Petsmart is a successful chain of stores nationwide, selling all kinds of pet supplies, tools, grooming tools, accessories, and veterinary services. If you’re looking for shock collars in a physical store, you can check out where the nearest Petsmart is in your area.
For the sake of convenient shopping, they opened their online store, and even there you can purchase electronic collars, often offering Auto Ship Free Same-Day Delivery depending on your location.
In this article, we’ll give you a list of the best dog shock collar PetSmart can offer. But before any of that, let’s ask one of the most common questions people ask about shock collars:
Why should I use a Shock Collar?
Here’s the neat part, you don’t have to. A tasty treat and a training plan are the most basic thing you need. However, depending on your dog, you also need a ton of effort. Some dogs are just heaven-sent and would be obedient and eager to please, but for other dogs, just using positive reinforcement isn’t enough to make even basic manners stick.
However, with the combination of proper Negative Reinforcement using a shock collar and Positive Reinforcement using treats and praise, it will magnify the results and help your dog act faster and more consistently. If you’re considering an alternative like spray collars, note that you can’t do negative reinforcement with spray collars, as you can’t stop the spray sensation as soon as it’s triggered.
Please remember, SHOCK COLLARS SHOULD NEVER BE USED FOR PUNISHMENT. Never use them when your dog is doing any kind of unwanted behavior. If you do, they will start becoming afraid of the stimulation and when that happens, it’s hard to undo. We’ll show you how to do it properly at the end of this list. So without further ado, let’s start with the list.
In a rush? Here are our top picks!
- Pros
- High-Grade Hunting and Training Collar
- Works as a Bark Training Collar
- Very High Range
- Comes with an extra pair of 2cm Extra Long Prongs
- Cons
- No Standby Mode means more battery drain
- Not for Dogs 15 lbs and Below
This collar may just be sitting on the goldilocks zone of electronic training collars. It’s compact, filled with features, good for hunting, and has a price range between budget collars and high-end collars. Let’s break down the features so we can see why this is the case.
Training Features:
- Three Training Features: Shock, Beep, and Vibration Modes
- 10 Adjustable Shock Levels and Vibration Levels
- 3/4 Mile Range
- Turns into a Bark Training Collar
- Supports up to 3 electronic training collars
- Memorizes Settings for Each Paired Receiver
- The receiver has LED Tracking Lights
A modern training shock collar always has those three main training features. The strength of this device’s static stimulation is strong enough for shock training, but also gentle enough on lower levels for sensitive dogs, and those starting with beginner training.
The higher strength is needed because when you’re out in the wild, among other places, you need to have a quick and reliable way to catch your dog’s attention when they do any unsafe behavior like running after the wrong animal or running into a busy road. It has 10 adjustable levels, and can easily be raised or lowered using two easy-to-reach buttons.
The well-chosen features make this a great all-around collar even for advanced training where you need to sharpen your dog’s focus by properly managing them when they are distracted.
You can automatically manage chronic barking problems by switching it into anti-bark mode. This means no need to buy a separate bark control dog e-collar. In this mode, you need to set the shock level manually, and from here, it will start listening to your dog’s barks. When it hears the first bark, it will signal with a beep. If your dog keeps barking after 2 seconds, the collar will trigger static stimulation based on the level.
The remote can be paired to a total of 3 receivers and each will get a different LED color depending on the number paired to them. By holding the proper numbered button, you can make the LED strobe every so few seconds, giving you a way to track your dog at night, or at least make them more visible. With a range of 3/4 Miles, you can track them from a really long range.
Other Features
- Splash-Proof Remote Control
- Waterproof Receiver
- Tough Plastic Collar
- 50-60 Hour Battery Life
- Comes with a Plastic Clicker and a Pair of Extra-Long Prongs
The remote is practically weatherproof, but don’t let it be submerged in water. The receiver will fare better underwater and can resist being under 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. The plastic strap is tough enough to be a leash collar on its own, but don’t attach a leash to it. It can fit dogs 15 lbs and above, so it may not fit small and toy breeds. You can cut the excess plastic off with a really sharp pair of scissors.
Unlike most training kits, this one does not have a “battery save mode” or “standby mode” which means it will keep on using the battery unless it’s turned off.
The extras that come with it are simple but extremely useful. The extra long 2 cm prongs are good for dogs will long fur, so you don’t need to trim unless it’s really long. The clicker is great for getting your dog’s attention and signaling them that they did a great job, especially during the teaching phase.
This kit is excellent for both beginner and advanced training like K9, while still having enough range to use in hunting or retrieval. If you’re aiming for the best value for your money, this is one of the best.
