The 10 Best Dog Training Collars and How to Use Them, According to a Certified Dog Trainer
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Training your dog is one of the most important things you do as a pet parent. Teaching puppies not to jump, how to hold their bladder and where they can—and can’t— sit is crucial to developing happy, healthy adult dogs. Many dog owners use training collars (or often known as e-collars) as tools to curb bad habits. Some emit sounds or vibrations to divert your dog’s attention away from a naughty activity. Others are designed to create resistance if your dog moves in a certain way. Some use electric or static shocks to halt behavior. Training collars are not miracle solutions and they won’t work without your diligence and dedication to a consistent training regimen. But, they can definitely help if you’re stuck.
How I Vetted the Best Dog Training Collars
When choosing the best dog training collars, I tried to use the same key criteria that dog trainers, veterinarians and pet experts would—which is why I reached out to Hannah Gillihan, Certified Dog Trainer. The most essential elements came down to:
The Best Dog Training Collars at a Glance
Meet the Expert
Hannah Gillihan is a Certified Dog Trainer at Zoom Room Dog Training, a destination for pet parents to play, learn and develop communication skills to deepen their connection with their pup.
Positive Reinforcement Training Is Key
In the past few decades, researchers have established time and again that canines learn best through positive reinforcement. Hannah Gillihan, a Certified Dog Trainer at Zoom Room Dog Training, says positive reinforcement training is Zoom Room’s entire brand. “Using this method, your dog will become excited to train with you and pick up skills much faster…The best fix for pulling, barking or jumping is training—and your dog will work so much better if they are being rewarded for doing something right!”
Negative, dominance or “alpha male” training, like verbal anger or physical force in response to unwanted behavior, often sends dogs in the opposite direction we want them to go. Canines are emotionally intelligent (that’s what makes them pros at therapy work!). Fear-based training establishes unhealthy relationships and your dog is more likely to develop anxious or aggressive behaviors.
Positive reinforcement training means rewarding good behaviors to signal your dog which actions they should continue. The key is administering rewards immediately—almost instantly —after the desired action. Praising (or scolding) your dog in a general sense won’t teach them anything. They need to know exactly which behavior you're responding to so they can associate it with a particular result.
Before turning to a training collar, try positive reinforcement training, working with a professional dog trainer (Zoom Room conducts virtual sessions) or clicker training.
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1. Educator E-Collar
Educator E-Collar users love it and praise its customization options. Writes one happy reviewer: "What I really like about these collars is the adjustable levels. The stimulus ranges from 0-100, plus it has a 'tap' button that is just a small vibrate function. The other collar we had only had three levels on the remote - vibrate, low, and high. Low was too much and it really bothered our dog. With this system, you only use as much stimulus as is required to communicate with your dog." There are more than 100 unique levels of stimulation, including vibration, sound and what the company calls “tapping.” Some users insist the tapping is the same as a shock, while others say it’s less intense than other shock collars. An ergonomically designed remote with an LED screen makes it easy for humans to use. This collar’s range starts at a half mile from the remote and comes with six different contact points in various lengths.
2. Bousnic Dog Shock Collar
With over 5,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, the Bousnic collar must be onto something. Users love that a single remote can connect to two collars, making it an ideal option for multi-dog households. The collar adjusts to fit necks between six and 27 inches, too! There are 16 shock settings, plus sound and vibration options. I also like that the metal prongs have silicone covers to prevent excess skin irritation. Best of all? This thing actually works. According to one reviewer: " I have noticed a significant improvement in my dog's response to commands and a reduction in undesirable behaviors such as excessive barking or pulling on the leash."
3. Petdiary Vibration Dog Bark Collar
If barking is the primary issue with your pup, find a collar dedicated specifically to that issue. This bark collar by Petdiary uses dual-recognition to make sure it activates only when your dog barks (it registers sound and the vibration of a bark in your dog’s throat). This also prevents it from activating when a nearby dog barks. As noted, one reviewer said their dog got used to the collar’s vibration and still barks when the collar is off. This is a clear indication the user assumed the collar would do all the work! As I've learned from conversations with trainers, dog owners are still a huge factor when it comes to training—don’t rely on the collar alone.
