What Is the Best Dog Training Collar
A dog training collar is a piece of material worn on the neck by a dog for training, identification, or fashion. Every dog needs to wear a collar because they need something to hang their lead, ID, license, and vaccination tag.
Besides these, collars are used in dog training, prevent them from barking, and to get rid of ticks and fleas. There are diverse types of collars and not all of them are suitable for all dogs.
Types of Dog Collars
It is a particularly crucial decision to make when you want to get a collar for your dog. Since the collar is also a form of communication to your dog, it is a clever idea if you choose the best collar that matches the size, personality, and age of your dog.
There are 3 main categories of dog collars, the basic collars, the correction collars, and the smart collars.
The Basic Dog Collars
Head Halters
This is also known as a head collar or Halti collar. It is designed to look like a muzzle that goes around the dog’s nose and neck.
These two straps that go around the nose and neck are connected to a leash below the chin of the dog. It is then fastened to a ring that is attached to the nose strap.
When your dog pulls at the leash, the head halter is designed to prevent him from doing that by turning his nose back towards you.
Head halters are used to control aggressive dogs. However, it is advised that the collar should not be pulled too hard. This is because it might harm your dog when you do so.
It may take time before the collar is well fitted on your dog. You have to put the collar on your dog and let him get used to it. Start from putting on the collar on your dog for a brief period and slowly increase the time your dog wears it.
The head halter should be fitted comfortably on the dog and he should be able to pant, bark, eat, and play while wearing it. You should be able to fit one finger in between the dog’s neck and the collar.
Adjust the collar so that it can slide down to the tip of his nose when your dog closes his mouth. It should not be too loose as to slide off the tip of his nose.
The nose piece should sit naturally below the dog’s eyes and the metal ring on which the leash is attached should be under his chin.
When your dog gets familiar with the collar, it reduces the risk of sustaining an injury with it. When the head halter collar is worn on some dogs, they tend to resist it.
Some dogs will try to paw the collar or rub their nose against surfaces. You can help your dog to get used to wearing the collar by distracting him when he is trying to remove the head halter.
You can use a trail of treats, a game of fetch, his favorite toys, or take him for a walk. Do not use a retractable lead on the head halter. This will make your dog pull on the lead and might wound himself when he jerks hard on the lead when it is fully extended.
Remember to read the manual on the collar package carefully before use. You can seek the help of a professional to show you how to properly fit the collar on your dog.
Best Head Halter
- PREVENTS YOUR DOG FROM PULLING – The GoodBoy Head Halter is quite comfortable on your dog. It is a milder and more humane way to prevent your dog from excessive pulling of the leash during play and walks. It is to be worn around your dog’s nose and head. This collar is designed to prevent your dog from chocking and to also reduce the urge to pull the leash. You can easily steer the dog in the right direction and make walks safer and pleasant for you and your dog.
- COMFORTABLE AND SAFE – The GoodBoy Head Halter is produced with soft materials and padded for maximum comfort for your dog. It also has a safety strap that can be attached the regular dog collar at the back of the neck. It is made of durable nylon and with a strong stitching. The unique design features reflective stitching to help keep your dog safe at night.
- A SECURE FIT AND EASILY ADJUSTABLE It has a quick release buckle to prevent choking hazards and it fits perfectly. This makes this head halter a safe solution to the unwanted behavior of your furry friend. It also has a plastic clip under the chin to help for the easy adjustment of the loop for the snout of your dog. The adjustable side straps and the adjustable neck strap makes the head halter more secure and comfortable. These adjustments make sure that the collar does slide off while your dog is wearing it. It also makes it easy to wear on the dog.
- CHOOSE THE RIGHT SIZE – To ensure the best fit with our no-pull head halter it’s important to measure the snout and neck circumference at least twice, using the instructions pictured, and choose the smallest result for optimal fitting. The sizing chart is in the third picture. Our halters have adjustable neck straps, side straps, and nosebands (size 1 does not have adjustable side straps). The halters come in four sizes and do not fit short-snouted breeds like Boxers, Bulldogs and Chihuahuas.
Flat Collars
This is the collar that looks like a belt and has a buckle. It is the standard collar that most dogs wear. They can be made of leather or nylon and the dog’s ID is usually attached to this type of collar.
This collar should not be worn so tightly as the choke collar and should not be loose enough to slip out of the dog’s head.