- Pros
- Has 15 Adjustable Levels of Stimulation
- Nylon Strap with Adjustable Neck Size
- Fits Dogs w/ 6-23 inch Neck Sizes
- Cons
- Not for Stubborn Dogs
- Slightly Below Average Battery Life
The next on the list is a standard PetSmart shock collar remote trainer. Petsafe also has wireless fences if you’re interested. This one is a great budget pick if you’re aiming for indoor or private training and some outdoor activities. The kit has a smooth, ergonomic design focusing on sleekness. It also comes with a nylon collar that makes a world of difference compared to plastic or leather collars.
Training Features:
- Uses Shock, Vibration, and Beep
- 15 Levels of Stimulation
- 100-900 Yard Range (Amazon has the higher ranges)
- Supports up to 2 Collars (Amazon one supports 2)
- Memorizes Settings for Each Paired Receiver
It has the same three training modes as our first collar. It’s worth noting that the shock is weaker than the average collar. It makes it good for much smaller dogs, considering that the nylon strap can fit dogs 8 lbs small, allowing it to fit some of the adult toy breeds.
The levels of vibration are still sharp and palpable, so you may not need it if you use it on small dogs. If it’s fit properly near their vocal cords, the vibration could be enough of an aversive stimulation for negative reinforcement. 15 adjustable shock levels mean there’s less of a jump in strength when raising the levels compared to a kit with 10 levels.
The one in PetSmart is a 100-Yard one. On paper that’s still pretty far, as far as a football field. However, radio frequencies can be blocked just as cellphone signals can, and you get, on average, only 60-80 yards. This principle applies to all remote collars. If you need a higher range, opt for the amazon link.
The Petsmart-Bought collar can only support one dog, and if you need one for two dogs, opt for the Amazon one.
Other Features
- Splash-Proof Remote Control
- Waterproof Receiver
- Easy-Adjust Nylon Collar
- 40-Hour Battery Life
Be careful not to submerge the remote in water. It’s only weatherproof. You can wash it under running water if you need to. The receiver can withstand much more. I can be submerged in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. The nylon collar’s plastic buckle and plastic tightness slider make it very easy to attach and tighten the collar, especially for fussy dogs. The only drawback with a nylon strap is that it could loosen on a dog with high activity level.
The slightly smaller receiver has a slightly shorter battery life, 40 instead of 50-60 but thanks to it going to sleep mode. So it won’t consume too much battery life. You need to press a button to wake it up before it works normally. Even though it goes into battery save mode, don’t keep the collar on your dog for more than 8 hours.
- Pros
- 1 Hand No-Look Operation
- 3 Different Shock Buttons
- Waterproof Remote and Reciever
- Cons
- Level Indicator can be confusing
- Vibrate Mode needs level switching to activate
SportDog is a well-known brand that has products for more advanced users. For beginners, there might be a slight learning curve for this specific model, but eventually, you’ll see why this is great for some pet parents and owners who train their dogs in herding, competitions, and even trainers who train service dogs.
Training Features:
- Two Types of Stimulation: Static Shock and Vibration + Beep
- 21 Total Levels of Shock
- Three Different Shock Buttons
- 500 Yard Range
This kit’s focus is more on static stimulation. The dial has 7 levels and a Vibration + Beep mode, and three static stimulation buttons, High, Medium, and Low. For normal training, you’ll likely use the low shock, but for training sessions with multiple distractions, you can easily keep your dog’s focus by tapping the high stimulation button. The speed of this action is super crucial because you can just press one button instead of raising the level and pressing a button, then doing that again to switch it back.
Since you have 7 levels and three buttons, you have a total of 21 levels. Since you can change the level using your thumb. The remote also has a decent range of 500 yards. More than enough for indoor training, and just enough for short-range hunting like retrieval and small game hunting.
Other Features
- Waterproof Remote and Receiver
- Durable Plastic Collar
- 50-60 Day Battery Life
The remote is waterproof, so if you join your dog in the pool with the remote, damaging it along with the receiver will be the least of your worries. The remote is also made of durable material, so accidentally dropping it on a hard surface won’t damage it.
The plastic collar can fit dogs about 15 lbs and above. If you plan on using this on a smaller dog, consider getting one of the nylon collars instead. With the plastic strap and metal buckle, the collar won’t loosen even if yanked hard, which is very important with hunting and other high-level activities. Don’t attach a leash to the strap. If your dog doesn’t have much space on their neck for both straps, consider getting a body harness instead. (Watch out though. A chain leash on a body harness means the dog can pull you with their center of gravity. Prepare yourself if you’ll do that on large dogs.)
