Dog Training Collar Guide

Since dog collars are used in training and as a source of identification, they are an ever-present accessory for your dog. Some are more functional, while others are more fashionable. It is important to take into account the size of your dog, their individual temperament, general breed temperament, age, and training experience before making a purchase or beginning a training program.

Listed below are types of training collars with brief descriptions of how they aid your dog in learning and consistent performance.

Martingale Collars

Martingales are basically limited choke collars. They tighten gradually, but never to the point of discomfort. Although the fit isn’t tight enough to cause any harm, they will guarantee a secure fit that your dog will be incapable of sliding out of. These collars are a good choice if you have a rowdy or excitable dog that tends to jump around and back up in attempts to slide their head free.

Choke Collars

This collar is made of metal links and is designed to control your dog by tightening around your dog’s neck. It is supposed to sit high up on the dog’s neck just behind their ears.

Limited Choke Collars

This is the nylon version of a choke chain, but with a safety mechanism that keeps it from getting too tight on the dog’s neck. With the addition of the safety measure you can pull the chain and it will tighten up enough to distract the dog without it being to the point of choking.

Headcollars

Although it resembles a muzzle, and in turn provides the same service, the intention is not to inhibit biting, but rather to lead the dog instead of the dog leading you. The head collar fits over the face and puts you in complete control as the leader.

Prong Collars

Many people feel that pronged collars are cruel because of their appearance. Pronged collars feature a series of raised, rounded bumps that line the inside of the collar. The level of discomfort caused by the prongs is not considerable; it is simply used as a tactic to let the dog know when they are pulling too hard on the lead. This system can give the owner an edge of a large, powerful and unruly animal. These collars are intended to be used temporarily; once any kind of problem behavior has diminished you can switch to a standard collar.

Bark Control Collars

When your dog barks, the vocal chords vibrate. No Bark collars are designed with sensors to detect these vibrations; when they sense excessive barking they trigger some form of discouragement. Collars can emit a shock, play a pre-programmed loud voice, or release a small amount of citrus scented spray, all of which are unpleasant. The goal is to get your dog to associate one of these consequences with the barking and therefore be discouraged from barking.

No matter what type of collar you choose it is your responsibility to see that they are used properly and that all training methods are executed in a safe manner.