Training Dog Collars.... choose the right dog training collar for your needs!
Training dog collars go by many names.... shock collars, e collars, spray collars, electronic dog training collars, remote training collars, hunting dog training collars, choke collars, prong collars and more. All of these dog training collars have a place in the dog training/behavior modification arena, but depending on your individual needs, unique dog, and personal preferences you may choose only one, two, or even none of these dog training collars for your pooch. Training dog collars are used for two main reasons -
There are different types of dog training collars -
All of these different training dog collars have their pros and cons, and which you choose depends on the reason behind the use of the training collar, your dogs individual personality and your own personal choice. Some dogs, and some individual dogs within certain breeds have a high threshold for stimulation or are extremely stubborn or hard-headed. These types of dog often need 'shock' collars, rather than the tone unit or the citronella spray. Most training dog collars have adjustable levels of stimulation, combined with the use of tonal corrections, making it easy to find the most suitable and effective level for your pooch. More sensitive dogs (and often the smaller breeds) may do better with the more gentle tone correction or the citronella spray collar. There are many different manufacturers of training dog collars, and each manufacturer has a pretty comprehensive range of products. You can find one to suit almost any need, or size, of dog. Some of the most popular and well-known brands are Innotek, Tri-Tronics and Petsafe dog training collars.
Choke Collar & Prong Collar TrainingThere are also much less high-tech dog training collars, which are used for general obedience training. These are of two main types -
These two are the most widely used training dog collars, and once your pup has graduated from Puppy Class you will most likely be encouraged to start using one or other of them. Personal opinions vary as to which dog training collars are the most 'humane', and effective. In my experience a lot depends on the individual dog and/or breed. Choke collar dog training can be effective on smaller to middle sized breeds, who are not overly stubborn or strong. A very light-weight choke collar can be used on small/tiny breeds, but isn't always necessary. Large or giant breed dogs can be incredibly strong, and they often have a very high threshold for discomfort. In these cases, even the best-timed 'pop' on a choke collar is liable to go totally unnoticed. Continued dragging or pulling on this type of collar usually ends up with a dog who's hoarse from the pressure on his larynx. Severe and irreversible damage can be done if this is allowed to happen.
For this type of situation and dog, a dog training prong collar works much better. The actual 'prongs' are not sharp spikes, they have rounded tips. A relatively small amount of pressure results in the dog being aware of the collar and almost always has an immediate effect. Because you don't need to drag and pull, there's no damage done to the dogs trachea and these collars are only mildly uncomfortable for the dog, not painful. These collars aren't a great idea for dogs who are timid or fearful though. A too-strong correction could lead to them being afraid of the leash/collar and end up being counter-productive. Petsafe Dog Training Collars
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