Dogs bark to communicate with other humans and dogs, but it can become rather jarring at times. We love our furry friends, but barking at strangers incessantly can be annoying and embarrassing.
Barking dogs can wake you up, interrupt your neighbors, and cause you to have multiple noise complaints from people around you. It’s clear that you need to train your dog to stop barking so much, but this is easier said than done.
If you leave your dog barking in the yard, at the door, or every time a stranger walks by them, they might learn that this is acceptable behavior. The longer you leave the bad behavior, the harder it will be to train away.
This will leave you feeling useless when your dog doesn’t stop barking after months of training. So, you need to train your dog to stop barking as soon as possible before they learn that it’s acceptable behavior – but how?
Luckily, we have the solution for you. A training shock collar can be just what you need to reinforce that barking is not the correct response to whatever triggers your dogs. We have found the five best dog training shock collars on the market to save you time researching and testing products.
In a rush? Here are the top picks!
- Pros
- Three training modes: choose which method works best for you and your dog.
- Supports multiple dogs: Train multiple dogs with only one remote thanks to the additional channels.
- Adjustable size: Alter the size to fit dogs of all sizes up to 100 pounds.
- Automatic bark detection and correction
- Cons
- The collar is "always on" and uses a lot of battery
First up is a training shock collar from Pet Resolve, which comes with a remote control so that you can always be in control with the collar. There are three modes to use – beep, vibrations, and shock – so that you can choose the best training method based on how your dog responds.
The remote control allows you to use the training collar effectively without your dog having to deal with accidental shocks. This is a common issue with collars that are always on, so the remote is a great touch to prevent your dog from unnecessary shocks.
There are several shock levels to allow you to slowly increase the shock as your dog gets used to the collar. The training collar is also adjustable for dogs from 15+ pounds.
The Pet Resolve shock collar has a range of 1/2 mile, which is more than enough if you’re using your collar around the home and in your yard. The battery life is impressively long to ensure that the collar is always ready to go when you’re training your dog.
The best feature about the Pet Resolve dog training shock collar is that it can automatically detect when your dog is barking and correct the behavior immediately. This anti-bark mode detects sound and vibration from your dog and automatically shocks them after a certain amount of backing. This means that you don’t necessarily have to use your remote to train your dog.
- Pros
- Long-lasting battery: The collar can be used continuously for six hours without needing to be recharged.
- Locking key feature: Eliminates the issue of accidental shocks for your dog so that they’re not punished for nothing.
- Comfortable belt: The nylon collar will keep your dog comfortable without cutting into their neck.
- Cons
- No information on shock levels: While we know that you can alter the shock levels, the manufacturer doesn’t tell us how much adjustability there is.
The NVK dog shock collar gives you two collars, which can either be used for a spare in case one breaks or for two dogs in one household. There are three training modes including standard beep, vibrate, and shock so that you can find what your dog responds to best.
The collar is made from durable nylon which is comfortable and safe for all dogs. Your dog shouldn’t even feel the collar until they misbehave. It’s also adjustable so that it’s usable for 10 to 110-pound dogs.
We particularly like the safety key locking feature that prevents your dog from suffering from accidental shocks. Simply toggle this setting so that you don’t constantly have to remove the collar when you’re not training your dog.
This anti-bark collar is waterproof so that your dog can enjoy their swims in the ocean or lakes without you worrying about the safety of the collar. It can withstand rain, splashes from puddles, or even bathing.
- Pros
- Waterproof and durable: This collar can withstand any harsh conditions that your dog puts it under.
- LCD display: You can easily see the settings that are being used thanks to the clear display.
- Lockable function: Easily lock the collar to prevent your dog from suffering through accidental shocks.
- Cons
- Not the best customer service: A few customers found their exchange with customer service to be unsatisfactory.
Another option that comes with two training collars for multiple dogs is the Flittor shock collar. This e-collar has an impressive range of 1000 feet that allows you to train your dog both in and away from your home.
