ClantyreSheltie
Forums Sage
My dogs rarely wear collars. I generally walk them on their agility slip leads or on a small metal choke. If we are traveling, they have martingales with tags on them, otherwise they are naked.
collars or halters
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take4roll10
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I walk my dog with a halti/harness that has all her tags attached. She only wears that during walks.
In the house, she wears a buckle collar with her name and my cell phone # embroidered on it, so does have ID on her at all times. No tags are attached to this collar because she is occasionally crated.
Tags should always be removed before crating because it can be a choking hazard.
Maybe I am wrong, but I was always under the impression that when a martingale is fitted, the tight part is supposed to be tighter than a normal collar.
I thought they were made for greyhounds and other dogs, whose necks are wider than their heads, so they easily slip out of buckle collars.
That's why martingales sit nice and loose on a dog's neck, but if they pull or try to back out, it tightens up, so that they can't slip out. Which means it has to be tighter than a normal collar. Not to the point that they are choking, but so that it is very difficult to slip off.
That why I believe martingales are a choking hazard if left on 24/7, because the dangling chain has a higher chance of snagging on something and if the dog continuously pulls to break free, he can choke himself because it tightens up.
In the house, she wears a buckle collar with her name and my cell phone # embroidered on it, so does have ID on her at all times. No tags are attached to this collar because she is occasionally crated.
Tags should always be removed before crating because it can be a choking hazard.
Maybe I am wrong, but I was always under the impression that when a martingale is fitted, the tight part is supposed to be tighter than a normal collar.
I thought they were made for greyhounds and other dogs, whose necks are wider than their heads, so they easily slip out of buckle collars.
That's why martingales sit nice and loose on a dog's neck, but if they pull or try to back out, it tightens up, so that they can't slip out. Which means it has to be tighter than a normal collar. Not to the point that they are choking, but so that it is very difficult to slip off.
That why I believe martingales are a choking hazard if left on 24/7, because the dangling chain has a higher chance of snagging on something and if the dog continuously pulls to break free, he can choke himself because it tightens up.
Im glad you keep collars off your dogs most of the time also, it seems more natural that way (and comfy). Have you ever noticed any discoloration from the metal chain rubbing on the neck? I've stopped putting anything around my boys' necks because of the discoloration and separation of fur that's begun there (i have rolled leather martingales) Mine are naked most of the day also. When I let them out to potty, I should leash them but I usually don't. The other day my neighbor's jack russel terrier jumped their fence and ran right through our yard...Little bear ran after him to the end of our yard and came running back to me. Both are very good with recall. No one has ever slipped out the door because they always need an "ok" from me to go through gateways and doors. Basically, I try to keep collars off them as much as possible BC of how much it's messed up the neck fur. Looking into making a harness myself though or buying an easy walk harness but keeping it loose.
NO you are 100% correct on the fit of the collar. Its supposed to sit tight around their neck and goes even tighter when pulled so they cant slip out. Thats why I stopped using them I just cant get it tight enough to feel comfortably reliable with it, and just use my metal slip show collar when walking my dogs, otherwise they are naked...
I dont know what id do if I was living in a city situation where if they got out no one knew who they belonged to. I would guess a flat embroided buckle collar...although all mine are chipped and some tattooed.
BarbV
Forums Celebrity
I hope I can explain this properly from my point of view of martingales and Shelties.
Fitting a collar on a Sheltie is alot different from fitting a collar on a short-haired dog. But similar to fitting for some kinds of hounds - exactly as you say...because their necks are bigger than their heads
Because of the Sheltie's big ruffs, people have a tendency to make a regular collar too loose to avoid matting of the fur. And because of their narrow heads, a loose collar means "escape"!
With a martingale, you size it so that when it is tightened (i.e. dog pulls), it fits snug around the neck, but not like a choke chain, but enough that they won't slip their collar. You fit a martingale so that when it is tightened, it fits like you would have a regular collar fit if you had a short haired dog.
When the collar is unattached to a leash, or the dog is walking quietly beside, the martingale hangs looser, and therefore does not rub and matt the fur.
I also prefer rolled and narrow martingales for the same reason.
That's why martingales sit nice and loose on a dog's neck, but if they pull or try to back out, it tightens up, so that they can't slip out. Which means it has to be tighter than a normal collar. Not to the point that they are choking, but so that it is very difficult to slip off.
Hope this makes sense
sable
Forums Enthusiast
I use halters they look like figure eights when they are off. They also wear their collars. In the house and running in the backyard I leave them off. We use the rolled leather collar. Has my name and phone number on it.
I have less matts too when the collar is off. For some reason Lil' Lady is the one who gets matted.
I have less matts too when the collar is off. For some reason Lil' Lady is the one who gets matted.
I don't leave collars on my dogs either unless we are in transit to the conservation area or school or we are visiting at a non doggie home. I found a martingale that is put on like a flat buckle collar so it can be sized correctly and just snapped on instead of having to fiddle with it once it is on the dog.
I really don't like dogs playing with other dogs while wearing collars of any kind so when my visitors come over they remove their dogs' collars as well.
The dogs are also microchipped to aid in a recovery if they do get loose - heaven forbid!
I'm not a big fan of harnesses as they can rub the area behind the elbow and pull on the hair but I do have a couple in different sizes that I use for scent work on both our belgian and our sheltie. I keep the martingale on when I use them with their name and phone number on attached tags.
We only take Tinsel out through the patio door or the carriage house door - both lead to enclosed areas with gates. It's a habit I started with the terriers all those years ago which makes them less likely to see the front door as a place to try and dash out of. We have cats and wildlife around here that are really enticing to a terrier but so far have only had one dog that tried to go out when someone was coming in, he would go under the belgian and through her legs, and so we were extra diligent with him.
I really don't like dogs playing with other dogs while wearing collars of any kind so when my visitors come over they remove their dogs' collars as well.
The dogs are also microchipped to aid in a recovery if they do get loose - heaven forbid!
I'm not a big fan of harnesses as they can rub the area behind the elbow and pull on the hair but I do have a couple in different sizes that I use for scent work on both our belgian and our sheltie. I keep the martingale on when I use them with their name and phone number on attached tags.
We only take Tinsel out through the patio door or the carriage house door - both lead to enclosed areas with gates. It's a habit I started with the terriers all those years ago which makes them less likely to see the front door as a place to try and dash out of. We have cats and wildlife around here that are really enticing to a terrier but so far have only had one dog that tried to go out when someone was coming in, he would go under the belgian and through her legs, and so we were extra diligent with him.
BarbV
Forums Celebrity
One other comment....since I've been using the narrow kangaroo martingales, I've never had a matt. And these collars are on 24/7