10 of the Best Dog Training Collars for 2024 – Vets Roundup

Last Updated/Info Checked on January 10, 2024 by Linda Michaels

Training collars become indispensable when your dog’s becoming increasingly aloof to your commands. 

The collars of today aren’t like the ones that transmitted electric shocks to animals. 

Nowadays, they come with three different stimulation modes and the shock is merely a nudge right beneath the dog’s muzzle. 

When used in the right way, that nudge can help you get your dog’s attention and train them without losing it. 

I’ve compiled a list of the most effective and safe dog-training collars you can use to correct your dog’s or puppy’s behavior. 

Use Training Collars With Passive Reinforcement

The following products have what it takes to get a response from your dog. At the same time, you’re supposed to use positive or passive reinforcement techniques to solidify a dog’s learning through your training sessions.

Here’s how to do it.

• Keep your dog’s favorite treats with you throughout the training session.
• Feed the dog a treat when it obeys and simultaneously send the stimulation you have selected.
• Make sure that the level is kept at a minimum if you’re using static stimulation.
• With time, reduce reliance on the static shock and migrate to vibration or beep with the positive reinforcement.
• Have patience and be consistent to see results.
• Keep an eye on the dog’s overall health throughout the session.

Let’s hop down to the list now, shall we?

A Quick Look At The Collars In This Post

Collar Name	Receiver Size	Neck Size	Dog Size	Charging Hours	Stimulation Levels
Educator E-Collar	2.7″ x 1.7″ x 1.2″	12″ to 23″	20 lbs to 100 lbs	60 to 72	1 to 100
Lu&Ba	2.36″ x 1.18″ x 0.78″	6″ to 27″	15 lbs to 100 lbs	50 to 100+	1 to 16
SportDOG Brand SD-425X	2.6″ x 1.3″ x 1.23″	5″ to 22″	8 lbs to 120 lbs	50 to 70	1 to 7
INVIROX	2.3″ x 1.2″ x 1″	8″ to 24.8″	8 lbs to 110 lbs	40 to 100+	1 to 99
Garmin Pro 550	3.1″ x 1.7″ x 1.7″	8″ to 25″	10 lbs to 120 lbs	20 to 48	1 to 21
Vsezund	2″ x 1.3″ x 1.2″	8″ to 28″	8 lbs to 120 lbs	50 to 100+	1 to 18
Bousnic Single	2.3″ x 1.3″ x 1″	7″ to 27″	8 lbs to 100 lbs	50 to 100+	1 to 16
PetSpy P620	2.9″ x 1.2″ x 1.3″	9″ to 21″	10 lbs to 140 lbs	60 to 70	1 to 16
Garmin Alpha 100	2.4″ x 2 x 2.1	8″ to 25″	10 lbs to 120 lbs	15 to 40	1 to 18
UKE Collar	3″ x 1.2″ x 1″	8″ to 24.8″	10 lbs to 110 lbs	50 to 100+	1 to 99

Best Training Collars That Will Help Your Dog With Recall

The collars listed below have different ranges, battery powers, design gimmicks, functionalities, and effectiveness. 

Choose according to your needs rooted in those differences so you don’t get the wrong product. 

I have curated this list after many years of dog training with training collars because they were the need of the hour. 

I will now share my thoughts and experiences with all the training collars I have tested on my dogs and those of my clients.

1. Educator E-Collar – Best Overall Dog Training Collar

Educator E-Collar is my first recommendation when someone asks me which collar would give them comprehensive coverage.

It has a range longer than you need, a remote design that won’t hurt your nerves, and stimulation levels that work even at the lowest settings. 

There are some caveats such as a huge receiver, pesky programming, poorly labeled remote buttons, and a little uncomfortable collar. 

Still, I don’t think you could find a long-range product at this price with materials that take its life span to many years. 

Stopwatch Design Makes It Convenient

The remote’s design is a little unconventional as you can guess from its shape. 

It’s like a gigantic stopwatch ready to steer your dog to your will and that’s what you want, right?

All the buttons are located to the sides–on the peripherals–for easy access with your thumb, index, and middle fingers. 

The dial sits almost in the middle of the top side with the antenna slanting away, which I liked because it gives you enough room to change the stimulation levels. 

Changing that with your index finger and thumb wouldn’t be a problem as I did that with quite an ease. 

These things aside, the manufacturers have given the central stage to the little LCD that shows you the stimulation levels and type, but not the battery indicator. 

I felt that the remote only lags in there, otherwise, it’s a piece you’re going to love while training your dogs. 

Range Is Superior

Why would you want to buy a long-range training collar? Because dogs have four feet and can go up and beyond in the blink of an eye. 

That becomes a problem to deal with when you’re living on a farm or near a forest where animals of all sorts and sizes take the attention of your dog. 

Hunting and herding dogs are mainly prone to that. 

So in an event where the dog runs away to catch or herd something moving beyond your property, you’ll always have the upper hand. 

You’ll be able to call them back from ½ a mile, which is pretty decent. 

The product also comes in ¾-mile dog systems. 

Both of these ranges have 2-dog systems as well. I highly prefer them for owners with multiple hunting dogs.

Battery Life Gets Worn Out With Time

When the product is new, it will give you at least 12 hours of backup. However, as it gets older, with time the battery seems to deteriorate a little. 

That brings down the life span from 12 hours to 10 and then further down as it ages. 

Although these changes are still very minimal to detect, over a period of time, you may need to change the battery. 

I personally hadn’t this problem because I would use the collar in the first few months of training a client’s dog. 

But as they continued using it, some of them texted me and complained about the dwindling batteries. 

For owners who own single-minded breeds like the Huskies, that could turn out to be a problem. 

Stimulation Effectiveness

The collar features 100 stimulation levels that sometimes are too good to be true. 

Even the smallest numbers are hot enough to correct your dog – maybe stop it in its stride to respond. 

So, I don’t see the need for going all the way up to 100 unless you own the devil himself or an unruly alien from a faraway world. 

The stimulations are, thus, more effective on any dog that you own. Even I have trained many aggressive dogs with this collar.

Among the other two stimulation types, besides shock, there’s a beep touted as Pavlovian Tone and vibration. 

