Best Shock Collars for Small & Large Dogs: Cheap and Top Rated Models Reviewed
Shock collars offer numerous benefits. Using top rated shock collars for dogs, it is possible to retrain dogs away from unwanted behavior or teach them to stay in a specific area. While there are opponents and proponents for shock training, when combined with traditional training methods it does yield better results in a shorter time, although it’s important to not use cheap shock collars for dogs which can inflict pain.
Here are some of the best shock collars to help train your dog kindly and quickly.
PatPet Dog Shock Collar
BEST overall
Rated by: Amber
TBI Pro Dog Training Collar
BEST for little dogs
Rated by: Amber
Dog Care Training Collar
Best for multiple dogs
Rated by: Amber
The Best Shock Collars for Dogs: Our Top Picks
1. PatPet Dog Shock Collar
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
Equipped with three training modes, it is among the best shock collars for small dogs. It beeps, it vibrates, and it delivers a shock to help you train your small dog better. All three training modes have different levels – you can choose vibrations from 1 to 8 levels and the shock ranges from 1 to 16 levels. You can start with a lower setting for your small dog but change it with ease.
Both the remote control and the receiver come equipped with a built-in rechargeable battery, so you don't have to worry about running out of power while training your dog. In most cases, the receiver is good to perform for up to 6 days on a single charge. Quite interestingly, the remote has a battery lift of up to 12 days, with standby time going up to 90 days.
The size is quite suitable for most small dogs, and you can even use it for puppies weighing up to 10lbs. If your dog loves water, you don't need to worry about damaging the collar, as it comes with an IPX7 waterproof rating. So no need to take the collar off if your dog is enjoying in heavy rain or playing in the pool.
It comes with a 2-year warranty, so you know you're getting a good product. The only issue you might encounter is that the remote controller needs to go into sleeping mode for you to use the locking mechanism. It shouldn't be a problem, though, once you get used to it.
PROS
CONS
2. TBI Pro Dog Training Collar
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
For those looking for shock collars for little dogs, TBI Pro has a perfect solution. Featuring three training modes, including beeps, vibrations, and shocks, it is a durable product to buy for your small dog. Durable collar fabric won't get damaged even after serious use. You don't need to worry in terms of quality because the collar comes with an IPX7 waterproof rating, so no need to stop your little one from enjoying in the heavy rain.
The battery time is quite impressive – the standby time is up to 20 days in some cases. The great thing is that it comes with a quick charge 2-in-1 feature, which means you can recharge the collar within a couple of hours. You will also find it a useful product considering that the training control range is up to 660 yards, which is quite impressive for a collar in this price range.
The collar is quite suitable for dogs between 10lbs and 100lbs. It is also possible to train two dogs using the same remote controller, and that makes this unit a lot more convenient and useful. It comes with a 1-year warranty, and is surely a good buy.
PROS
CONS
3. Dog Care Training Collar
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
This training collar from Dog Care is quite suitable for smaller dogs weighing up to 15lbs. You can also use it for dogs up to 100lbs of weight. You may find similar collars on the market, but not many can control up to 9 dogs using the same controller, like this Dog Care training collar. The range distance is quite impressive too – it works just fine up to 330 yards.
You get to use three training modes – you can produce a beep, try vibrations, and even create shocks to help train your little dog. Different intensity levels are available for both shocks and vibrations. The battery time is not bad at all considering the fact that you can use it to control multiple dogs. It also comes with a lock feature, which really helps prevent accidental beeps and shocks.
Overall, it is a good product for small dogs, but keep in mind that if your dog loves water, the collar may not be the best option, as it is not reliably waterproof. Other than this, you won't find any issue in this shock collar.
PROS
CONS
4. PetSafe Stubborn Dog Collar
Quick Summary
Rated by: Amber
If you're looking for a top rated shock collar for your large, stubborn dog, you may want to try this option from PetSafe. It delivers great performance because it has four, fully adjustable, levels of static correction. You can choose the highest intensity to train your stubborn dog.
If you have a large but old dog, you may still find this unit quite impressive, as it comes with a tone and vibration warning for hearing-impaired dogs. The collar works quite well even in wet conditions because it is waterproof and can handle water well. There won't be an issue related to performance because it relies on a powerful 9-volt battery. What's more, the unit is compatible with in-ground system from PetSafe.