4. Halo Collar
Developed by world-famous dog trainer Cesar Millan and tech visionary Ken Ehrman, the Halo collar is the new-and-improved, shockless invisible fence. The collar is more comfortable compared to many other training collars and the battery lasts for over 20 hours. To use it, you program boundaries into the app. When your dog comes close to one—say, at the edge of your yard—the collar prompts them to turn back by emitting feedback (sound, vibration or static shock is available). Halo lets you build up to 20 wireless fences. Plus, there are specific training tools you can access. There are also Halo Beacons you can place around your home to keep your dog away from certain areas, like the pantry, or, in this reviewer's case, the next-door dog, "We had some issues in the past with her and the neighbor dog both getting up on the fence to bark at each other, and this seems to have really helped that issue!"
5. SportDOG 425X Remote E-Collar
Dogs who have work to do and need to train quickly in the field can benefit from this collar, built specifically with outdoor sporting dogs in mind. This is SportDOG’s most popular training collar model. It’s also their lightest and smallest, which means more comfort for your dog. Choose between sound, vibration and static shock (there are 21 different levels). The remote to collar range is 500 yards and a two-hour charge gets you 50 to 70 hours of activity. No wonder dog owners often use these collar for off-leash hikes. But one reviewer noted the collar is also helpful for aging or disabled pups: "While they were mostly used for my energetic young bird dogs, I also found them incredible as they got older and more deaf. Having a tone right near their neck or the vibration, they can explore without needing to hear me calling."
6. eXuby Tiny Shock Collar
Advertised as the “smallest dog shock collar in the world,” the eXuby certainly is tiny! Though manufactured specifically to deliver smaller shocks to teeny pups, some shock settings may be too intense for your dog, so begin with the sound and vibration modes first. (eXuby also recommends testing the shock setting on yourself first, to gage strength.) Use the remote up to 1,000 feet away and clearly read mode and settings on its large display. This happy customer who tested the product on his small dog writes, "With its compact design, comprehensive features, and emphasis on safety, this collar has proven to be the ideal solution for training my petite canine companion."
7. Link GPS Dog Tracker + Activity Monitor
While the primary goal of Link My Pet’s activity tracker is to keep an eye on your dog’s whereabouts and wellness via GPS, the app also offers training tools. Users can remotely control the collar to give off sounds or vibrations during training sessions. There’s also a YouTube channel to access with tutorials and tips. Link will send temperature alerts to you if your pup is overheating and location alerts if your pup wanders outside a programmed boundary. If you're looking for more than behavioral training, Link's multi-functional program is a real winner. "The active minutes on her Link," writes one customer regarding her beloved Vizsla, "directly correlates to how restless she is and if she gets good sleep, it’s helped us to give her more productive exercise!" It's basically a FitBit for dogs.
8. PetSafe Gentle Leader Headcollar
This leader headcollar was designed by trainers specifically to deter strong-willed dogs from veering off-course during walks. This is not a muzzle—your dog can still drink, eat and play fetch while wearing it. But, as one customer wrote, that doesn't mean your pup will love it....That said, it still does the trick, "He’s not pulling anymore so the walks are far more enjoyable." While walking, if your pup tries to pull you, the collar puts pressure on the back of the neck (not the throat, as a normal collar would) to divert the dog’s pull back to you. The manufacturer recommends using this leader in short spurts to get your dog acclimated.
9. PetSafe Adjustable Martingale Collar
As recommended by Gillihan, this martingale collar tightens when your dog pulls on the leash. It’s a great solution for dogs while leash training or who have a tendency to pull, and customers seem to agree that it's one of the more humane options in the no-shock category: "The collar tightens, but it only tightens until the square metal rings meet. This is different from most other choke collars that have nothing to stop them from choking as tightly as possible. This is a far more humane collar." It comes in a variety of sizes and four bright colors. The security of the collar’s design also ensures your dog can’t wriggle free from it, which is good news for stubborn pups who are still very much learning how to walk with their humans.
10. PetSafe Big Dog Remote Training Collar
This collar-remote combo provides a 100-yard range for you and your dog, making it a great choice for big breeds who like to roam. There are 16 unique levels of shock stimulation and a tone you can use, as well. If it rains, have no fear, this thing is waterproof! Only designed for use on dogs 40 pounds and above, many customers note that the best success from this product comes from intentional human training as well. As one user wrote, "[My dog's] training collar was the tool of communication that I needed so that I could help her realize what my verbal cues meant when she was focused on whatever it was she was focused on. This was truly a game changer!"
What to Consider Before Buying a Dog Training Collar
After researching and talking with experts, I've learned that buying a dog training collar isn't something you should do blindly. Here are some things pet owners should consider before pressing "buy," and it can't hurt to consult with a professional dog trainer or veterinarian for guidance as well,
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