The Mastiff is one of the breeds that have stood beside us humans for centuries. They haven’t changed all that much, which is a testament to how dependable the breed is in general. They are a friendly breed and a dependable family dog. They also make for great guard dogs because of this purpose.
This loyalty to their family does come with some drawbacks. They can show aggression against other dogs and can become quite aggressive. Their sensitive nature and natural smarts make them difficult to maintain for a beginner owner. They need to be trained from an early age to keep their loyal, but difficult nature manageable.
To that effect, we have several tools to help with the training. These are tools like prong collars, bark collars, and spray collars. Here, we will be focusing on the best shock collars for a Mastiff. We will provide you with a list of five high-quality shock collars, and answer the most asked questions people have about these training tools that utilize a shock feature.
In a rush? Here are the top picks!
Standard Features:
- Shock, Vibration, Beep
- 10 Stimulation Intensity Levels
- Water-Resistant Remote Control
- Waterproof Collar Reciever
- 50 Hours Battery Life
Notable Features
- 3/4 Mile Maximum Range
- Remote-Activated Collar LED
- Remote Supports Up to 3 Collars
- Can Switch to Bark Collar Mode
- “Always Awake” Mode
- Includes Extra Pair of Long Prongs
First on the list of the best shock collar for a Mastiff is Pet Resolve. They have the best bang-for-buck as it has everything you need for all activities you’d need an electronic collar for, like hunting, work dog training, outdoor activities, and outdoor training. It has the standard shock, vibration, and beep function you’d expect from all the shock collars on this list. The shock is moderately strong, so it should be just right for even the most stubborn dogs. The vibration mode is strong and sharp and the beep is audible but soft enough not to damage your dog’s hearing. The beep is not ultrasonic.
It has an outstanding range of 3/4 miles. That’s nearly 4000 feet of range at optimal open spaces. This is important if you’re trying to handle multiple dogs. The remote can handle up to two additional collars, allowing you to switch between three dogs at a press of a button. The LED allows you to spot your dog(s) at least 50 yards away. Since the LED lights up the entire receiver, the light will be visible no matter the length of your dog’s hair.
The remote control has a good soft grip and is water-resistant. The collar receiver is waterproof. The flat collar can easily fit a Mastiff as it can fit dogs with neck sizes of 25 inches.
The devices have a long-lasting battery life of about 50 hours before they need another recharge. When it does, it only takes about 2-3 hours to charge it back to full. The device is also “always awake” meaning the receiver and remote do not go to standby mode or sleep mode. This slightly affects battery life, but it means the collar will always respond the millisecond you press a button, instead of having to wake up first, which could mess up timing for some activities.
If your Mastiff happens to have a bit of an excessive barking problem, you can switch the collar into bark collar mode. In this mode, you cannot use the remote, but the collar will start listening for your dog’s barks. If they bark for a few seconds, the collar will start beeping. If they keep on barking even after the beep, the collar will deliver a shock.
You can adjust that level of shock on your own. Mastiffs could be territorial, especially towards neighboring dogs and large dogs like them have deep and loud barks. This mode will not punish them for barking too much, instead, it will let them associate the beep with the irritating sensation and soon they will stop barking when they hear the beep. It does still allow them to bark to a certain extent.
Standard Features:
- Shock, Vibration, Beep
- 1/2 Mile Maximum Range
- Water-Resistant Remote Control
- Waterproof Collar Reciever
- 50 Hours Battery Life
Notable Features
- 100 Stimulation Intensity Levels
- Separate Nick and Continuous shock buttons
- No-Look Button Layout
- LCD with Battery Status
Here we have another solid static shock collar for a Mastiff that has features that are compatible with hunting and large breeds. The shock strength is moderately strong and the vibrate is sharp, at least sharp enough to call a dog’s attention. The beep is audible enough to be heard by your dog, but not loud enough to damage their hearing.
The dial on the remote allows a finer adjustment of the shock strength. If your Mastiff happens to be the more sensitive type, you can freely adjust the collar’s stimulation strength. You have 1-100 levels of intensity, affecting both the shock and the vibration. You cannot lock the dial, so make sure you don’t touch it once you have the proper level dialed down.
The button layout of the remote allows you to grip it and have your fingers naturally rest on the buttons needed to operate the device. After a small bit of practice, muscle memory should take over.
The collar has a total range of 1/2 miles. Good enough for most outdoor activities like hunting and hanging out in parks or beaches. The collar’s maximum range will be affected by common obstacles like trees and cars, so in such cluttered areas, you might just 80% of that range, which is still a lot.
Durability-wise, the remote is water-resistant, able to resist the heaviest of rains. The collar receiver is waterproof, so your dog can take a dive into ponds or lakes as they please without damaging the collar.
