| A dog training collar really can be an effective tool if | | | | in towards the dog's neck. This collar looks painful and |
| used properly and at the right time. It is important to | | | | really can be if abused or misused. This one should |
| recognize the differences in the types of training | | | | only be used if the dog is truly out of control, a |
| collars available and which one would best suit your | | | | strong or aggressive breed, and if the dog is over |
| needs as well as your dog's temperament, size, and | | | | one year of age. |
| age. It is equally important to note that some of the | | | | A gentler option would be the martingale collar. This |
| training collars, such as the prong collar, can be very | | | | one is made of nylon or leather and looks like a |
| harmful to a young dog and should not be used until | | | | regular head collar but it does not buckle or fasten. It |
| the dog is at least 1 year of age. | | | | is pulled over and around the dog's head and has a |
| Each collar has a unique purpose and targets a | | | | chain that connects the two ends of the material. |
| different level of disobedience. Be sure to evaluate | | | | There is a loop on the chin which the leash is |
| the current level of obedience that has already been | | | | fastened to and when the dog pulls the collar will |
| established and do so with a professional trainer if | | | | tighten. The difference between the martingale and |
| possible. It's important to recognize the degree of | | | | the prong collar, other than the prongs, is that the |
| difference between the current state of the dog's | | | | martingale collar has a threshold in which it cannot be |
| training and the desired outcome and to not base the | | | | pulled too tightly. |
| decision of which collar to use based only on the | | | | Another option is the head halter or halti. This one is |
| desired outcome. Some dogs require a higher degree | | | | typically seen on horses but is also very effective on |
| or effort and others may simply need some gentle | | | | dogs. It loops around the dog's muzzle and then |
| reinforcement. | | | | fastens at the back of the neck. It provides more |
| Let's get into a few of the types of dog training | | | | control over a dog's reaction and direction. Very |
| collars available with the first and most prominent | | | | effective for hyper dogs who don't necessarily pull |
| being the prong collar. This one is made of a series of | | | | but may jump or dart in different directions. |
| chain links which have open ended prongs that point | | | | |