I just used a martingale collar on a balking dog last week. He had learned how to throw his weight backward while ducking his head causing the flat collar to threaten to slip off nearly instantly. I prevented that by moving quickly toward him (a dog needs tension on the leash to slip a collar so keep that leash slack at such moments) and then I switched him over to a martingale.
It’s the right collar for that job because of its clever design. It is a flat strap that goes around the dogs neck. The ends of that strap are connected by a loop with a ring in it. The leash attaches to that ring. When pressure is applied, the loop tightens and snugs the collar up slightly making it impossible to slip (or nearly)*.
It has many other uses, too. Many people like them for both walking and training. They are perfect for dogs whose necks are as big as their skulls making them great greyhound and whippet collars.
Alert: Either remove a martingale (aka “check choke”) during any dog-to-dog play or use a quick-release martingale (listed below).
BASIC MARTINGALE COLLARS
Red Dingo Classic Martingale Dog Collar, Mid-Blue
All Sizes and Colors of Red Dingo Collars
Ruffwear Limited Cinch Collars
QUICK-RELEASE MARTINGALES
A quick-release buckle makes this collar easy to take on and off big-headed dogs. Otherwise, such dogs need their collars adjusted each time, which is a hassle. With a buckle martingale you can fit it the way you like and then just clip on and off.
Also, these are the only martingales to use during dog playtime—buddies, dog park or play group. Without the buckle option, there is no way to get the collar off if a dog’s jaw gets caught in it. This doesn’t happen often but when it does, it can be a nightmare. Use one of these quick release options or take the collar off during such play.
Canine Equipment Technika 3/4-Inch Quick Release Martingale Dog Collar, Small, Black
All Sizes and Colors of Technika Collars
EzyDog Checkmate Martingale-Style Dog Collar
LEATHER MARTINGALES
Bold Lead Designs Martingale Collar – Tan
Genuine Leather 3/4″ Wide Martingale Dog Collar Choker, Fits 13″-15.5″ Neck
Genuine Leather 1.5″ Wide Martingale Dog Collar Choker
MARTINGALES FOR SIGHTHOUNDS
With their sleek skulls, muscular necks and often thin skin, sighthounds need wide, soft limited check collars to stay safe. Here are a few to consider.
Sheepskin Lined Leather Martingale Dog Collar 2.5in wide
Fuzzywumpets Narrow 8 Inch Fleece-Lined Walking Leads
RC Pet Products Hound Pets Collar, 16-Inch, Modern Damask
LUXURY LIMITED-CINCH COLLARS
For those who want the highest quality collar for their companions.
Dean and Tyler “LEATHER MARTINGALE”, Dog Choke Collar with Chrome Plated Steel Chain – Brown
All Sizes and Colors of Dean and Tyler Martingales
All Sizes and Colors of Bitch and Stud Chic
Martingale collars are my go-to collars for many walking situations. They are secure and humane options. Let me know below if you have a favorite you don’t see listed here.
* When a martingale collar is fit properly the two rings from the strap should not touch no matter how snug the collar becomes. That prevents the collar from slipping. If the rings can touch, the collar is too loose. Adjust the collar so those strap rings cannot touch and you’re in business!
October 17, 2015 at 3:36 am
I don’t see a regular chain martingale collar listed here. Are those safe to use? In your opinion, how do they measure up to the ones you’ve shown? Thanks!
October 18, 2015 at 10:43 am
Hi Katie – do you mean an all-chain collar? Nope, I don’t tend to use those because they cannot be adjusted for proper fit. I know they are often used for show dogs, but that’s a different game. Hope this helps – Sarah
April 26, 2016 at 2:06 pm
Which is better martingale w/chain or w.out chain I have a 75 lb Aust. Cattle hound/hound.
April 26, 2016 at 3:00 pm
Depends on your dog’s temp and your purpose, Beverly. What’s your goal?
April 30, 2016 at 5:19 am
I have a 20 lbs. terrier mix that pulls on leash, often quite hard though we’ve worked to try to train him out of it. I’ve been told a martingale might help. My only worry is that he has a thin neck relative to his frame. My question is similar to Beverly’s – should I use one with or without the chain? And do you recommend it for a small dog?
May 2, 2016 at 2:08 am
The plus of the chain is that it makes noise and you can use that to help teach BUT, for hard-pulling dogs you really need hands on help to get pulling under control. It CAN be done!
June 5, 2016 at 6:05 am
Hi Sarah,
I will be getting a surrender/rescue Papillon this week and understand its an escape artist and a bit skittish. I thought I would try a Martingale collar, but I believe the X-Small will still be too large for such a small dog.
Do you have any suggestions, especially with the amount of mane on the Papillon’s neck? I really don’t want to risk him getting loose.
June 6, 2016 at 12:39 pm
Hi – Congrats on your new family member and on being proactive for his safety. And x-small should work just fine. A Pap isn’t that tiny a dog, usually. Make it as small as you can, put it on, snug is closed and try to get it over his head. A Pap usually has a large head compared to their neck so these collars can work well. Hope this is helpful – Sarah
January 7, 2017 at 3:44 am
Hi Sarah–I have a question. I have recently adopted a 65 pound Goldendoodle who has been trained with and came wearing an all chain choke collar. After reading this article, I ordered a quick release martingale Canine Equipment collar for him, thinking that would be a better choice for daily use. This kind of collar is new for me. My other dog just wears a regular cotton collar and a harness for walking. So with the CE Martingale, can my new dog wear that collar all the time as a daily collar or just during walks? When I put him out to run in the back yard, I\’d feel more comfortable if he has on a collar with ID card just in case. There may be some days where he spends a few hours out there while I work. Should he have an alternate collar for those situations? Thanks!
January 7, 2017 at 7:14 pm
Great questions, Myra.
I’d keep tags on a flat collar that he can wear all the time and use the martingale for walks, just as your other dog has a cotton collar for tags and a harness for walking.
Does that help?
January 7, 2017 at 7:35 pm
Thanks!
January 8, 2017 at 6:04 pm
Hello Sarah,
I have a 3 yr old 30 lb. whippet/rat terrier mix. Can I use a martingale collar on him when he is out on his tie out? He tugs and pulls so hard I feel he is damaging his throat/esophagus. He will cough and gag with his conventional collar on. Thanks for your advice!
January 8, 2017 at 9:46 pm
Hi Julie –
Nope. That won’t help on a tie out, might even be worse. How about using a harness? Or a vary wide collar? – Sarah
October 15, 2018 at 3:16 pm
I have a 7 pound rescue high energy mix. I need a quick release training collar for him to wear when I train him to walk like a well mannered boy (& not bark at people).
October 18, 2018 at 4:37 pm
Oh, that is tiny! Take a look at these martingales: https://amzn.to/2q77BR3 and https://amzn.to/2NOunpW and one with a chain: https://amzn.to/2NLgNUh