The adjustable collar can fit dogs with neck sizes as large as 24 inches. It’s also tough and waterproof, enough to be a regular collar on its own. (Don’t use it as a regular collar while it has the receiver on!)
Both devices have a battery life of about 50 hours, which depends on how often you use the features. The LCD on the bottom of the remote has a simple battery indicator to tell when it’s time to charge. It takes only about 2-3 hours for the battery on both devices to charge back to full.
Standard Features:
- Shock, Vibration, Beep
- 1/2 Mile Maximum Range
- Waterproof Collar Reciever
- 50 Hours Battery Life
Notable Features
- 100 Stimulation Intensity Levels
- Shock Boost Button
- “Blunt” Shock
- No-Look Button Layout
- Waterproof Remote that Floats
This electric shock collar is geared for general use which is great for Mastiffs and general outdoor activities. The kit has the shock, vibrate, and beep mode for training and signaling. The static shock is advertised to be more “blunt” than other electric shock collars, giving it a milder stimulation. If your Mastiff is unaffected by the shock, you can adjust it using the dial. Since it has a dial, it allows an impressive range of control from 1 to 100. It also has a way to lock the dial, keeping your dog safe from stronger accidental shocks.
If you’re helping a more stubborn Mastiff, the remote has a shock boost button that adds approximately 20 levels to the current power, this goes past the 100 level, technically giving your 120 levels of power in total.
The remote has a range of about 1/2 shocks in open spaces. Things like trees, foliage, and walls will dampen the range, but even half that range still gives a 500-yard range to work with.
The remote’s waterproof design allows it not just to resist water but to make it float, so you can easily recover it in case you drop it in a pond or on the pool. The receiver is also waterproof but does not float. The button layout also allows you to grip the device where your fingers would land on the training buttons easily, so you can trigger it as soon as you grab the remote.
Battery life is about the same as all the collars on this list, easily reaching 50 hours on both devices at full charge. It takes about 2-3 hours to charge the device from empty to full. The Educator is one of the most popular shock collars on the market and will work great for Mastiffs.
Standard Features:
- Shock, Vibration, Beep
- 300 Yard Maximum Range
- Waterproof Remote and Reciever
- 10 Stimulation Intensity Levels
- 40 Hours Battery Life
Notable Features
- Easily Adjustable Nylon Collar
- Remote can Support up to Two Collars
- Minimal Remote and Reciever Design
If you’re looking for a more stylish-looking shock collar for your Mastiff with good standard features, this is what this product provides. The smooth remote almost looks like it doesn’t have buttons, but the grooves along the sides will tell you where they are. The shock is along the milder side along with the vibrate, but the tone is still enough to be heard from a distance (Given it’s quiet enough) but not too loud that it damages your dog’s hearing. The Mastiff is a pretty fickle breed in terms of temperament, they are either the toughest out there or the gentlest of giants. If you have the latter, the shock strength should be ideal.
You have 1-10 levels of stimulation to select from and the large LCD screen shows the level, the collar being controlled, and battery status. The training kit has slightly less battery life though, only clocking around 40 hours maximum on a full charge, less if you use the functions more frequently.
It does have a considerably lower range. You can only reach 300 yards, which is still a pretty long distance in open spaces, but if the signal gets dampened, you only get around 200 yards or lower.
The flat collar is different from the others on this list. You have a tough but comfortable nylon collar with a side-release buckle and plastic slider. It’s easier to tighten it, however, you may need to check the tightness every now and then as it could loosen the more your Mastiff runs and jumps around, or shakes themselves dry.
Both the remote and the receiver are waterproof and can withstand being 25 feet underwater for half an hour before any water damage occurs. PetSafe is the large brand name company on our list and this shock collar works great for your Mastiff.
Standard Features:
- Shock, Vibration, Beep
- 1/2 Mile Maximum Range
- Waterproof Remote and Reciever
- 15 Stimulation Intensity Levels
- Remote Activated LED
Notable Features
- Distance/Signal Gauge
- Remote Supports up to 2 Collars
This electronic training collar has a small but unique feature that sets it apart from the rest. It still has solid standard features that are more than enough for training large dogs like the Mastiff breed. The shock is moderately strong and the vibrate is sharp and palpable. You have 15 levels of shock and vibrate to choose from, which are displayed neatly on the LCD. The tone is soft, enough for your Mastiff to hear without any hearing damage.
The LCD display shows a basic gauge that measures how good the signal is between the receiver and the remote. It doesn’t show any numbers, but in an open space, you should be able to estimate how far your Mastiff is from you. One practical application is if you managed to teach them to go back to you when they hear the beep, you can signal them to go back when the gauge reaches a certain range.
