Dog Training Collars

Chances are you’ve seen a variety of training collars at your local pet store and have wondered if any of them would help you fix your dog’s behavior problems. Let us say up front that in most cases, with positive reinforcement training techniques, you don’t need a dog training collar. A standard buckle collar will do.

However, some dogs do have behavior issues that may call for the use of a training collar and so you should understand what they are and what they do. The most common training collars are:

• Choke Collar
• Prong or Pinch Collar
• Shock or Stimulation Collars
• Tone Correction Collars
• No bark Collars (shock, sound or smell)
• Gentle Leader Harness
• Gentle Leader Head Harness

Be aware though, with the exception of the gentle leaders (which we think are excellent tools), if these collars are used incorrectly they won’t be effective. There is also a risk that you’ll hurt your dog. We believe the use of these types of dog collars should only be undertaken with the instruction of a professional dog trainer. With that said, this review of dog training collars is provided to educate if you are considering this option.

Training Collars administer negative reinforcement

Training collars are typically used to give dogs correction when they try to commit unwanted behaviors. Their main purpose is to let the dog know he is doing something he shouldn’t. Instead of focusing on reward when he does something right, they focus on correction when your dog does something wrong. And again, let us stress that they aren’t necessary for every dog. Many dogs –most dogs respond well to positive reinforcement alone.

There are several different types of training collar – selecting one should depend on the behavior habits of your dog and the desired outcome of using it. Not sure which one to get? Again, make sure you’re talking to a professional trainer before trying one of these.

Choke and Prong Collars

One of the most common types of training collars is the choke collar. This collar is simply a piece of chain fashioned into a slip knot. Attached to a leash, when the dog pulls, the collar will automatically tighten. The more the dog pulls, the tighter it gets. The idea is that your dog will figure out that keeping the collar loose means not pulling.

This kind of collar also ensures that when you want your dog’s attention, by giving the leash a quick tug (and consequently tightening the collar) your dog immediately knows he is supposed to do something (or stop doing something).

It is important never to choke your dog when using this kind of collar. Keep in mind – a dog thinks it is natural to pull. Some dogs will pull until they almost literally choke themselves into passing out. When administering corrections, you want them to come in the form of a brief “pop.” A slight, quick jerk on the collar should be all that is required. Your dog won’t like that and should start to associate whatever action he is doing with the unpleasant correction. Hopefully, he will learn not to repeat the behavior.

If the choke collar isn’t working, some trainers will recommend a prong or pinch collar. This collar works the same basic way as a choke collar, except that prongs fitted on the inside of the collar will dig into the dog’s neck.

It is important to remember never to drag or pull on a choke or prong collar. Too much pressure on the dog’s throat can cause damage to the larynx. It can also impair his breathing. Remember, some dogs will continue to pull even if they are hurting themselves. If that is the case, this type of collar is not the answer and if positive reinforcement training at home isn’t working, professional help should be sought.

You should also be aware that choke or prong collars can do more harm than good to a timid dog. Too much correction can backfire and make him afraid of the leash itself, rather than simply discouraging him from repeating an unwanted behavior. Fear of the leash will only create more problems, such as possible aggression, in the future.

In part two of this dog training collar article, we’ll review dog training collars including shock collars and tone collars. If you're looking for a complete guide to dog obedience training, we highly recommend this product.

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