When putting on the flat collar on your dog, make sure that your two fingers can fit in between the collar and the dog’s neck.
The flat collars are relatively the cheapest and the safest collar. Your dog can wear this collar as long as possible without developing pressure sores.
Remember the slip your fingers under the collar from time to time so that you can adjust the collar as your dog grows or fattens.
Flat collars can be made of leather or nylon. It can also be made of woven threads and can also be studded to fit your dog’s personality and lifestyle.
Leather collars are durable, come in different lengths and colors. They also come in cost-effective designs and can last for years.
Nylon collars are similar to leather collars and are also durable. While the leather collars come with a buckle, the nylon collar comes with plastic closure tips that clips together.
Nylon collars are not too expensive, are lightweight, and suitable for puppies. They can be washed by machine or by hand.
Best Flat Collar
- This Dog collar is made of high-quality 1000D nylon. The heavy-duty metal buckle makes it hard to break and more secure for your lovely dog. It is lightweight and extremely comfortable for dogs' daily life and activities.
- This collar is great for dog training, hiking, working, patrolling, running, walking, and hunting. The soft-padded lining has no irritation or allergic reaction to your dog. It is easy to adjust for all kinds of dogs and the perfect gift for dog owners.
- THE DESIGN OF THE HANDLE - A control handle is used to grab your dog from the collar. It makes it quite easy when putting your dog and when walking him on your lead. It provides one D-Ring attachment points for a dog leash.
- The collar has a magic sticker on the back of the dog collar, you can put a tag with his name, ID Patch, badges, and other Velcro accessories. This makes people know your dog better.
- Size:1.5M 14inch-18.5inch; 1.5L 18inch-21.5inch, 1.5XL 21inch-24.5inch, all can be adjustable, Please follow the size chart to measure your dog's neck carefully before you place the order to ensure the collar is fit well to your dog, double-check of the measurement can reduce the probability of receiving the unsuitable item or return
Martingale Collars
A Martingale collar is also known as the greyhound collars or the humane choke collars. It is a type of collar designed for dogs that can easily slip out of a regular collar. It is also designed to provide control as the choke collar without being harmful.
It is designed to dog breeds that their heads are smaller than their necks and can easily slip out of a collar. Dog breeds with a small head such as the Greyhound can easily slip out of a regular collar.
A martingale collar has two loops/ the larger loop goes loosely around the dog’s neck while the smaller loop has a D ring where the leash is attached to. An additional D ring is added on the large loop for the dog’s ID and other tags.
When the dog tries to pull the head out of the collar, the tension on the large loop pulls on the small loop. This tightens the large loop and makes it harder for the dog to pull out of the collar.
The martingale collar allows your dog to wear a collar that is loose and only becomes tight when it needs to.
Best Martingale Collar
- 1 INCH WIDTH | Adjustable from 18 inch - 26 inch neck. Be sure to use our martingale sizing chart for the most accurate fit. (Use the true “snug” measurements)
- NO BUCKLE | Perfect for dog training, Martingale-style collars give you gentle control over your dog. This collar is designed to be escape-proof, it slips over the head and tightens when pulled. Traditional Martingale style collars do not feature a buckle.
- You can personalize your pup with rich, fashionable colors and mirror-like metal hardware. The classic style of this collar looks cute on both boy and girl dogs. Our unique collars will give your pup character and style.
- Silky soft nylon webbing means your dog will stay comfy. Adjustable so you can have the perfect fit. Worn like a hug.
- Made in the U.S.A. with nickel-plated steel hardware for superior strength; won't break or fray as easily as plastic collars. Not for tie out.
The Correction Collars
The Choke Collar
This choke collar is a chain of metal links that has two rings at the beginning and the end. It is worn as a loop over the head of the dog close to the ears.
The ring at the beginning of the collar is called the live ring while the other ring is known as the dead ring. When the leash is attached to the live ring, the collar can become tightened when the dog pulls.
When the leash is attached to the dead ring, the collar will remain loose even when the dog tugs on the leash.
It is not an expensive collar and it is mainly used when taking dogs for a walk or other outdoor activities. It is popularly used for dogs that tend to pull off their collar or are aggressive.
Although this is used to correct the leash tugging habits of some dogs, it could cause serious injury or even death to the dog when the collar is pulled hard.
