Comparison of Dog Training Collars

A large variety of dog training collars is now available to dog owners, with selections catering to individual needs. Owners may choose a collar to help keep their dog from barking or from pulling on its leash, for example. It is important for you to determine what your dog's issues are and to choose a collar appropriate for training it to act differently.

  1. Prong Collars

    • Prong collars help prevent leash pulling and keep dogs closer to their owners. They feature metal prongs that curve in toward your dog's neck about every half an inch and pinch the skin when the leash is pulled. This is designed to mimic a dominant dog's nip to correct unwanted behavior of another dog. It is also designed to be a safe alternative to a choke collar.

    Haltis and Gentle Leaders

    • A halti, also called a gentle leader, is a head halter much like a horse halter. The nylon material goes across your dog's nose and behind the ears, and the leash clips under the chin. An extra safety strap attaches the whole halti to your dog's regular collar. A halti, or gentle leader, requires less human strength to use. Gently pulling on the leash creates tension across your dog's nose and keeps it going in the right direction.

    Choke Collars

    • Choke collars are typically made of metal and feature two rings and a chain. A leash clips on one of the rings. This collar is used with what is called the snap-and-release strategy. When a dog exhibits unwanted behavior like pulling, the owner snaps the leash and then releases tension on it. The snap causes the chain to tighten, and the metal makes a noise that startles the dog. A professional dog trainer should demonstrate the proper way to snap the leash so your dog is not accidentally hurt.

    Shock Collars

    • Shock collars, also called electronic or e-collars, are remote-controlled training collars. Using them can be difficult without proper demonstration, so they are not recommended for beginners. Traditional shock collars produce a slight electrical shock when the owner pushes on a remote during the dog's unwanted behavior. The shock is supposed to act as negative reinforcement to stop the behavior immediately. Another version only emits vibrations. Some countries ban the use of shock collars, and animal welfare organizations discourage it.

    Bark Control Collars

    • The bark control collar is used to curb excessive barking by delivering an electric current, a spray (of water, air or lemon), a vibration or a noise to your dog when it barks. Bark control collars can also be activated by a microphone or a vibration made by your dog. Some dogs may learn to associate the correction from the collar with wearing it, so they stop barking only when the collar is on.