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Dog Training Collars 2

Dog training collars differ from regular buckle collars. The standard buckle collar is used to attach a leash or hold various ID, inoculation and license tags. Buckle collars come in a variety of materials and styles and generally range in price from $5 to $15 and more. Dog experts usually go for a thin leather or soft nylon collar.

Most dog trainers recommend not using dog training collars. They are difficult to use correctly, and when used incorrectly can injure your pet. But there are cases where the limited and correct use of dog training collars has been effective. If you're considering the using this kind of training aid, there are several types of dog training collars to choose from.

Slip collars are the most common type of dog training collars. Slip collars are usually made of chain and have a loop at each end. The chain passes through one of the end loops forming the collar. It "slips" or adjusts tighter when pulled, and loosens when released. Your leash attaches to the moving ring. If not used properly, the slip collar can restrict your dog's airway. Surprisingly, the main training value in slip dog training collars is not the choking action, but the sound of the chain links passing quickly through the ring. Make sure the slip collar is put on the dog correctly (you should be able to see the rings on the top of your dog's neck), and walk with the lead loose so that you can give a quick pull and release to get your dog's attention.

The partial slip collar is another option among dog training collars. As you might expect, the partial slip dog training collars are combinations of a flat collar and a slip collar. The partial slip collar is designed to tighten like a slip collar, but only so much. The partial slip collar is sometimes recommended for dog owners who are having difficulty mastering the quick snap and release action of a slip collar.

With certain dogs in certain situations, prong or pinch dog training collars might be effective. The prong collar is both popular and controversial. In a way, it is like a partial slip collar because the amount of tension that can be applied is limited. But similarities end there, because the prong collar links are fitted with a pair of blunt prongs designed to press into the dog's flesh when tightened. Some dog owners abhor the prong collar simply because it looks so inhumane. But prong proponents maintain that the design spreads tension evenly around the dog's neck, and that the prongs actually get the dog's attention more quickly with less pressure on the windpipe.

The head halter also belongs to the group of controversial dog training collars. Head halters resemble a dog muzzle and operate in a manner similar to a horse halter. It is designed to turn the whole head when the leash is pulled. Proponents say that this mimics animal body language in the wild.

Electric dog training collars give an electric shock to the dog. They may work automatically, triggered by undesired behavior like barking, or on command from the trainer. Use of electric dog training collars is more common in training hunting or field dogs. Electric dog training collars can be effective, but require superb timing to make sure that the shock is administered at the appropriate time. These dog training collars should probably not be used without the advice and oversight of a professional dog trainer.

In almost no case will dog training collars outperform good obedience training. But if you have a particularly rambunctious dog with some ingrained bad behaviors, the limited and focused use of dog training collars could prove helpful.