You may be confused about the type of dog collar you need because let’s be honest, the types are many. I also had to choose the right collar for my Milo, a poodle, when I brought him home.
He has long fur and an allergy to certain foods that are good for dogs. Besides making him look good and warning people of those allergies, there was also the question of training his incessant barking and nipping.
Since I’ve been in the dog training profession for a long, I know each type of collar and its uses.
Three main categories divide the bulk available out there: identification, restraining, and training. These include flat or buckle collars, quick release, slip or martingale, StuffTag collars, choke chains, prong or pinch collars, harnesses, head halters, shock collars, and calming collars.
Save collars used for identification, the other two help you take at least some control of the dog’s movement when walking or interacting with other people.
However, some of them could turn into bad masters if not used properly. So, keep up with me through this article and read what different types of dog training collars are! Choose accordingly!
10 Types of Collars Used for Dogs By Owners
Here’s the list that I created for you!
1. Flat or Buckle Collars
A buckle collar is the first choice of an owner. That may be why we see it so often in the streets. It’s as simple as a dog collar can get.
There’s a flat strap with a buckle used to tie it around a dog’s neck. The strap could be of leather, faux leather, fabric, or plastic, depending on your preference.
Function-wise the collar only works as a prop. Using it to train your pet will be a lost cause because, in some conditions, it could produce harm.
For example, I do not recommend using a leash with them for large dogs because they can’t restrain them. In the event that they try to escape, the collar may break or chafe the dog’s neck.
What to use it for?
I recommend you use the collar to add name tags or spice up your dog for a dog date.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Built for dogs small and large
- Perfect for identification or ornament
Cons
- You’ll have to be strict with the size.
- Not for training
2. Quick-Release Collars
This collar is similar to a flat-buckled collar. The difference here is the quick-release buckle, as evident. You insert one piece into another to tie the collar.
They, too, come in a great many materials and can be used with a leash but only for a small dog.
What to use it for?
Use the collar for small, docile dogs because they don’t pull too much.
Pros
- A single snap-mechanism
- Cheap
- Readily available
- You can change the buckle when it turns faulty.
Cons
- Not for stubborn dogs
- The buckle could come loose by pulling.
3. Slip or Martingale Collar
Coming towards a more serious one, the slip or martingale collar tightens around a dog’s neck when it pulls by disobeying. It’s gentle but works like a charm for dogs that are not too stubborn.
The working mechanism is simple. There’s a small round piece working in tandem with the bigger one, the collar itself.
When the dog pulls on the leash, the smaller piece gets tugged at, and the tension in it closes the smaller piece on the neck, thus slightly choking the dog.
Experts like me recommend that you put the collar on the dog close to its ears and go for a snug fit for the choking to take place effectively.
As dogs are most likely to stop disobeying when retrained from that area, the martingale collar will do you good.
However, make sure that your dog listens to the slightest indications. Single-minded ones that go beyond you may get hurt or choked because they don’t listen well.
What should you use it for?
Use it for small, medium, or large dogs with long necks.
Pros
- Good to retrain large dogs that listen to some extent
- Gentle than the prong collar
- Perfect for longer training sessions
- Can be used as a walk-collar
Cons
- Not recommended for stubborn dogs
4. StuffTag Collars
The StuffTag collars are the ones with a secure reinforced area for tags or medical information.
They are essentially the same in function as flat collars when it comes to identification or relaying important information about the dog.
Here, though, you’ll find the collar sturdier.
What should you use it for?
Use it for dogs that have temperament or behavioral issues, medical or other conditions to let people know about them.
Pros
- Good for dogs with a medical condition
- Temperament indication is easy with these collars
- You could also use a leash with them.
- The tags are sturdier.
Cons
- Not for traditional training
5. Choke Chain
This one is similar to a martingale collar, but the absence of the smaller piece is used to tighten the collar.
It’s suitable for bigger breeds such as Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and Pitbulls. The mechanism is the same here. When the dog pulls on the leash, the collar tightens around its neck, choking it to stop pulling.
As the name indicates, you’ll find the collar mostly in metal.
What to use it for?
Use choke collars for big muscular breeds to retrain them from pulling on the leash and running after small animals or attacking someone when you’re walking them.
Pros
- Good for restraining stubborn dogs
- Built for wider necks
- It has a leash of its own.
- The dog doesn’t require prior training to understand what choking means.
Cons
- Could cause injuries after prolonged unchecked use
6. Prong or Pinch Collars
Prong or pinch collars work in a similar fashion to choke chains, but they take restraining a step further by introducing small metallic inwardly curled teeth.
The teeth put pressure on the neck by digging into it a little to cause an uncomfortable sensation for the dog. Make sure the prong collar is not too tight to avoid any kind of harm to the dog’s neck.
During this, the dog learns that pulling on the leash isn’t a good idea because it’s producing that sensation. It’s better to stop.
These collars are also metallic only.
What to use it for?
