Tools You Should Use: The Martingale Collar

I'll keep this short and relatively sweet:  I personally feel that every dog should be wearing a Martingale Style collar with a quick release buckle, like this

Unless your dog has a medical condition that bars them from wearing a collar, these are in my opinion, the safest things out there. They are soft, comfortable, come in a variety of colors and design, and are virtually escape proof.  That's right, I said your dog cannot escape from this collar. 

Originally designed for Greyhounds, because their necks are thicker than their skulls and they were just walking out of regular collars, the Martingale has become popular with most breeds.  How many times has your dog backed up and pulled out of his collar?  Or slipped free when you went to grab hold of him? (well, to be perfectly fair, your dog could use more training, but still.....)

A Martingale works like this

The leash attaches to the ring on the smaller of the two loops of collar.  When the dog, or you, puts pressure on the leash, the smaller loop tightens, and the collar becomes smaller.  It's not really enough to choke the daylights out of your dog (I would hope you aren't trying to choke the daylights out of your dog!) but it's tight enough that the collar won't slip over the skull.

Some "trainers" like to use this as a gentle correction collar, but I find that it is not usually enough, if correction is what you are after.  I like them as a safety device.  Speaking of safety, the quick release buckle:  If you have a Martingale without one, you are playing with fire.  What happens if your dog gets caught or hung up in a bush while playing?  That's right, without a clip your dog may need scissors or a knife to free.

You'll notice this one also sports a chain for the smaller loop; while I am not a huge fan of this, as chain can snag skin or pinch tender ears, it does its job, and isn't the worst thing. 

I just prefer them to be what they call a "soft martingale, " as in, all cloth.

So how do I fit it properly?

Correct Fit.

This is incorrect.

Like this. 
Once you've gotten the collar on the dog, pull the small D-Ring and be sure the rings on the larger part of the collar do not meet.  Remember, you're going for a collar they cannot escape, and if those rings can touch, the dog can get out of the collar. 

Not only that, but an incorrectly fitted Martingale can be a trap-hazard for paws and jaws.

Can you imagine if this pup was doing that yoga scratch with his back foot towards those amazing ears, and his foot hung up in the smaller loop?  Now he's trapped and scared and lurching around the backyard, possibly headed for a panic attack that could lead to injury and some behavioral problems. 
 
If you have purchased a Martingale thinking it will help with any kind of pulling issue, you are mistaken. 

Teaching your dog proper manners on leash will help with a pulling problem, 

no matter what kind of collar you choose.