The 10 Best Dog Training Collars—And How to Use Them Safely

 

Training your dog is one of the most important things you do as a pet parent. Teaching puppies not to jump, how to hold their bladder and where they can—and can’t— sit is crucial to developing happy, healthy adult dogs. Many dog owners use training collars as tools to curb bad habits. Some emit sounds or vibrations to divert your dog’s attention away from a naughty activity. Others are designed to create resistance if your dog moves in a certain way. Some use electric or static shocks to halt behavior. Training collars are not miracle solutions and they won’t work without your diligence and dedication to a consistent training regimen. But, they can definitely help if you’re stuck.

Positive Reinforcement Training Is Key

In the past few decades, researchers have established time and again that canines learn best through positive reinforcement. Hannah Gillihan, a Certified Dog Trainer at Zoom Room Dog Training, says positive reinforcement training is Zoom Room’s entire brand. “Using this method, your dog will become excited to train with you and pick up skills much faster…The best fix for pulling, barking or jumping is training—and your dog will work so much better if they are being rewarded for doing something right!”

Negative, dominance or “alpha male” training, like verbal anger or physical force in response to unwanted behavior, often sends dogs in the opposite direction we want them to go. Canines are emotionally intelligent (that’s what makes them pros at therapy work!). Fear-based training establishes unhealthy relationships and your dog is more likely to develop anxious or aggressive behaviors.

Positive reinforcement training means rewarding good behaviors to signal your dog which actions they should continue. The key is administering rewards immediately—almost instantly —after the desired action. Praising (or scolding) your dog in a general sense won’t teach them anything. They need to know exactly which behavior you're responding to so they can associate it with a particular result.

Before turning to a training collar, try positive reinforcement training, working with a professional dog trainer (Zoom Room conducts virtual sessions) or clicker training.

Are Training Collars Ethical?

Many dog owners interested in training collars are hesitant. Are these tools ethical? Yes and no. Some training collars are generally accepted as more ethical than others. For example, the ASPCA warns shock collars that use electricity or static charges to administer small shocks to dogs during obedience sessions “can create fear, anxiety and aggression in your dog toward you or other animals.”

In fact, many training collars with shock capabilities advise against using them on dogs who already display aggression or reactivity, as it can exacerbate this trait. It’s also unwise to try out a shock collar on older dogs, puppies younger than six months and dogs with existing health conditions.

Another big issue with shock collars is you may inadvertently administer a harsher shock than anticipated (most shock training collars come with levels of intensity). Once this happens, you’ve frightened and potentially harmed your dog, making future relationship building and training sessions infinitely more difficult. Some users have reported defective shock training collars burning their dogs’ skin.

“We do not recommend the use of aversive collars like prong collars, choke collars, or shock collars, as these collars are ‘correct[ing]’ and ‘punishing’ your dog for an unwanted behavior,” Gillihan told us. “These collars may temporarily change your dog’s behavior, but they are not long-term fixes.”

On the other hand, the ASPCA says collars that use vibrations only can be enormously beneficial to dogs—especially hearing-impaired or deaf canines. These collars, and those that emit high-pitched sounds, achieve the same goals as shocks. They stop dogs from doing what they’re doing and redirect their attention to you.

Gillihan also recommends fully adjustable martingale collars. These collars provide a separate loop of fabric for the leash connection. “If your dog pulls hard or tries to shake their way out of their collar, that extra loop of fabric quickly tightens the collar so your dog cannot get out – and it does so without choking them,” Gillihan said. Martingale collars are ideal for dogs who are leash training or have narrower necks, like Greyhounds.

How to Use Training Collars

Do not jump head-first into the world of training collars before your dog has a firm grasp of basic commands. Work with your puppy to establish the fundamentals—sit, stay, potty training, etc., before moving onto training collars.

Most training collars that emit sound, vibration or static shocks aren’t meant for dogs under six months old. Even then, it’s recommended you try other training tactics first, like positive reinforcement and clicker training, before turning to a collar. Once you begin collar training, follow manufacturer directions to ensure it fits your dog properly—not too loose or tight—before using it. Start with sounds or tones and vibrations before graduating to any type of static shock.

If and when your vet or dog trainer gives you the OK to use a shock collar, always begin with the lowest possible setting. Take careful note of your dog’s reactions and check the skin beneath the collar frequently to ensure there is no irritation. Finally, it’s wise to rotate the collar every hour or so to prevent one area from becoming sore. In fact, training collars shouldn’t be worn more than a few hours at a time or during training sessions.

The goal with any training technique is to establish healthy solutions for naughty behaviors. If your dog doesn’t respond well to your chosen collar or becomes fearful of you or the collar itself, it’s time to move on to another tool. Excessive panting, aggression or cowering are signs things aren’t working and the collar should be removed.