The Artful Canine Blog

An Artful Canine martingale Collar and coordinating leash

As a dog groomer, dog lover, and dog collar designer, you would think I would I would know everything there is to know about dog collars, particularly the martingale collar.  Well, surprise!  Until recently, I was martingale-ignorant.  My dogs always wore buckle-style collars, and there were only two things I was concerned with – one, were they attractive looking, and two – were they of good quality.  I got used to my dogs gently leading me on walks, and never really had a dog I couldn’t handle, so I was never lured to “the martingale side.”  Not until I started designing collars did I come to learn about the martingale collar, and why dog breeders, dog trainers, and owners love them so much.

So what is a martingale dog collar? The martingale collar works like a choke collar, whereby when attached to a dog leash, the pull of the leash tightens the collar around your dogs neck. This action disrupts whatever unwanted behavior your dog is exhibiting and gets his or her attention so that you can bring the focus back to whatever you were trying to do, like getting your dog to “heel” on walks. One of the most common uses for a martingale is to train your dog to walk by your side, without pulling, when on a leash outdoors. The martingale helps you achieve this with minimal investment, as most martingale dog collars are the same price or just a tad bit more, that a regular buckle-style dog collar.

When I use the term “choke collar” to describe the martingale, this does not mean that it is an instrument of torture! On the contrary, the martingale collar is just as comfortable as a regular collar, and is quite harmless when in use. Unlike metal choke collars, the martingale is usually made with nylon or fabric, and is much gentler on your dogs neck. As an everyday dog collar, it’s comfortable, adjustable, and comes in either buckle or slip-on styles. Designers like The Artful Canine offer these martingale collars in durable washable styles, so that they are perfect as an everyday collar as well as a training/control device.

Although there are no instant cures for behavioral issues with your dog, for a minimal investment, the martingale collar is an excellent choice for training your dog on a leash.  If you are looking for a tool that will help you train your dog to respond to your commands, and are willing to put a little time and consistency into training your dog,  the martingale collar is an excellent choice.