Both of them worked pretty well without hiccups and honestly, most of the time they were enough to get a dog’s attention. 

Does it hurt the dog?

The collar is as humane as you prefer it to be. 

The dogs I trained with had no bruises, redness, or any other sort of complications because of the shock. 

However, there were some instances for them to occur because of the negligence of the owners. 

They would start using the collar as a punishment tool rather than to correct their recall and that wouldn’t end up well for the dog. 

The increased stimulation levels followed by accidental correction by one of the family members would steer things to unlikable situations. 

Therefore, I request you to not go to those extremes. 

Hefty Price

At under $200, the Educator E-Collar stands a little too overpriced for what it gives. 

I agree that the materials used in the collar–the biothane coupled with premium plastic–are going to last longer. 

I also accept that the range is impressive; still, poor labeling on the buttons, a steep learning curve, and pairing difficulties should have brought the price down a little. 

Final Verdict – Why Should You Buy It?

My final say is that the product is superior when it comes to how far its signals can go. It’s a clear winner in that aspect. 

Other likable things include the ease of handling the remote, tying up the collar, and getting the dog familiar with the stimulation levels. 

In the price range, the Educator E-Collar stays true to its promise of longevity (besides the battery), and effectiveness. 

Also read: Why dog collars are necessary?

Pros 

• Easy-to-use design 
• Long range 
• Sturdy biothane collar 
• Effective stimulations 

Cons 

• Poor battery life 
• Hard to program

2. Lu&Ba Dog Training Collar – Dog Training Collar for Small Dogs 

Lu&Ba wins over its competition in the small to medium dog range with its convenient remote, small receivers that still reach the skin, and soft stimulation levels suited for the dogs’ size in question. 

The collar worked well on one of my German Shepherd dogs who jumped high without any reason, which irritated me most of the time.

Noticeable Looks

I love the fresh colors on the remote and the darker ones on the collars. 

Some may agree that it should’ve been the other way around when in reality, darker transmitters with light collars on dogs are note-worthy. 

Even if these collars do not have a dedicated light to find your pooch, the colors reflecting the light at suitable angles will help you with that. 

The remote’s design has everything convenience should ask for. The buttons are all labeled well with even raised indications to allow blind usage. 

Having a tone button on the top followed by vibration and shock buttons, you will not get them wrong because of those indications. 

They have even made the vibration button in the middle a little larger to encourage using it instead of the shock mode.  

There’s a small LCD beneath them, showing the stimulation levels, battery level, and the channel selected. 

Overall, the remote feels well-constructed in the hands. I have dropped it a few times without any major damage to it. 

Only to save you from that, I advise you to use a lanyard. 

Decent Range

At 3000 feet, the collar takes over the Educator E-Collar in range. However, I found that the farthest the dog was with this one, the more inconsistencies in the signal barged in.

That’s the sole reason why I haven’t replaced Educator E-Collar with Lu&Ba.

I have trained a Corgi for cattle herding with this collar and it was very convenient.

I also don’t recommend it for huge dogs, the latter will take care of them easily.

Battery Life Is Commendable

One of the major highlights of the collar for small and medium dogs is its humongous battery life. 

It would go for day after day without dropping the signals when the battery would approach its end. 

When you put the remote on charge again, the light at the top indicates if it’s connected, which is convenient in not having it accidentally removed from the socket. 

My usage record with the collar has been 2 weeks with 3 to 4 hours of usage per day. 

The remote could even go further but I didn’t want to finish the battery to zero for the sake of its life. 

However, like the Educator E-Collar, Lu&Ba’s battery may deteriorate over time. 

That’s normal with battery-powered devices, one would say, and it’s not wrong at all.

Does It Work?

The 16 levels of stimulation are more than enough for dogs 10 lbs to 100 lbs. 

Lapdogs and toy dogs may not even need shock stimulation because the vibration and tone features are powerful enough for them. I’m speaking from my experience of training a few English Bulldogs and Chihuahuas.

However, when things get unruly as they would when a Chihuahua wouldn’t stop yapping at the stray dogs, you could use the lower shock levels. 

Also Read: Chihuahua Bark Collar

Once the dog understands that surpassing vibration and tone stimulation is going to bring something stronger, it won’t do it at all. 

How Humane Is It?

Shock or training collars, as I said at the start, could turn into tools of abuse when the owners like you use them beyond the dog’s capacities. 

For example, if small dogs like a Chihuahua or a Dachshund jump up to the heavens as you administer the shock, you are supposed to bring down the levels from there. 

Related: Bark Collar for Dachshund

Not doing that is going to hurt the dog in the long run because that very shock level is unbearable for it. 

The same is true for Lu&Ba. It could potentially hurt the dog when you’re not mindful of the repercussions of using higher stimulation levels. 

But in its entirety, the manufacturers have taken care of accidental shocks. 

They have introduced a keypad lock button to the side of the remote to discourage that. 

Even when pressed accidentally, the remote won’t stimulate the dog.

As a result, there won’t be any corrections when the dog’s behaving, in turn, stopping any sort of stress from it. 

Price

The price range is well under acceptable boundaries. Under $100, it offers more than you could ask for your small dog, and that too, with sensitive skin.

Verdict – Why Should You Buy It?

Lu&Ba is specially designed for small dogs. The tone and vibration are enough to correct their behaviors. The nylon strap doesn’t put undue pressure on their necks, and the receiver isn’t gigantic enough to limit their head movement. 

Also, the stimulation levels are benign at the start, only to get hotter towards the end, but you have the keypad lock to take care of accidental corrections. 

Also read: Should I take my dog collar off at night?

Pros 

• Small handy remote 
• Blind usage is a breeze
• Suitable size of collar for small dogs 
• Long Range 
• Safer stimulation levels 

Cons 

• Signals could become choppy as you reach the range limits 

3. SportDOG Brand 425X – Shock Collar for Hunting Dogs

SportDog 425X is one of the most recommended shock collars for hunting dogs. 

It comes in one and two-dog systems, where the transmission between the remote and the receiver does not falter at all. 

Design Is Impeccable

The first thing I noticed when I held the remote and the collar was how well-built they were.

The plastic felt sturdy on both and even dropping the remote a few times didn’t budge it. 

