If you’ve ended up here, it’s probably not by chance, which means you’re either in the market for a new training collar for your dog or looking to find out a bit more info on the subject.
Join us, as we take a closer look at 5 of the best training collars for dogs!
Garmin Sport PRO Bundle Dog Training Collar
Who hasn’t heard of Garmen when it comes to all things tech? Not many, I’d imagine.
With a brand as well-known as Garmen, you know you’re in relatively safe hands, and in the Garmin Sport PRO dog training collar, you have a collar that’s well built, consistently rated 4 plus stars across the board, with many satisfied customers.
Just like the Dogtra before it, the Garmin is on the more expensive side. It can often be found around the $200-$300 range from most big retailers.
The features of the Garmin dog training collar are quite impressive for the price, but for my money, I would personally always opt for the Dogtra. But again, this is a personal preference. What may be ideal for one dog breed, or owner, isn’t always the best for the next.
Some of the features that come with the Garmin sport Pro dog training collar are: 10 stimulation levels, quick dial turn function, simple one-hand operation, 4 training buttons with 2 training modes (tone and vibration respectively) Trackable LED beacon lights for those night time walks.
As well as the above, interference is also kept to a minimum, with the Garmin operating on 27MHz frequency range.
All in all, the Garmin Sport PRO Bundle Dog Training collar is another excellent choice amongst the many dog training collars already available.
Pros
- Well-known brand assures quality
- Quick turn dial operation
- 10 stimulation levels
- Tone & vibration training modes
- LED beacon lights
- Long & short contact points
- Built in bark setter
- ¾ mile radius
Cons
- Short product life reported with some devices
- Water resistant, not waterproof
- Intermittent shocking can occur with some faulty devices
Dogtra 1902S Remote Training Collar
Next up is one of the industries biggest and well-known sellers of dog training collars: Dogtra
In the Dogtra 1902S model, we have a dog training collar that comes with premium features at a premium price.
Some dog owners may say the Dogtra is far too expensive for what it is: a dog training collar, but when you factor in the many excellent features, the price seems a little more reasonable.
With an impressive 127 stimulation levels ranging from low-medium, ¾ mile range, high-performance vibration modes, momentary nick mode, and an industry-leading technology filtering system for less interference. This dog training collar really is a professional piece of equipment and is ideal for the most stubborn of dogs
As well as the above, a 12-second safety shutoff, 2 collars, and a PetsTEK training clicker are also included in the package.
Rated 5 stars across the board, the Dogtra 1902S would seem to tick all the right boxes.
Perfect for dog breeds 35 pounds or larger, the Dogtra is ergonomically designed to fit comfortably around your family pet (ideal for neck sizes between 6-26 inches)
Pros
- 2-hour rapid charge time
- 127 stimulation levels
- Easy to read LCD screen
- Fully waterproof
- PetsTEK clicker included
- 2 collars included
- ¾ mile range
Cons
- Price could deter some dog owners
- Some problems reported in winter use
SportDog - SD - 425 Dog Training Collar
Here we have an excellent piece of kit from OKThings, the SportDog SD 425 is rated 5 stars across the board and specifically designed for the larger stubborn dog.
With a range of up to 500 yards, 7 stimulation levels with medium-high ranges, whilst being waterproof as well as submersible to 25ft, you know this is a serious bit of kit.
Suitable for dog breeds 8lbs or larger and with the option to train your pet with vibration and tone we can’t praise the Sport Dog enough.
Price-wise, although this model is over $100 it’s actually very competitive compared to the competition. For comparable models with similar build quality and features normally you would be paying over the $200 mark.
The Sport Dog SD 425 is just as suitable for the everyday pet owner as it is for the professional hunter, this is a premium model at a very affordable price.
Pros
- Competitive price
- Well-known brand
- Top rated
- Quality build
- 500 yard range
- Very effective for larger stubborn breeds
- Waterproof & submersible upto 25ft
- Vibration & tone settings
- 7 stimulation levels
Cons
- None
Dog Training Collar by Dog Care
First on our list is a dog training collar made by a company called Dog Care, this extremely well-priced dog collar has thousands of 4 plus star reviews and is one of Dog Cares best sellers.
The Dog Care training collar features 3 training modes: beep, vibration, and shock. One or all of these modes can be included in your dog’s training regime. They’re great for teaching the most unruly dogs how to behave.
Included with the Dog Care training collar is an easy to use remote that integrates a security keypad to stop any accidental shocks to your family pet.
No one likes giving their dog an unjust shock and with this anti-shock feature, the owner will be able to hold or carry the remote without the worry of any misoperation.
Shocking your beloved family pet isn’t always easy, even worse is not having the ability to adjust the power of that shock. We, as responsible owners want a training collar that will correct any bad behavior, but ultimately will be as painless as possible. With the Dog Care training collar, owners have the ability to adjust the shock levels from 0-99. This is a great little feature, as you can start off low and work up to the safest shock level.
