Ever since we domesticated wolves, working dogs have been a part of our human lives. They have natural talents we put into great use such as herding animals, search and rescue, guide and assistance, and of course police and military work. Our lives are a bit richer and because of them, and even outside work, they make great companions that can span their entire lifetime.
Working dog breeds are meticulously bred to preserve necessary traits, but training them is the most challenging part. Modern technology allowed the creation of shock collars or electronic collars, which are arguably one of the most efficient ways to train dogs and help correct aggressive behavior, so it’s common to see them used in training.
Would any electric dog collar help training your working dog? Perhaps if you are a professional trainer or you know exactly what you’re doing, but since these dogs are exposed to potentially hazardous and time-sensitive situations, you’ll need every help you can get. Let’s go over the helpful features shock collars can have, and examples of collars that will do the job. This is our list of the top 5 best e-collar for working dogs.
We start with the collar that has the best bang-for-buck in terms of affordability and features. Off the top, this e-collar for your working dog has an easy-to-understand remote control that shows everything you need including a battery indicator and current intensity level. Let’s go over the essential features that qualify this collar for working dog training.
- 1-10 Stimulation Levels
- No-Standby Mode
- 3/4 Mile Range
- Nightlight
- Weather Proof / Waterproof Design
- Supports 3 Collars
- Shock, Vibrate, and Tone
- Anti-Bark Mode
- Quick Charge
The collar mostly has the needed features of a high-range hunting collar, which is also what makes it an excellent working dog collar. It has nearly all the recommended features alongside a decent price tag. The kit also comes with an extra set of longer prongs for the furriest of dogs. We can arguably call this shock collar the ‘swiss knife’ of the bunch.
The cherry on top of this device is that it doubles as an anti-bark electronic collar. When switched to this mode, you can’t use the training features and instead, it uses a simple and fully automatic bark-suppression program, perfect for minimizing excessive barking outside training time.
The next on the list is a remote collar recommended when training police dogs. It lacks certain features we recommend, but it makes up for more robust main features, which skilled dog trainers will appreciate, alongside an easy-to-handle remote that takes some getting used to but pays off in the long run.
- 0 – 127 Stimulation Levels (High Overall Shock Power)
- Vibrate Mode
- 3/4 Mile Range
- Shock, Vibrate, and Tone
- Weather Proof
- Quick Charge
- Handles up to 2 Collars (1902S)
The main feature here is the 127 adjustable levels of shock. It doesn’t mean it can reach an extreme amount of shock compared to 10 levels. Instead, it has 125 “in-betweens” between the lowest and the highest values. The overall shock strength is high, which complements it, giving you precise control and making sure that you can dial down the lowest possible functional level your dog reacts to. It’s not uncommon for tougher breeds like the German Shepherd to withstand higher values without batting an eye, so having the extra power is helpful for extra stubborn dogs. It also has two triggers, one for momentary stimulation and another for continuous stimulation.
If you need to manage two dogs, you need to purchase the 1902S model, which supports multi-collar management. If you need the collar to reach more than 1 mile, the 1900S Black Edition offers it. If you’re looking for the best long-range e-collar for working dogs, this should definitely be one of your top picks.
The 3rd on our recommended line-up has similar simplified features to the first one but boasts some key features that could be useful. The e-collar and remote are clad in High-Visibility Orange and the remote is easy to grip and press. Here are the features:
- 3/4 Mile Range
- 1-10 Stimulation Levels
- Support Up to 6 Dogs
- Weatherproof
- Shock, Vibrate, and Tone
- High Battery Life
- Quick Charge
The remote can handle many working dogs and has remarkable battery life. This remote needs that battery life especially when you’re managing multiple electric collars, which means extensive use of the remote. The collars and the remote can last about 70 hours per charge, so it can work for a week given you train them no more than 6-8 hours per day.
Don’t let the name fool you, this e-collar packs a decent set of features meant for outdoor training. The remote is easy to hold and even easier to use. It has a wide range of shock levels and promises to have a “blunter” shock compared to the rest of the collars on the list, which may be better for stubborn dogs that require a bit more tough love. Here are the features:
- 1/2 Mile Range
- 1-60 Stimulation Levels
- Supports up to 2 Dogs
- Blue LED Nightlight
- Booster Buttons
- Remote Locator Beep
- Remote Floats in Water
- Weatherproof
- Shock, Vibrate, and Tone
- High Battery Life
- Quick Charge
Though this collar can only support two dogs, it makes up for with precise features that can work well with a hunting dog. It has a blunt shock which could be less stressful for dogs, which means it delivers the shock at a lower frequency than average, and the wide shock level range allows a better experience for more sensitive dogs.
Training your rescue dog but your remote fell into the snow, lake, or rubble? It has a bright LED and you can trigger the remote to beep, making it easier to locate it. Like the rest of the shock collar kits here, the collar can last up to 60-80 hours of use at full charge, depending on usage.
