How to measure for and use a half check dog collar

The half check dog collar, also called a half choke or martingale collar, is the collar we have the most problems with regarding measuring and fitting. This is one of my most read blogs. Please read to find out our recommendations on how to measure and fit this type of dog collar.

How do I measure my dog for a half check dog collar?

You measure for a half check dog collar the same as any other dog collar. Take a soft tape and put it around your dogs’ neck as tight as you want the collar to fit and in the correct place. You now simply choose the correct size for your dog.

I find people over complicate this by wondering what affect the chain has on sizing. Don’t worry about the chain, just measure your dogs’ neck and choose the corresponding size on our website.

Fitting a martingale dog collar

This is the part that causes the most confusion. I get chills when I see ill-fitted half check dog collars because I know they are generally fitted too tight with disasterous consequences.

When the collar is on the dog, the 2 rings on the chain that are connected to the collar should almost touch. Some say they should touch, but the reason I say almost touch is so you know you have it fitted tight enough.

If the rings touch and the collar is already too loose, the collar may come off.

If the rings are too far apart when tension from the lead closes the collar together, then it will choke your dog.

Step 1 – Place the collar on your dog.

Step 2 – Adjust it to the right size making sure the two rings almost touch.

Step 3 – Take hold of the ring where you would clip the lead to and close the collar rings together high on the dogs’ neck.

Step 4 – Are the rings almost touching, say with about 1cm gap? Good, then you should now have the collar fitted correctly.

Step 5 – Make sure the above applies to all parts of the dogs neck if it is smaller at the top and larger at the bottom.

What is normal for a half check dog collar?

1. It hangs loose.
2. You can probably get a fist in between the dog and the collar when the collar is relaxed.
3. It ‘may’ come off if the dog puts its’ head down.
4. Coats may become discoloured or worn.
5. If you are not used to these collars you may think it’s too loose.

More information

The half check dog collar is not a collar that should be used as a stop-pull solution.

In the olden days when choke chains (also called check chains) were used by old school dog trainers to stop pulling on the lead, they were used to intimidate and punish.

This is not how modern, kind, reward based dog trainers work now.

What the half check dog collar is, is a safe collar when fitted properly. It is safe because it tightens, but please don’t misunderstand this. As described earlier in this blog under ‘fitting’, we want the rings to be about 1cm apart when under tension.