A Beginner’s Guide to Choosing the Right E-Collar for Dogs

What Is an E Collar?

An e collar, short for electronic collar, is an electronic dog training device. This specialized collar uses electronic signals to communicate and train dogs. Typically, these include a handy remote control (transmitter) and the dog e collar itself.

E-collars for dogs go by various names, such as remote training collars, dog training collars, or remote trainers. So, if you notice any of those terms in this e-collar guide, just know they all refer to the same thing.

How Does a Remote Training Collar Work?

Remote training collars provide feedback to your dog via the receiver collar attached to their neck. The collar has prongs or contact points that deliver the stimulation. The pet owner or dog trainer, carrying the remote transmitter, determines the type of correction to use and when to send the stimulation.

When Can You Start Using an E-Collar for Your Dog?

The rule of thumb is to start using a dog e-collar when your puppy is around 6 months old. This ensures they're mature enough to understand the corrections. You should only supplement your training with an e collar when your dog has already learned the basic dog commands.

If you’re a beginner, it’s best to consult with a dog trainer to make sure you navigate the process correctly.

What Is the Importance of Buying the Right E Collar for Your Dog?

Choosing the right remote training collar is the first step to successful dog training. Remote trainers come in different types since they are manufactured by different companies, offering varying features. You should buy an e-collar with features that match your dog’s breed and the kind of environment you want to run your dog in.

The Criteria - Choosing the Right Remote Training Collar as a Beginner

What to look for when buying an e-collar? To make an informed decision, take into account the guiding tips below in buying your first remote training dog collar:

1. Think about where you want to take your dog and how far they will have to go off-leash.

The effective range between the transmitter and receiver collar is a vital criterion in your selection. It tells you how far your dog can run while still being in control. The standard range for shock collars is ½ mile. This is enough for basic obedience training and off-leash playtime around your property.

Take note, though, that terrain and canopy cover affect the actual effective range of the e-collar. What manufacturers meant when stating an e-collar range is a straight line of sight without any terrain obstruction. Hence, opt for a more extended range if you’ll be taking your dog to the countryside or field.

2. Discover your dog’s sensitivity before buying an e-collar.

Observe how sensitive your dog is to physical stimuli during heightened situations. For example, suppose your dog gets highly excited while chasing a rat and runs through thorny shrubs without hesitation. This suggests that your dog has low sensitivity to physical stimuli when they’re highly aroused.

Knowing your dog’s sensitivity guides you in choosing an ecollar, whether to go with low-medium or low-high power output. Stubborn dogs and those with low sensitivity may require higher stimulation than highly sensitive ones. This could be a life-saving consideration, especially if your pooch tends to bolt out an open door and risks crossing a busy street. Sending the correct feedback can stop your dog before they can take the road or go farther. This is one of those situations when your dog needs to have the right e-collar on them.

3. Choose an e collar that is safe and humane for your dog.

Source: BritishDog.net

Remote training collars are training tools and not punishment devices. Modern shock collars emit static stimulation that does not hurt your dog. Pick an e collar with adjustable levels of stimulation of at least 100 intensity levels. Good e collars offer additional alternative stimulation like vibration or tone other than static. Alternative stimulation is suitable for shy and sensitive dogs that react instantly to vibration.

Also, other collars have a lock switch or safety feature to avoid prolonged correction. Most remote training collars are programmed to only deliver stimulation for a limited time, usually up to 10-12 seconds. Even if you forget to release the button after 12 seconds, the stimulation automatically stops as a safety feature. A lock switch lets you lock the stimulation level to avoid sudden jumps to higher levels, preventing overstimulation of your dog.

4. Pick a remote trainer that fits your dog’s breed and size.

A dog shock collar won’t work effectively if the collar is not the right fit for your dog. The stimulation may be administered inconsistently if the collar hangs loosely on your dog’s neck. This may, in turn, confuse your dog about what you want them to do. Meanwhile, a too-tight collar causes skin irritation and risks choking your dog.

Additionally, if you have a Tibetan Mastiff or dogs with thicker coats, check the prongs of the receiver collar. It’s better to buy ecollars with longer contact points to ensure that correction will be transmitted effectively.

5. Consider buying a fully waterproof e-collar.

Contemplate if you will need to take your dog near bodies of water or have plans to install a pool on your property. Most receivers now are waterproof, while transmitters typically aren’t.

You might think you won’t need a waterproof unit since you don’t intend to bring your dog for a swim. However, you should expect the unexpected, such as getting caught in the rain while outside training with your dog. It’s better to be ready than to be sorry later.

6. Check the batteries of the remote training e-collar.

Rechargeable units are better than ecollars powered by replaceable batteries. It saves you additional costs in the long run. A quick-charge battery is a plus in managing downtime.

If you have travel or camping plans in places with no power, though, and you’ll be staying with your dog for a few days, this is where replacement batteries come in handy.

7. Look for the expandability of the shock collar.

Some remote training collars are expandable up to 2-3 dogs; some even more. These e collars allow you to pair additional collars to one transmitter. Hence, if you have a lot of dogs that need training, consider the expandability of the e-collar. This way, you can save costs and enjoy easy control without carrying many transmitters with you while training many dogs.

8. Inspect the warranty and manufacturer of the dog collar.

Reputable brands offer long warranty periods since they trust the quality of their products. Trusted brands developed shock collars for dogs that can last for many years.

Making a Choice

After knowing the factors to look for an e-collar, you can narrow down your choices to find the best e collar for your dog.