For hunting dogs, wearing a strong collar makes sense because they run into bushes and thickets that could potentially damage the collar. 

I have seen a few such cases where the dog would run away from the owner. Before they could stimulate it, the collar would have come undone after being stuck in a bush. 

No such thing with SportDog 425X! 

Compared to the collars, the design of the remote is a bit weird. 

There are three buttons in total – one to the side and two right on the face of it. 

Just above them is the dial that controls the stimulation levels and types. 

I like how the buttons are big and reachable but at the same time, I despise how the dial sometimes comes in the way of pressing them. 

My thumbs are huge, so you could guess the struggle. 

Range Is Appropriate

500 yards is more than enough to be with your hunting dogs during a chase after some rabbit or other small animal. 

Some of you may argue that long-range products are suitable for hunting. 

I think always being on the move with your dog, staying close to them, and giving them cues do not ask for a 1/2 or 1-mile system. 

Besides, longer ranges in some products such as that of Lu&Ba may reduce the overall effectiveness of the signal. 

We don’t want that when we’re hunting, do we?

Under the 500 range, SportDog 425X works wonders without occasional hiccups in the operation. 

Battery Life – Not Enough Juice

This is where the product lags big time. There’s just not enough juice in the battery to run beyond 24 hours. 

That was my upper limit with using it for training a client’s Beagles. 

But come to think of it, the collar isn’t for continuous or daily use. Its shock levels are hot enough to be used only during hunting sessions or occasional training sessions to get your dogs familiar with it. 

A hunting session by far goes for a few hours and during those hours, the 425X won’t let you down. 

Is It Effective?

The dial features 7 stimulation levels with a V/T mode at the 8th slot. 

These are pretty appropriate for medium to big dogs even in their lowest settings. 

Training those Beagles at levels 4 and 5 sufficed as compared to German Shepherds who asked for at least 6 levels and sometimes max! 

Beyond that, a few GSDs didn’t respond well and we had to change their training collars for the better. 

While the shock levels are effective, to make the whole training with it bear fruit, you may have to give the dogs more time to adjust. 

I mentioned a few things about the size of my thumb and the contradiction the remote’s layout offers. 

Well, turns out, that could be far better for an average-sized finger. 

Changing between the dogs and administering the right stimulation becomes a breeze for them. 

In hunting situations where you have to take swift action, that could come in handy. 

But to reach that level of expertise, you may have to go through the manual and the churn of setting up the right function on the buttons. 

You can only set a single function on the buttons. However, controlling two dogs differently from those buttons isn’t a lost cause. 

It will take you some time to get used to the difficulty but once you get a hang of it, you’ll thank how customizable the system is.

Perfectly Humane When Learned Well

I’ll go on to say that when reviewing each product in this list, you have to first train yourself before using the collar on the dog. 

The SportDog has a manual for that but you may need an expert hand in getting you through it because the instructions are a tad bit unclear. 

See if you understand them on your own and use the collar on your dog only when you think you’ve checked each and every aspect. 

I generally tie up the collar on my arm and try different settings to see whether the stimulations are too hot. 

Price – Oh Boy!

You’ll pay a good amount for this training collar. 

At first instant, you may think this is too much for a collar but come to think of the specs and benefits you’re getting, it’s not. 

I personally found the product very accommodating, versatile, highly programmable, and built to last. 

Yes, the battery sucks but its life seems okay when you consider what it is built for. 

Verdict – Worth The Price

The SportDog 425X is worth every penny. 

Buy it for the quality that the brand offers and a multitude of features that perform well in stressful conditions such as hunting. 

Besides, every component is waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about dropping the remote in water or the collar when your dogs are fetching something.

Pros 

• Highly customizable 
• Handy remote 
• Good long-lasting materials used 
• Right-sized collars for big dogs 

Cons 

• Poor battery life 
• Steep learning curve

4. INVIROX X2 Dog Shock Collar – Training Collar for Large Dogs

INVIROX X2 promises better days with your large dog by correcting their behaviors without hurting them. 

It’s suitable for 8 lbs to 110 lbs as the company claims, but I’ve even tried it on Great Dane and Great Pyrenees without any problem. 

But I do think anything above that warrants a bungee collar. In fact, I want you to swap the strap for that in any collar because it’s just so easy to put it on your dog. 

Design – Satisfactory But Needs Improvement

There’s not much in the design that I complain about, except for the fact that the remote is small for giant hands like mine. 

It may be okay for you but you can guess my hands from the size of the thumb I discussed above. 

The main highlight of the design is the training collar, to be honest. 

Built small, they easily hide under the fur of the dog, which is a good thing as not many people will be able to see and give you a moral lecture. 

At the same time, however, it becomes harder to see if the collar’s battery is still at full. 

In normal settings, such as using it with Great Danes who don’t have long fur, you’d be able to locate the dog easily just from the battery indicator blinking. 

Otherwise, the strap is reflective as well. That comes in handy during your nightly walks with the pooch or when you’re taking it out for a quick poop. 

Among other things that need the utmost improvement is the clip. It’s plastic, so big dogs can easily rip through it. You should be wary of it.

Coming back toward the remote, the button layout is fine. You’ll use it without major hiccups as they all are within your thumb’s reach. 

I enjoyed the layout where the shock button is on the top with the beep and vibration buttons looking at each other a bit down.

The intensity increase/decrease buttons are situated below the shock button, thus, completing a near-perfect rhombus. 

They could have given a little space to the intensity increase/decrease buttons and making them a little larger would also have come in handy. 

But those are just my recommendations really. 

There’s a keypad lock to the side that I want you to use when your kids are around. 

Besides these things, I love the two small LED slits on the top of the remote that gives you an indication of which channel you’re on.

Since we’re talking about a 2-dog system, that’s important to know. What’s more important to know is that the channel switch button is conveniently located to the side. 

So far, as you may have noted, I like the design and so will you. At the same time, some improvements in terms of the buttons could be made to make it even better. 

Range – Just Enough

The company touts that the range is about 3350 feet. 

Well, this is a decent range for large dogs as they have a greater tendency to wander off. 

