All dogs need to be obedience trained and the right collar makes the process easier. As a pet parent, you need to train your dog to make living together a happy and safe experience. Teaching your dog commands such as sit, come, stay, no, and off can be used in a variety of different situations.
Some training commands such as come or stay can be used in life-threatening moments such as your dog running towards a busy street. Collars are an excellent tool for training your dog to adhere to commands, prevent barking, and stopping them from escaping the yard.
The right collar becomes your main training tool and makes the training process easier by using a variety of methods. The following information will guide you towards the right training collar for your dog.
Types of Dog Training Collars
There’s several different styles of collars that can be used in training, especially depending on the type of training being undertaken.
- Pinch collar – This type of collar is also referred to as a prong collar. It features prongs that poke towards your dog’s body when pulled. This collar is designed to teach your dog to stop pulling on the leash, heel, and to prevent them from picking up dirty things while walking outdoors.
- Choke collar – This collar has a chain design without any prongs. It simply pulls tighter around your dog’s neck when needed. This collar is beneficial when training large dog breeds that have aggressive behavior, though it’s becoming less used as people are moving towards the following style of collar.
- Martingale collar – This collar is similar to the choke collar but has nylon fabric that tightens around the neck instead of a chain. It’s best used on larger dog breeds.
- Anti-Bark collar – This collar is designed to prevent your dog from barking excessively. It fits comfortably around the neck and uses vibration, shock, or citronella to get your dog’s attention.
- Invisible fence collar – This collar is comfortable for your dog to wear daily and uses vibration to stop them from leaving designated areas that have been established by an invisible boundary you set up.
Uses of Dog Training Collars
Benefits of using dog training collars include correcting your dog’s behavior on the spot with a pinch, choke, and martingale collars. You have full control over these types of collars and can use them when needed. It’s best to activate the collar by pulling on the leash that is attached only to correct your dog’s behavior instead of constant tugging.
Other benefits of manual and electronic dog collars include: working while you are not nearby, assists when voice commands don’t work, corrects your dog's behavior, and reduces aggression.
Electronic collars correct behavior without the pet parents being nearby. This type of collar is beneficial for all pet parents. Especially those that have a difficult time giving voice commands to their dog.
Tips for Training Your Dog
Dog training isn’t always easy, but it can be made easier if you follow some of the following tips:
- Have patience when training a puppy - Puppies are infants that are in the process of learning many things and some pups might take longer than others to learn new commands.
- Build a language with your dog – You can successfully build communication using a variety of methods such as verbal queues, hand gestures, and body language.
- Reward your dog – Give your dog a tasty treat reward when you see them doing something good. This will encourage them to repeat the good behavior.
- Make the rules clear – Create house rules and stick to them when training your dog. For example, if your dog is not allowed on the sofa, make sure they are never allowed. Don’t change the rules to prevent confusing your dog.
Dog collars are an excellent training tool that help raise an obedient dog. Use the collar wisely and only when needed. Once your dog is fully trained and responds to verbal and hand queues, replace the training collar with a standard nylon or leather collar. Remember, toy and small breed dogs have delicate and fragile necks that can become damaged if training collars are used forcefully. Always consult with a veterinarian before choosing the training collar for your dog.
