The busy streets are no place for a dog. Seeing your dog suddenly lunge at cars and chase them in the open streets is often so heart-racing and distressing, as it endangers both them and everyone around them. Yet it’s equally sad if you can’t let your dog go outside and let them run as they please in the crisp outside air.
There is only one solution: Dog Training. It’s not, however, an easy solution, as dogs can be temperamental and often distracted. You can have professional trainers help you with that, and that’s perfectly fine, but there’s a certain bond to be forged between you and your dog if you take on the training yourself.
The most efficient way to approach dog training is through the use of e-collars. Shock collars are effective on nearly all breeds, with the only exception being tiny dog breeds. We say this because shock collar training uses both negative reinforcement and positive reinforcement. As a bonus, all good shock collars also have vibration and beeping functions if you really don’t want to use shock.
With that in mind, we’ll show you a list of five collars we highly recommend to keep your dog from chasing cars. In the name of safety, we’ll also give you tips on how to use a shock collar properly and safely.
In a rush? Here are the top picks!
We start off strong with the Pet Resolve shock collar kit. Though not the first collar out there in the market, its features help us frame what an all-around training collar kit should be. Let’s take a look at the key features this collar offers:
Features:
- Shock, Tone, and Vibration Modes
- 10 Levels of Shock
- Automatic Bark Limiter Mode
- Remote Supports Up to Three Receivers
- Memorizes Settings for Each Collar
- No-Standby Mode
- 3/4 Mile Range
- Nightlight
- Weatherproof Remote, Waterproof Collar
- Additional Extra-Long Prongs and Plastic Prongs
- 2-Hour Quick-Charge Lithium-Ion Battery.
Most, if not all, modern remote training collars have the three training modes: Shock, Vibrate, and Tone or Beep. If you’re lucky, your dog will respond with vibrate alone. If not, this collar offers 10 levels of stimulation to tackle even the most stubborn dogs out there.
One remote can support up to three collars and you can switch at the push of a button and it remembers which level it had for each collar so you don’t have to.
Speaking of things you don’t have to do, it also has an Automatic Bark Limiter. If your dog happens to have an excessive barking problem, you can switch the collar to this mode and it will start listening for your dog’s barks (You can’t use the remote in this mode). If they bark loudly for a few seconds, the collar will audibly beep, warning them. If the barking continues after a few more seconds, the collar will automatically deliver a shock level of your choosing. The collar still allows them to bark, just not as excessively.
The receiver can reach the collar as far as 3/4 miles or 1320 yards in open space. This means you can trigger the collar even if your dog runs as fast as they can for 1 whole minute. Of course, we won’t let that happen, it just shows how far the range is.
One small feature that can make a lot of change is the nightlight. Though your dog has enough night vision to see, you don’t. Pressing the light button at night helps you see where your dog is and more importantly, it lets drivers see your dog too.
In terms of enduring what nature can offer, the remote can resist the strongest rains and the receiver is waterproof for about 25 feet before water pressure potentially causes damage.
The remote collar kit also comes with extra-long metal prongs. You’ll need this if you have a thick-haired dog because hair can significantly impair a shock collar’s power, which could cause inconsistent shock levels.
Thanks to our advancement in battery technology, small devices like this shock collar can work for 1-2 weeks and charges back to full in 2-3 hours. This collar, in particular, may last a bit less because it doesn’t go in stand-by mode after being idle for a few minutes. The great advantage is you don’t have to “wake” the collar up every 5 or so minutes just to use it. It’s always ready for you, which is crucial for scenarios like in-field training or hunting.
The second collar on the list has almost all the features of the first one, along with a high-grade remote that can take a beating. It has all the standard features a shock collar ought to have, alongside an above-average range.
Features:
- Shock, Tone, and Vibration Modes
- 16 Levels of Shock
- 3/4 Mile Range
- Longer Collar for Larger Dogs
- Remote Supports Up to Two Receivers
- Waterproof Remote and Receiver
- 2-Hour Quick-Charge Lithium-Ion Battery
The three training modes offer a wide range of flexibility when training. If you’re using shock as your primary mode for a while, you can try using lower shock levels on behaviors they are familiar with, since it’s likely they get the point already. It should come to a point where the vibrate is enough even on new things.
This kit supports 16 levels of shocks, that’s 16 “in-betweens” of its strongest shock level and lowest. This kit is designed for more stubborn dogs, so overall, it delivers more energy than our first collar. It also supports up to two dogs in case you handle two partners when out hunting or playing about.
The remote can reach the receiver as far as 3/4 miles in open space. Sadly, with all the interference around like other radio signals, trees, and even weather, you might not get the most out of it but half of that distance is still 600 yards.
The remote is a bit on the clunky side as you will see with the rest of the training collars in the list, but it is utterly waterproof and so is the receiver. It may not be absolutely necessary for training your pup, but being durable is never a bad thing for shock collars.
