The 10 Best Dog Training Collars 2023—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.
The
Best Dog Training Collars at a Glance
·
Best Overall: Educator E-Collar
·
Best for Boundary Training: Halo Collar
·
Best for Multi-Dog Households: Bousnic Dog
Shock Collar
·
Best for Sporting Dogs: SportDOG 425X Remote
E-Collar
·
Best for Small Dog Breeds: eXuby Tiny Shock Collar
·
Best with GPS: Link GPS Dog Tracker +
Activity Monitor
·
Best for Dogs Who Pull: PetSafe Gentle Leader
Headcollar
·
Best for Barking: Petdiary Vibration Dog Bark
Collar
·
Best Martingale: PetSafe Adjustable
Martingale Collar
· Best for Large Dog Breeds: PetSafe Big Dog Remote Training Collar
1. Educator E-Collar
Pros: Lock
feature, hypoallergenic contact points, customization options, multi-dog
capabilities
Cons:
Unclear definition of shock vs. tapping, expensive
Educator
E-Collar users love it and praise its customization options. There are more
than 100 unique levels of stimulation, including vibration, sound and what the
company calls “tapping.” Some users insist the tapping is the same as a shock,
while others say it’s less intense than other shock collars. An ergonomically
designed remote with an LED screen makes it easy for humans to use. This
collar’s range is a half mile from the remote and comes with six different
contact points in various lengths.
2. Halo
Collar
Pros: App
control, activity and wellness tracking, GPS
Cons:
Expensive
Developed
by world-famous dog trainer Cesar Millan and tech visionary Ken Ehrman, the
Halo collar is the new-and-improved, shockless invisible fence. The collar is
more comfortable compared to many other training collars and the battery lasts
for over 20 hours. To use it, you program boundaries into the app. When your
dog comes close to one - say, at the edge of your yard - the collar prompts
them to turn back by emitting feedback (sound, vibration or static shock is
available). Halo lets you build up to 20 wireless fences. Plus, there are
specific training tools you can access. There are also Halo Beacons you can
place around your home to keep your dog away from certain areas (like the
pantry).
3.
Bousnic Dog Shock Collar
Pros:
Rechargeable via USB, long battery life, sleek design, keypad lock
Cons: Shock
capabilities
With over
5,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, the Bousnic collar must be onto something.
We love that a single remote can connect to two collars, making it an ideal
option for multi-dog households. The collar adjusts to fit necks between six
and 27 inches, too! There are 16 shock settings, plus sound and vibration
options. We like that the metal prongs have silicone covers to prevent excess
skin irritation.
4.
SportDOG 425X Remote E-Collar
Pros: Long
range, lightweight, one remote can connect to three collars, waterproof collar
Cons: Shock
capabilities with no lock feature, pricier than many models
Dogs who
have work to do and need to train quickly in the field can benefit from this
collar, built specifically with outdoor sporting dogs in mind. This is
SportDOG’s most popular training collar model. It’s also their lightest and
smallest, which means more comfort for your dog. Choose between sound,
vibration and static shock (there are 21 different levels). The remote to
collar range is 500 yards and a two-hour charge gets you 50 to 70 hours of
activity.
5. eXuby
Tiny Shock Collar
Pros: Fun
design, made specifically for small breeds, reflective collar strap for
nighttime
Cons: Shock
capabilities, metal progs without guards
Advertised
as the “smallest dog shock collar in the world,” the eXuby certainly is tiny!
Though manufactured specifically to deliver smaller shocks to teeny pups, some
shock settings may be too intense for your dog, so begin with the sound and
vibration modes first. (eXuby also recommends testing the shock setting on
yourself first, to gage strength.) Use the remote up to 1,000 feet away and
clearly read mode and settings on its large display.
6. Link
GPS Dog Tracker + Activity Monitor
Pros:
Shock-free, device works with any collar
Cons: Need
to download an app and use your phone during training, pricey
While the
primary goal of Link My Pet’s activity tracker is to keep an eye on your dog’s
whereabouts and wellness via GPS, the app also offers training tools. Users can
remotely control the collar to give off sounds or vibrations during training
sessions. There’s also a YouTube channel to access with tutorials and tips.
Link will send temperature alerts to you if your pup is overheating and
location alerts if your pup wanders outside a programmed boundary.
7.
PetSafe Gentle Leader Headcollar
Pros:
Tech-less, wide size range available, shock-free, budget-friendly, ethical
Cons:
Stubborn dogs may find way to remove it, may be confusing to put on
This leader
headcollar was designed by trainers specifically to deter strong-willed dogs
from veering off-course during walks. This is not a muzzle - your dog can still
drink, eat and play fetch while wearing it. While walking, if your pup tries to
pull you, the collar puts pressure on the back of the neck (not the throat, as
a normal collar would) to divert the dog’s pull back to you. The manufacturer
recommends using this leader in short spurts to get your dog acclimated.
8. Petdiary Vibration Dog Bark Collar
Pros:
Reflective material for nighttime use, dual-recognition for accuracy, water
resistant collar
Cons: Some
dogs don’t respond to weak vibrations
If barking
is the primary issue with your pup, find a collar dedicated specifically to
that issue. This bark collar by Petdiary uses dual-recognition to make sure it
activates only when your dog barks (it registers sound and the vibration of a
bark in your dog’s throat). This also prevents it from activating when a nearby
dog barks. As noted, one reviewer said their dog got used to the collar’s
vibration and still barks when the collar is off. This is a clear indication
the user assumed the collar would do all the work! You’re still a huge factor
when it comes to training - don’t rely on the collar alone.
9.
PetSafe Adjustable Martingale Collar
Pros:
Budget-friendly, ethical, safe
Cons: No
remote control capability
As
recommended by Gillihan, this martingale collar tightens when your dog pulls on
the leash. It’s a great solution for dogs while leash training or who have a
tendency to pull. It comes in a variety of sizes and four bright colors. The
security of the collar’s design also ensures your dog can’t wriggle free from
it, which is good news for stubborn pups who are still very much learning how
to walk with their humans.
10.
PetSafe Big Dog Remote Training Collar
Pros: Works
on large breeds with thick coats, large range
Cons:
Battery-operated with specific batteries by PetSafe, no vibration option
This
collar-remote combo provides a 100-yard range for you and your dog, making it a
great choice for big breeds who like to roam. There are 16 unique levels of
shock stimulation and a tone you can use, as well. If it rains, have no fear,
this thing is waterproof! Only designed for use on dogs 40 pounds and above.
good
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