- Pros
- No-Look, One-Handed Operation
- 18 Stimulation Levels
- Supports 3
- Cons
- Slightly Small Remote Buttons
- The display can be buggy sometimes
Garmin is known for its solid GPS gadgets and they also have GPS-enabled collars that are considered one of the best. (also incredibly pricy) If you only plan on training them and recalling your dog, especially those who love to roam, then this kit should be more than sufficient.
Training Features:
- Uses Shock, Vibration, and Beep
- 18 Levels of Vibration and Shock
- 1/2 Mile Range
- Supports up to 3 Receivers per Remote
- Remote Remembers Settings for Each Collar
This PetSmart shock collar has an above-average shock strength, meant to train stubborn dogs. Since it has a wide level range, you can set it to much lower levels for sensitive dogs. The only drawback is that you need to press the level change buttons multiple times if you need to switch to a much higher level, like when your dog decides to chase a cat and won’t relent unless you crank it up to max.
If you need to manage 2-3 dogs, you can purchase separate collars and pair them into one remote. With a great range, you can confidently recall or manage them in wide-open spaces. The remote remembers each setting, so you don’t have to keep changing them when you switch.
Other Features:
- Splashproof Remote Control
- Waterproof Reciever
- Tough Plastic Strap for Dogs 15 Lbs and Above
- 60-70 Hour Battery Life w/ Standby Mode
The remote is rugged enough that it can resist impact, and virtually any weather conditions. Be it rain or snow, except for hail; the remote may last, but it may not be good for the user. The receiver, like all the collars in this list, is waterproof. It may not survive deeper waters, but certainly enough for dogs who love to swim.
Plastic straps with metal buckles are perfect as they don’t hold dirt and are easy to clean, but they are incompatible with small and toy breeds. You can try, but there’s a chance that you won’t be able to tighten the collar enough for it to make an impact.
The kit also has a higher battery life than average. 10 hours above average isn’t much, but useful when you can’t charge it and need to use it on prolonged trips.
- Pros
- Clip-and-Go Remote Design
- 24 Training Levels
- Plastic Contact Points for Sensitive Dogs
- Cons
- Shorter Range compared to some collars
- Shock might be too weak for advanced training
This is one of the more recent products to come out in the market. The attractive looking remote has a carabiner shape, allowing you to hook it on your belt, leash, or anywhere convenient. The LCD screen shows the current level visibly, and the buttons are laid out to be reachable and palpable, so you can use it without looking.
Training Features:
- Uses Shock, Vibration, and Beep
- 24 Training Levels
- Custom Boost Correction
- 400 Yard Range
- Extra Large Correction Button
- Expandable for up to 3 Dogs
- Remote Remembers Each Collar’s Settings
This is a more recent kit for shock training and even then it still has the same recipe of features. It goes to show that we’ve achieved a somewhat optimal set of features for this price range. It still uses Shock, Vibration, and Beep, and the shock is on the milder side.
Higher levels can help with stubborn dogs but since you have 24 levels, changing between say, 10 as your basic training level, then 22 as the “stop whatever you’re doing” level, it can take a few good seconds to change the levels, which is a drawback when you’re doing more advanced training. This is why it has a boost button, allowing you to assign the button with a custom level, you can stick to level 10, but pressing this button gives you a level 22 shock.
The smaller range means you need to be closer to your dog. Though it says 400 yards, always consider that you’ll get only around half of that, or worse. That won’t be much of a problem in open spaces like a park or a beach.
The remote can also support a total of three paired collars, but you have to purchase the extra receivers separately.
Other Features:
- Water Resistant Remote
- Waterproof Reciever
- Rotateable Reciever to Fit all Neck Sizes
- Softer Plastic Strap
- 40-50 Hour Battery Life
Even this more modern kit has the same durability. A rain and weather-proof remote control, and a highly waterproof receiver. Speaking of the receiver, you can also strap the receiver vertically, allowing you to fit them into much smaller neck sizes.
Sometimes, some dogs just have thinner necks despite being heavy, like greyhounds and dalmatians. You can fit it on dogs around 10 lbs and above. Maybe for smaller dogs, too, but there are a wide variety of shock training kits out there meant for smaller dogs.
Conclusion
E-Collar training is by no means easy. It requires effort, some knowledge, practice, and consistency.
Buying an electronic collar means you’re willing to put in all the effort you can muster, or have someone who can do it for you. Shock collar training is by no means, a perfect training process, but it is highly effective if used right.
If you’re willing to go through that, just remember, as long as you treat your canine companion with the love and respect they deserve as man’s best friend, they will love you as all their ancestors did.
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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