The last e-collar on the list is quite pricey compared to the rest of the collars, but it makes up for a tough remote and a decent array of features befitting a hunting-grade collar, which also makes it a great training collar for working dogs. Out of training, you can switch it into Anti-Bark mode that operates with a simple but effective program.
- Fixed and Sturdy Antenna Design
- Easy Shock Level Adjusting Knob
- 3/4 Mile Range
- 10 Levels of Shock
- Shock, Vibration and Tone Training Modes
- Remote Supports up to 3 Dogs
- Weather and Waterproof
- LED Nightlight
- Anti-Bark Mode
- High Battery Life
- Quick Charge
Made for rough conditions, this training collar can last, making it up for its price. The way it’s built, it may last you a long time, which could make up for the price. It has all the needed features a shock collar ought to have when training a wide variety of working dogs. Its automatic Anti-Bark mode has two programs: first is the auto-rise, where the collar’s shock level rises until your dog stops barking, then goes down to 50% after 2 minutes of no barking. If the level goes to 10, it will go back down to 5 as a safety measure. The second one is where you manually set the shock level and it will stay on that level when the anti-bark is triggered.
How to Choose the Best E-Collar for Working Dogs
Before you spend money on an electronic collar for your hunting dog, make sure that you prioritize some of the top features. Now every shock collar for your working dog will have every feature. We feel like the features below are extremely important when you’re buying an e-collar for your dog.
Always-On Mode
This means the collar never goes to stand-by mode. Some collars do this to preserve battery life, but at a cost of having a delay after some time has passed. Since timing is important in e-collar training, you’d need one that’s as alert as you are.
Weather-Proof
Sometimes, their jobs take them to extreme conditions like heavy rain, snow and even diving into the water. You’ll need a shock collar that can take just as much. Waterproof collars are a must, especially those that can take a dive and still be functional afterward. It’s fine if the remote control isn’t the same, as long as it’s splash-proof.
High-Range
You’d need high range not just so you can reach your dog in case they run after something, but to help keep within signal around a bunch of obstacles. A good house wall can cut the signal by almost a quarter, dampening the range, so it doesn’t hurt to get devices with 3/4 mile to 1-mile range. If you also manage multiple dogs, having a high range means everyone is within reach especially when you recall them.
Multiple-Collar Support
If you’re training just one dog, then it’s fine without this, but if you’re coordinating with two or more dogs, having one remote that manages them is immensely helpful. Even better if the remote has an easy way to switch between dogs.
Any Kind of Light-Source
This feature is more for you than your dog. They have their other senses to help them in the dark, but when you’re training during the night or in low visibility, having a remote triggered strobe light or just something you can press repeatedly, can help you locate your dog fast, and is useful when managing groups of dogs to figure out where everyone is.
Quick-Charge
This should not be a problem since nearly all lithium-ion battery-powered e-collars have relatively quick charge times. The rechargeable battery lasts long and charges to full in 2 hours or less.
Options for Vibration Mode and Tone/Page Functions
A shock collar is not just for negative reinforcement. The best way to use it is as a communication tool. The idea is for your dog to learn how to turn the collar’s electric sensation off and when they learn that, their response becomes much faster. You can then assign the tone and the vibrate as signals such as Recall, or “Leave it”. Some trainers use the tone as “praise” followed by positive reinforcement to take full advantage of the collar’s wide range of features.
Affordable
If you can afford it, nobody is stopping you from buying the expensive GPS-enabled collars loaded with features and a touch-screen LCD remote. However, it’s also practical to get the most bang-for-buck you can get. Some collars that are a quarter the price of GPS Shock Collars have the features we mentioned above and do their job well. We’ll show you five examples of collars that meet most of the features we suggested.
Shock Collars for Working Dogs
Now that we’ve listed features a good shock collar ought to have, we have for you three shock collars that have a good amount of those features. They are all good quality collars clad with a wide range of features, companies that back them up, and have significant user reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you’ve read the top features and seen a sample of great collars, we’ll answer some of the most common questions people ask about shock collars, in hopes that it gives you more insight about using them, or if you’re a dog owner who’s considering having a professional train your furry friend.
How Do Shock Collars Work?
Put it simply, a shock collar is a device that delivers an electric shock to the wearer via a remote controller or any sort of trigger. No matter how you put it, it’s still electricity and therefore a ‘shock’, but the key is how much of it is given, and how fast it travels. Modern shock collars give a controlled shock far weaker than human muscle stimulators commonly used in therapy, or those that target your abdominal muscles.
How it’s used is what matters the most. A shock collar is definitely the stick in a “carrot and stick” method of training, but more than that, it’s a communication tool. It’s a simple language where your dog can easily understand what’s “right” and “wrong”. Even then, it doesn’t mean the tool is for punishment.
This is how a normal training process would work:
First, you call the dog’s attention, then state the command, alongside a clue or guidance on what to do, such as tugging the leash towards you or throwing something they have to retrieve. You would then press the shock collar’s continuous trigger and immediately stop as soon as they do the correct action. After a few times, you’d end up triggering less and less the more your dog masters performing the command.
