The 10 Best Dog Training Collars—And How to Use Them Safely

Training your dog is one of the most important things you do as a pet parent. Teaching puppies not to jump, how to hold their bladder, and where they can—and can’t— sit is crucial to developing happy, healthy adult dogs. Many dog owners use training collars as tools to curb bad habits. Some emit sounds or vibrations to divert your dog’s attention away from a naughty activity. Others are designed to create resistance if your dog moves in a certain way. Some use electric or static shocks to halt the behavior. Training collars are not miracle solutions and they won’t work without your diligence and dedication to a consistent training regimen. But, they can definitely help if you’re stuck.

How to Use Training Collars

Do not jump head-first into the world of training collars before your dog has a firm grasp of basic commands. Work with your puppy to establish the fundamentals—sit, stay, potty training, etc., before moving on to training collars.

Most training collars that emit sound, vibration, or static shocks aren’t meant for dogs under six months old. Even then, it’s recommended you try other training tactics first, like positive reinforcement and clicker training, before turning to a collar. Once you begin collar training, follow manufacturer directions to ensure it fits your dog properly—not too loose or tight—before using it. Start with sounds or tones and vibrations before graduating to any type of static shock.

If and when your vet or dog trainer gives you the OK to use a shock collar, always begin with the lowest possible setting. Take careful note of your dog’s reactions and check the skin beneath the collar frequently to ensure there is no irritation. Finally, it’s wise to rotate the collar every hour or so to prevent one area from becoming sore. In fact, training collars shouldn’t be worn more than a few hours at a time or during training sessions.

The goal of any training technique is to establish healthy solutions for naughty behaviors. If your dog doesn’t respond well to your chosen collar or becomes fearful of you or the collar itself, it’s time to move on to another tool. Excessive panting, aggression, or cowering are signs things aren’t working and the collar should be removed.

The Best Dog Training Collars at a Glance

• Best Overall: Educator E-Collar
• Best for Boundary Training: Halo Collar
• Best for Multi-Dog Households: Bousnic Dog Shock Collar
• Best for Sporting Dogs: SportDOG 425X Remote E-Collar
• Best for Small Dog Breeds: eXuby Tiny Shock Collar
• Best with GPS: Link GPS Dog Tracker + Activity Monitor
• Best for Dogs Who Pull: PetSafe Gentle Leader Headcollar
• Best for Barking: Petdiary Vibration Dog Bark Collar
• Best Martingale: PetSafe Adjustable Martingale Collar
• Best for Large Dog Breeds: PetSafe Big Dog Remote Training Collar

1. Educator E-Collar

• Pros: Lock feature, hypoallergenic contact points, customization options, multi-dog capabilities
• Cons: Unclear definition of shock vs. tapping, expensive

Educator E-Collar users love it and praise its customization options. There are more than 100 unique levels of stimulation, including vibration, sound, and what the company calls “tapping.” Some users insist the tapping is the same as a shock, while others say it’s less intense than other shock collars. An ergonomically designed remote with an LED screen makes it easy for humans to use. This collar’s range is a half mile from the remote and comes with six different contact points in various lengths.

2. Halo Collar

• Pros: App control, activity and wellness tracking, GPS
• Cons: Expensive

Developed by world-famous dog trainer Cesar Millan and tech visionary Ken Ehrman, the Halo collar is the new-and-improved, shock-less invisible fence. The collar is more comfortable compared to many other training collars and the battery lasts for over 20 hours. To use it, you program boundaries into the app. When your dog comes close to one - say, at the edge of your yard - the collar prompts them to turn back by emitting feedback (sound, vibration, or static shock is available). Halo lets you build up to 20 wireless fences. Plus, there are specific training tools you can access. There are also Halo Beacons you can place around your home to keep your dog away from certain areas (like the pantry).

3. Bousnic Dog Shock Collar

• Pros: Rechargeable via USB, long battery life, sleek design, keypad lock
• Cons: Shock capabilities

With over 5,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, the Bousnic collar must be onto something. We love that a single remote can connect to two collars, making it an ideal option for multi-dog households. The collar adjusts to fit necks between six and 27 inches, too! There are 16 shock settings, plus sound and vibration options. We like that the metal prongs have silicone covers to prevent excess skin irritation.