Still, I cannot confirm that because in most training sessions with the likes of Mastiffs, Deerhounds, and Bernese, I could go as far as 300 feet. 

What I can confirm is the signal reliability in this range. 

Not a single moment I saw showed a glitch or a pause in the communication between the transmitter and the receiver. 

There was a time, however, when I dropped the remote in the water and it stopped working because it was not waterproof. 

The collar is waterproof, thankfully, so the owner of Saint Bernard purchased the remote only. 

Battery Life – Goes On For A Month

Again, the company here claims a whopping 45 days of battery life, which is a little unrealistic. 

For me, the battery lasted for about a month. I know that’s still very much impressive compared to other products in this price range. 

No qualms about accepting that. 

But I just couldn’t come to terms with the inconvenience of using a cord to charge this thing. 

I always prefer a cube to have some spare charge but no, many shock or training collar manufacturers do not bother about it. 

Still, you can buy one for yourself from a local store or whatever. Remember though, you’re supposed to go for a 5v cube.

One other thing that I don’t like that’s related to the battery is that there’s no way to find out if the collars are running out of charge.

They just blink as you read and that’s it. 

Once they stop blinking, you know that their battery has to be recharged. 

The battery indicator on the remote is for remote only. So, do not confuse that with your remote’s non-existent indicator.

Effectiveness – 99 Levels Are More Than Enough

Now comes the real part. Will this product work to control your big pooch or not?

It will. 

There are 16 vibrations, 8 beeps, and 99 shock levels to help you tame the dog’s unruly behaviors. 

I think I’ve used a few products that are versatile for large ones. Not many have the same depth in terms of vibrations and beeps.

And if your dog is accustomed to vibrations, let’s say, from an underground wire fence, then it will respond without hiccups in the recall. 

I derive that conclusion from my experience with one of the Goldies trained with it. 

He had a way of chasing cars and sometimes coming right in front of them. 

Thankfully, the owner had installed a wired fence and the dog was accustomed to the vibrations from that collar – only it wasn’t respecting them anymore. 

The vibrations from this collar were stronger than that fence and they worked like a charm. 

We didn’t even have to use shocks.

Humane – Every Bit Of It

Although the product has some 99 levels, it doesn’t mean you need to use them all. 

Many giant and large breeds understand what that nick beneath their necks means. They don’t go overboard when you stimulate them just below their capacities. 

That’s the prime reason why I advise the owners to try the shocks or whatever stimulation they’re choosing for their dogs themselves first. 

One good way of doing that is to tie the collar on your thigh or arm.

Price

Products for large breeds have bigger prices. But this one won’t break the bank.

To be fair, for under $100 this isn’t that bad when you’re getting a two-dog system with immense battery life and a convenient remote. 

Verdict

Buy INVIROX X2 for its longer battery life; smaller and handy remote; 99 shock levels, and collars that fit the likes of the Great Danes.

Pros 

• One-thumb operation 
• LED indication for dual channels near the antenna 
• Reliable stimulations
• Keypad lock 
• Large battery life

Cons 

• No collar battery indicator

5. Garmin Pro 550 – Training Collar for Multiple Dogs

Garmin Pro 550 is a professional dog training collar. Not having enough knowledge about using this thing may break your dog’s confidence. 

So, I only advise buying this for multiple dogs if you’re keen on learning how to use it. 

The reason why I consider it the best collar for multiple dogs is its consistency, convenience in changing from low, medium, and high shock levels without taking the collar off, and the fact that it goes on for a long time. 

Design Shows The Collar Mean Business

The moment you hold the remote in your hand you come to know how sturdy this thing is. 

I agree that it’s a tad bit larger than most of the remotes that I’ve reviewed so far but that’s the whole point of owning it. 

You want something that won’t slip from your hands. You want a remote that stays intact even when it hits the ground.

And you want a remote that’s long enough with space for each button without crowding everything in one place. 

That’s exactly why my friends in law enforcement agencies prefer this product. 

The way they train dogs is quite different from ours. They focus on obedience more than anything along with trying to teach the dog what’s what and how to respond to that. 

In such scenarios, they tell me that Garmin Pro 550 never disappoints. 

Talking about the button layout, the top green button when pressed gives out a beep with vibration regardless of which mode you’re on. 

Then follows the channel switch. It’s like a small switch better at function than a normal channel button. 

I haven’t had a problem changing between the channels with my giant thumb but sometimes in a hurry, I’d select the wrong dog and stimulate the poor thing for nothing. 

Followed by this is the switch for momentary, accessory, and continuous stimulation. 

When you choose momentary shock, the dog will receive short bursts of shock no matter how long you hold the button. 

The accessory is for toggling the lights on the collar and continuous stimulation relays a continuous shock to the dog when you hold the button. 

But even that is for around 8 seconds. 

The two gigantic buttons below the switch are for administering shocks.

The top one shocks the dog based on the shock level you’ve selected but the bottom one is for lowering that a level or two. 

Hold the two together and you have a shock boost feature. 

The collar has lights on above and a bark mode that I’ll talk about in a minute. 

Range – Could Have Been More

The range is about 1 mile. Looking at the target customers of the collar–professionals, I mean–I expected it to go beyond 1 mile. 

For domestic users like you, this range is good enough. Take your dogs to hunt, park, or for a stroll in the forest, you’ll be able to control them from afar without signal inconsistencies. 

Battery Life – 24 Hours Is Fine

Before commenting on the battery life, you have to understand that the collar is a high-energy consumption device. 

It needs more power to keep multiple dogs running on specific channels. 

Therefore, 24 hours is more than enough to keep the thing alive.

I wouldn’t want you to go beyond 24 hours because there isn’t any better indication to tell you that it’s getting empty. 

Effectiveness

Garmin Pro 550 is as effective as you’d expect a premium multi-dog system to be. 

First, it’s consistent. The remote’s size does pay off well in terms of transmitting smooth signals without jitters. 

Secondly, you get everything on it. 

The most important thing that I have experienced is that it has long contact points that work really well on dogs with long hair.

I have used many training collars to learn that certain transmitters and receivers take a lot of programming before you’re able to use a certain feature. 

The 550’s remote saves you from this by a mile. You read how each button is dedicated to a function. That’s what I’m talking about. 

