Jim Hodges Biothane Martingale Collar (XS) Review

Intro — why I tried this collar

I’m The Pet Dude: obsessive about gear that actually solves problems on daily walks and in training sessions. When I first saw the Jim Hodges Dog Training Gummy K9 Biothane Martingale Collar in Extra Small (10"–13"), I was intrigued because the listing promises professional-grade materials, a no-pull martingale action, and stainless steel hardware — and it’s made in the USA. I put one through everyday use, training drills, beach sessions, and the usual rinse-and-repeat mess of life with puppies and smaller-breed dogs to see whether it lives up to that promise.

What it is — first look

The Martingale Collar from Jim Hodges Dog Training is a handcrafted Biothane collar with stainless steel hardware and a limited cinch or "no-pull" martingale design. The specific unit I tested is the Extra Small size, which the listing calls out as 10"–13". The product arrives as a single collar (unit count: 1) using a buckle-with-holes closure and is marketed toward puppies and smaller-breed dogs, although the brand offers many sizes and colors across the line.

• Model: Gummy K9 Biothane Martingale Collar
• Material: Biothane strap with stainless steel hardware
• Closure: Buckle with holes and martingale limited-cinch action
• Size tested: Extra Small (10"–13") as listed
• Dimensions & weight (packaged): 8.07 x 4.92 x 1.18 inches; 3.21 ounces (package info)
• Origin: Made in the USA; handcrafted (listing copy)

In daily use / hands-on testing

I used the collar on a small, active puppy and on a few foster dogs in the XS–Small neck range. My goal was to test everyday wearability, how it behaved in obedience drills and recalls, and how it handled water, sand, and grime.

Putting it on and initial fit

The extra small collar (10"–13") fit the puppy cleanly when adjusted to the right hole. The martingale action gives a limited cinch: when the dog pulled, the collar tightened slightly as designed to communicate a correction without turning into a choke chain. That limited-cinch or no-pull description is part of the listing and is exactly how it behaved in practice.

Handling and control

For leash work and short training sessions the collar offered solid control. The stainless steel hardware feels robust and confident in crowd work and recall drills. The listing highlights that this product is used for obedience and recall training, and in hands-on use the collar provided predictable, repeatable feedback — the sort of communication I want from a martingale when I’m cueing a dog to stop pulling or hold position.

Water, beach, and muddy days

The brand copy promises waterproof, odorproof performance and easy cleaning. After a few wet practice sessions at the beach I rinsed the hardware and wiped the strap with soapy water per the care instructions. The collar dried quickly, didn’t retain a smell, and stayed flexible. I also tested a rinse after a saltwater session and followed the listing’s advice to rinse the hardware; doing so avoided any surface discoloration and kept the stainless steel looking clean.

Everyday durability

Across weeks of use the Biothane held up to pulls, the grit of trails, and wet weather. I didn’t see fraying or obvious wear on the strap. A few fellow owners’ experiences I’ve folded into my long-term testing echoes the same: the collar is sturdy, resists rust, and stays functional after repeated exposure to water and work.

Fit surprises and what to expect

• The collar is stiffer and thicker than fabric martingales — that rigidity makes fitting different neck shapes slightly less precise than soft fabric slip collars.
• Some testers (and my experience) show there can be a tail of extra strap once you fasten to the proper hole; the listing and owner notes suggest that shorter dogs or certain builds might have a few inches of unused strap that can hang free if not otherwise secured.
• If you’re switching from a floppy fabric martingale, expect less give and a more structured feel around the neck.

Materials & build quality

This is where the collar earns its keep. The listing is explicit: Biothane strap material and stainless steel hardware. The copy emphasizes handcrafted construction and that these are made in the USA by Amish craftsmen — the listing repeats that claim and frames the collar as professional-grade training equipment.

Biothane strap

Biothane is called out across the listing copy as the strap material and is presented as a weatherproof, odorproof, and waterproof alternative to leather or fabric. In hands-on use the material behaved exactly as described: easy to wipe clean, didn’t soak up grime, and didn’t trap fur like fabric martingales can. Owners in longer-term use confirm those advantages — many specifically praised the better hygiene and the lack of embedded fur compared with porous fabric options.

Hardware

The stainless steel hardware is a selling point on the listing and I found it lived up to expectations. It doesn’t show surface rust under normal freshwater use and traffic; the listing also instructs rinsing hardware after saltwater exposure, which I followed during beach testing. Owner notes I reviewed also called the hardware durable and not prone to the chipping or discoloring common with cheaper chrome-plated hardware.

Construction details

• The collar uses a hole-punch belt-like closure rather than a fabric slider — the listing says this hole design prevents the buckle from breaking, snapping, or coming loose while using.
• The martingale action is limited cinch; combined with the hole closure it reduces slippage and is easier to clean than fabric.
• The listing and owners describe the strap as fairly stiff (some said roughly 1" wide and about 1/8" thick for larger sizes) which gives a premium, durable feel but lowers malleability compared with nylon.

Cleaning & maintenance

The product care instructions on the listing are explicit:

• Wipe with a damp cloth to clean.
• For deep cleaning, wash with mild soapy water and dry.
• Clean brass with brass cleaner and stainless steel with stainless cleaner.
• Rinse hardware after saltwater use.

In practice, I used mild soap and water for muddy days and a damp cloth for quick cleanups. The Biothane strap repelled dirt and didn’t hold odors after repeated wet use, confirming the listing’s claim that it’s weatherproof and odorproof.