Best Choke Collar
- DOG CHAIN COLLAR recommended for professional training, 3 rings are new version
- CHOKE COLLAR - Measure dogs neck and add 2 inches for initial collar length for adjustment.
- TRAINING COLLAR - Training your dog is easy with our chain training collar, the heavy chain collar is made of 304 stainless steel for maximum strength and durability. NO tarnish, rust, or break. It is excellent for gentle control, great for Pit Bull, German Shepherd, Staffordshire Terrier.
Pinch Collar
This is also known as the prong collar. It has spikes that tend to dig into the neck of the dog when pulled. It is used as a last resort collar for dogs that have continues to tug and pull on the leash while using other collars.
It is a good idea to seek professional advice first, before using this collar. A professional trainer or a vet should also guide you on how to fit this collar snugly on your dog’s neck. You could remove the prongs the sit on the dog’s head, right behind the ears.
If your dog continues to tug at this collar, it might hurt him in this long run. It is best to train your dog with the help of a professional to correct the behavior instead.
Best Pinch Collar
- Age Range Description: All Life Stages
- It contains nickel, so will not be suitable for nickel-reactive dogs.
- Measure your dogs neck and add 2 inches for initial collar length for adjustment.
Electric Collar
This is also known as a shock collar and it is used in correcting bad behavior of a dog even from a distance. It has a remote control which the dog owner uses to send signals to the collar when a dog engages in negative habits.
The electric collar responds to the remote signals by giving off a vibration or a mild electric shock to the neck of the dog.
This collar is used mainly as a training tool and the electric stimulation sent to the collar can be adjusted to a level that won’t be too mild or too harsh for the dog.
Before using the electric collar, it is best to seek professional advice and also get trained on how to properly use the collar.
Make sure that the size of the collar is comfortable for your dog. The weight and thickness of the collar should also be suitable for your dog.
Some water-resistant models can be used in extreme weather and for dogs that swim.
Best Electric Collar
- NO MORE ACCIDENTAL SHOCK ANYMORE - Have you ever feel sorry for the accidental shock to your dog caused by your maloperation? Now with the Dogcare Remote Dog Shock Collar, no more accidental shock would happen to your dog. The security keypad lock prevents any maloperation on the remote
- 9 CHANNELS MAXIMUM CONTROL - Unlike other training collars for a maximum of 2 dog training. Dogcare Dog Training Collar supports a maximum 9 dogs training with only 1 remote transmitter. If you have more than 2 dogs in your house, Dogcare training shock collar would be the perfect option for you
- 0~99 STATIC LEVEL ADJUSTABLE FOR ALL SIZE DOGS - Do you fear to hurt your dog in Shock Mode? Dogcare Dog Training Collar offers an adjustable 0~99 static level for you. You can adjust the accurate static level for your dog. Also, this dog training shock collar is size adjustable. Perfect for all size dogs(15lbs~100lbs)
- UP TO 330 YARDS REMOTE RANGE & LONG BATTERY TIME - Wireless control for up to 330 yards remote range. Feel easy to train your dog with Dogcare Electronic Dog Training Collar in the park or backyard. Long battery life ensure you an effective dog training
Special Collars
GPS Collar
This collar is used to track and locate a dog at any given time. It uses the Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology to find a dog’s position. This is an innovative way that dog owners keep their dog secure.
This collar can be set up to send you a signal to your mobile app when your dog leaves a safe zone. The tracker also sends an alert to your phone indicating the real-time location of the dog.
Remember to always talk to a professional before choosing any collar. This is to enable you to discover the pros and cons of each collar and to also get trained on the proper way to use it.
Best GPS Collar
- Link AKC SMART DOG collar: The only GPS and activity tracker your dog will ever need to keep your dog safe. Works with iOS and Android. It only works in the U. S. A.
- Service plan: Link AKC requires service plan connectivity to allow data to be transmitted. It includes an extended, A size, and has access to the Pet Poison Helpline, a 24/7 animal poison control center.