I haven’t taken you through its bark mode, which is equally effective. Turn on the remote, hold the mode button to enter the bark mode, and let the collar work on its own. 

You can even select how many barks should trigger the stimulation right from the transmitter. 

However, when you activate bark mode, you lose all control over the receiver. 

This is by far the only con I could notice in the product in terms of its effectiveness. 

You have to switch back to the manual mode to get your control back. For example, switching between the two methods may become cumbersome when hunting with your Boxers. 

Therefore, staying in manual mode may prove to be more convenient. 

Humane? Depends

The 21 levels of the collar are hot for small and medium dogs. You may wanna stay on the lower levels with them. 

For large dogs, going up a notch will prove effective. However, zap them for a long and you’ll see their skin bruised. 

Besides, the product comes with long and short prongs, make sure to use them wisely according to your dog’s size. 

But you can also be creative and pick the prongs according to the conditions. 

For example, using long prongs for small to medium dogs will put too much pressure on those little fellows.

During times when they don’t listen, however, instead of increasing the shock levels, you can use the long prongs for more effectiveness. 

Similarly, large dogs may not do well with short prongs. But when you notice that the longer ones are hurting them, you could switch to the shorter ones without remorse. 

They will still transmit stimulation to the dog’s skin but this time with less power. 

Also read: How tight should a prong collar be?

Price – Hefty But Worth It

The collar isn’t for your dog’s mundane training. It’s built around training multiple dogs professionally. 

That could include K9 training in a law enforcement agency such as the police. Or, it could be used to train life-support dogs. 

So, the functions and targets are many and at the same time attention-savvy. You cannot trust an inconsistent collar for the jobs that I mentioned. 

And hence, the price of $399 is well justified. 

Verdict – Buy It For Professional Training

Buy Garmin Pro 550 because it checks all the boxes to be apt for professional training. 

It comes with loads of accessories to make that easy for you along with features that will make sure the dogs learn what you teach them. 

All of that with a battery that could have been better. 

Pros 

• Bark and manual modes
• Sturdy remote 
• Torch in the receiver 
• Consistent signal 
• No complicated programming required 

Cons 

• Not for everyone

6. Vsezund Training Collar – Most Affordable Dog Training Collar

The Vsezund Training Collar is sleek, modern, and effective for small to medium dogs. It has almost all the features you could ask for in a day-to-day trainer for a price that does not break the bank. 

Design

I love how they have designed its remote and collar. They are slim, smart, and compact. 

The moment you hold them in your hands, you feel how the company has been keen on making something relatable in this age. 

The material used may not be premium because it’s prone to scratching, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t get a few good years of use out of it. 

Talking about the remote first, it sits easily in your hand. You don’t feel overwhelmed by how it feels. 

The layout is also quite simple. All the buttons are laid out in a simple square fashion right on the face of the remote. 

You’ll find the vibration, mode, beep, and shock keys bundled up together with the increase/decrease buttons at the bottom. 

There’s a huge LCD right on top of all this that shows the level of stimulation selected, battery levels, channels, and stimulation type chosen. 

For once, the remote has dual battery level indicators. You won’t have to guess if the receiver’s battery is going to get empty or not while you use it. 

On the right panel, you’ll find the power and channel buttons and to the left, there’s a keypad lock. 

Reaching these buttons or keys isn’t hard at all. So far, using all of the remote’s functions with one hand is the convenience you get with the product. 

And I love how all of that is bathed in metallic black. 

The collar, too, comes with its fair share of design antics that you’ll like. 

Just like the remote, it’s compact, well-built, and far-reaching into the fur of your dog. There’s an S-shaped indicator light on the front that serves to indicate pairing as well as show you where the dog is. 

The strap comes in 28 inches, which is more than enough for dogs 8 lbs to 120 lbs. 

I have used it with a 100lbs Great Dane puppy. She didn’t freak out when I tied it to her neck. 

However, make sure that you can easily get two fingers between the strap and the dog’s neck. That should tell you if the collar’s too tight or not. 

You may get a little extra strap once you’re done tightening it up. You can get rid of that by first cutting it and then burning the edges with a lighter.

Range – Satisfactory

The collar has a 2600 feet range. Now don’t get me wrong when I say that it is a satisfactory range for a collar meant to train small to medium dogs in your backyard or house. 

That’s the sole reason why I wouldn’t want you to consider it for long-range uses such as during hunting or forest strolls. 

Battery life

Most of the time, buyers consider affordable products as less long-lasting when it comes to their battery life.

While that may be true for many, it’s not for Vsezund’s Dog Training Collar. 

You get a whopping 20 days on the remote and 15 days on the collar. 

During my time with the collar, I got about that many days without a problem. 

However, as time passed and the battery aged so did its battery life. I did notice a little wavering in that but nothing that will take you by surprise. 

To make the battery last even longer, make sure that you turn off the remote and the collar before going to bed. 

Effectiveness

The collar couldn’t get any more effective than this one. Most of the time, only the vibration suffices to grab the attention of your dog. 

While most of the remotes come with a single-level vibration mode, this one has 8! 

Start with level 1 and up until the dog’s response. I have tried the collar on Huskies and German Shepherds. I had to keep the vibration on level 8 to get anything from them but I can confirm that it worked like a charm. 

Most of the time when the dogs would get super excited whenever someone would visit, and the times when vibration couldn’t do anything, I’d have to use the static. 

It has 18 levels so far, which aren’t hot at all. But since the prongs are long enough to dig into the long fur of any dog, they stimulate their skin well enough to reach the level of correction needed. 

The beep, in contrast, doesn’t have any levels. It’s just one big shriek that stops a dog right in its tracks. 

I used beep with my voice commands and I tell you that they worked like a charm. Lucy was her name, that stubborn 1-year-old Rottweiler, who couldn’t stay put whenever someone would pass by their house. 

With this product, we were able to get her attention just fine.

Humane

Affordable and humane – these should be the two highlights of the Vsezund training collar. 

I call it humane because it comes with highly adjustable stimulation levels, something you won’t find in a lot of products really. 

Again, I’ll say here that such a harmless product can change into a harmful one in no time if you’re not careful enough with it. 