There are three modes with this shock collar: beep, vibration, and shock. The vibration mode has 8 modes, while the shock mode has 16 levels. You can train your dog out of multiple bad behaviors with these stimulation levels. In order to adequately train your dog with a shock collar, you should always start at the lowest setting and gradually work your way up.
You can use the controller to train two dogs at the same time with this set, which can be very beneficial when you have more than one puppy. Dog’s like to rile each other up and spur bad behaviors on, so training both at the same time can prevent this from happening.
- Pros
- Choose the radius you need: Don’t waste money on a shock collar with a range that you don’t need - choose the correct option for you between ⅓ mile and 1 mile.
- Discreet remote: The remote fits into the palm of your hand so that you don’t have to have the remote on show.
- Included LED light: The light can be used at night as a useful safety feature.
- Cons
- Might be unreliable: A few customers found that their collars broke within a year of using.
The Educator E-Collar is a popular shock collar among dog owners, thanks to the variety of options to choose from. There are eight options to choose from before purchasing this e-collar, depending on the size of your dog, how many dogs you have, and the length of range you need.
The remote control looks different from the rest of the remotes we reviewed today. Rather than looking like a real remote, it has the resemblance of a stopwatch. This can help with discreteness if you don’t want others knowing that you’re using a shock collar. It is also ergonomically friendly and designed so you can easily control it.
With 1-100 stimulation levels, you’ll be able to increase the level periodically every time your dog gets used to the shock level. Dogs do become more immune to each level of shock the more that you used the collar. This is because it surprises them less when they know they are about to be shocked.
We think this is the best dog training shock collar if you’re looking for versatility. The Education Shock Collar is also one of the most popular brands on the market today.
- Pros
- Plenty of stimulation to pick: Choose between 100 levels for both vibration and shock mode.
- Train your dog anywhere: Thanks to the waterproof exterior and the long range.
- Adjustable collar: Purchase this collar for dogs of any size and weight.
- Cons
- Uncertain information: The manufacturer states that this collar can reach both 330 feet and 1000 feet. We are unsure of which range is correct which is confusing to buyers.
Last but not least, the Petrainer shock training collar comes with either one or two collars depending on whether you’re a more than one dog household or not.
You can easily adjust the vibration and tone levels to work perfectly with your dog. Not every dog is going to work with one setting, so the adjustability is a great benefit for dog owners.
With both the vibration and shock mode, you can choose from 1-100 levels of stimulation. The range is 330 yards which is ideal for using around your neighborhood. The shock collar can be adjusted from 6 to 25 inches, ideal for virtually any size of dog.
With a completely waterproof exterior, this e-collar will be protected no matter what mischief your dog gets itself into. You can easily recharge the collar and remote control together to save time and spend more on training your dog.
How to Choose a Dog Training Shock Collar
Now that we’ve seen the five best training shock collars that the market has to offer, let’s discuss the most important factors that you should be mindful of when considering which e-collar will be the best fit for you and your dog.
Different modes of use
Even though you’re looking for a shock collar, many come with different modes that you can use to perhaps not train your dog so harshly. Some collars will come with a shock mode as well as a vibration mode and light mode.
Instead of the shock mode, these modes can be used to see whether your dog can be trained without being physically surprised by an electric shock. Many dog owners find these modes to be more humane, and they are sometimes as effective as the shock mode. The main issue with using the shock mode is that it causes additional stress to your dog.
Ideally, you’d always begin training your dog with these less invasive methods to pose less of a threat to your dog. The shock mode should be the last resort in your training efforts.
Thus, it’s helpful for your collar to have multiple modes so that you don’t have to purchase a different collar for each training method.
Levels of stimulation
Again, different levels of stimulation can help train the barking away from your dog. This refers to how many levels of shock the collar is capable of.
Training bad behavior from dogs can be so difficult because your dog will acclimate themselves to your negative reinforcement techniques.
For example, they might get used to the first level of shock within two days. After these two days, they won’t find the shock to be negative, and it won’t affect their barking.