Key Takeaways

1. Contemplate how much range you will need.
2. Discover your dog’s sensitivity.
3. Choose a dog collar that is safe to use.
4. Take into account your dog’s breed and size.
5. Opt for a fully waterproof e-collar.
6. Consider an e-collar with rechargeable batteries.
7. Check for the collar’s expandability.
8. Inspect the warranty and reputation of the brand.

If you’re ready to make that first purchase, PetsTEK has a few recommendations to help you out:

Best Over-All: ET-300 Mini Educator by E-Collar Technologies

The ET-300 Mini Educator e collar tops our list of the best e-collars for your dog. This collar has a ½-mile range and 100 levels of static stimulation. It also comes with a tone and vibration ideal for sensitive or deaf dogs. An excellent choice for dogs 8 pounds and larger, this dog training collar is fully waterproof and rechargeable. Other than yellow, it’s also available in black and Educator Zen 300 variants. 

Best for Small Dogs: ME-300 Micro Educator by E-Collar Technologies

The ME-300 Micro Educator is a training collar designed for the smallest dogs. It’s smaller, lighter, and has 20% less stimulation than the Mini Educator dog collar. It comes with four correction modes: nick, constant, Pavlonian tone, and non-stimulating vibration. Ideal for dogs as small as 5 pounds, this ecollar allows training for up to ⅓-mile range. It’s a fully waterproof remote trainer, which is expandable for up to 2 dogs.

Best for Medium Dogs: Dogtra 200NCPT PetsTEK Edition

The Dogtra 200NCPT is a dog shock collar great for small to medium dogs. This has a ½-mile range, 100 static stimulation levels, an audible tone, and an HPP vibration. Best for dogs 12 pounds and up, it’s a training tool designed for obedience training and off-leash walks.

Best for Large Dogs: Boss Educator ET-800 by E-Collar Technologies

The Boss Educator ET-800 is created for large, stubborn dogs. It has a 1-mile range, 100 levels of static, and an additional boost of up to 60 levels. While it may be excellent for stubborn breeds, this Educator dog collar also comes with tone and vibration. It’s fully waterproof, rechargeable, and recommended for dogs 20 pounds and larger.

Best for Hunting Dogs: SportDOG SD-425X FieldTrainer E-Collar

SportDOG is a popular brand for hunting dog collars. Built for field training and hunting, the SD-425X FieldTrainer is the smallest and lightest shock collar yet by SportDOG. It has a 500-yard range, 21 static levels, and other correction options, such as tone and vibration. It can fit dogs as small as 8 pounds and is expandable for up to 3 dogs.

Most Durable and Versatile Trainer: Dogtra 1900S

The Dogtra 1900S is a shock collar for dogs perfect for different training needs. Whether for obedience, hunting, competition, or K9 training, this e collar is dependable and has 127 levels of static stimulation. Suitable for dogs 35 pounds and larger, this Dogtra e collar has a reach of up to ¾ mile and is fully waterproof. It also comes in a camouflage pattern, black edition, and handsfree version.

For more high-quality e-collars, check out our collection from these reputable, industry-leading brands - Dogtra, E-Collar Technologies, SportDOG, and PetSafe.

How Do You Use an E-Collar Effectively?

Selecting the best dog shock collar is just one part of the process. It's equally crucial to understand how to properly use an e-collar.

Here’s a guide to help you out:

A dog training e-collar is a reinforcement tool. Ensure your dog learns basic commands before using the e-collar.

Before using any training collar for dogs, familiarize yourself with the system. Reading the e-collar manual, watching instructional videos, or consulting with a professional dog trainer is essential to grasp everything about the product.

Let your dog wear the training collar without turning it on  for a few days. This prevents your pet from associating the collar with negative experiences. Ensure proper fit for comfort.

In e-collar training, determining the right stimulation level is vital to ensure your dog would respond to the correction.

Begin at the lowest stimulation level and gradually increase. If you observe your pet yelping or displaying signs of fear, it indicates the level is too high. Lower the stimulation until you achieve a milder response.

5. Supplement with positive reinforcement.

Incorporate positive reinforcement like treats and praises during training. This creates a positive association, making your dog enjoy the sessions.

For more e-collar training tips, check our blog post on how to do e-collar training correctly. If you need a handy e-collar guide, we've got you covered.

Final Thoughts

Remote training collars offer the promise of allowing off-leash freedom to your dog. With the right dog training tool, you’re on your way to starting your training and fostering the bond between you and your dog.

Frequently Asked Questions About E-Collars

• What is the difference between a shock collar and an e-collar?

While a shock collar and e-collar are often used interchangeably, there's a slight distinction between them. An e-collar is a broad term for various dog training devices. These collars use different types of stimulation like static, vibration, and tone. Meanwhile, a shock collar is a type of e-collar that uses static stimulation.

• What is an e-collar used for?

An e-collar acts like an extended leash, allowing you to effectively communicate commands, even when your dog is at a distance. This communication is facilitated through stimulation delivered by the dog e-collar. This tool is especially useful in situations where verbal commands or regular leashes may not be effective.

• How long should the e-collar stay on?

Typically, your dog should wear the e-collar for no more than 12 hours a day. To prevent pressure sores or irritation, make sure to reposition the collar on your dog's neck every 1 to 2 hours.

• Can shock collars hurt your dog?

Shock collars are relatively safe if used properly. The static stimulation is akin to a gentle tap on your dog's shoulder, which is adjustable based on your dog’s sensitivity.

Although static is often called a "shock," it's more like a mild pulse, similar to a TENS unit used in physical therapy. This stimulation is meant to grab your dog’s attention and discourage them from doing undesirable behaviors.