Price

You’ll pay $39.9 to get the training collar. Honestly, this is one of the most affordable ones that I have reviewed so far. 

The price is pretty low than the features you’re getting with it. I think the price reduction is mainly because of its reduced range. 

I don’t see anything else that could bring it down. 

Verdict – Buy It If You’re On A Budget

Buying the right things when you’re on a budget could be challenging. With the Vsezund, however, you’re getting a product that delivers even in that price range. 

Pros 

• Sleek and compact 
• One-hand operation easily done 
• 1 to 8-level vibration 
• Enough strap for medium-sized dogs 
• A beautiful LCD indicates everything!
• Three channel system 

Cons 

• Small range 

7. Bousnic Safest Dog Shock Collar – Safest Dog Training Collar

Bousnic training collars have been designed for concerned parents. They do not pack as much punch as other collars on the market when it comes to stimulating your dog. 

That doesn’t mean they don’t work. In fact, they can refocus the dog on your commands in the most humane way possible. 

I recommend them for timid dogs that listen to their owners. 

Design Couldn’t Be Better

The first thing that comes to my mind when I see Bousnic Dog Collar is how intuitive the design is. 

It’s minimal, lightweight, and built for daily use. 

The remote sits in your hands nicely, not overwhelming your palms, considering they are average size. At the same time, though, it may be too big for small hands. 

Everything on it has been laid out for convenience. For example, the buttons are three raised rubbery protrusions roughly centered and running along the length. 

The beep button takes the first slot, followed by a larger vibration key, and then a smaller shock key. 

All of them are reachable, not one comes in the way of another when you’re pressing it. 

Below the buttons, there’s a small LCD that shows which channel you’re on, the stimulation levels, and the battery life. 

Unfortunately, you won’t see the battery indicator of the receiver on the remote. You have to guess if it needs charging. 

I used to charge it after 2 days out of care for the dog. Otherwise, it does have a good battery life as you’ll read ahead. 

Overall, the remote is visually appealing and has the right size and placement of keys for daily use. 

Talking about the collar, it’s equally compact and lightweight. In fact, most of the time, your pooch wouldn’t even notice that it’s wearing a collar. 

The nylon strap comes in abundance to wrap around even the neck sizes of a 120 lbs dog. 

But I wouldn’t go as far as to consider the product for such huge dogs, especially the Huskies or even Australian Shepherds. 

If you still have to buy this because of budget constraints and safety concerns, then do buy a bungee collar. It’ll make things easier for you.

Battery Life Is Worth It

I loved how this thing went on and on for days before it needed a recharge. 

The remote lasted for more than 20 days while the collar went on for at least 10 days. 

That’s a little short of the manufacturer’s claims but you have to give it a thought since battery lives in these products are not always the same throughout. 

Also, there’s no battery indicator of the collar on the remote, so you better put it on charge either at night for a few minutes or after every 5 days. 

That’s to ensure that you don’t lose control of your dog, especially when it’s bolting away from you. 

Even when either of the two devices runs out of charge, they attain a full charge in just 2 hours. 

I know you may think that this needs improvement but considering the size of the battery, 2 hours are just fine. 

Range – Adequate for Backyards and Parks

The range of the collar may be touted as 1000 feet but I’d still not want you to bet your money on that. 

While I couldn’t confirm if that range worked or not, I can tell that the collar still works for a range more than your dog could wander. 

It’s adequate for training hunting dogs – some 300 yards at most. 

But the fact that the collar is super safe and humane makes it a good choice for backyard, beach, or park training. 

I wouldn’t want you to consider it for huge farms where dogs have a way of going out of their boundaries. 

Effective On Small To Medium Dogs

Safest doesn’t mean the most effective or versatile collar. There have to be some limitations to that, considering why the product exists in the first place. 

It does this because it wants to cater to the owners that don’t have ultra stubborn dogs such as Pitbulls and Belgian Malinois with ulterior motives of digging their way out of the fence. 

It’s also not made for dogs with thick and long coats. So, that discounts Huskies, Pomsky, Malamutes, Collies, Pyrenees, and other breeds with such fur. 

Still, you could shave off or trim at least some part of the contact point between the skin and the prongs to get a better response. 

But again, here’s where the limitation of the product lies. 

For small to medium and even large dogs with short coats like Jack Russell, the product works just fine. In fact, the vibration suffices most of the time. 

I remember a 100-pound lab with an incessant digging spree. We used the collar on it (we did have to shave a little hair) and he listened to the very first vibration. 

Since it was our first time using a training collar with that dog, we went with a harmless and safest alternative. It worked exactly as we imagined. He was a good boy in no time.

Humane – Definitely Yes!

The three types of stimulations present on the remote are beep, vibration, and shock. 

Only the shock has 16 levels, unlike the Vsezund which has levels for vibrations as well. 

These 16 levels are more than enough for dogs that listen but need a little help in diverting their focus to your commands. 

Most of the dogs that I’ve worked with relented on level 5. Anything more than that was a little harsh for them. 

With some dogs, I didn’t even need to go that far. The tone or vibration modes sufficed.

That’s to say that the beep or vibration modes are stronger than most of the collars in this price range. Try vibrating the collar on your hands. You’ll feel a strong jitter. 

Price

For just under $50 you get one of the safest collars with 3 modes like Beep, Vibrate, and Safe Shock. 

Paying that much for the features you get is well worth it. 

Verdict – Buy It For Its Safety

With 16 levels of shock, a loud beep, and a strong vibration, the product is handy for the day-to-day training of a receptive dog. 

Therefore, buy it to train those dogs without inflicting pain or harm of any kind. 

Pros 

• Sleek and compact design 
• Fast charging 
• Convenient key layout 
• Strong vibration 
• Separate lights for each function

Cons 

• Not for dogs with long and thick fur

8. PetSpy P620 – Strongest Dog Training Collar For Stubborn Dogs

PetSpy P620 is one of the training collars that you would want for stubborn dogs. 

With its 16 hot shock levels, I’ve seen many relentless dogs lend their focus to their owners in no time. 

Design

Both the remote and the receiver are compact. I do have some reservations about the size of the receiver for small to medium dogs. 