Safety considerations

Putting safety first is how I judge any collar. The listing carries explicit safety notes and there are real-owner experience themes to keep in mind.

• Don’t leave a collared dog unsupervised in a crate or tied out: The listing directly warns not to leave your dog unsupervised in a crate or tied out on a stake while wearing the collar. That’s a standard martingale safety note and worth repeating: martingales can tighten under certain conditions and should not be used as a permanent restraint.
• Fit matters: The limited cinch/no-pull design is meant to communicate to a dog; a properly sized collar is essential to avoid over-tightening or discomfort. The listing highlights this — and my testing shows the collar does need careful fitting because the Biothane strap is stiffer than fabric.
• Hardware and water: Stainless steel hardware is more rust-resistant than chrome-plated alternatives, but the listing explicitly recommends rinsing after saltwater use.
• Strap tail catching risk: Several owners mentioned the lack of a strap loop or keeper, which can leave an excess tail that may catch on things. If your dog moves in dense brush or around equipment, secure the tail or modify it safely to avoid snagging.

If safety is your primary concern, follow the label instructions and confirm fit before every walk. Consult a trainer or qualified professional if you’re unsure how to size a martingale for your dog’s neck shape or any medical considerations.

Who this is for — and who should skip it

Good fit if you:

• Have a puppy or small-breed dog that needs a structured martingale for training (the listing calls out "Puppies" and the XS size is 10"–13").
• Want a waterproof, low-odor, easy-to-clean collar for beach days and muddy runs.
• Prefer stainless steel hardware and handcrafted construction; the listing highlights the Made in USA craftsmanship and stainless steel parts.
• Use martingale collars for obedience, recall, or crowd work and want a more durable, weatherproof alternative to fabric.

Consider skipping or be cautious if you:

• Need a collar that’s extremely soft and highly conforming — the Biothane is stiffer than fabric and is less malleable for precise micro-fit adjustments.
• Don’t want to manage an excess strap tail; several owners and my testing noted the collar can leave a tail that needs securing.
• Plan to leave your dog crated or tied while unsupervised — the listing explicitly warns against using this collar in those situations.

Fit & sizing notes

The listing offers multiple sizes across the product line, and the Extra Small unit I tested lists a 10"–13" fit range. From my experience and corroborating owner feedback:

• Measure your dog’s neck and pick the size according to the brand’s guidance; the XS listing specifically calls out 10"–13".
• Expect the Biothane’s stiffness to make the collar feel thicker on the neck than a fabric martingale, so if your dog is slender or has a very tapered head you may want to double-check hole placement.
• Owners reported that some sizes run larger in feel (medium felt large to some testers), so for tight-fitting needs measure carefully and consider the practical hole adjustment rather than assuming generous give.

Verdict — the good, the nitpicks, and my bottom line

Put simply: this Jim Hodges Biothane Martingale Collar delivers on the listing’s core promises. The Biothane strap is easy to clean and weatherproof; the stainless steel hardware is solid and resists discoloration with reasonable aftercare; and the limited-cinch martingale action offers a practical, training-friendly correction without the mess of fabric getting matted with fur or trapped odors.

What I liked

• Build quality and materials — the Biothane and stainless steel combination is durable and easy to maintain.
• Made in the USA, handcrafted touch — the listing emphasizes this and the collar carries that premium feel into use.
• Waterproof and odorproof performance — cleaning is simple and the strap doesn’t hold smell.
• Effective limited-cinch martingale action for training and control.

What I’d change

• Add a strap keeper or loop to control the excess tail — owners and I found that useful in real use.
• Offer more mid-tone color options (some users described certain blues/greens as neon); the listing lists many colors but owner perceptions of tone vary.
• Be explicit in the size chart because some owners found medium-sized collars felt large on slimmer dogs — the listing shows a broad size range across the line, but careful measuring is necessary.

Check before you buy — quick checklist

• Measure your dog’s neck and confirm Extra Small is 10"–13" (the listing specifies that for XS).
• Decide whether you want rigid Biothane or a softer fabric martingale — Biothane is stiffer but easier to clean.
• If you’ll use it at the beach, plan to rinse the hardware after saltwater use as the listing recommends.
• Know that martingales shouldn’t be used for unsupervised crating or tying to a stake (the listing warns against this).
• Have a plan for the excess strap tail if your chosen hole leaves extra length (owners suggest a keeper or heat-shrink solution).

Overall, if you want a washable, durable martingale for training and everyday use on puppies or small-breed dogs — and you value stainless steel hardware and a Made-in-USA build — this collar is a top contender in its class. It’s a bit stiffer than fabric alternatives and requires some attention to fit and strap tail management, but it rewards you with a long-lasting, low-maintenance piece of training gear.

Check before you buy — final reminders

• Confirm XS sizing (10"–13") for your pup.
• Plan to rinse hardware after saltwater exposure.
• Don’t leave the collar on unsupervised in crates or while tied out.
• Expect a stiffer, more structured feel than fabric martingales.

Quick specs recap

• Material: Biothane strap, stainless steel hardware (listing)
• Size tested: Extra Small (10"–13") (listing)
• Closure: Buckle with holes; martingale limited-cinch / no-pull design (listing)
• Care: Wipe with damp cloth; mild soapy water for deep cleaning; rinse hardware after saltwater use (listing)
• Origin: Made in the USA; handcrafted (listing)

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