Selecting Appropriate Dog Collars And Leashes
Selecting Dog Training Collars
Choosing from among all of the many dog training collars available can be confusing but it need not be. In order to choose the best training collar for your dog, there are several things you need to keep in mind. Training collars should be used to train, control and protect your dog. They should never be used as a method of punishment or to harm your dog.
If you are like most caring new dog owners you want to train and protect your new dog but are totally confused by the vast array of styles, sizes and material available. Dog collars may take the form of a simple leather or fabric collar fastened with a buckle to fancy dog collars bedecked with rhinestones and in some cases even real jewels.
Different styles of dog collars and harnesses also have different purposes in mind. Some are made more for decoration, others for basic obedience training and some to correct and stop barking or aggressive behavior. It is important that you, as the owner, decide what your ultimate goal is and what you pet really needs.
You do not want to place a choke collar on a small dog and risk injury. On the other hand a large dog can easily break dog collars and leashes made for small dogs. Many dogs can be harmed by shock collars and more humane alternatives are available.
Selection of the best type dog training collar for your personal training goals is only the first step. You also need to make sure it is the proper size and that you know how to use it correctly. Even the best collar not be suitable if it is not used properly.
Temperament also varies by breed and even individual dogs within a breed. Some dogs just are just naturally gentle and easy to train to lead while others need firmer control.
Types Of Dog Training Collars
Dog training collars include prong collars, head halters, choke collars, electronic collars. Dog harnesses and standard pet collars work fine for their intended purpose, but are not considered "training collars" so will not be covered here.
Prong collars have the appearance of something out of a medieval torture chamber that would be quite painful. Used properly, they are quite humane. Prong dog training collars were initially made up of metal prongs linked to each other in chain fashion. These days they are also available made from plastic which is preferred by many. These collars control the dog by slightly "pinching" the neck when the handler pulls on the lead. If used over aggressively, they can cause pain so care is needed.
Head halters such as the Haiti and Gentle Leader halters look like and work in a fashion similar to harnesses used for horses. They work by directing the dogs' path. The dogs body naturally follows the head and a harness does an extremely good job of controlling the head. While they may look to be overly restrictive, the dog quickly becomes used to them. They are particularly effective in controlling aggressive dogs.
Choke collars remain popular and are recommended for use in many 4H dog training programs in spite of the controversy surrounding their use. Used properly, they are satisfactory dog training collars, but they are easy to misuse. If they are put on the dog incorrectly, if links become twisted or if too much force is used by the handler, they can, indeed, become instruments of torture. Personally, I stopped using choke collars years ago and will never go back to them. There are too many better dog training collars available.
Electronic dog collars are designed to give the dog a slight shock upon command of the handler. The intensity can be adjusted from a slight buzz or tingle to get the dogs' attention to a more serious jolt. These should never be used on small or timid dogs and only after discussion of your situation with a reputable trainer. Shock collars can easily harm your dog is used carelessly.
Whatever your individual needs, you can find the ideal collar from the wider range of dog training collars available online. Take a few minutes to browse our site and turn your challenging dog into a pleasant,well behaved companion.
The goal of our site is to help you select the best dog collar and leash for your dog. You will find a selection of dog collars, leashes and harnesses to please the most finicky dog. The appropriate dog training collars and leash will help minimize the time that this training takes and keep your pet safe and happy.
