There are many dog training collars out there to choose from and each type of collar can serve a different purpose or objective.  Your needs and your dog’s needs will help in determining the type of collar you get for your dog.  Here are some tips on finding just the right dog training collar for your dog.

Different types of collars:

• Buckle Collars:  These are the most common type of collars and are collars that are fastened with a buckle.  They fit around your dog’s neck in a ring and are usually made of nylon, cotton or leather.  These types of collars can be flat or rolled.  Most of these collars are adjustable but don’t tighten on the dog’s neck after they are fastened.  You should only be able to fit two or three fingers between your dog’s neck and the collar.  The rolled leather collars tend to fit more comfortably and don’t chafe the neck or break the hair like flat collars often do.  With that being said, rolled collars are usually more expensive than flat collars.

• Break-away Collars: These collars unfasten if a strong pull is placed on the collar.  If the collar is attached to a leash, it will not unfasten.  The person that invented this collar did so because his dog choked to death after its collar got caught on something and the dog couldn’t get loose.

• Harness:  These types of collars are great for reducing the pressure on your dog’s throat.  They rest more on the shoulders of the dog than on the dog’s throat or neck.  If your dog has respiratory problems then your veterinarian will probably recommend that you use a harness.  Veterinarians recommended harnesses because they don’t damage the trachea, neck or back.

• Halter Collars:  These types of collars are usually used on dogs that pull.  They fit snugly around the dog’s head, usually behind the dog’s neck and around his nose, right below the eyes, and thus many dogs are uncomfortable with them.   The leash snaps on below the dog’s chin.  This gives you the best control possible over your dog.  Pulling on the leash will bring your dog’s head down to the side resulting in a reaction which will eliminate the pulling behavior of your dog.  These are not muzzles as the dog can still drink, eat, bark, and bite while he is wearing it.  Concern has been expressed that the dog could hit the end of the lead and snap its head around which could cause injury to the dog’s neck.  The head halter should be used when your dog is walking at your side, not when your dog is running away from you.  An example of your dog running away would be when he is on a Flexi-lead.

• Choke Chain or Slip Collar:  These types of collars are made out chain, braided nylon, cotton or leather with rings at both ends of the collar.  The collar loops through one of the rings forming a loop around the dog’s neck, just behind the ears.  The dog’s leash is connected to one of the rings.  The leash goes over the back of the dog’s neck instead of under the dog’s neck.  The two rings have names: the floating ring is called the dead ring where the other ring is called the live ring.  If the leash is attached to the dead ring the collar does not constrict the dog’s neck where if the leash is attached to the live ring the collar becomes tighter when it is pulled and becomes looser when tension is released.  These collars should not be used as regular collars and should always be removed from the dog’s neck when the leash is removed.

• Pronged Collars:  These collars are designed so that when you pull on the leash it will result in a form of punishment much like the choke collar.  Even though the prong collar looks like it would be more dangerous for your dog than the choke collar, it is actually safer and much gentler than the choke collar.  Prong collars are made up of a series of chain links with blunted open ends turned towards the dog’s neck.  The prong collar has a limited circumference which actually limits how much it can tighten up on a dog’s neck unlike the choke collar which doesn’t have a limit as to how much it can constrict on a dog’s neck.  Because of the angle of the prongs on the collar and the limited traction of the martingale chain, the prongs don’t pinch the dog’s neck.  Instead, the collar applies pressure at each point against the dog’s neck.  These collars should not be used as a regular collar.  They are typically used on large dogs and should never be used on puppies.

• Shock Collars:  These collars give your dog a shock when he misbehaves.  The shock is set too low to be harmful to your dog.  Shock collars or electronic collars should only be used for training and should never be used without a professional’s guidance.

Collars are made out of different types of materials.  Some of these materials are:

• Cotton:  Collars made out of cotton web are the least expensive of dog collars.  They are very useful but they are the least durable dog collar on the market and they will wear out quickly.

• Leather:  Collars made out of leather are a good choice for most dogs including stronger dogs.  They are strong, durable, and attractive and do not wear out easily.

• Nylon:  Nylon is very strong and is often used in retractable leashes.

• Metal:  Collars made out of metal are recommended for very large, strong dogs.  These types of collars are usually brass and nickel-plated steel collars.  They are very strong and relatively expensive.  Many metal collars have easy to use clips and buckles which make them very versatile.

There are pros and cons to all of the different dog training collars mentioned above.  The type of collar you choose should be determined by several things:

• the reason you are going to use the dog training collar
• the individual personality of your dog
• your personal choice

When choosing a dog training collar it is important to have an open mind, to know what your needs are, and to look at the different options.  After carefully evaluating your options, you should choose the equipment that will work the best for you and your dog and that will give the best results.  It is also important that your trainer respects the choice you have made and has the skills for using the tools you have chosen.  Just as it is important to choose the right equipment for you and your dog, it is important to choose a dog trainer that understands canine behavior and learning principles.  Always remember that when training your dog, positive reinforcement is better than negative reinforcement.  Is it imperative that you are kind to your dog, you are persistent and you are patient.  If you follow these suggestions you should have a well-trained and obedient companion for life.