HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT TRAINING COLLAR FOR YOUR DOG

Learn about choke chains, prong collars, nylon collars, harnesses, halti collars, and shock collars

Lots of different dog training collars are available both online and at your local pet store. In fact, the selection is so vast that it can overwhelm the average dog owner. Unfortunately, this means many people end up using the wrong type of training collar for their dog.

Every training collar is designed with specific temperaments and behavioral issues in mind, so it's very important to choose a collar that fits your dog's personality. The purpose of this article is to help you determine what type of training collar will work best for you and your dog.

The types of training collars discussed in this article include: nylon martingale and flat collars, harnesses, metal and plastic prong collars, choke chains, Halti® and Gentle Leader® headcollars, and electronic shock collars.

NYLON MARTINGALE OR FLAT COLLAR

Nylon collars are appropriate for timid and very small dogs. If your dog is confident or large, a nylon collar is probably not your best choice, as it will provide very little control over your dog. This is particularly problematic if your dog is very boisterous or has a tendency to pull on his leash. If you do decide to use a nylon collar, get a martingale-style collar. A martingale collar will offer slightly enhanced control of your dog when you need it.

HARNESS

Harnesses are designed specifically to help a dog pull. That's why sled dogs wear harnesses: they evenly distribute tension across the chest, allowing the dog to safely pull across great distances.

Unfortunately, many dog owners purchase a harness thinking that it will help control their large, unruly dog. If you don't want your dog to pull at the end of his leash, DON'T buy a harness. Choose a martingale or prong collar, instead. Harnesses are an okay choice only for very small dogs.

CHOKE CHAIN

I recommend against using choke chains for any size or temperament of dog. If used incorrectly, a choke chain can potentially damage your dog's windpipe. If you are thinking about buying a choke chain, consider purchasing a prong collar instead (see below). Prong collars offer better control than choke chains, and they carry far less risk of harm to your dog's neck.

PRONG COLLAR - METAL AND PLASTIC

A prong collar is a good choice for a large, confident, or hyper dog. Normally, the prong collar hangs loosely around your dog's neck, but it will tighten if your dog begins to pull on his leash. You can also use a prong collar to give your dog light collar corrections when he ignores obedience commands that you are certain he understands. If you do decide to use a prong collar for obedience training, you should work with a well-qualified trainer to ensure you use the tool correctly and humanely.

HALTI® AND GENTLE LEADER® HEADCOLLARS

If your only real goal is to prevent your dog from pulling at the end of his leash, then a Halti® or Gentle Leader® headcollar may be a good choice for you. Headcollars are designed to make it physically impossible for your dog to pull on his leash. In my experience, however, headcollars are not particularly effective for teaching obedience. So, if you'd like your dog to have good overall manners (that's always my preference!), you should choose a martingale or prong collar.

ELECTRONIC SHOCK COLLAR

Electronic shock collars are effective for teaching obedience ONLY if they are used correctly. Many police departments use electronic collars to train police dogs because of the precise level of obedience these dogs require.

The potential to misuse an electronic collar is very, very high. If you're interested in using an electronic collar, work with a professional trainer to get you started on the right path. Thoroughly interview the trainer to ensure they have a lot of experience with electronic collar training. Also, make sure the trainer uses low levels of correction and high levels of praise and treats to ensure a positive training experience for your dog. Lastly, make sure you buy a high-quality remote collar that offers at least 10 different levels of correction, starting with a very faint correction (equivalent to a very faint tickle).