Why Do Owners Use Martingale Collars?
Owners use Martingale collars on their greyhounds fort two main reasons: 1) The size of a greyhound’s neck compared to the size of their head 2) the fear that many greyhounds have with wearing collars.
Usually when a normal dog feels scared and has a normal collar on, he will try to run away and won’t be able to because his neck is narrower than their head, so the collar can’t slip off over the ears.
However, as far as greyhounds are concerned, their neck is very wide compared to their heads, so they can get out of a normal collar very easily. Therefore, the Martingale collar will tighten if they try to escape and they won’t be able to get out of the collar.
Many greyhound owners don’t realize that a Martingale collar does cause damage. In other articles, we’ve already mentioned the health problems caused by pulling on the leash and the pressure exerted on the neck over a long period of time.
This type of collar causes the same health problems that occur in dogs that wear choke chains or training collars. These collars constantly squeeze the neck, just like a Martingale collar. The Martingale collar uses a strip of fabric instead of metal spikes, but the pressure is still the same.
Even though Martingale collars for greyhounds have a maximum pressure they can exert, it’s still excessive. The neck is a sensitive area for any dog.
Likewise, some greyhound owners don’t think about muscle memory, which are the sensations or memories associated with touch. If the greyhound was previously abused with a choke chain or something similar, then they’ll get scared or defensive every time they something tighten around their throat.
Obviously, the Martingale collar is going to trigger a lot of bad memories, and their recovery from their abuse will take a lot longer, if not be impossible.
What is a Sighthound Collar or a Greyhound Collar?
A martingale collar is also referred to as a limited-slip or no-slip collar. This type of collar suits a dog breed that has a head narrower than its neck. They’re popular among owners of Whippets, Greyhounds, Salukis, and other sighthound breeds.
Standard martingale collars don’t open/close, they slip over the head, making them a little more difficult to use for larger-headed breeds. A Buckle Martingale collar may be a better option for these breeds of dogs.
Don’t have a sighthound? Not to worry, you can use martingale collars with other dog breeds as well. Especially if you want more control during leash training or if your dog tends to slip out of the collar.
This type of dog collar is fitted with a D-ring and the leash attaches to this ring. When the dog pulls on the leash, the collar constricts. Since the collar is adjustable, it won’t tighten beyond your dog’s neck width if properly fitted. This way, you can provide comfort without harming your dog’s neck.
Dog collars serve two primary functions. First, they help keep your pet’s ID tag attached to them at all times. And second, they offer an anchor point to attach a leash.
As a dog owner, choosing the right collar for your pet is essential. At the very least, it should serve these two basic functions without hurting your dog.
Martingale dog collars give you control over your pet and help keep them safely on-leash without choking them. The martingale collar design is an improvement on the choke chain. But unlike choke chains, they allow you to adjust and control the fit around your pet’s neck. Choke Chains are considered aversive equipment by Positive Reinforcement Dog Trainers (such as Association of Professional Dog Trainers)
Other popular names for martingale collars are:
Martingale collars consist of two loops:
The first loop is adjustable to give you control over the diameter of the band. This ensures a secure fit over your pet’s head and neck to prevent choking or slipping off.
When your dog pulls on the lead or tries to slip out, the tension pulls the smaller loop taut. This, in turn, tightens the larger loop gently and uniformly around the dog’s neck.
And when your pup stops pulling on the leash, the collar relaxes back to its original shape.
Note that the loop only gets tight enough to prevent slipping out, but not so tight that it hurts your pet.
This feature also comes in handy when training your dogs. The tightening of the loop discourages them from pulling and tugging at the lead. And this is why martingale collars are among the most recommended products by dog trainers.
Why do greyhounds refuse to walk?
Freezing (suddenly stopping and refusing to move) on walks is a sign your greyhound is feeling extremely fearful and overwhelmed. If this happens, just give them time to relax and talk to them reassuringly and then follow-up by seeking advice from a veterinary behaviour consultant.
Teeth chattering: This is a very unique trait for greyhounds which is usually a sign of anticipation and excitement. So it’s quite common to see your greyhound chattering before their brekkie or dinner.
The truth is, there is no single type of collar that is solely appropriate for a greyhound to wear. Greyhounds can and do wear different types of collars, from pinch to slip to flat buckle. A collar is nothing more than a tool used to gain control over a dog or to carry identification tags.
Are Martingale Collars Cruel? Martingale collars are specifically designed not to be cruel. Unlike choke collars, you can set the limit to which the collar can close when your dog is pulling, so that it will never cause them serious harm.
Martingale collars are also known as greyhound or whippet collars. The martingale collar was designed for use with sighthounds because their necks are larger than their heads and they can often slip out of buckle collars.
Why Do My Greyhounds Wear Two Collars?
A martingale collar is traditionally used on greyhounds and whippets. The martingale collar offers more support and more control in certain situations. If a dog is prone to slipping out of its current dog collar, then a martingale collar may be recommended. Importantly if you have been recommended a martingale collar then it is very important you know the facts particularly related to safety of this style of collar. We answer some of the major questions related to martingale collars below.