Dog training collars appeal to pet owners who are looking for behavioral support as well as those starting a gun dog in the field. Two top brands, Innotek and PetSafe, carry comparable lines of remote training systems for different types of dogs and varied activities.
Innotek is considered an innovator in long-distance obedience training and underground fencing systems. PetSafe offers a wider variety of aids aimed more toward the everyday dog lover than the sporting enthusiast.
-
Basic Static
-
Innotek carries a ground-floor system that uses a static remote collar, which emits a slight electrical charge to the dog when you push a button on the transmitter.
Sometimes called shock collars, Innotek's basic models accommodate one dog each at up to 150 yards. The collars are water resistant, and the batteries are alkaline (nonrechargeable). The bare-bones system is economy priced and includes one dog training collar and one transmitter with adjustable stimulation and tone options.
Enhancements
-
PetSafe sells a beefier static collar for obedience training in yards and parks. This may be the cadillac for the family pet owner: You can train three dogs at up to 400 yards with one rechargeable transmitter.
Innotek blows the doors off of that model with its one- and two-dog advanced field training systems. A range of 1,000 yards, color-coded waterproof collars and a miniaturized transmitter make field training accurate and easy in any conditions.
Vibration
-
PetSafe lets you buy just as much collar as you need with its pager-style vibration remote collars. Small breeds over 8 lbs., puppies over 6 months and dogs that need only an occasional obedience training reminder will benefit.
These dog training collars vibrate against your pet's neck instead of sending an electric charge, making them ideal noncorrective aids for animals with hearing loss. They're effective at only 100 yards but represent good bargains for short-distance reinforcement.
Spray
-
Another alternative dog training collar is Innotek's spray version for medium-range activities (300 yards). Unlike citrus-squirting models that dogs dislike, Innotek's remote collar uses an unscented spray to get your dog's attention at the press of a button.
This low-budget option for training easily distracted or growing dogs lets you get the results you want without penalizing your pet. An audible tone can be used as a warning, teaching your dog to avoid the spray and unwanted behavior.
Ultrasonic
-
While these don't use remote collars, handheld ultrasonic transmitters are probably the least invasive obedience training systems. These point-and-shoot devices emit high-pitched sounds that dogs can hear, but humans can't.
PetSafe's ultrasonic model works for dogs and cats at up to 30 feet. It features a corrective tone and a reward tone to address positive and negative behaviors. It is the most convenient and economical remote trainer on the market. Innotek makes a comparable model.
-