More About Martingales: How to Properly Fit a Martingale Collar

A martingale collar is designed to give more control and safety (as well as more feedback for your dog!) making it popular among trainers and owners of dogs who pull or slip out of regular collars. Here’s a guide to fitting a martingale collar properly:

Understanding the parts of a Martingale Collar

• Fixed loop: The larger loop that goes around your dog’s neck.
• Control loop: The smaller loop that tightens when the dog pulls, giving gentle correction.
• In our custom color martingales, the fixed loop is the main color, and the control loop is the accent color.

How to Measure the Neck Size

• Use a measuring tape to get the circumference of your dog’s neck. Don't have one handy? Just use a ribbon/shoestring/etc, then hold it against a flat ruler.
• Measure around the broadest part, where a collar would sit. With the collar in its relaxed position, you should be able to fit two fingers between the collar and your dog’s neck. This ensures it’s snug without being restrictive.
• The second measurement you should get is the widest part of their head - typically around their ears. If you are getting a standard martingale collar, it will need to adjust large enough to fit over your pup's head. We have an option to customize your martingale by adding a buckle, which means you don't need to worry about fitting it over their head.

• Loosen the collar by moving the adjuster slide on the fixed loop, and slide it over your dog’s head.
• Tighten the fixed loop to fit comfortably around the neck, making sure you can fit two fingers between the collar and the dog’s neck.
• Check the fit by pulling gently on the control loop. Ideally, when pulled, the collar should tighten enough to prevent slipping off but never restrict breathing. Recheck the fit every few months, especially for growing puppies or dogs that are gaining/losing weight.