Getting a dog shock collar is a controversial issue amongst dog owners. If used correctly, dog shock collars can be one of the most excellent tools to control our dog’s unwanted behaviors, such as excessive barking, jumping, bolting, digging, etc.
A dog shock collar isn’t a tool used for “punishing” the dog, but rather it is used to deter unwanted behaviors in our dogs. The main point of even the best shock collar for dogs out there is to make your dog associate an undesirable behavior with an unpleasant shock.
Dog shock collars do not do any long-lasting harm to your dog, and often the initial warning beep alone will get a dog to correct their behavior. Let’s see how a dog shock collar operates before we get into the best dog shock collars out there.
How does a Dog Shock Collar Operate?
A dog shock collar operates by delivering a shock using the probes on the shock collar itself. Most dog shock collars come with short and long attachable probes. You would use the long probe for dogs with a dense coat. Short-haired dogs can use smaller contact points.
Every dog shock collar will come with an intensity level that you can set for the shock. On the cheaper dog collars without a remote, the intensity knob is within the dog collar itself, and the best dog collars out there will have the intensity knob on the remote control.
The intensity can be adjusted depending on how your dog’s training is going. Some dog breeds can tolerate higher intensity levels, so a preset shock level may not work for all dogs.
I know what you are thinking! How do you know what the acceptable level of shock is?
Remember to always start with the lowest intensity level and going up step by step only if needed. Notice your dog’s behavior change while testing with the lowest intensity levels. If your dog is looking around, lifts their ears, and notices the slight shock that was being delivered, it is a good sign. As with anything, please do not overdo it! Do not misuse a dog shock collar, and your intention is not to punish the dog. You want to give them a kind jolt that is uncomfortable when they misbehave.
Don’t worry! you can test the intensity levels using a tool that comes with some of the best dog shock collars such as the PetSafe Yard & Park Rechargeable Dog Training Collar.
Although today, almost every dog shock collar or bark collar sold will have a tool to test and correct the level of shock that is applied. I am glad that manufacturers include these useful tools with the products they sell, which take on a humane approach to test the collars.
Best Dog Shock Collars in the Market
If you want the best shock collar for dogs, spend a little more and buy the Petsafe Yard & Park Rechargeable dog collar. The Petsafe Yard & Park is one of the best dog shock collars that you can get for your money.
The positive aspects of the Petsafe Yard & Park dog collar are as follows:
- It has eight levels of correction to adjust the intensity need for your dog right on the remote itself. It comes factory set to level 2. Petsafe uses advanced technology to lower the output of shocks delivered so as not to hurt the dog.
- You can operate the beep buttons on the remote individually for positive reinforcement training.
- It has a vast coverage area up to 400 yards, and this comes in handy when you have a large backyard as I do.
- It is waterproof, so you can still use it outdoors even while it’s raining, there is an excellent seal to protect the charging port.
- It is rechargeable so that you don’t waste money on getting new batteries every few weeks. A charge can last up to 4 days. It would help if you didn’t leave your dog left with the collar on for more than 12 hours anyway, so this would be enough to cover that time.
- You can train up to 3 dogs at the same time using multiple collars sold separately.
Affordable Dog Shock Collars in the Market
If you need a dog shock collar on the cheap, you can also get the Petrainer rechargeable shock collar. Although it isn’t a “premium” product like the Petsafe, Petrainer will still provide you with up to 330 yards of coverage.
You can use Petrainer shock collar with dogs ranging from 25 pounds up to 100 pounds. Petrainer is also waterproof like the Petsafe dog collar and can withstand some moisture levels.
However, it would be best to take the dog collar when your dog is swimming or diving.
Petrainer dog shock collar comes with a second receiver if you need to control two dogs.
The PatPet P-Collar 320 is also a similar model to the Petrainer shock collar, which includes rechargeable batteries. However, PatPet dog shock collars can provide up to 1000ft of coverage.
Some PatPet models, such as the P-Collar 640, can even provide coverage beyond 2000ft. The P-Collar 640 also includes a rainproof remote.
Dogs ranging from 15 pounds to 100 pounds can use PatPet canine shock collars. Some PatPet products provide a 90-day money-back guarantee so that you can be assured that your investment is safe.
Best Affordable Dog Shock Collar in the Market
If you are looking for shock collar even cheaper than the ones mentioned above but still holds many features, then the Pet Union shock collar is a great choice. It fits dogs weighing from just 10 pounds to even 100 pounds.
Just like the quality Petsafe brand, Pet Union is also waterproof and rechargeable. The range is vast, covering up to 1200ft, which is excellent for people with bigger backyards. You can pair an additional dog collar to the Pet Union receiver. Pet Union shock collars come with a lifetime replacement warranty. That also means if your dog gets a hold of the collar itself and shreds it into pieces, they will still honor the warranty.
Best Bark Collar in the Market, Control Excessive Dog Barking
Are you a dog owner trying to control a single behavior in your dogs, such as excessive barking? A bark collar is different from a shock collar in that a bark collar detects the vibrations in your dog’s throat caused by the barking and responds with warning beeps. A shock is then applied if the dog continues to escalate.
The shock applied by the bark collar is automatic, and you often don’t have control over the bark collar like you do with a shock collar. For this reason, I am not a big fan of dog bark collars.
However, if you are in the market for a dog bark collar, the DogRook Bark Collar is what I recommend. It is one of the more humane bark collars for dogs that give off a vibration rather than a full-blown shock.
There are also choices for shock and vibration-free bark collars for dogs. Dog bark collars that use citronella scent to deter barking is a humane way to control your dog’s barking.
One of the drawbacks of using a citronella dog bark collar is that you also have to buy the spray separately. It is an additional expense for the dog owner from time to time.
Here is a situation where I had to use a dog bark collar…
My dog would bark non stop at anyone coming over to our house even if she already knew them. She would not stop barking until they had left. Her constant barking behavior became such a nuisance for our guests and us, so I’ve used the DogRook Bark Collar to control my dog’s barking.
I can tell you that it worked wonders. Our dog’s barking habits and anxiety levels dropped considerably after the second trial with the DogRook bark collar. It does send out warning beeps before the vibration is applied, so my dog would stop barking at the first or second beep. It took two trials for my dog to get the idea that vibration is coming after the audible sound.
Dog Shock Collar Training Videos
If you are unsure of how to use a dog shock collar or how to get started, don’t worry, “Ty the Dog Guy” got you covered. Here is a video on how to properly train your dog using a dog shock collar from his YouTube Channel. Be sure to follow his channel to see different dog training scenarios.
You are not a lousy canine parent by using a dog shock collar. As you can see, there are many benefits to dog shock collars and even dog bark collars. If used correctly, a dog shock collar or bark collar can be a very powerful tool to correct any unwanted behaviors in our dogs. Inadequate dog training or no training is sometimes the reason why many dogs end up in shelters.
Be sure to use positive reinforcement even while using a dog shock collar. Reward your dog with a treat for all positive behaviors displayed. Remember never to overuse a shock collar or a bark collar. Please do not leave bark collars or shock collars on the dog for prolonged periods. Doing so can cause rashes or scars on your dog’s neck. Finally, be sure to pick a dog shock collar or bark collar ideal for your purpose.
