Dog Training Collars

by John Pawlett



They are one of the simplest and most humane training aids I have found for working with dogs.


However the subject of dog training collars is also unquestionably the most controversial subject Ive ever seen written about in the dog training world. Many people freak out at the thought of administering a tiny jolt of electricity as a correction to their pet, while not thinking twice about giving them a much more painful whack on the nose for stepping out of line, or hauling him, gasping, off his feet with a 'choke' collar when training him to heel.


I agree the potential for abuse and misuse of these devices is also great. So they should be used only by professional dog trainers, or after you have had proper training in how to use them.


Dog training collars work exceptionally well with barking dogs who are among the major scourges of urban living, and an electronic collar is usually the best and quickest solution. If youve got neighbors complaining about the bad behavior your dog displays when youre away, get a bark collar and avoid court fines and the possibility of losing your dog. They are fully effective whether youre home or not, and dogs require this kind of constant reinforcement to develop good behavior and distinguish it from bad.


Always begin with a light correction (shock), and only increase it if your pet isnt responding. Shocks should only be administered through the collar as your dog actively engages in bad or dangerous behavior, since dogs arent capable of connecting delayed punishment with an earlier action and never after the dog has stopped the behavior.


Basic training collars and their costs vary. There are 'bark collars' and 'bark diminishes' that emit electrical stimulation every time a dog barks. Some can be programmed to let a dog bark for up to thirty seconds before automatically firing off a small shock, so that your dog learns its okay to warn you about intruders, but not to bark for the sake of barking.


The lowest effective shock strength should be used, just enough to see the dog twitch his ears. If he barks or howls, youve got the stimulation set too strong. To be effective, the electronic collar must be on very snugly so that the metal contacts connect with the dogs neck. It is very important not to shock the dog before the command is given or after the offence has been committed!


If you are considering using a dog training collar, then do your research and find out what kind of collar you feel you would be most comfortable with. There is nothing better than having a well trained and safe dog.




This article comes to you from dog lover John Pawlett who is currently building a community site for dog breeds and breeders http://www.dogbreedclub.com" target="_blank">http://www.dogbreedclub.com/'>http://www.dogbreedclub.com