Why Dogs Need Martingale Collars

This post could have also been titled: How Michelle Fell on Her Bum Today.

I recently bought a Martingale collar from ClassicHound.com to use on Riley’s walks.  (The full product review will be coming soon!)

I’ve been using the very pretty collar for a couple of weeks now on our walks.  Basically a martingale collar slightly tightens when your dog pulls on their leash.  It is NOT a choke collar–so it does not tighten all the way a choke collar does.

A martingale collar is essential for people who own dogs with necks bigger than their head (like Greyhounds).  Greyhounds can slip right out of a regular collar anytime they feel like it because…well, they’ve got freakishly skinny heads.  Today I learned that the Martingale collar must also be essential for dogs named Riley the Catahoula.

Today we were out just for a quick minute–Riley had rung her potty bell, and needed to go pee.  I was a little frustrated about this because I was in the middle of work.  Instead of putting on the Martingale collar I just took her out quickly with her regular collar and leash.

We crossed the street to pee in her favorite spot.  Before we could even begin to sniff, an old blue van passed by.  Riley, being a crazy herding dog, looked as if she wanted to chase the van.  So I pulled her aside, told her “leave it” and made her sit until it passed.

I did not see, however, that just behind the van was the UPS TRUCK.  Good god, no!  Not a UPS truck!  Riley dreams of chasing UPS trucks every single night.

Riley, of course, knew all along that the UPS truck was within her sights.  She struggled and struggled.  I pulled her back from the road onto a neighbor’s yard.  She struggled and struggled.

Finally (for the first time ever) she managed to slip out of her regular collar!  To keep her from attacking and/or herding the UPS truck, I had to hang onto her with all my might.

I did all of this in a long skirt and a pair of boots with very high heals (2 inches).  Needless to say I had to resort to body-slamming Riley onto the ground to keep her contained.  (I may have tripped on top of her.)

Did I mention we were in a neighbor’s yard?

Once the UPS TRUCK had passed, Riley sat and stayed like the most obedient dog ever.  I put her collar back on, tightened it, stood up and shook myself off.

Just as I did this, the old blue van drove back up to us, pulled over and the man driving asked, “Are you alright Miss?”

I said, with as much self-respect as possible given the circumstances, “Yes, of course, I am fine.”

The guy explained, “I saw you in my rear view mirror and it looked like that dog was attacking you.”

“No.  She just likes to chase UPS Trucks,” I said, as if it somehow explained why I had been lying flat on the ground.

He looked curiously at Riley and then said, before driving away, “Better than firetrucks!”

I think UPS Trucks are much worse.  They come by every day.

Needless to say, I am no longer taking her out without the Martingale collar.

Riley’s Comment:

Riley wearing her Martingale collar

Today has been very fun and exciting as usual.  My mommy and I went outside and we saw a wonderful, big brown animal that makes a roaring noise.  A man wearing an ugly brown suit rides on top of the animal.  At least once a week he comes to our door.  When he does this I scare him as best as I can.  I might look handsome and friendly but I can be a frightening dog when I want to.  This man does not belong at our doorstep! Anyway, today I saw him riding the big brown animal and I almost caught them!  But then my mommy wanted to wrestle with me.  That was very fun too.

Every night I dream about the big brown animal and the man in the brown suit who rides him.  It is like a nightmare.  I just run and run but never catch up to them. Oh well, I guess I am not supposed to ever catch him.

photos by Justin at Doglirious, zyphbear, and Classic Hounds.