Use pinch or prong collars to restrain and train stubborn, aggressive large breeds.
Pros
- Sturdier and tougher
- Long-lasting training tool
- Effective for stubborn dogs that pull during walks
- Could be used for other behavioral corrections
Cons
- Manual corrections only
- Could hurt and unsupervised dog
7. Harness
A harness is a simple retraining tool used to train puppies and adult dogs alike to walk beside you without pulling. Even if they pull, they can’t escape or out-maneuver you as they can with a simple collar.
The reason for this is the construction of a harness. It lets you take control of a dog’s torso or front legs. They use this area for exerting max force, and when you have it under control, the dog can only try escaping, but it practically can’t.
Harnesses come in nylon, fabric, leather, or faux leather. Make sure the one you buy is not too hard to cause unnecessary discomfort for the dog.
What to use it for?
Use a harness to take your dog (preferably small breeds) for walks and restrain it well when it pulls on the leash.
Pros
- Helps retrain small dogs effectively
- You could finally take your dog to calm walks.
- Harmless
Cons
- Prior training is required as your dog may try to take it out
8. Head Halter or Promise Collar
Calling a head halter (also goes by halti) a bridle for dogs won’t be wrong. It’s built in the same way with the same function in mind.
It has two parts. One goes around the nose and the other around the neck. The straps are thin because they run around the sensitive parts. Some products may come with pads under the straps for added comfort.
This collar works great for dogs that respond to slight pressures on their necks. You could also use them for other dogs.
But in both cases, prior training incorporating positive reinforcement is required to discourage the dog from trying to escape from it by using their paws or otherwise.
What to use it for?
Use this type of collar for tall and muscular breeds with a history of aggression toward strangers or other dogs.
Pros
- Effective against dogs pulling strongly
- The straps are adjustable, so you can use them with breeds of all sizes.
- Gives you greater control over the dog
- Discourages biting
Cons
- Restricts jaw movements
- Requires prior training
9. Shock Collar
Shock collars came into the scene of dog training after technological advancements in collars.
They are devices that use battery power to transmit stimulations from the remote (transmitter) to the collar (receiver) wirelessly. Typically, you get three major stimulations that are static, beep, and vibrations. Some dogs are sensitive enough that can be trained with only vibration and other even with beep.
The static ones always have increasing levels in a shock collar to give the owner freedom to choose the levels based on a dog’s capacity to bear them.
As with beeps and vibrations, you may or may not get levels, but most of the time, they correct the dog, and you don’t have to go a step further to use static shocks.
The shocks are not too great to kill a dog. However, they are potent enough to cause harm if you select levels greater than a dog can bear or if the collar is too tight. Therefore, there’s a learning curve to using these collars before actually trying them on your pet.
Also, there are many types of dog training shock collars with a range of features. You have to go through them to select just the right product because they may not come cheap.
Some collars may be dedicated to one feature only, such as the bark collar or GPS-enabled fencing collars.
They use sensors to stimulate the dog when it barks beyond a certain limit or connect to the GPS satellites to position the dog and carve a virtual boundary around it for safe training.
What should it be used for?
A shock collar can be used to train dogs showing bad behaviours such as barking excessively, biting, chasing animals, running away, ripping couches apart, cabinet surfing, and more.
Pros
- Takes less time to train a dog with it
- Offers three stimulations to correct a range of behaviors
- Has multiple features, making it one of the most versatile tools for dog training
- Runs on batteries that may last for months
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Has the potential to harm a dog physically or mentally if used inappropriately to punish it
10. Calming Collars
These collars are scented with fragrances that calm dogs and cats. They use aromatherapy to tone down a dog’s aggression, distract it from pain when it’s sick, or just make its mood pleasant overall. You’ll find them mostly in fabric.
Calming collars are there just to relax your pooch. They aren’t a training tool as such.
What should you use it for?
Use calming collars to make the days of your pet a little sweeter.
Pros
- Perfect for ailing dogs
- You may control your dog’s mood swings with them.
Cons
- Not for traditional training
What Type of Collar is Best for Dog Training?
Each collar has its uses, as you read, but shock collars could do the job of all. It uses sophisticated technology backed by science. You can use the stimulations to correct your dog’s bad behaviors with the push of a button.
The correction is also based on levels, which means the chances of the dog not listening to you are next to none. You can set a level that phases it and, thus, trains it well.
However, I’d say this again: Do not use shock collars if you don’t know anything about their usage. You have to learn how to use them first! Moreover, always make sure to use the right size collar for your dogs.
Types of Dog Training Collars – Conclusion
The type of collar you’ll select depends on your pet’s temperament, breed, fur type, and of course, your end training goal.
I have included 10 of the most widely used dog collars for identification, training, and restraining. Make your pick and decide by keeping these in mind.
As I said, some of them are not just simple collars but tools capable of harm. Therefore, factor your willingness to learn to use them before trying them on your pet in your decision. Good luck!
