However, it is also important to understand that while some collars are perfectly safe and comfortable for your dog, others are not, and can be not only uncomfortable and painful but also unsafe!
This is why it is always incredibly important to make sure that you are using the right type of collar for your dog, at any given time and situation.
As well as making sure that the collar fits properly, of course! If you’ve ever heard of martingale collars, you might have heard that they are similar, in some ways, to choke collars.
They are becoming increasingly popular, with more and more people giving them a try, but this means that you need to research them and be aware of when they are okay and when not.
As to whether you can leave a martingale collar on all the time or not, we will go more in-depth on the issue later on, but the answer is absolutely not.
What Is A Martingale Collar?
Just in case you haven’t heard of or seen one before, let us clarify exactly what a martingale collar is, and why they are used.
Also known as no-slip collars, or limited-slip collars, martingale collars are essentially just a type of collar designed to prevent dogs from slipping out.
So for example, if your dog has a fat neck and a small head, and can easily slip out of a collar, then the martingale is designed to stop this, by making it hard or impossible for them to slip out of it.
They are also designed to provide more control over your dog, especially for leash training and similar.
A martingale collar looks kind of like a flat collar, but one-third of its length has a smaller loop of fabric, with a D-ring, which is often made of chain instead of fabric (although this depends).
The idea of the collar is that if the dog pulls on the leash, this causes tension, and the smaller loop in the collar will tighten, pulling the rest of the collar with it, so that it’s impossible for it to go over the dog’s head.
Basically, it is a collar that becomes tighter if the dog pulls on it.
However, unlike other collar designs such as the choke collar, the martingale collar has been carefully designed so that it has a limit in regards to how tight it becomes.
As long as you are using the right size for your dog, the collar will never become tighter than the width of the dog’s neck, so it should never be able to choke them.
This is why the martingale collar is often described as being a comfortable means of securing and training your dog.
Can You Leave A Martingale Collar On All Of The Time?
Now, let’s get to the main question: can you leave a martingale collar on all of the time? Although the martingale collar is technically safe, and should never choke your dog, the answer is 100% no.
You should not leave the martingale collar on all of the time, and you should also never leave it on while your dog is unsupervised.
The martingale collar should only be used for short periods of time, under supervision, specifically for leash training, and that is it.
The main reason why martingales are safe to use in training, but not safe for use all the time or when unsupervised, is because they can become a choking hazard in certain situations, outside of walks.
So say, for example, that the collar gets caught on a piece of furniture, or your dog becomes trapped. As it has the tightening feature, the collar will automatically tighten.
And although it would normally not choke the dog, having something else trapped in it will add extra pressure, and therefore becomes a dangerous choking hazard.
So it is very important that your dog does not wear the martingale collar at all times, only during training! And even when in training, you should always supervise your dog while they are wearing the martingale collar, just in case something happens!
What Is The Difference Between Martingale Collars And Choke Collars?
Martingale collars are often confused or compared, to choke collars.
This is because both types of collars are used in similar contexts, and although one is harsher than the other, both of them can become choking hazards to the dog, and both should be handled with extreme care.
However, it is very important to understand that martingale collars are different from choke collars. To begin with, choke collars should not be used, at all.
Martingale collars, on the other hand, although dangerous if left unsupervised, are safe and comfortable if used in the right way, under supervision, and for short periods of time.
A martingale collar, however, has a limit to how tight it becomes, and as long as it is the right size for your dog, it should be safe.
Should You Use A Martingale Collar On Your Dog?
Martingale collars are becoming increasingly popular, especially as a safer and more comfortable alternative to the inhumane choke collars. However, before you decide to use one on your dog, there are a few things to consider.
First of all, do you really need to use a martingale collar?
The main purpose of it is to train dogs to walk on the leash properly, as it stops dogs from pulling, and prevents dogs from slipping out of the collar when they are trying to get away.
That being said, if your dog pulls constantly, then the martingale collar is not the solution, as you do not want your dog to constantly experience tightness around the neck. Instead, you should look into using a harness, or other methods.
Second of all, is your dog suited to a martingale collar?
Traditionally, martingale collars were mainly used for Greyhounds, and similar breeds, as they have very small heads and can very easily slip out of a normal collar, so they needed something specific during training.
However, nowadays martingale collars are used on all sorts of dog breeds but are still suited best to those dogs that have small heads.
If you do find that a martingale collar is the right kind of collar for your dog, then you have to make sure that it is the right fit and size, in order to be 100% confident that it is safe and comfortable.
Final Thoughts
Martingale collars are a safer and more comfortable alternative to inhumane choke collars.
This is because martingale collars will tighten when the dog pulls, but they will never become too tight, as they have a limit equal to the width of the dog’s neck.
Nevertheless, you should not leave a martingale collar on all of the time, and much less if you are leaving your dog unsupervised, as it could become a choking hazard in certain situations, like if your dog becomes trapped on furniture or similar.
Hi, my name is Daniel Johnson, and I am a professional dog trainer that specializes in positive training methods. I have worked with many dogs over the years, and have provided fantastic and improved results for both the owner and the dog.
When it comes to dog training, it is important for the owner to be taught the simple but correct techniques, and the way in which you communicate with your dog is vital to this process. I recently decided to set up this blog to share my knowledge and skills with a wider audience.
