Sizing: Take Two Measurements

Measure your dog around the widest part of its head. This is typically around the cheeks/jawbones and up behind the ears

Measure your dog around the base of its neck - just behind the ears and jawbones. That is where the collar will sit when you’re working it. This number should be smaller than the first number unless you have a sight hound.

Choose a collar size based on the neck measurement and opt for one where this is in the centre range of the adjustment i.e. if the measurement is 15” choose a collar 13 - 16” rather than 14 - 21”.

Small: 12-18" necks
Medium: 14-21" necks
Large" 18-24" necks

Fitting and Adjustment:

The Martingale should sit right behind the ears (think a show dog at Westminster) when in use   

It should not sit midway down the neck like an everyday collar

When the control loop is pulled tight, the collar should be firm and the dog should not be able to back out. If it is pulled to its tightest and your dog can wiggle out, it’s too loose.

When the control loop is relaxed, the collar will rest comfortably and without tension.

Note that if you are leaving this collar on all the time (please don’t) that you must loosen the collar when you’re not with your dog; and adjust it to working length when in training.

The third rule of martingale collars is that if after you’ve worked with it for a few weeks and your dog simply pulls through it keeping it constantly tight, you need another approach. Consider consulting a trainer who may recommend a different tool or check out our Go-Dog-Glo Harness that uses pressure around the body rather than around the throat.