What is an E-Collar, and Who Needs It?

First of all, let’s answer the question: what is an e-collar for dog training? Basically, it is an electronic device, consisting of two blocks: a collar itself and a remote. It is equipped with two prong contacts that touch a dog’s skin, and a receiver, while a remote serves a transmitter. A dog owner pushes a button on a remote, and a dog feels an electric shock, which is too weak to make any harm, and strong enough to cause a certain discomfort. The strength of the discharge can be regulated by a trainer. This minor electric shock acts as a special form of punishment for a dog that behaves improperly.

Does every dog owner need a training collar for its dog? Well, it depends. You can, without a doubt, consider the possibility of buying a dog training collar with remote in the following cases:

• your dog is of a large breed;
• your dog is stubborn and poorly trained;
• you can’t make your dog obey with the help of conventional training methods;
• you go hunting with a dog;
• you can’t wean your dog of barking.

The safety and effectiveness of e-collars have been repeatedly proved by specialists. It is also proved by numerous best dog training collar reviews. To make the most of this device one needs to know how to use a dog training collar properly. It is equally important to understand what particular type of a device suits your dog best.

Types of Electronic Training Collars for Dogs

There are various subtypes of wireless collars – those designed specially for the use by professional trainers and those for hunting dogs. Also, there are special anti-barking models that are activated automatically when a dog starts barking. Finally, there are collars working as invisible fences or boundaries when it’s necessary to train a dog to stay within the borders of a non-fenced territory, for example, a yard. The most popular models are multi-purpose remotely controlled collars for training a dog to follow orders at a distance. They can be equipped with some additional features:

• GPS to track a dog’s location;
• a vibro-module;
• a beep tone.

There are waterproof models that are used under extreme environmental conditions, and special variations for very big and small breeds. The assortment is really impressive. You can rely on three main criteria: the intended use, the size of the dog, and extra features.

Benefits of Training Collars for Dogs

The attitude toward training collars is controversial: some people associate them with violence and animal abuse. Specialists believe that this smart equipment has a lot of benefits in the long-term perspective. Here are some of them.

Stops Your Dog from Jumping

Dogs express their joy by jumping on their beloved people. If a dog is large and heavy, or it jumps on kids, or it is muddy, or it jumps on other people (for example, guests) and frightens them, this behavior needs correction. Using of a training collar is the best way to prevent jumping.

Reduces the Amount Your Dog Barks

Dogs can bark and howl for various reasons. Sometimes, continuous barking can be very annoying, especially if you live in an apartment, not in a single-family house. In this case, an anti-bark training collar is the best (not to say the only) solution.

Prevents Destructive Behaviors

Some dogs tend to chew furniture, scratch walls, drop cookware and small household items on the floor, and do other destructive things. With the help of training equipment, you’ll explain your four-legged friend what kind of behavior is unacceptable.

Manages Aggression

Aggressive dogs cause a lot of troubles to both their owners and other people. It is crucial to stop aggression in pups as soon as possible. Conventional methods sometimes don’t work: training collars give positive results in the majority of cases.

Things to Consider When Buying a Training Collar

For whatever reason you are buying a training collar, it is important to choose the right model. An improper or unsuitable unit will cause discomfort to the pet. To get the desired result without making harm to your pup rely on the following basic criteria.

Size

It goes without saying that the collar must correspond to the size of a dog. Most models are adjustable. And still, try to choose small and lightweight options for smaller breeds, and heavier, thicker (and more durable) variations for larger breeds. Both very large and very small sizes will cause discomfort to a pet.

Range of Operation

It depends on where you are going to train a dog: at home, in the yard, or in the open space. The range of operation of good collars can reach 400-500 yards, which is enough for the training of hunting and working dogs. For home training, models with a smaller range will do.

The Battery

Dog training collars commonly come with rechargeable batteries. The battery life can vary from 1 day to 2 months. If you are intending to go hunting or hiking with a dog, choose the options with the maximum battery life and don’t forget about spare batteries.

Waterproof

Any electric collar for an outdoor dog must be waterproof for the sake of safety. For indoor dogs training, this feature is not mandatory. Keep in mind that waterproof is not a synonym of water-resistant. If you need the best protection from water (e.g. if your pup is going to swim in the river), choose only waterproof models.

