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FAQ
Collar FAQ >>
Ellen FAQ >>
What makes martingale collars the best and most humane?
Why are metal collars inferior?
What official organizations use your custom collars?
The various collar lengths are listed in the size chart, but how wide and thick are they?
How long do the collars last?
Do you do repairs or refinishing?
Why do the collars have a beveled edge?
Where can I find more information about martingale collars?
How much experience do you have making these sturdy leather collars?
How did you begin making humane dog collars?
Do you have a personal artistic history?
Did your dog training experience influence the style of collar you now design?
Describe the extent of your interest and experience in rescue work.
Are you certified and trained to do rescue work?
Do you have any pets besides dogs at home?
What makes martingale collars the best and most humane?
The comfortable fitting martingale style collar is also called a limited-slip design because it slips over the dog’s head and constrains to the neck size, but your dog can’t slip out (or “back out”) of a martingale. It allows for gentle correction without forced restraint. Unlike metal choke collars, the leather martingale collar provides enough leverage so your dog will react without pain along with your correction gesture.
Why are metal collars inferior?
Metal collars, especially choke collars, cause unnecessary tightening around the sensitive area of the animal’s throat and trachea, sometimes constricting breathing.
What official organizations use your custom collars?
In 2003, my collars got the okay to be used in the National Agility Championship (NAC), as well as the American Kennel Club (AKC) show, here in Chicago. Choke collars are not allowed, as dogs could hurt themselves as they go through obstacles.
The various collar lengths are listed in the size chart, but how wide and thick are they?
The collars are made with saddle leather, so they’re incredibly sturdy, and the leather is soft enough to be comfortable for the dog. The smaller-sized collars for smaller dog breeds are half an inch wide, and about 2/8 of an inch thick. The larger-sized collars, 14L and up, are one inch wide, and are made of thicker leather, about 3/16 of an inch thick.
How long do the collars last?
Leather stretches slightly, so if your dog needs continued correction after the first year in a martingale collar, it’s wise to replace the collar. Otherwise, each collar should last up to three years. (If your dog swims in the collar, then the water will stretch it quicker, too.)
Do you do repairs or refinishing?
Occasionally, if a rivet, stud, or gemstone falls out, I'd be happy to replace it. Please contact me regarding any repairs. As for refinishing, just using regular leather-protecting products will keep the collar in good condition.
Why do the collars have a beveled edge?
I learned that it kept the edges from curling, and then making beveled edges became pure esthetics – it was just pretty. I especially enjoy the opportunity to add the additional color to trim the edges of the collars. After all, our pooches simply must be fashionable.
Where can I find more information about martingale collars?
Glad you asked! Here's more info about martingale collars and how to use them with a leash.
How much experience do you have making these sturdy leather collars?
I’ve been making them since about 1996.
How did you begin making humane dog collars?
In April of 1995, when I found a stray Border collie puppy on the road in Springfield, IL, I started training him and working with a long-time trainer friend of mine. I had a lot of difficultly training my boy, Chance. He wouldn't respond to a buckle collar, and if I put a metal choke on him, which is what was available in the market at the time, he went through the ceiling howling. (He had a very sensitive nature!)
My trainer told me I had to find a way to get my dog under control, so I went home and started playing with different materials. I had never worked with leather before, but I knew I needed a soft but firm material to have corrective properties that wouldn't hurt his trachea (or his nature) as I corrected him. After a month or so, I made my first martingale collar.
Do you have a personal artistic history?
I went to the Art Institute of Chicago in the very early ’80s and studied fine art, mostly sculpture and metalworking. I’ve never painted much, but prefer to draw with pencil and pastels, and I like paper mâche, which I used a lot when I was an art therapist in the ’90s. I’m much more sculpture-oriented. To make my dog collars, I begin with a hide of leather, cut it into strips, and the process begins...
Did your dog training experience influence the style of collar you now design?
The martingales had been used a lot in the ’50s, and I knew of them because I had run a lot of dog training classes by the mid-’90s, as well. So I based my collars on that style. I never liked the harshness of the standard choke collars, and saw how so many people used them improperly, which can result in a permanently damaged trachea.
Describe the extent of your interest and experience in rescue work.
I started rescuing birds when I was five, and any other animal that seemed lost. By the age of 21, I headed a no-kill shelter for dogs and cats, and was responsible for adoptions and monitoring of the animals. My interest just kept growing.
I've always done my own street rescue for dogs and cats, and TNR (trap, neuter/spay release) for feral cats to help cut down the horrendous growing population of wild and abandoned cats in my own neighborhood.
I've worked with various rescue/no-kill shelter organizations as a foster home for dogs and cats, and I’ve worked as a volunteer at various adoption and fund raising events. I almost always care for a foster animal in my home. Right now, I'm fostering Mr. Filbert – he's a wonderfully loving black-and-white Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.
Are you certified and trained to do rescue work?
I'm a trained RedRover Responder volunteer with the Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) program at [RedRover {redrover.org}], formerly United Animal Nations. It takes many hours of training to be able to go into disaster situations, for example, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, etc., and set up temporary shelter for lost and abandoned pets.
I'm also certified by the Red Cross in Dog and Cat First Aid, trained to do emergency animal CPR, and I personally enjoy doing agility-training exercises with my own dogs, especially my newer Jack Russell/Cairn terrier mix.
This coming fall, 2011, I hope to work towards another certification when I begin classes in animal massage.
Do you have any pets besides dogs at home?
I love cats, too, but I have very strict rules about cats!
He was a great model for training with a martingale style collar. I just lost him two years ago, in 2009. He was 16 years old. I'll share a photo soon of my boy wearing one of the first collars I made.