The wireless remote range on the Dog Care training collar is an impressive 330 yards, so if you ever feel like training your dog in a public park this collar would be ideal.
More than one dog? Don’t worry! The Dog Care training collar supports up to 9 dogs and with its long-lasting durable batteries, it shouldn’t let you down.
Pros
- Up to 9 dogs can be added
- Adjustable shock level
- Security keypad for misoperation (anti-shock)
- 3 training modes
- Great price
- Top rated
- Well-known brand
Cons
- Prongs are not always in contact
- Collar can be loose fitting
- Some faulty & defective units
Educator Dog Training Collar
Next, we have the Educator dog training collar. Multiple models are available, starting from ½ mile for 1 dog – 1 mile for 2 dogs. They come in a range of colors to suit and are very competitively priced.
Consistently rated 4 plus stars by hundreds of reviewers, the Educator Remote Dog Training E-Collar is another viable option in the increasingly crowded dog training collar market.
Mini and lightweight in design, the stopwatch receiver is ideal for the more discreet owner.
The biothane collar can be easily cut to size and together with the receiver is probably best suited for breeds 5lbs or larger.
In addition, the E-collar features vibration, Pavlovian tone, user-selectable stimulation levels from 1-100 (with an additional boost stimulus from 1-60), a tracking light for locating your pet on those night time walks, rechargeable batteries with dual charger, as well as being waterproof.
Price could probably be a little better, but for the number of features on offer plus being from a well-known brand, can you really quibble over a few extra dollars? Let’s be honest, when it’s for a beloved family pet, only the best will do.
Pros
- Discreet stopwatch design
- Stimulation levels from 1-100
- Additional boost stimulation levels from 1-60
- Tracking light for nightime walks
- Multiple models available
- Waterproof
Cons
- Short product life (some faulty models under 1 year)
- Battery charge less than advertized
- Can be difficult to charge
Best Training Collars for Dogs: A Brief & Informative Guide
Dog Training Collars
Dog training collars have been used as a means of training dogs since the early 1960s. They can be known by many different names, such as:
- E-Collars
- Zap Collars
- Shock Collars
- Remote Training
- Collars
But are more commonly referred to as – dog training collars.
The very first iteration of the training collar was much more basic in design while emitting a more powerful electric shock, and where more commonly used among the hunting community.
Dog training collars have come a long way since way back when, and are thought to be a lot safer to use in 2019. Although they still attract detractors.
Are Dog Training Collars Safe?
People on both sides of the argument believe they have valid points on the safety or lack thereof concerning dog training collars and also if/when dog training collars should, or should not be used. But as of today, dog training collars are still widely available from most major retailers and are thought of by the majority of pet owners to be safe to use.
Can Dog Training Collars be used in Conjunction With Other Training Equipment or Devices?
In short, yes.
Many dog/pet training tools can be used alone or together to achieve the same results. For instance, dog training collars are quite often included with wireless dog fences, and both the dog training collar and wireless fence can also be used with more basic tools, such as the dog whistle or training clicker.
All the above can be used to train your family pet, some examples of the training are below:
- Stop
- Retrieve
- Retreat
- Fetch
- Catch
- Barking Control
- Leash training
What to Consider Before Buying a Dog Training Collar:
Size of Breed – One of the most important things to consider when looking for a dog training collar is the breed of dog, and how big the breed will eventually grow too.
Cheaper dog training collars are available and may be more than acceptable for some smaller breeds, but when dealing with a more stubborn and unruly breed of dog, a longer pronged quality collar, with higher shock levels may be the best option.
Temperament of the breed – In some circumstances, a dog training/ E-Collar is not advisable.
With a very aggressive breed, choose your collar very carefully, or a much safer bet is to stay well clear of buying a dog training collar altogether.
Shock collars when used on aggressive breeds or dogs with an aggressive personality trait can irrevocably change your dog from aggressive to dangerous.
Adjustability of the Collar – Adjustability of the shock/stimulation level and collar size is another important feature to look out for when buying a dog training collar and somewhat ties in with the breed and age of your dog.
If training from a pup, you’ll need a collar that is small enough to fit the pup’s neck when young, while adjustable enough to fit the dog when it reaches adulthood.
If the collar is of a poor fit, this can cause problems with the collar twisting, as well as the prongs not making proper contact with the dog’s neck, which in turn makes the shock feature entirely useless.
Recap
Our top pick and the ultimate winner, for the best dog training collar goes to…Wait for it…Dogtra!
Although the Dogtra 1902S Remote Dog Training Collar was the most expensive collar by a country mile, it’s also one impressive piece of kit, with an abundance of excellent features.
You and I both know your dog is part of the family, and when it comes to family, only the best will do. So spending that bit extra to know your dog will be in safe hands is not a difficult decision to make.
If you’re on a tight budget, but still require excellent build quality with successful results, then a close 2nd to the Dogtra would be the SportDog – SD – 425 Dog Training Collar. Starting at an extremely affordable price point, and rated 5 stars by many of its owners, it sits proudly in 2nd place.
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