It also has the same battery life as the first one. It still depends on how much you use it, but a full charge should last at least a week before you need to recharge.
The Educator E Collars are known for their colorful designs and compact remotes. They have other variations should you need them but we’ll focus on one that fits our current scenario.
Features:
- Shock, Tone, and Vibration Modes
- 1-100 Levels of Shock
- 3/4 Mile Range
- “Blunt” Shock Sensation
- Stimulation Boost Button
- Waterproof Remote and Receiver
- 2-Hour Quick-Charge Lithium-Ion Battery
Here we still have the same standard training modes. A strongly palpable vibrate mode, an audible tone, and a special kind of shock with 100 levels. We say “special” because this brand produces a “blunt” or “tapping” sensation compared to other collars. The difference is not that significant, but it does lower the discomfort level your dog might feel. (It may also lower the overall effectiveness on lower levels.)
Like all the rest of the collars above, it has a 3/4 mile range which is still significantly far at 50% capacity. A long-distance assures that you can signal your dog if they are, for example, getting too close to a busy street for comfort.
Apart from the remote’s “athletic” looking design, it has a “Stimulation Boost” (can be configured into a continuous shock button). This button delivers a higher shock than what level you chose. This is useful for easily distracted dogs and those who still decided to chase or lunge at cars.
The remote floats on water so it’s technically waterproof. The receiver is completely waterproof for 25 feet. Granted, it won’t float like the remote, but surely your dog will float along with it.
Despite the remote’s small size, it has enough battery life to last the same 1-2 weeks and will charge up to full in 2-3 hours.
The 4th collar on the list is a bit on the higher end, but nonetheless fitting to our cause. On paper, it has pretty basic features, but it does them so quite well and is suited for stubborn dogs.
Features:
- Shock, Tone, and Vibration Modes
- 1-127 Levels of Shock
- 3/4 Mile Range
- Supports Up to 2 Dogs (Depending on Model)
- High Power Output
- Waterproof Remote and Receiver
- 2-Hour Quick-Charge Lithium-Ion Battery
The training kit offers a relatively high energy output compared to collars on this list, which is why it has 127 levels on its dial, that way you can pinpoint your dog’s “Recognition Level” (More on that later.) with precision. Other than the shock, it also has an adjustable vibrate mode and an audible beep. The beep isn’t that audible from afar, but it’s for your dog to hear anyway.
The total range is 3/4 miles or about 1300 yards. You may only get about 50-80% of that range in a typical urban setting but you should be able to use its full range in open spaces.
If you need to use it on 2 dogs simultaneously, you need to choose the 1902S model. The button mapping on the 1902S is slightly different as it changes the two red buttons to trigger the second collar. It allows you to trigger any of the two collars without pressing a button to switch control.
The slightly clunky remote shape allows it to be tough. Both the remote and the receiver are waterproof so even if you take a dive with your pup on a placid lake, the training collar won’t mind.
The battery life, as always, is the same 1-2 weeks for both devices, and they both charge to full in about 2-3 hours.
The last on the list is made as a hunting collar with a myriad of features. At this point, you should already have an idea of the recipe for what makes a good shock collar.
Features:
- Shock, Tone, and Vibration Modes
- 1-10 Levels of Shock
- 3/4 Mile Range
- Automatic Bark Limiter Mode
- Supports Up to Three Dogs
- Nightlight
- No-Look Design
- Waterproof Remote and Receiver
- 2-Hour Quick-Charge Lithium-Ion Battery
This one is an all-around collar just like our first one. Perhaps you won’t need most of these features and simply stick with either vibrate or shock to train, but like owning a swiss knife, you’ll never know when you’ll need the rest of the functions. It has moderate overall energy output and has 1-10 stimulation levels.
Like all the collars here it has a 3/4 mile range with a 50-80% efficacy depending on the environment and the weather. Rain can definitely dampen it, so these models often amp the range to make up for it, as compared to most average collars with 1/4 or 1/2 mile range.
You can also switch it to bark-limiter mode, which also has a simple program to it. When switched to this mode, you lose access to the three training modes, but the receiver will then start listening for dog barks. When it hears your dog bark for a few seconds, it will send a beep to warn them not to continue. If they do, the collar will deliver a pre-set shock and pause for a few seconds before listening again.
The nightlight is one of those features that don’t seem necessary for an average owner, but if you’re walking your dog at night and you lose them in the dark distance, a few presses of the button will reveal their location instantly.
Though the remote lacks a handy LCD screen to show information, it’s shaped so that gripping it normally gives you access to all the buttons without having to look or position them in a unique way. The remote is also pretty durable and, like the receiver, is waterproof for about 25 feet.