It kind of sticks out and visibly makes the dog uncomfortable when it’s let on for a long time.

As a whole, the collar is simple with a rubbery plastic or biothane strap housing a buckle clasp. 

The real deal is the remote here as its design takes over many products out there. Of course, there are some caveats to it that I’ll address in a minute. 

First of all, it’s an hourglass remote that fits in your palm perfectly. The edges that bend inwards make it firm in your hands. It won’t fall as easily as any other remote. 

The buttons are all on the face of it. 

There’s a small LCD that shows the channel, battery level, and shock levels. Beside it is the channel switch, which is truly a switch and not a button. 

That makes switching between your dogs quite easy. 

Then come the buttons used to increase or decrease the intensity level of the shock. They are smaller and a little inconvenient for large fingers. 

The rest of the buttons for shock, vibration, and beep are big and placed well along the length of the remote. 

Overall, the design is compact but it could have been better. 

Range

650 yards is the range you get with this product. 

Now, this is more than enough for training your dog in parks, backyards, farms, and beaches. 

I found no major disconnection in the signal transmission in this range but I wouldn’t trust it blindly either. 

It’s always safe to stay inside the range more often than not. 

Battery life

Unfortunately, the battery life isn’t as great as you’d expect. You may have to charge both the receiver and transmitter after one and a half or two days. 

But that’s presumably because of the product’s power. It sends out strong signals to the dog. 

That’s when they learn that the sensation is meant to stop them from doing what they are up to. 

Effectiveness

As I said above, 16 levels of shock stimulation are more than enough for even the most stubborn of pooches. 

I have to agree here that the difference between the two individual shock levels is great. 

Sometimes, that may even not seem the same. For example, the difference between level 1 and level 2 may be different from the difference between level 3 and level 4. 

I advise that you set a definite level for your dog based on trial and error. 

Humane

The product can spiral out of your hands if you don’t take care of it. I mean when you set a definite shock level for your dog, do not increase it beyond that. 

The prongs can seriously damage the skin of your dog given you constantly use levels higher than the dog’s capacity.

Price

PetSpy P620 is a little over-priced, considering a lack of certain features. 

For example, I’d want a torch on the collar with this price and a bigger LCD that shows more than what the smaller one of this product does. 

Verdict – Best for Stubborn Dogs

Be it Huskies, Bulldogs, or any other stubborn breed, the product will prove beneficial in correcting many of their bad behaviors. 

One of them is a bad recall or complete aloofness to the owner’s commands. 

Well, buy the PetSpy P620 and you’ll see the difference yourself.

Pros 

• Tough and long-lasting 
• Consistent signals
• Easy channel switching 
• Good for all types of fur 

Cons 

• Small LCD 
• No keypad lock

9. Garmin Alpha 100 – Best Dog Training Collar With GPS

Garmin Alpha 100 seems like a gadget right out of a sci-fi movie. It seems complicated and too good to be true.

I don’t blame you because how it looks is exactly how it is – complicated. 

But the manufacturer has made the product worth all of its money because it works with GPS like no other. 

Design

The design may not sit well with anyone who isn’t used to complicated gadgets. 

Starting with the remote, it’s small and thus, easily held in one hand and operated. 

The whole remote is a big touch screen with three buttons on the top for stimulation functions. 

On the top, you’ll see two antennas, one small and one long. 

There are multiple interfaces on the remote to let you control the size of the GPS virtual fence, the strength or level of stimulation, and the type of stimulation. 

You can even select different settings for different dogs. 

The collar looks and feels solid. It is a little heavy, maybe because the strap is stronger and the buckle larger. 

You may have a hard time tying it up on small dogs such as Beagles or Schnauzer for whom I don’t recommend it at all. 

There’s also a 13-inch long antenna on the collar that serves to extend the range if need be. 

Range

Garmin touts that you could achieve a 9-mile range with the collar but that’s more of a line-of-sight thing. 

In the woods, it would be reduced to a mile or so, which is still very impressive. 

I had no issues controlling the dogs when out in the wild. Such a range works well for search and hunting dogs where the product came in handy. 

Battery life

Compare its battery with the SportDog TEK 2.0 and you’ll see that there’s a marked difference. 

This one lasts for about 20 to 25 hours non-stop. It can even go up to 40 hours if the training sessions aren’t continuous. 

I know that this much battery life isn’t typical for a training collar. You have to understand that it takes a lot of power to transmit signals over a larger area and that too, interacting with the GPS. 

Effectiveness

In its entirety, the collar is effective in terms of covering a larger area. 

However, there’s no way you can tweak the shock levels during training. It’s as if you’re stuck with one. 

You can’t change the virtual pegs of the GPS boundary as well. You’d have to undo the previous one and create a new one with the changes. 

Also, Garmin needs to make up for the lost seconds when you press the buttons. Although they aren’t a lot, sometimes even 5 seconds could ruin the training for your dog and yourself. 

While that could raise eyebrows, what’s completely convenient is its ability to show you where your dog breached the fence. 

That makes finding your pooch quite easy!

Humane

Here too, you have to be careful not to harm the dog with excessive corrections. 

They may get a little frustrated because of the long antenna on the collar but that’s okay. It won’t harm them. 

Price

You’ll have to pay around $1,000 for such a sophisticated GPS collar. Creating a tech like this has many things involved and therefore, the cost. 

Verdict – Best GPS Collar You Can Get

Reliability is a major deciding factor when it comes to buying GPS-enabled devices. 

A little respite in the transmission of signals between the remote and the collar or even the GPS and the system could result in your dog running away. 

The Garmin Alpha 100 has no such issues. It’s reliable, consistent, and focused.

Pros 

• Responsive touchscreen
• Long range 
• Sturdy build 
• Receive alerts when your dogs leave the fence 

Cons 

• Complicated

10. UKE Dog Training Collar – Dog Training Collar With Remote (Convenient One)

The UKE Dog Training Collar is just like any other remote trainer. It has a remote, a collar, three stimulations, and multiple channels. 

However, what sets it apart is the convenience its remote gives you. It’s so easy to use that you only need one go to memorize all the functions. 

Design – Minimal

I find the design minimal in its own right. It’s not too in the face and neither too simple – just the right amount of pomp and show and functionality. 

