The Best Dog Training Collars

Buying Guide

No matter whether you adopt an older rescue pup from the local shelter or bring home a brand new puppy, every new four-legged friend will need some training. Depending on the breed, training may be a breeze or an uphill battle. And, that training may take years.

Some dogs are notoriously stubborn and even the tastiest of treats won’t be enough to convince them to follow basic commands. Sit, down, stay and come aren’t just cute tricks. They are vital to your dog’s well-being and your own sanity. Training and nurturing an obedient dog can help keep your dog healthy and safe throughout its life.

When all else fails in training and dogs simply won’t listen, exasperated owners will turn to a training collar, also known as e-collars or collar-mounted electronic training aids. The collar attaches around the dog’s neck like a regular collar. It has two prongs that emit the vibration and shock directly into the dog’s sensitive neck. The owner can control the level of vibration and timing via a remote.

Electronic training is polarizing. It can be a very divisive topic within the dog community. While proponents swear by its efficacy, others can’t stand it. They consider the shocks to be cruel and abusive.

At its most basic, a training collar is a mode of operant conditioning. This is a fancy psychology term for a learning process. It relies on rewards and punishments to teach a new skill and eliminate unwanted behaviors. When done properly, the trainee, in this case your dog, makes an association between a particular behavior and a consequence, the collar’s jolt.

Training collars do emit a noticeable jolt, which is what many opponents take issue with. They worry that the jolt is painful and causes undue anxiety in the dog that could be counterproductive to any training.

However, the training collars on the market now have a wide range of settings. They begin at barely perceptible vibrations and escalate in incremental bits to higher and higher voltages. You can place the collar on your own wrist to feel the sensation for yourself before placing it on your dog if you’re concerned. Plus, you’re able to fine-tune to the perfect level to grab their attention. Then, they stop the unwanted behavior and tune in to you and your command.

MORE: Dog harness vs. collar: The pros and cons of each

There are several important factors to consider when selecting a shock collar for your dog. First, you want to ensure it will fit properly around your dog’s neck. Most models have adjustable straps that can fit a range of sizes. They will include measurements so you’ll know if a specific collar will work for your dog.

Training collars also have a range of settings. Most have three distinct settings: sound, vibration and shock. You can slowly escalate from sound through vibration levels and shock as needed to get your dog’s attention.

How much the unit on the collar weighs also matters. For smaller dogs, the units can be bulky, weigh your dog down and even impede their movement. If they’re uncomfortable to start off, they won’t be as willing as trainees.

Still, other more advanced models allow for customized settings and multiple modes. This allows you as the dog owner to essentially switch between two different collars with one remote control. You can also be confident that the shock level is set properly for each pooch.

All the shock collars run on batteries, so you’ll want a model with decent battery life. The last thing you need is a runaway pup and no juice left to alert them back to reality.

The biggest benefit of training collars is their value. Compared to the cost of a professional trainer or behaviorist, a shock collar is a budget buy with a big return.

• Pay attention to the size of the collars. Most can be trimmed or adjusted to custom fit your dog’s neck within a certain measurement range.
• Consider how many dogs you will want to train simultaneously. Some transmitters can control multiple shock collars on up to three dogs.
• While you can test the jolt level on yourself, do not place them around your neck and shock yourself or your friends. This is dangerous.
• When you first start using a shock collar, you want to begin at low levels of vibration and stimulation and work your way up to learn the best setting for alerting and training your dog without causing anxiety or discomfort.
• Read directions and warnings carefully, because the shock collars do have powerful shock settings at the higher levels and using them incorrectly can be counterproductive in training and changing your dog’s behavior.

This review has been updated by DWYM staff.