One remote can support up to two collars and buttons on the left of the LCD screen allows for quick switching.
The receiver has a remote-activated LED, in conjunction with the distance gauge, which allows the kit to be a decent tracker to find where your dog is, especially when they are lost. The receiver is also waterproof, along with the remote, which can be underwater for almost an hour without any damage.
The flat shock collar is the standard bio-ethane 3/4 inch collar that most of the training kits here have. It can be for neck sizes as big as 23-24 inches and is very durable.
Battery-wise, at full charge, both the remote and the receiver yields about 50 hours of battery life, less depending on how often you use the features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Owning and using a shock collar for a Mastiff is a big responsibility. It brings effective and efficient results, but misuse can lead to harm, some of it hard to reverse. Thankfully, it takes actual gross neglect to actually cause any damage (no different than using a sharp knife in the kitchen). So if you have any doubts or questions about modern dog shock collars, we’ll try to answer them here, and hopefully provide useful information to help you.
Can shock collars make my Mastiff aggressive?
Short answer: With proper use, it shouldn’t.
Long answer: There are many factors in play with dog aggression. It could be that you’re using a very high shock level that stresses them out too much, creating fear. If they can’t run from that fear, they may answer back with aggression.
Another reason could be other factors in their environment like noise, other dogs, or other animals they can sense, but cannot see. Illness could also be a factor, as dogs can’t really tell you what’s exactly wrong with them. They could be hiding it well, but the activities of training would wear them out, causing them to show aggression after.
A shock collar will not change your dog’s personality if you do the training correctly. They will be more obedient though, which is a kind of change.
How old should a dog be for shock collar training?
6 months is the earliest you can start actual shock collar training. It’s also a great time as your Mastiff is likely undergoing their 2nd fear phase. In this mental stage, dogs are more perceptive to things that cause discomfort and stress, making them more responsive.
It doesn’t mean that it’s the only good time to train your dog using an electric shock collar. Any age above six months is good and even older dogs learn well through proper training. With that said:
How do you train a Mastiff using shock collars?
One of the most efficient ways is through the process of Negative Reinforcement plus Positive Reinforcement.
The method is as follows: With your Mastiff’s attention on you, state a command they already know like “Lay Down, sit, etc.” and as soon as you state the command, you press the continuous shock.
As soon as they do the command properly, stop the stimulation.
Immediately after this, state any word or signal that means they did it correctly like “Good!” or “Yes!” then give them a delicious treat. (Something different from what you usually feed your dog)
Rinse and Repeat for about 10-15 minutes, or until you notice your dog starting to lose interest. Mastiffs have pretty decent attention spans, so training should not be that difficult.
Note that there is a significant preparation period before this. You have to make sure your Mastiff is used to the collar by making them wear it for about 2 weeks, 8 hours a day, without using any of the features. Since this is reinforcement training, you need to teach them the commands first, until they do it somewhat consistently. Reinforcement training ensures that they follow that command regardless of the situation.
How do I fit a shock collar properly?
As you put the collar on your dog’s upper neck, place 2 or 3 fingers between the collar and your dog’s neck as you tighten it. When it starts to feel snug, secure the strap. Once you do, the receiver should stay in place but can be rotated with some resistance.
You should not keep the collar on for more than 8 hours, and if you can help it, rotate the collar every 1-2 hours for your dog’s comfort.
If you’re only using the collar for the beep, the vibrate, and the LED, you can put the collar on loosely. Some of the collar kits like Pet Resolve has very short plastic prongs so you can replace the metal prongs and avoid any accidental shocks.
Do shock collars hurt a Mastiff?
It shouldn’t. The shock function’s chief goal is to stimulate a dog’s muscles rapidly, resulting in a hard-to-ignore irritating sensation.
In order to find the lowest shock level for training, place the collar on your Mastiff properly, then set the shock level to the lowest. Call their attention, then trigger a momentary shock. If they respond by looking confused, or suddenly divert their attention in some small way, stick to this level.
On the off-chance that your dog yelps at the lowest possible level, opt instead to use vibration. If the collar is placed high up the neck, the vibration will instead cause a somewhat tickling sensation, too much of it will cause them to scratch their ears. It’s not going to be effective for more stubborn dogs, but if your dog is sensitive enough, this should be enough.
Conclusion For Best Shock Collar For A Mastiff
Dogs have their own unique personalities, but all our actions and interactions with them shape nearly half of that personality as they grow with us. This is why training is important, as it builds foundations on how they can co-exist with us as peacefully and productively as possible. There are plenty of ways and tools you can employ, but the most important thing is to always look out for what’s best for your dog. That way, no matter how rigorous the training, both of you will always come out on top.
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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