Usage and Fitting of Half Check, Half Choke Or Martingale Collars

What is a Half Check/Half Choke/Martingale Collar?


All of these names refer to the same type of collar. This kind of collar will have a strap of nylon or preferably leather which could or might not be adjustable and will be attached on each sides to a circle chain. A circle chain will have two rings that are loose about the chain that are attached to the leather strap and a central ring joined to the chain for your lead to attach to. The effect of this style is to draw the two ends of the leather strap together when the central ring is pulled against, so giving a restricted check/choke impact.


What are the rewards of a half check collar?


If you have a dog that pulls difficult you'll know what a struggle it can be for each you and your dog. You will be familiar, if not for your own dog then from other peoples, the sound of a dog pulling challenging and struggling to breathe as he strangles himself. This is the scenario where a half check collar can assist. With a plain collar and a dog who pulls difficult all of the pressure is applied to the dogs windpipe, which is both ineffective in stopping him from pulling and uncomfortable for all concerned. Given that a properly fitted half check collar will spread pressure all the way around the dogs neck the collar will have significantly much less of an impact on the dogs breathing, but but have an action that a lot of dogs have more respect for. In contrast to a standard choke chain there is a finite limit to the choke impact that can be applied so there is a lot much less risk of the dog hurting themselves by pulling incredibly hard.


An further benefit the half check collar has more than a plain collar is for the owners of dogs who have learned to pull backwards out of their collars. Given a well fitted collar, it must be nearly impossible for your dog to reverse out of their collar as the collar will fit firmly and securely around your dogs neck as they pull backwards. This can be an terrific training aid to support re-educate a dog who does this, or assist stop a dog who is scared from putting themselves in danger when operating away. In order to accomplish this effect with a normal collar you would have to have the collar on uncomfortably tight all the time whereas a half check will adapt to the scenario as it occurs.


How should really a half check collar be fitted?


There is considerable debate amongst the dog coaching community about how a half check collar should be fitted. In order to be productive the author believes that the leather strap should certainly be in between 1" and two" shorter than the dogs neck measurement at the point where the collar will be worn, with 2" being a great deal more appropriate for large dogs and 1" for smaller dogs. In practice that means that if the dog pulls either forward or back the strap portion of the collar will squeeze all about the neck proportionately to the amount the dog is pulling, but only till the two leather straps meet, meaning that in contrast to a choke chain the collar shouldn't injure the dogs neck. The precise measurement is of course up to you, the owner, to decide as it will depend upon how strong and significant your dog is. It should really be noted that if the strap is the same size or longer than the dogs neck then it will revert to having the identical action as a standard collar if the dog pulls and the dog might possibly be in a position to escape from it backwards.


What sort of half check collar must I order?


There are numerous varieties of half check collar on the market. A leather collar is most comfortable for the dog as the surface of the material is not abrasive like nylon. If you are uncertain about the length you need to have then an adjustable half check is undoubtedly the better selection. If you opt for an adjustable collar be confident that the buckles applied are good good quality as they are put under a lot of strain by a pulling dog. There are various stories of poor excellent components failing below pressure, and solid stainless steel or brass buckles and chains need to ideally be utilised as neither material will corrode and are probably to be far stronger than cheep plated fittings.


A non adjustable half check collar, that is just a plain strap with a circle chain is an elegant alternative available from specialist makers for those who know what size they require. This removes the have to have for considerably of the bulk and the buckle in an adjustable collar, but does mean that you have to get the size just appropriate.

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