We love our dogs; they are, after all, man's best friend. But that doesn't mean that they don't make us grit our teeth out of sheer frustration at their aggravating antics. Your pup can be an angel in one minute and a demon in the next, leaving us to wonder what sort of exorcism is required in that instant.
The best method of exorcism in curbing the demonic behavior of your naughty canine is usually done using the best dog training collars. With training collars, you can control your dog's antics without the fear of causing pain to your beloved furry baby. The best training collars for dogs will help teach them good behavior and guarantee your pet's safety.
Navigating through the numerous dog training collars on the market is no easy feat, especially if you're a dog parent for the first time. Getting the wrong collar can cause bodily harm for your canine; you don't want that, do you? Below, we've put together all the necessary information required to choose the best training collar for you and your dog.
How does a dog training collar work?
Generally, the best dog training collar is designed with two components- a portable remote transmitter and an electronic receiver collar. The handheld remote transmitter sends a radio signal to your dog's collar receiver. At the push of a button, you can activate stimulations such as; tone, vibration, and static pulse to deter your canine from unwanted behaviors.
The tone stimulation comes in handy when you want to give a warning or maybe signal your pup for a reward. It issues out a beep that tells warns your dog off misbehaving.
The vibration stimulation, like the tone stimulation, is also used to give a warning to a dog to deter from doing something bad. It is suitable for sensitive and responsive dogs.
The static stimulation collars are the most effective of the three. It is the last resort for disobedient dogs. It sends out a mild pulse which is completely harmless but can be annoying for your dog- like being pricked with a tiny needle or a sponge bath with cold water
What do I need to look out for in a dog training collar?
Size
The size of your canine's training collar is the most important factor to consider when buying a collar for your dog. There are different sizes of collars; each designed for a certain dog size. You need to ensure that you get the right size and fit for your dog. The importance of this cannot be over-emphasized.
You can't pick a large and heavy training collar for a dog as tiny as a Chihuahua and you cannot pick a thin and tiny collar for a big dog like a pit bull or a husky. If you can comfortably slip in two fingers in between the collar and your dog's neck, then it is properly sized.
Settings
When buying the best dog training collar for your pup, one essential feature to look out for is the various settings offered on the collar. Most training collars have a combination of tone (noise), vibration, and stimulation settings. While some may come with a combination of both or one feature.
You need to look out for the training collar that has the feature or combination of features that you and your dog require. Take note of the levels that are offered on each feature. Some have few intensity levels while other off up to a 100 level for stimulation and vibration.
Range
The best training collars have a range in which the remote and collar radio receiver can communicate. This basically means that if your dog goes beyond the set distance, your remote controller will no longer be effective.
If you have a large yard or you often go for long walks in the woods, then a training collar with a long range is the best option for you and your pup.
Waterproof
If you have a fish for a pup; one that jumps into every puddle of water it sees or looks forward to bath time, then you might want to get a training collar that is weather and water-resistant.
What are the benefits of a dog training collar?
Reduces incessant barking
If you have a dog that threatens to deafen you with its loud and constant barking, then a training collar might be what you need to save your sense of hearing.
Barking is to a dog what speaking is to humans. However, they seem to revel in barking at the most ridiculous things; from leaves falling to the arrival of the mailman. Excessive barking is a behavioral issue that can be corrected with a training collar.
Prevent destructive behaviors
From chewing on your shoes to destroying furniture, these canines can make us swear in strange tongues. Destructive behaviors are not only annoying but expensive as well, and one of the biggest benefits of a training collar is that it prevents such behaviors.
To correct this, it is advisable that you start with the beep (tone) feature then slowly work your way up to the pulse stimulation based on your canine's response to stimuli.
Manage Aggression
One minute they are curled around your ankles and the next minute there are trying to rip them apart with their sharp fang! Dogs are just fascinating creatures; you just gotta love 'em.
Dogs can get aggressive when it comes to food, territory, other animals, and humans. A training collar would come in handy in checking the behaviors of your canine when it borders on aggression.
Improve their training
With a dog collar, the risk of losing your voice from all the command yelling is at the barest minimum. The best dog training collar helps to improve and hasten the training of your canine.
How much does a dog training collar cost?
What is your budget and how much are you willing to spend? Dog training collars come at different prices. Be aware that buying the most expensive one doesn't guarantee a superior collar. Go through the key features to get the type you want and buy within that price range.
FAQs
Q: How old should my puppy be before using a training collar?
A: You can use a training collar for your pup when it becomes 5 to 6 months old. At this age, it can carry the weight of the collar easily and understand basic commands
Q: Are dog training collars safe?
A: Most dog training collars are relatively safe provided that you get the right size and fit. It becomes dangerous if it is too big or too small for the neck of your pup.
Q: Can my dog swim with a training collar?
A: Yes, your dog can swim with a training collar as long as it is waterproof. Look out for this feature when buying the best training collar for your dog.