How to Choose the Best Dog Training Collar

Posted by Gerald Njuguna on September 24th, 2007 at 04:06pm

Most dog trainers are aware that training collars allow them to train their dogs more effectively. There are many dog training collars available in the market today. Each has its own unique mechanism to guide your dog either by discouraging disobedient behavior or to restrain the dog.

If you use the wrong collar size on the dog or if used in-appropriately can harm the dog. Make sure you thoroughly research on the correct training collars for your dog before using it on the dog. Its also advisable to consult with a training expert if you are if you are not sure which collar is best for your dog.

There are various collars in the market today. We have electronic collars, prong collars, the Halti, the Gentle Leader and the choke collar.

Prong Collars

When you look at the prong collar, it actually looks more painful to the dog than it seems. Prong collars are made up of metal prongs that are linked together.

When you pull the collar with the leash, it pinches the dog a little bit. It mimicks the pinch the mother gives to her puppies when grabbing them by the neck. Prong collars are effective and safe training tool as long as they are used correctly and fit on the dog properly. Don’t use the prong collar if your dog usually resists being yanked.

A proper prong collar fits snugly against the dog’s neck. The correct fit can easily be achieved since they can be adjusted by adding or subtracting the prongs. A collar that is properly fitted usually leaves approximately ½ of your finger space between the neck dog’s neck and the prong tip.

Halti & Gentle Leader

Both of these devices look like the harnesses that control horses. The head halter is designed to restrict the dog’s movemnet as compared compared to the prong collar that controls the behaviour of the dog. The idea behind the halter’s design is that once you control the movement of the head, the body follows naturally.

When the attached leash is pulled, it closes the dog’s mouth & restrains the dog’s head. Haiti and Gentle Leader collars are excellent on dogs that bite or are aggressive in nature.

Most dogs dont like these devices because its straps usually position themselves over the dog’s nose. Users will find themselves strugling to put on this device on the dog before they accept to wear them. Another disadvantage is that when you pull the dog’s head makes it possible to injure the neck of the dog.

To avoid hurting the dog, please make sure that you restrain the dog in the correct way.

The Choke Collars

These type of collars have a lot of controversy surrounding them. Those who are for the choke collar talk of its humane effectiveness. Those who are against it say that the device is a torture tool. I guess i will have to leave the judgment to you.

The principle behind the choke collar is that it tighten itself around the dog’s throat when the dog owner/trainer pulls on the leash and relaxes when the leash is relaxed. The problem arises when the collar is not put on correctly causing the pressure to remain and the dog can actually choke to death! Inexperienced trainers are advised against using these collars and for those who have dogs that constantly pull at the leash.

The Electronic Collars

When you think of an electric collar, a stun gun might come to mind. These collars are very humane on dogs if used correctly. The electronic collar allows the dog trainer by remote control to give the dog tiny electric shocks in order to correct its behavior.

The amount of intensity you want to apply depends on the trainer. Its generally advised to give the dog shock strong enought to make their ears to twitch. Should the dog howl when shock is applied, it means the shock settings are too too high. Electronic collars should only be handled by experienced trainers.

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my Dog Articles RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Under Dog Training