- Location tracking nationwide in the United States: know your dog’s location with fast and accurate GPS tracking enabled by the AT&T cellular network (service plan required). Be alerted if your dog leaves designated safe zones
- Activity monitoring and sound training: activity goals are customized by AKC to your dog’s age, breed, and size to allow for accurate daily activity monitoring. Remote turn-on sound to help with training
- Adventures feature: record, remember, and share special walks, hikes, and other adventures with your dog
- Safety Features: temperature alerts if your dog’s environment is too hot or cold. Led light on the collar with remote turn-on LED light to see and be seen. Vet Records can be stored in-app to make dog ownership easier with a place to store important Records
- Fashionable and Waterproof: we have you covered for up to 30 minutes in 3ft of water in our lightweight collar that is curved to naturally fit the contours of your dogs neck
- Age Range Description: All Life Stages
- Included Components: Tracking Unit Base Station Carrier Unit Charging Cable Collar (Size Large)
Flea Collar
This collar is designed to spray a dog with pesticides or essential oils to fight ticks and fleas. Although these chemicals might not harm your dog, it best to seek professional advice and training on the best use of this collar.
Best Flea Collar
- Provides 8 months of continuous flea and tick prevention
- Works through contact, so fleas and ticks don’t have to bite your dog to die
- Also aids in the treatment and control of sarcoptic mange and kills lice
- Vet recommended flea and tick prevention for dogs in a convenient, odorless, non greasy collar; no need for messy monthly treatments
- Contains 2 Seresto dog flea and tick collars
Light Collar
This collar is used to keep track of a dog at night. It can be lighted up with a LED that enables to a dog to be seen in the dark.
This collar also helps to keep a dog safe and visible to drivers when going for an evening walk. It is also used for dogs that go for night hunting or camping.
Best Light Collar
- Blazin Security! Competition crushing visibility of 350 yards. Be seen by traffic.
- Top Technology! Slimmest bulb strip and on/off box. Cheap knock-offs have unevenly lit light strips or bulbs too big for resizing.
- Charge From Any Device! Runs over 8 hours. Track your pet camping, in the backyard, on evening hikes or if lost at night.
- Looks Great! 3 modes (on, strobe, blink). 1” wide. Assorted colors. Sizes run large but resize 40% of total length. Protect your pup from all the dangers in the world, and have him look good too.
Elizabethan Collar
This type of collar is used to prevent dogs from licking or scratching their wounds. It is also known as the recovery collar.
It is attached to a dog’s regular collar and allows the dog to conduct normal activities. It does not cause any form of harm to the dog.
Best Elizabethan Collar
- SCRATCH AND BITE RESISTANT - The inflatable collar is designed to protect your pets from injuries, rashes and post-surgery wounds, it will prevent your dog from biting and licking their injured area or surgical site and promote recovering from surgery or wounds.
- COMFORTABLE - Inflatable design and the soft outside material will let your dog wear it comfortably and it does not block your pet’s vision. They can eat, drink, sleep and play normally.
- EASY TO STORE - You can deflate it and store it in a small space when not in use. There is a zipper opening on one side, you can take the bag out and wash the outside cloth.
- ADJUSTABLE - There is a strap on the opening of the collar, you can adjust strap for a perfect fit and put the strap side at the back of your dog’s neck in case of biting
- DURABLE AND STABLE - The premium protective collar is soft and washable. It will not mark or scrape furniture and you can insert your pet’s everyday collar through the inner ring loops for stabilization. Measurement differences may exist.
Tips on How to Properly Use A Dog Collar
- Do not leave collars on dogs that are playing. This is because dogs can engage in plays with their mouth and end up getting entangled in each other’s collar. This could break a dog’s neck or even choke the dog to death. If you must, make sure the collar is a breakaway or a quick release collar which can release when stretched or put under pressure.
- Collars should not be worn by dogs that are not under watch. This is because their collars can catch on to something which might choke them to death. Some training venues and hunting organizations do not allow dogs to wear collars. Some collars can get caught by the lower jaw of the dog and could lead to fatal accidents.
- Collars that have dangling tags can get caught on wires or hooks. The remedy is to stick tags to the collars, attach a tag pocket on the collar, or use customized collars. Some lightweight tags are flexible and can not easily be hooked on other objects.
Safest Dog Collar
- A comfortable alternative to a choke collar
- Martingale loop prevents dogs from backing out of collar and escaping
- Includes quick snap buckle for easy on-off^Made from high-quality, durable nylon
- Recommended by vets and trainers as the best design for daily wear
- This measurement is the same as the collar when its fully tightened or closed