason for using it a rethink might be in order.

[majicka]

well that is one of the reasons..the other is control.

Can you explain to me why a dog would be able to slip out of a martingale as easily as a flat? I'm asking because I've never used one.

Also, what would you recommend as opposed to the martingale for slipping out?

Backing/Slipping out is a concern for me because the training building we go to is on a high hill overlooking a super busy highway. I have been walking Happy from the car to the building on a harness, for the simple reason I think I would just die if he slipped his collar and got loose in that situation. The problem is Happy acts like a jerk on the harness. Once the leash is strapped to his collar, he's perfect.

[StephanieandToby]

I walk a few dogs that wear a Martingale....I make sure that the collar fits snugly...like a regular buckle collar....and then only put the clip of the leash onto the middle loop of the chain-part.It really tightens up if they pull and the chain gives a good jingle for corrections....I haven't had one slip off yet, but none of the dogs I walk have the problem of backing out of a collar...they are usually pulling against it......have you thought of a Halti??

[majicka]

He's never actually backed out of a collar..my fear is if he did, especially with the conditions on the walk to the training building. Happy will pull like crazy if he's on the harness, but he's generally OK on the collar.

My biggest issue is I can't get a right "fit" on a flat buckle he has a very slender neck but has loose skin on the front, so if I feel it's tight enough on the back of his neck it's too tight on the front. I don't feel comfortable walking him with the flat buckle. I voiced this to the trainer and he suggested the martingale. He's a rottweiler mix, so his neck is a bit different. It's almost like the back is like a greyhound but the front is thick and somewhat loose like a rotties. Let me also note that Happy is still young, only 11 months old.

I appreciate your response. So I'm gathering I put it on like a regular collar, attach the leash to the loop, and basically use it like I would a regular collar but with the ability to tighten up if needed & also give correction when needed?

[StephanieandToby]

Originally Posted by majicka

I appreciate your response. So I'm gathering I put it on like a regular collar, attach the leash to the loop, and basically use it like I would a regular collar but with the ability to tighten up if needed & also give correction when needed?

Correct. You could tighten the collar right behind his ears and test it out in the Pet Store before purchasing it...I don't see why it wouldn't work for you......The person at the store should also be able to show you how to fit it properly.

[Judi W]

If you do not have tension the martingale it can losen up enough for the dog to back out. If you have adequate control to train on a flat collar (unusual) then simply make sure it is tight enough that it cannot be pulled forward over the head. Don't worry about wadding up some lose skin. Very few dogs have a larger neck than head, and I doubt very much that your dog does. Put it on tight, and that means tight when it is up high on the neck. Then try to pull if forward over the head. If you can do so, it is not tight enough.

Never use a harness unless it is because you want the dog to pull, that is what they are made for.

[majicka]

Thanks..our petstore believe it or not doesn't carry them yet (they just opened!) I ordered one online, my trainer said to buy him the same size I would a reg. collar. I get the general idea of how it's supposed to fit, and I tried it on him and it seems to work well. I'm not 100% sure I'm doing it right so I will bring it to class with me and have the trainer show me how to properly fit/use it.

Thanks again for your help.

[majicka]

Judy,

Yes I now know firsthand that a harness is meant for pulling..and pull he does! I think I might get him into carting!

I will try tightening his flat and see how we do with that.

It's also my understanding the martingale is used for control/correction as well, similar to a pinch. Is this correct?

Thanks!

[Judi W]

An additional thought!!! (duh, why didn't I think of it earlier - oh, I know why, I didn't realize he was as old as he is)..........

Use your training! Make the little bugger heel on his way from the car to the training facility.

[majicka]

Good idea..I don't know why I didn't think of that..Heel would be a perfect command to use! I think sometimes I'm the one who's overly excited to go to class instead of him!

His heeling isn't 100% but it's ok..so it should work.