If you have a dog that you are having difficulty training and controlling, you might be considering dog training collars.  The internet is full of articles on how you could train your dog more quickly and effectively using such a collar, but you may still be uncertain if you want to move into this more severe form of discipline with your pet. 

Even if you are certain you want to try such a collar, you may have questions about which type of training collar is best.  There are some things you should know about collars before you give them a try.

Collar Style
There are three basic collar types available.  The best known is an e-collar.  This collar administers a small electric shock to your pet when they perform a negative behavior.  The second style is a spray collar.  This model will spray a jet of citronella based liquid at your dog’s face to stop their inappropriate actions.  The third uses a high pitched noise that dogs are supposed to hear but should be inaudible to people. 

Some collars combine two of these functions.  For effective training, they should come with a remote control, so you can determine when to activate the disciplinary function.

Size Matters
Training collars come in various sizes, models, and intensities.  It shouldn’t take a great deal of thought to understand that a collar appropriate for a Great Dane would be overkill for a Toy Poodle, especially if it is the shock type. 

For any of these collars to work, they have to fit snuggly and should not be combined with the dog’s regular collar.  Shock based collars can be purchased for dogs down to three pounds, but should not be used with dogs under the age of six months regardless of size.

Desirable Accessories
Dog training collars often come with a variety of add ons.  For example, if you use the collar regularly, you can get a pad or transmitter that you place on a counter or couch to discourage climbing.  Only certain models have this feature. 

Other models are better for multiple animals allowing you to use one remote that connects to several animals.  These can be great for hunters who can find the same technology with GPS tracking included in the collar to find a dog that has run after prey.  Do a little research and see what exists before you buy.

Training Involves YOU
Regardless of the collar you choose, you, the owner, must be heavily involved in the training process.  Dogs learn best from positive reinforcement, and you must be on hand to constantly praise their good behavior.  You should never use a collar as a substitute for proper, one-on-one training.  It is also important that you don’t use a collar for more than a few hours a day. 

Dogs should be able to run and play freely for a significant portion of their day.  Adding dog training collars to your training program can be helpful in training a difficult dog, but it can not replace a caring owner.

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