The kit can last for about 60 hours before needing to recharge. This will depend on how often you use the collar, but on average, it should last you a week or two before you need to plug it in.
Safety Tips on Using Shock Collars
It’s perfectly normal to have doubts about shock collars. They do have quite the stigma in animal safety because electricity and beloved pets don’t mix very well. (Unless it’s a robot dog, which would be cool.) When used properly, they become the best, if not, the most efficient training tool out there, just like how a kitchen knife is both a chef’s and a horror movie villain’s tool of choice. So let’s begin with tip #1
1. Finding your Dog’s Recognition Level
Recognition Level is just short for the lowest possible level of shock (or vibrate) your dog will visibly react to. When you first start shock collar training, set the remote to the lowest level, observe your dog, then trigger a momentary shock.
Look for the slightest sign that they notice it. A flick of the ear, a tilt of their head, or a pause in their actions like panting. If you don’t see anything, set it to the next level and try again until you do. You may need to take your time with collars that have 100 or so levels, but it’s worth every bit to try and find this ‘goldilocks’ level.
Don’t worry if it starts reaching around halfway. Some dogs are just born tough or your shock collar is on the low or moderate output strength. However, there might be another factor involved. On to tip #2!
2. Ensure that the Collar is Tight Enough
The metal prongs should make consistent contact with your dog’s skin in order to deliver correct and consistent stimulation. If your dog has long, thick hair, consider using longer metal prongs for the job. The only other way to ensure contact is to make the collar tight enough and the general rule is: Make it so that you can snugly fit 2 fingers between the neck and collar. That should be tight enough that the prongs always make contact and loose enough to be comfortable.
Some would argue that it should be 3 fingers, so go ahead and test if that works for your dog. If you can maintain the contact with a looser fit, all the better.
However, to actually avoid injuring your pup’s skin, we must consult tip #3.
3. Collar Rotation and Collar Use Duration
The burn marks you sometimes see in images depicting shock collar use may actually be friction wounds and pressure sores. (Although it’s possible to burn the skin if you happen to use a low-quality kit.) These wounds occur when the prongs press on one area of the skin for too long. The progs rub on the skin during usual activity and vibrations and eventually wear it out, resulting in a wound or a sore red spot that resembles 1st Degree burns.
To avoid this entirely, rotate the collar every hour or two, to position the receiver somewhere else on the neck. If you need to keep the collar on your dog for long periods of time, only do so for 8-10 hours, even if you’re not using it.
We’re not just looking out for skin injuries though, there’s another half of a dog’s safety we must consider in Tip #4 and #5.
4. Never Use the Shock Collar for Punishment
Safety is not just about protecting your dog’s physical wellbeing, but also their mental health. The shock collar’s purpose is to provide a clear and consistent line of communication. It’s doing so by using electricity, so you need to make sure your message is clear, so to speak.
By not using it for punishment, we mean don’t trigger it when your dog does something bad. There are exceptions to this, like using a much higher shock to stop them on their tracks when they chase a car or start engaging in a fight. As long as the shock prevents greater immediate harm.
Instead, you use it for Reinforcement. Negative Reinforcement, to be precise. Your goal is to remove unwanted behavior and encourage (reinforce) positive behaviors. Behaviors here can be defined as how they react to certain stimuli or commands.
One way to put it is: You’ll only trigger the shock if your dog already has an idea of what to do when they feel it. It should be a specific behavior, not just “Stop whatever I’m doing when I feel it.” This way, when you trigger the collar, your dog knows how to turn the collar off, and that’s by performing the positive behavior you want.
When you need to stop them chasing cars, one such example is to teach them basic obedience commands like staying put when commanded or “Heel” which means they will walk beside you. If trained appropriately, you can tell them to stay put or heel when you see signs that they are about to chase or lunge at passing cars.
Just to put emphasis on it, never use the collar to directly stop bad behavior. Try your best to be consistent in using it to reinforce positive behavior because if you don’t it could cause confusion which can cause aggressive tendencies.
5. Pair with Positive Reinforcement
There are actually two tools in shock collar training: The training kit and the reward. This reward could be a special treat separate from their usual food, positive-sounding words, or a few seconds of play. A mix of these is highly recommended.
The idea is that the shock collar pushes them to the right behavior and the reward pulls them. Ironically, the shock collar acts more like a crutch in training. The more you use it, the less you need it in the long run. The idea is that you’ll eventually stop using the shock collar to train your beloved pup because they already understand you, and react effectively to positive reinforcement.
Conclusion for Best Shock Collar for Dogs Chasing Cars
We are moving forward in an ever-changing world. What was once forests and fields are now busy roads and a dog can’t help but want to feel like it was still in nature. It’s up to us to help them adapt to this world we’re forging and whether we use shock collars or other methods, what’s important is you use them with the utmost respect, and all the love you can give.
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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.
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