The best dog training collar depends on the trainer, the task, and the dog. This article focuses on dog collars for leash training that are not electronic, since most vets do not advocate using shock or e-collars.

Every dog trainer has a collar preference for best dog training collar, so if you are working with a dog trainer, we defer to their recommendation. If you are training your dog yourself and you are training your dog how to behave on a leash, read on.

Start with a Standard Buckle Collar

Whether you a training a puppy or adult dog, your goal is to get their attention, hear the command, and perform the command. The right dog collar & training technique will help you achieve this. We are advocates of positive reinforcement training, which is a reward-based method.

We suggest starting out with a standard buckle dog collar for your dog. Some dogs learn quickly and easily, so you may never have to purchase a collar designed for dog training. You can test this indoors to minimize distractions and see how your dog responds to your command. Try one voice command, like “stay.” Walk a little, give a light tug of the leash simultaneously with the command “Stay.” If your dog responds, reward him/her with a treat or praise. Keep practicing this, and when you think your dog is ready, move on to other commands (“heel,” or “OK, go”) until you are ready to move it outdoors.

Dog Training Collar Choices

If your dog dog does not respond will with a standard collar there are several training collar styles to choose from. We suggest trying a martingale dog collar, which tightens evenly all around to neck when you tug when on a leash. Doing the same exercise you did before, see if the use of the martingale makes a difference. The bonus to using this type of collar is that your dog can’t back out of it when on leash. This is a great collar for narrow-headed dogs to keep them safe.

If your dog is not responding to commands in this collar, try a half-check dog collar, which is designed for dog training. This collar is extremely helpful in getting your dogs attention, especially when distracted by outdoor sounds. When you tug on the leash, they will hear the chain and feel the collar tighten around their neck.

Consider your Dogs Breed

Be patient when trying any of the dog collars we mention here, as every dog is different. Some are attentive and pick commands up quickly, while others require time and patience. You may need to enlist the help of a professional dog trainer if you are not making progress with your dog. You may have a breed that is easy to train, or difficult and obstinate. Do your homework on the characteristics of your dogs breed before starting your dog training. You may find you will have to start out with a half-check as your dog’s characteristics will make leash training a challenge. For more info on positive reinforcement dog training, visit The Human Sociaty of the United States, or Pet MD’s How to train a dog with Positive Reinforcement.

For a great selection of Dog Training Collars, visit The Artful Canine. We have the best selection of dog collars online and are made in the USA.

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