Type of Stimulation

To correct a dog’s behavior, stimulation with a weak electric shock is used. Most models allow adjusting the shock intensity. On the top of it, many models offer additional options – vibration and tone, which are commonly used as warning or preventive stimulation. Every time a dog demonstrates undesired behavior, the trainer warns it with vibration or beeping. If it doesn’t stop, electric shock is used. Frequently, dogs start to react properly on preventive stimulation soon, and electric shock becomes unnecessary.

How We Picked Out the Best Dog Training Collar 2018

Our ranking of the best models of e-collars for dogs is based on numerous dog training collar reviews of real customers and experts in dog training. But reviews are not the only criterion. To choose the leaders we thoroughly compared features of the chosen models, trying to be as unbiased as possible. In particular, we analyzed such features as:

• a range of modes available;
• an operating distance;
• a possibility of regulating the signal strength;
• battery life;
• overall quality and design;
• price.

The result of this comprehensive analysis is a list of eleven best electronic dog training collar models of the year 2018. It’s for you to decide what particular model to choose for your dog. Anyway, having bought any of the described brands, you may be assured of its high quality and reliability.

Top-11 Dog Training Collars 2018: Our Choice

Here is a list of seven top dog training collar models that were chosen based on multiple criteria. They are different in terms of features and price, but they are all highly estimated by both dog owners and professional trainers. Now it’s your turn to choose the best item for your canine companion.

Dogs’ Training at a Glance: Only Facts

1. A vibrating dog collar training can be a tool for delivering orders to a deaf dog and a means of communication of such a dog with its master.
2. A collar with a built-in GPS-module is more than just a training tool; it helps you not to lose your dog during long hikes.
3. In some countries, e-collars are forbidden. But in fact, they are much more humane than conventional choke-collars or prong collars.
4. The operating distance of the best remote dog training collar models can reach ten miles.
5. With an e-collar, you can train dogs of any age, not just puppies.

How to Make Most of a Training Collar without Doing Harm to a Dog

Sometimes, in their remote dog training collar reviews, customers write that this training equipment doesn’t work for their dogs, or, what is even worse, that they hurt their pets with it. In the majority of cases, the reason for it is the improper use of the device. That is why don’t be lazy to read an instruction before using a collar and adhere to some basic rules.

Choose the Collar Size Correctly

Choose a lightweight and small dog training collar for small breeds and a larger training collar for large dog breeds. Most models allow adjusting, and still, you need to be very cautious, especially if your canine is small. If a collar is heavy, it will cause a serious discomfort to the pet, and can even lead to the neck trauma. Also, it must not be tight because an excessive pressure will increase the discomfort.

Let Your Dog Rest from an E-Collar

A training collar must not be worn for more than 8 hours without breaks. Some models allow up to 12 hours of continuous using, but it is acceptable for trained dogs of relatively large breeds only. If your pet has to wear a collar all day long, try to change its position on the neck every 1-2 hours.

Never Use a Training Collar Instead of a Usual Collar!

Keep in mind that electronic training collars are intended for the use only with special remote transmitters. Never try to attach a usual leash to an e-collar. Firstly, you can break the device. Secondly, you will hurt your dog.

Verdict and Recommendations

Now, after we’ve reviewed popular models of dog’s e-collars, let’s try to find an answer to the question: what is the best dog training collar? You could notice that many of them have very similar features, so it’s not an easy affair to choose the only leader. The choice will also depend on your personal preferences. For example, if you are looking for the best waterproof dog training collar, consider the SportDOG model, which is fully submersible up to 25 feet. Your dog can swim in it and walk in the rain as long as needed.

Our top choice is the PetTech dog training collar with an impressive range of 400 yards, 4 different modes of stimulation and a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer. It is chosen by professional dog trainers, and it is a great value for the money.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_collar

https://www.ecollar.com/

https://blog.smartanimaltraining.com/2013/05/23/e-collars-why-i-never-want-to-use-them-again/

Attention!

Robert Herrera

If you still have questions after reading the article, do not hesitate to ask questions.

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