Types of Training Collars
Your dog is your best friend. He is always there when you return home, happily wagging his tail to greet you at the door. He is the well-behaved dog you envisioned when you considered getting a pet.
However, he was not always the obedient pet he is now. When he was a newcomer to your home, there were some issues that definitely needed work. Every trip outside for exercise and fresh air became a war of wills. You have to admit, his was somewhat stronger for awhile.
What made him change? How did you turn him into the well-behaved pet he is today? The discovery of the most humane way of training your dog was the turning point. The right collar to help train him to behave and follow your commands was responsible for the almost instant improvement.
The Types of Training Collars
There are several collars employed for training dogs, but there are a few that people are more comfortable with than others. In addition, the collars are safe and do not harm your dog. Let’s look at the types and what benefit they can provide.
Choke Collar – The choke collar tightens around the dog’s neck when they pull. The consensus is that this type of collar could potentially harm a dog’s wind pipe by pressing against it. The more the dog pulls against the leash or chain that is attached to the choke collar the tighter it gets.
Halti Collar – A halti collar fits around the dog’s head and may remind you somewhat of a horse halter. When using this type of collar, if the dog goes in the direction you want, the collar is not tight. If he tries to head in the other direction, it tightens around his snout. The more he tries going in the wrong direction, the tighter the collar will get. He will quickly want to relieve the pressure.
Some dogs respond well to this type of collar, but others never seem to get used to it. They will fight with the collar and try to take it off the entire time they are wearing it. There is also a small resemblance to a muzzle, which could cause some people to think your dog bites.
These two collars seem to be effective and are preferred by many trainers when teaching dogs the basic behavior expected of them.
Pinch Collar – This type, also called a prong collar, gives the dog a pinch when they pull against the leash or chain. Rather than focusing on the wind pipe, this collar delivers even pressure around the entire neck. There is a general feeling among some that this type of collar is not a good choice for an aggressive dog. But this type collar can be ideal for dogs that want to pull against the leash when the proper training is used.
Electronic Collar – This collar has had very good results with dogs that do not come when called or are just generally not very good listeners. The collar works by delivering small static shocks to the dog using a remote control when it does not respond to your commands.
There are many people who will tell you this is inhumane and just plain mean. The truth is this can be a very effective way to train your dog. If you perform a simple test, you can rest assured this is not harming your dog. Put the collar on your arm or leg and start with the lowest setting. Shock yourself using the remote and see what the shock feels like. Go to the next setting and try it. This will allow you to feel what the dog will feel.
Always Use Training Collars Responsibly
Remember one thing. The person in control of the collar is responsible for using it properly. None of the collars are meant to harm the dog. Used responsibly, they are effective for training your pet. This is the sole purpose of using any type of collar made for training. A dog should never be harmed in an attempt to try and make it mind.
If you are interested in the success others have had with training collars, you will want to check out some of the reviews on this site. They are written by people just like you who have used different training collars. You will be amazed at how quickly some have had a positive response from dogs that were totally out of control.
Training a high-spirited dog can be a challenge without the proper tools such as good treats and a properly used dog training collar. Even when he (she) is as sweet as ol’ Cooper here, sometimes it pays to have a little extra help from one of the electronic dog training collars or a prong collar.
