Collar Questions

[parrotpea]

For those who use a martingale collar - what do you use it for? It's designed for training right? And, do you leave it on all the time or do you put a regular one on for some of the time?

[poodlefan]

As Howie is a Whippet, I use a martingale collar because any other kind would slip off his head if he pulled back.

I never leave one on him when he is unsupervised. They are a choke hazard.

[bedazzledx2]

The only reason I use mine is because its pretty and it matches my lead!!!! :p I never use it as a training collar just as I never use the lead other than an attachment to me. They are useful for dogs that flip out of a normal fixed collar. I would never leave a martingale collar on....either no collar or a fixed collar.

For those who use a martingale collar - what do you use it for? It's designed for training right? And, do you leave it on all the time or do you put a regular one on for some of the time?

[parrotpea]

So they're not really a necessity for boofy headed dogs like staffords then? Or does it just depend on the dog? Just wondering whether I should get one before pup arrives or wait and see...

[bedazzledx2]

Depends entirely on you and the dog! They are often recommended for Staffy's as they fit over the boofy heads ( :p ) but if you never let the dog perfect the backwards head flip then you shouldn't have a problem.

So they're not really a necessity for boofy headed dogs like staffords then? Or does it just depend on the dog? Just wondering whether I should get one before pup arrives or wait and see...

[parrotpea]

the backwards head flip

That's a new one - haven't heard that one before. Just trying to picture it :p

[GoldenGirl85]

I use one when Im walking my Goldie, unfortunately she learned to pull before I learned to teach her not to, so our compromise with the help of a behaviourist was to use a martingale for the time being, she now only needs a small check every now and again as a reminder not to pull

It definitely doesnt stay on all the time, fitted correctly it sits right at the top of the throat, and is quite tight (not choking, but firm so it doesnt slip down and the check means something to them. They are a very fiddly collar to use so if its not needed I wouldnt bother with them, Ill be glad when I can put lexi in a flat collar and just walk her lol...time will come

[ruthless]

I use them on all our bull breeds. They only wear them on walks or outings though. They're naked at home.

[ruthless]

I use one when Im walking my Goldie, unfortunately she learned to pull before I learned to teach her not to, so our compromise with the help of a behaviourist was to use a martingale for the time being, she now only needs a small check every now and again as a reminder not to pull

It definitely doesnt stay on all the time, fitted correctly it sits right at the top of the throat, and is quite tight (not choking, but firm so it doesnt slip down and the check means something to them. They are a very fiddly collar to use so if its not needed I wouldnt bother with them, Ill be glad when I can put lexi in a flat collar and just walk her lol...time will come

Only the webbing ones are fiddly. Leather ones with a buckle aren't.

[Guest Clover]

I use one on Elvis my BC, he has a tendancy to slip out of normal collars when approached by stray out of control dogs. Martingales are never left on unsupervised here at any time.

[poodlefan]

I use one when Im walking my Goldie, unfortunately she learned to pull before I learned to teach her not to, so our compromise with the help of a behaviourist was to use a martingale for the time being, she now only needs a small check every now and again as a reminder not to pull

It definitely doesnt stay on all the time, fitted correctly it sits right at the top of the throat, and is quite tight (not choking, but firm so it doesnt slip down and the check means something to them. They are a very fiddly collar to use so if its not needed I wouldnt bother with them, Ill be glad when I can put lexi in a flat collar and just walk her lol...time will come

Only the webbing ones are fiddly. Leather ones with a buckle aren't.

I don't find anything remotely fiddly about the Blackdog sighthound collars. :p

[cavNrott]

I used them on my Rottweilers and for my Cavaliers...mostly for my own benefit because I can't be fussed doing up and undoing buckles. I use the material martingales with the chain loop and ring. They only wear them on walks, no collars at home.

[ruthless]

I use one when Im walking my Goldie, unfortunately she learned to pull before I learned to teach her not to, so our compromise with the help of a behaviourist was to use a martingale for the time being, she now only needs a small check every now and again as a reminder not to pull

It definitely doesnt stay on all the time, fitted correctly it sits right at the top of the throat, and is quite tight (not choking, but firm so it doesnt slip down and the check means something to them. They are a very fiddly collar to use so if its not needed I wouldnt bother with them, Ill be glad when I can put lexi in a flat collar and just walk her lol...time will come

Only the webbing ones are fiddly. Leather ones with a buckle aren't.

I don't find anything remotely fiddly about the Blackdog sighthound collars. :p

I don't know those ones. The webbing ones we had before were a pain in the ass to loosen (to get over the head) and tighten (so as the collar was high and snug).

[TerraNik]

We use them because they don't tend to wear down our the coats of our dogs. They are put on really loosely, too. Plus it's nice to just slip it over their head and be done!

[poodlefan]

I don't know those ones. The webbing ones we had before were a pain in the ass to loosen (to get over the head) and tighten (so as the collar was high and snug).

With most martingales I've seen, the slack in the loop allows the collar to go over the head and then tightens to prevent it coming off. Once fitted, no adjustment is necesary.

[bedazzledx2]

Thats how I use it too TerraNik. I can't imagine putting it on so tightly that it has to stay at the top of the neck. Its a limited slip so not really designed to be a correction collar.

We use them because they don't tend to wear down our the coats of our dogs. They are put on really loosely, too. Plus it's nice to just slip it over their head and be done!

[RubyStar]

For those who trial in obedience, can a martingale be used there? Do you detach the lead to give to the steward or slip the collar over the head? I know they can go naked for agility but I actually am not sure with obedience Can martingale collars be left on in the ring and they won't annoy the dog?

Sorry for the thread hijack

[bedazzledx2]

Yes you leave the collar on the dog. Martingales are an approved collar for the obedience ring.

For those who trial in obedience, can a martingale be used there? Do you detach the lead to give to the steward or slip the collar over the head? I know they can go naked for agility but I actually am not sure with obedience Can martingale collars be left on in the ring and they won't annoy the dog?

Sorry for the thread hijack

[Kavik]

I have a Blackdog martingale for Kaos for agility. I like it as it gives me more control than a flat collar and can be quickly and eaily done and undone by a buckle for competition and runs in training (he runs nude in agility). I do keep his quite tight, it can't slip over his head. It is not fiddly.

[sheena]

I use one when Im walking my Goldie, unfortunately she learned to pull before I learned to teach her not to, so our compromise with the help of a behaviourist was to use a martingale for the time being, she now only needs a small check every now and again as a reminder not to pull

It definitely doesnt stay on all the time, fitted correctly it sits right at the top of the throat, and is quite tight (not choking, but firm so it doesnt slip down and the check means something to them. They are a very fiddly collar to use so if its not needed I wouldnt bother with them, Ill be glad when I can put lexi in a flat collar and just walk her lol...time will come

Only the webbing ones are fiddly. Leather ones with a buckle aren't.

I don't find anything remotely fiddly about the Blackdog sighthound collars.

I don't know those ones. The webbing ones we had before were a pain in the ass to loosen (to get over the head) and tighten (so as the collar was high and snug).

The collar I use is designed to just slip over her head & just sits down on her neck when she is being normal,(like a normal collar) but when she pulls, that is when the slip bit comes into play & it tightens behind her head so she can't pull out. I don't think they are meant to be so tight to start with, that it permantly sits behind their head . Correct me if I'm wrong but I think you might have the wrong idea about how they work I only have mine on when she is on the lead. She runs her agility nude & never has a collar on at home, cause I had a dog once that got tangled up when I was not at home & hanged itself.