What is the difference between a quick release collar vs. martingale collar? This article will explain.

A Quick Release Dog Collar is for Identification & Walking on Leash

A Quick Release Collar, also know as a “Flat” Dog Collar, is probably the most common dog collar used for dogs today. Years ago, the closure of a flat dog collar was like a belt buckle – you ran one end of the collar through the belt buckle and hooked the prong in one of the collars holes to close it. This type of dog collar is still offered today, but the problem with this buckle is that you don’t get the perfect fit. Unless your dog has a neck size that aligns perfectly with one of the holes on the collar, it just won’t fit quite right. Then along came the quick release buckle.

A quick release buckle collar is an easy on/easy off answer for today’s dog collar, and its purpose is to walk your dog on leash. That’s it. The collar opens and closes by pressing the top and bottom buttons on the buckle simultaneously. Some folks use the D-ring that hooks onto the leash to hang a dog ID tag. Folks use a quick release collar for walking well-mannered adult dogs on leash, or leading them in and out of cars and other places.

A Martingale Dog Collar is for Leash Training

Like a quick release collar, a martingale collar is also used for walking a dog, an is helpful when the dog is not well-mannered on leash. A perfect example of this is using a martingale with a puppy. You may be asked to purchase a martingale dog collar if you’ve signed up for puppy training or basic manners. It’s the perfect collar for teaching your puppy how to walk properly on leash. A martingale has a loop with the D-ring sewn in. When attached to a leash and pulled, the loop constricts the collar slightly around the neck. This helps you get your dogs attention. You will want their attention when teaching basic commands, like “heel, easy” or “slow” (when you are trying to teach them pace).

A martingale dog collar is also used for leash training adult dogs (like rescues). Maybe they are easily excitable when outdoors on leash and are harder to control. They may constantly pull, trying to get at squirrels or the couple walking their dog across the street. In such cases, a martingale can help with control.

Using a Martingale Collar vs. a Quick Release for Control

A martingale is a great tool for helping control a dog on leash. When the martingale constricts around your dogs neck when they pull, it may distract or stop them from pulling. If you give a command while tugging on the leash, your dog will learn to connect the constriction of the collar and your command and in turn, pay attention. Trainers recommend using a martingale dog collar for this very purpose. Quick release collars do not constrict all the way around a dogs neck. They only apply pressure in the front.

Using a Martingale Collar for Safety

Another way people use a martingale dog collar is for safety. You may have a dog breed that has a long, narrow head. As such, their neck may be thicker than their head. Examples of such breeds are Greyhounds, Salukis, Whippets, Collies, Shelties, Dachshunds, Bulldogs and others. These breeds can easily slip or back out of a quick release collar when on leash. But with a martingale collar, when they try to back out, the constriction of the collar makes it difficult, if not impossible, to slip out of the collar. That is why a martingale dog collar is often referred to as a “Slip” or “No Slip” collar.

Now you know the difference between a quick release collar vs a martingale collar. Once you determine which collar is suitable for your dog, shop The Artful Canine, which has all styles of dog collars. We guarantee you’ll find one that is suitable for your dog.

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