The process’s main goal is to teach your dog “how to turn the shock off”. This way, trainers and dog owners actually teach dogs “How to listen” rather than “How to do something particular when commanded.”
Of course, before a electronic collar is even used with your hunting dog, trainers would teach dogs how to do it properly. The shock collar (and the treats that follow) are there to fortify the correct behavior.
Are Shock Collars Safe?
Like any tool, when used carefully, shock collars are safe and the only lasting effects are the behaviors the shock collar (and treats) helped fortify. The shock collar still uses electricity, which will cause damage and pain if used irresponsibly.
At some point, you may have heard shock collars causing burn wounds or even downright making holes in a dog’s skin. This is entirely possible but it takes significant negligence for this to happen. These are the likely culprits:
Poorly made collars
If you think you’re saving money buying the much cheaper ones, remember there’s always a trade-off. Some devices are poorly calibrated and can deliver shocks far greater than what’s necessary. Some of the reasons behind the low price are they don’t go through significant quality checks and were made with more affordable but less performing parts.
Improper Collar Placement and Maintenance
The e-collar is a great tool but demands routine care when in use. One of the reasons why dogs end up having “Burn marks” is actually due to friction and pressure. The collar has metal prongs that deliver the shock. These prongs need to be snugly pressing on the skin to deliver consistent shocks. Keeping the collar on the dog for too long, in one area, will cause the prongs to wear out the skin it’s touching, causing wounds and marks that look like burn wounds.
The proper way is to tighten the collar up to a point where you can snugly fit two fingers between the neck and the collar, rotate the collar every 1 or 2 hours, and remove it after 6-8 hours. This way, it optimizes the collar’s primary function, your dog’s comfort, and avoids the pressure and friction wounds completely.
Are Shock Collars the Best Training Tool for Dogs?
The answer is similar to the question: “Are Chef’s Knives the Best Knife in the Kitchen?”. It’s not the best, but it is the most efficient tool for the job. Shock collars work for a lot of dogs and the process is consistent, making it effective on average.
Since each dog is different, another form of training may work better, such as positive reinforcement training, where you mainly reward the good behavior and simply don’t reward anything else, and the worst your dog will get is a sharp “No” and a mild look of disapproval.
Though, the ironic part about shock collar use, is that the better you are at using it, the less you’ll end up using it over time. There will come a point where you wouldn’t even use the collar and all you’d need for training is a clear voice and a small bag of your dog’s favorite treats.
What is the best e-collar on the market?
Pet Resolve Dog Training Collar is the best bang-for-buck in terms of affordability and features. We Love Doodles explains that this e -collar for working dogs has an easy-to-understand remote control that shows everything you need, including a battery indicator and current intensity level. This device is that it doubles as an anti-bark electronic collar.
What e-collar does Cesar Millan use?
Cesar Millan is a famous dog trainer that uses e-collars. Check out the video below of Cesar Millan using an e-collar to train a boxer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRATpATwdy8
What is the most reliable shock collar for dogs?
The most reliable shock collar for dogs is the Pet Resolve Dog Training Collar. It is affordable and has features that are easy to understand. The remote control shows everything you need, including a battery indicator and current intensity level. This device is also an anti-bark electronic collar.
Top 12 Shock Collars
- Pet Resolve Dog Training Collar
- Dogtra 1900s
- SportDogSD-1275
- Mini Educator E-Collar
- Garmin Delta Sport Pro
- SportDogBrand 425X Remote Trainers
- eXuby Shock Collar for Small Dogs
- PetSafe Big Dog Remote Training Collar
- WolfWill Humane No-Shock Training Collar
- PatPet Dog Training Collar
- Garmin Alpha 100 Bundle
- PetSafe Spray Bark Dog Collar
What is the most effective dog collar?
Here is a list of 10 dog collars that we really enjoy.
- Link AKC Smart Dog Collar
- Black Rhino Dog Collar
- Go Tags Personalized Dog Collar
- Blueberry Pet Essentials Classic Dog Collars
- American Flag Dog Collar
- Buckle Down Store Seatbelt Buckle Dog Collar
- Cycle Dog Bottle Opener Dog Collar
- The Foggy Dog Adjustable Collar
- Kurgo RSG Collar
- Lucky Love Dog Collars
What collar do vets recommend?
The Adaptil collar is a popular choice for many dog owners looking for help to calm their pets. The collar releases a copy of the ‘appeasing pheromone that mother dogs naturally produce to calm and reassure their puppies.
This helps to reduce stress and anxiety in dogs of all ages and can be particularly useful during potentially stressful situations like fireworks, when moving homes, or during natural disasters.
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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.
Why Trust We Love Doodles?
At We Love Doodles, we’re a team of writers, veterinarians, and puppy trainers that love dogs. Our team of qualified experts researches and provides reliable information on a wide range of dog topics. Our reviews are based on customer feedback, hands-on testing, and in-depth analysis. We are fully transparent and honest to our community of dog owners and future owners.