The remote is a long slab of black plastic with one antenna and a dial on the top. There’s a small LCD in the middle with a white background light, thankfully. 

You’ll find the stimulation buttons below the LCD but here’s where the company has taken the convenience I talked about into consideration. 

Vibration and beeps are often used so they are kept side by side, while the shock buttons lie below in a line with different colors. 

Orange has been chosen and it works well in keeping you vigilant about not accidentally pressing the shock buttons. 

I keep on saying shock buttons because there are two – one is a general one and the other transmits a shock boost. 

To the right side, you’ll find a channel switch and intensity tweaking buttons. 

The collar is as minimal as it gets. It’s just a slab of a receiver with a nylon strap. 

So to speak, the design and button layout of the remote is what makes the product super convenient. Read on to know what I mean.

Range

I find its range satisfactory. You get 2600 feet or some 860 yards of coverage from the remote. 

I like to think that it’s more than enough for your backyard, park strolls, and general activities where the dog doesn’t have to wander too far. 

Still, some people have used it to train their hunting dogs and that has come out fine. 

Overall, I didn’t experience any notable glitch in the transmission until 600 feet. Beyond that, there were a few hiccups, which I suppose you wouldn’t want to hit. 

The dog’s safety means everything. 

Battery life

You may have realized by now that the product isn’t too demanding. The features are pretty basic. 

Therefore, the battery lasts longer than you anticipate. I had used it for 3 days and the charge was still full. 

So to say, it may last for a week before you put it in charge. That’s what I recommend.

Waiting for the batteries to run out isn’t a good practice.

Effectiveness

The collar couldn’t get any more effective. With 99 levels of shock and 9 levels of vibrations, I don’t think you’ll ever have your dog out of your hands. 

I must tell you that the shocks are pretty hot. They may hurt your dog if you try to get overboard. 

Also, since there is a shock boost button, you have to be careful about which level you select. 

Besides that, I love the safety features of the remote. You cannot change the channels or intensity of stimulation until you press the designated buttons to the side and then turn the dial.

There’s also a security keypad lock that saves your pooch from accidental shocks.

Humane

The product is definitely humane when used properly. Keep the remote away from your children’s reach. 

Or, hit that keypad lock should your children want to hold the remote. 

I’d also like you to check the dog’s skin every day after using the product and not use it for more than 6 hours. 

Price

At under $50, you cannot go wrong with your decision to buy this collar. It’s truly easy to use, convenient and packs a performance that you’ll find in premium products. 

Verdict – Buy It For Convenience

If you’re like me and you don’t like fiddling around with your gadgets a lot, then this product is definitely for you. 

Buy it for all the convenience it gives you. Who has time to go through the manual every day because the remote works in mysterious ways?

Pros 

•  Easy to use remote
• Sturdy construction 
• Differently colored shock buttons 
• Safety features 

Cons

• Harsh shock levels

Things to Keep in Mind While Choosing the Right Collar for Training Your Dog

I have listed down some factors to consider when buying a training collar. They come in handy in giving you the right features or things to look for in a product. 

1. Design

This is important because you don’t wanna end up holding a remote bigger than your hand. The placement of keys on it, usage convenience, and above all, programming different functions are some other factors that weigh in. 

2. Range

What’s good about a remote trainer if it does not work for a range enough to cover your backyard? 

You should be looking for anything that goes beyond 300 yards. I’ve listed products that have impressive ranges, even 9 miles!

3. Battery life

Shock or training collars are meant to be portable. Typically, we work for up to 6 hours with a single dog donning a training collar. 

Recharging it after that isn’t a major problem but getting a product that goes for days is always a plus point. 

Keep in mind, though, that even the most power-intensive collars run for at least a day. 

4. Effectiveness

Companies claim anything and everything. So, we’re not gonna trust all that with blind eyes. 

Instead, we’re gonna look deeper into how each level works with a dog. We’re also going to consider the effectiveness of beeps and vibrations in refocusing the dog on your cues. 

5. Humane

Some products have harsh stimulations that could potentially hurt your dog mentally or physically. 

I’ve seen pooches lose their confidence and become more stressed when they are trained with such collars. 

The problem of using these collars as a punishment tool also remains. Therefore, you have to see if a product does not have that potential. 

Also read: Side effects of training collars

6. Price

Obviously, who could deny that price plays an important factor in helping you decide? 

Established and popular brands will charge more because of their quality and market share. Worry not, however, as I have included products that do not break the bank. 

At the same time, you should be willing to pay more for some products that offer more features and a greater range!

So these are the 6 factors that I look for when choosing a training collar. 

Once you’ve decided on the right collar for your dog by considering the points mentioned above, the next important step is to figure out what size collar your dog requires. Choosing the correct size collar is crucial for your dog’s comfort and safety. If you don’t know how to find out the size of your dog’s neck, please follow the dog collar size chart.

What Is The Difference Between A Shock Collar And A Bark Collar?

A shock collar is a device that uses stimulations transmitted manually to the dog’s skin. There’s a remote and a receiver. Usually, it has three stimulation types: vibration, beep, and static shock.

A bark collar, on the other hand, is mostly automatic. It’s programmed to trigger stimulations when the dog’s vocal box moves. Some detect the vibrations as a result, while others rely on the sound.

There are a few brands that come with both manual and automatic settings for the two.

Each type has its limitations, too. For example, the shock collars work for a definite range. The bark collars are automatic; they have a problem with detecting the right barks. Some of them get triggered by the barks of other dogs.

Whether you should use a shock collar or a bark depends on your specific needs. I recommend one of the above training collars for manual obedience training of a dog. They can also be used to control barking by using the remote at the right time.

With that aside, here’s a video to help you learn using training collars for recall:

Best Dog Training Collars – Conclusion

Training collars are many training collars in the market. To keep things simple, I’ve looked for 6 things in each of the products to see whether they fit the “best” categories or not. 

You read about them in the list above and I hope I’ve helped you choose your collar for your dog. A word of advice, though – do not over-stimulate the animal or you’ll end up with a broken dog.

Moreover, if you don’t want to use a training collar and want to go with some alternative training methods, I have a detailed guide for you.