Dog Training is often essential when it comes to integrating a dog into your family. Earlier, I wrote that there are 3 Essential Dog Training Tools every dog owner should have.
The first is a Dog Training Crate. (Click the link to read more about crate training your dog.)
The second essential dog training tool is a dog training collar.
A training collar is different from a “regular” collar in that the dog handler can administer a quick “correction” to to the dog.
There are 2 different types of training collars: obedience training collars and remote training collars
The choice of which type of training collar you choose depends upon how you will be training your dog and, most importantly - what you will be training your dog to do.
Obedience Training Collars
Obedience training collars look like metal chains. They come in various lengths and chain sizes.
There are basically three different types of obedience training collars.
The first is the basic “choke” training collar.
You simply slip the chain through the end piece and attach the leash to the opposite end piece. The collar will tighten when you correct your dog.
NOTE: It is important that you NEVER use a choke training collar in place of a regular collar. A choke collar should NEVER be left on an unattended dog. It could easily become caught and choke your dog to death.
It’s also important to be properly instructed on how to apply a correction using a choke collar. Sign up for a basic obedience dog training course if you don’t know how to use a choke collar.
There are non-metal versions of this training collar as well.
The second type of obedience dog training collar is basically a more complex version of the single loop non-metal dog training choke collar. Known as the “gentle leader,” this style of non-metal training collar which simply adds another “loop” to the collar which is placed over the dog’s muzzle to provide extra control.
The third type of obedience dog training collar is also designed for the dog for whom the traditional “choke” collar isn’t enough. This style of training collar is known as the prong or “pinch” collar.
The inward placed blunted prongs tighten under pressure and are instantly released.
Again - if you don’t know how to properly use a choke collar - get instruction from a local dog training professional IN PERSON to learn how.
Remote Training Collars
Remote training collars are just that. They allow you to deliver a “correction” when you are not physically holding on to the dog’s leash.
Remote training collars are great when you want to train your dog from a distance…such as training your dog not to jump up on visitors.
With the obedience training collar, different levels of “communication” were achieved with different product. When it comes to remote training collars - the “communication” level can be adjusted with a single collar.
Remember, you want to deliver a “correction”. This is a sensation which gets your dog’s attention.
The object of correction is not to cause your dog to yelp in pain.
It’s important to note that there are basically two types of remote training collars - there are “problem solving collars” and there are “training collars”.
While every training collar can be used as a problem solving collar (with the exception of excessive barking) - not every problem solving collar can be used as a training collar.
The key factors which differentiate remote training collars from each other include:
- quality of the collar
- range of the transmitter
- choice of stimulation levels.
Of these three factors, probably the most important is the choice of stimulation levels. Be sure to purchase a collar with the widest range of stimulation levels you can afford because if you purchase one that can’t go as high (or as low) as you need to communicate effectively with your dog - well, then the collar won’t be of much use.
Stimulation levels are affected by several factors including the dog’s sensitivity, type of coat and even the dog’s body composition. Just like people, there are some hard - headed stubborn dogs out there - and there are also some real “babies” out there as well. Sometimes, the only way to know which type of dog you own is when you try to set the stimulation level on your remote training collar.