4. SportDOG 425X Remote E-Collar

• Pros: Long range, lightweight, one remote can connect to three collars, waterproof collar
• Cons: Shock capabilities with no locking feature, pricier than many models

Dogs who have work to do and need to train quickly in the field can benefit from this collar, built specifically with outdoor sporting dogs in mind. This is SportDOG’s most popular training collar model. It’s also their lightest and smallest, which means more comfort for your dog. Choose between sound, vibration, and static shock (there are 21 different levels). The remote-to-collar range is 500 yards and a two-hour charge gets you 50 to 70 hours of activity.

5. Ruby Tiny Shock Collar

• Pros: Fun design, made specifically for small breeds, reflective collar strap for nighttime
• Cons: Shock capabilities, metal progs without guards

Advertised as the “smallest dog shock collar in the world,” the eXuby certainly is tiny! Though manufactured specifically to deliver smaller shocks to teeny pups, some shock settings may be too intense for your dog, so begin with the sound and vibration modes first. (eXuby also recommends testing the shock setting on yourself first, to gauge strength.) Use the remote up to 1,000 feet away and clearly read the mode and settings on its large display.

6. Link GPS Dog Tracker + Activity Monitor

• Pros: Shock-free, the device works with any collar
• Cons: Need to download an app and use your phone during training, pricey

While the primary goal of Link My Pet’s activity tracker is to keep an eye on your dog’s whereabouts and wellness via GPS, the app also offers training tools. Users can remotely control the collar to give off sounds or vibrations during training sessions. There’s also a YouTube channel to access with tutorials and tips. The link will send temperature alerts to you if your pup is overheating and location alerts if your pup wanders outside a programmed boundary.

7. PetSafe Gentle Leader Headcollar

• Pros: Tech-less, wide size range available, shock-free, budget-friendly, ethical
• Cons: Stubborn dogs may find a way to remove it, may be confusing to put it on

This leader headcollar was designed by trainers specifically to deter strong-willed dogs from veering off-course during walks. This is not a muzzle - your dog can still drink, eat and play fetch while wearing it. While walking, if your pup tries to pull you, the collar puts pressure on the back of the neck (not the throat, as a normal collar would) to divert the dog’s pull back to you. The manufacturer recommends using this leader in short spurts to get your dog acclimated.

8. Petdiary Vibration Dog Bark Collar

• Pros: Reflective material for nighttime use, dual-recognition for accuracy, water-resistant collar
• Cons: Some dogs don’t respond to weak vibrations

If barking is the primary issue with your pup, find a collar dedicated specifically to that issue. This bark collar by Petdiary uses dual recognition to make sure it activates only when your dog barks (it registers sound and the vibration of bark in your dog’s throat). This also prevents it from activating when a nearby dog barks. As noted, one reviewer said their dog got used to the collar’s vibration and still barks when the collar is off. This is a clear indication the user assumed the collar would do all the work! You’re still a huge factor when it comes to training - don’t rely on the collar alone.

9. PetSafe Adjustable Martingale Collar

• Pros: Budget-friendly, ethical, safe
• Cons: No remote control capability

As recommended by Gillihan, this martingale collar tightens when your dog pulls on the leash. It’s a great solution for dogs while leash training or who have a tendency to pull. It comes in a variety of sizes and four bright colors. The security of the collar’s design also ensures your dog can’t wriggle free from it, which is good news for stubborn pups who are still very much learning how to walk with their humans.

10. PetSafe Big Dog Remote Training Collar

• Pros: Works on large breeds with thick coats, large range
• Cons: Battery-operated with specific batteries by PetSafe, no vibration option

This collar-remote combo provides a 100-yard range for you and your dog, making it a great choice for big breeds who like to roam. There are 16 unique levels of shock stimulation and a tone you can use, as well. If it rains, have no fear, this thing is waterproof! Only designed for use on dogs 40 pounds and above.