However, if the shock keeps increasing slightly over time, your dog wouldn’t be able to get used to it as it gets more aggressive.
Some shock collars only have a few levels, while others have hundreds. The more levels there are, the more use you’ll get from the collar and your dog will be more likely to learn that barking is a negative behavior.
Range
You’re not always going to be right next to your dog when they start barking, so you need a collar that will work within an impressive range.
How much distance you’re planning to have between you and your dog will determine how much range you need from the collar.
If you’re only going to be using the collar within your house and yard, you’ll need a much smaller range than if you were to use the collar on hilly terrain while out on walks.
Remote Control
Some collars are set to always be working, while others can be controlled with a remote control.
A remote control collar can be more effective than one that is always working so that your dog doesn’t get used to the shocks, therefore rendering them redundant.
A remote-controlled dog training shock collar is best if you’re going to be monitoring your dog while they’re wearing the collar. This might be for people who want to train with their dogs for only an hour or two a day.
Alternatively, an e-collar that is always on could be better for dogs who tend to bark when their humans aren’t at home. You can be sure that the collar is working to train your dog while they’re the most active.
Durability
As your dog will be wearing their shock collar throughout the day, in all weather, the collar needs to be durable enough to keep up with your dog.
Waterproof collars will ensure that they work in all weather conditions and even withstand some muddy puddles that your dog loves to roll in.
The training collar also needs to be strong enough to withstand some bumps and grazes along the way. If your shock collar is not durable to keep up with your pooch, you’ll find yourself replacing it much quicker than you should.
Comfort
Of course, keeping your dog comfortable should be one of your main priorities when choosing a shock collar.
The collar needs to be made from safe and durable materials that aren’t cutting into your dog’s neck. Each dog training shock collar will have metal prongs that touch your dog’s bare skin.
Your dog should be able to wear the collar without it irritating their neck or digging in too much.
Size
From our previous point, you need to ensure that the collar isn’t too small or too loose for your dog.
A shock training collar that is too small will be too tight and make your dog feel uncomfortable, which has potentially dangerous consequences.
However, if the collar is too loose, your dog could easily slip it off over its head and lose it somewhere. Alternatively, they could get their paws stuck in the collar and lead to another dangerous situation.
The e-collar should fit around your dog’s neck with enough room for two of your fingers to slip underneath it easily.
Price
Many shock collar manufacturers like to say that the more expensive a collar is, the safer the electric shocks are for your dog. Unfortunately, this is not factual as we cannot gauge how safe the shocks of each collar are.
In fact, the price of your shock collar doesn’t really matter as long as it gives you many levels of stimulation to practice on your dog. This way, you’ll be able to determine which is the safest level of shock from that collar.
Conclusion for Best Dog Training Shock Collars
Dog training shock collars are widely used throughout the pet community today because they quickly train your dog. When positive reinforcement doesn’t work, and you’ve exhausted other training methods, a shock collar can oftentimes help.
When used appropriately, a shock collar will never hurt your dog. Always start on the lowest setting and gradually work your way up until your dog reacts. Best of luck training your dog with a shock collar!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are shock collars safe?
Shock collars can deliver slight shocks no more than a tickle to a painful amount of shock to your dog. The Humane Society states that shock collars “are often misused and can create fear, anxiety, and aggression in your dog toward you or other animals.”
Manufacturers of shock collars do not state how much voltage is used in the shocks, making it difficult for us to determine whether they’re safe or not accurately. However, as more stores are pulling them from the shelves, we are leaning more toward not.
While shock collars might be physically safe for your dog, they can be emotionally damaging and scarring.
Some owners have even reported that using a shock collar caused their dogs not to trust them and made the barking worse.
Will a shock collar hurt my dog?
Again, a shock collar will not hurt your dog if you use a low level of stimulation. The highest levels might cause pain that will last for a few seconds to a minute, but it won’t leave any lasting physical damage to your dog.
However, there is no way to know how a shock collar will harm your dog on an emotional scale. This might be something to consider before using the highest levels of stimulation on your shock collar.
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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