5 Most Popular Kinds of Dog Training Collars

Dog training collars come in different types for different training goals and dog temperament. Some of the most popular types of dog training collars include electronic collars, bark collars, head collars, flat buckle collars, and choke collars. Below are five different types of collars that dog owners or budding dog trainers can use during dog training.

1. Electronic or Shock Collars

These collars emit an electric shock every time the dog causes an undesirable behavior. The shock is powerful enough to bring discomfort to the dog, but not strong enough to harm him. During obedience training, the owner may use a remote control device to send an electric shock to the dog when he deems it fit. The collar may also be used with a fenceless restraint system. In this case, the device automatically sends an electric shock once the dog crosses an invisible fence. Some dog owners may oppose this kind of punishment to a dog, but some owners may feel that this type of training is most effective.

2. Bark Collars

These collars are specifically designed to train a dog not to bark. Whenever the dog barks, the collar emits a piercing noise, an unpleasant odor, or a mild electric shock. This is based on the theory that the dog learns not to bark because something unpleasant happens when he does so. Some owners choose collars which emit scent or sound instead of an electric shock because these collars are less offensive.

3. Head Collars

These collars are designed to be placed on a dog’s head and attached to a leash. Although the collar may not be considered by some as a training collar, it does give the dog owner control over his pet when walking. Dogs naturally follow their heads when walking so the owner can control the dog’s direction easily by using this collar. However, some dogs may resist the collar at some point, but will learn to adjust to it in time.

4. Flat Buckle Collars

This may be the most familiar dog training collar among all. These collars have a closure that resembles a plastic clip or a belt buckle. Each collar has a small ring that an owner can use to attach certain information, such as dog owner’s name, residence, and license. Such information can be very useful especially when the dog gets lost. Flat buckle collars can be used for basic obedience training. Simple obedience training does not require severe punishment for bad behavior because most dogs can be trained easily even without using a collar.

5. Choke Collars

Although choke collars are now the least popular dog training collars, some owners still insist that it is the most effective. These collars were very popular when leash corrections were extensively used for dog training. A choke collar can be made of nylon or metal. The collar is slipped through a dog’s head and can be jerked using a leash when the dog displays a bad behavior. The dog feels discomfort every time the owner pulls the leash. One of the reasons this collar is not so popular nowadays is because it uses a less humane dog training strategy.