PROS
CONS
FAQ - A Buyer's Guide
Do Shock Collars Hurt?
Whether you're looking for shock collars for little dogs or searching for shock collars for large dogs, going for a cheap product can hurt your pet. Quality matters when you're seriously considering using shock training. Knowing how much are shock collars for dogs can help you get an idea of the best products, but your aim should be to purchase a popular brand.
A high quality shock collar will come with up to 100 different levels of shock starting from mild up to a serious jolt for larger, stubborn dogs. It is natural to think you'll be hurting your pet by using electric collars for dogs, but the intensity of the discomfort depends on the level you choose. The lowest setting is not going to be painful at all. It will just distract them long enough for you to redirect their behavior.
When you use a training collar dog correctly, you actually witness a number of benefits. For instance:
- A shock collar increases the speed of training. This happens because a shock, even when pretty mild, is something your dog has likely never experienced before. It grabs attention and the dog distracted. In most cases, your dog won't even have to deal with repeated shocks because he will correct his behavior after the warning vibration or beep that immediately precedes the shock. You can use it effectively for training your dog to obey commands but it all comes down to timing. Your dog needs time to learn to associate the beep or vibration with the shock.
- It is easier to control the intensity. One of the biggest benefits of using top rated shock collars is that they come with different levels of stimulation or intensity. Start with the lowest to see how your dog responds. Sometimes, you may need to increase the intensity to get his attention and help him understand that a shock will follow a warning beep. The idea is for the dog to respond to the warning and quit the behavior to avoid the shock. Quality shock collars are designed to facilitate training and are not intended for use as a punishment.
- It is not necessary to be around to have the collar do its job. You can find electric collars with 500-yard range and amazingly good rechargeable batteries. These collars work on their own and can be used in conjunction with electric fencing. The dog will receive a warning when its too close to the boundary to remind him to turn the other way. If it fails to turn after the warning, it will receive the shock.
Shock collars alone can help with training but the collars work best when used with other training tactics. Traditional methods that use positive reinforcement should still be the first choice, but you can always resort to shock training to curb bad behavior that has to be curbed more immediately. Shock training should only ever be a temporary solution to expedite one targeted behavior in the training process.
What Kind of Collar is Best for My Dog?
If you're interested in using a collar on your dog, it's a good idea to get to know more about the different types on the market. These days, you can find remote training collars, underground fence containment collars and anti-bark collars.
Underground Fence Containment Collars
Also called non-visible fence containment collars, they work like a fence in your yard, even though you might not have a fence already installed. It involves burying wires at least 4 feet deep to mark out the furthest your dog can go. This creates a digital boundary by transmitting signals between monitoring device and the boundary line and your dog's collar. The dog receives a warning then a shock if it tries to go past that boundary.
Remote Training Collars
Shock collars are an effective tool to correct behavioral issues and retrain your dog. Modern shock collars use remote control to set the levels of intensity and frequency of shocks and have a range of up to 400 yards. Wearing one of these collars doesn't cause any discomfort even though the electric shock is delivered the stainless steel probes attached to the collar. To make it work properly the collar is needs to be touching your dog's skin.
Anti-Bark Collars
Like traditional shock collars, anti-bark collars deliver a mild shock, to deter unnecessary barking. Anti-bark electric collars come with sensors and deliver a shock or vibration after sensing the vibrations caused by barking in your dog's trachea. The idea is to prompt the dog to break the behavior on the warning or receive a shock. If you think a shock can be too harsh for your barking dog, you may want to choose a collar that produces a distracting beep or one that sprays citronella.
Barking is normal for dogs and barking at the right times is good for security but when barking is excessive or misdirected, a short time to retrain with an anti-bark collar will, in most cases, work.
The fact of the matter is that you can find different types of dog collars, but buying the best collar depends on what you want to achieve. So, take your time, consider your sole purpose of switching to shock training, and then select the best product for your dog.
What is the Best Shock Collar for Small Dogs?
In order to buy the best shock collar for your small dog, you need to pay attention to a number of points. For instance:
- Consider the design and the way you're going to use the collar. If you're interested in teaching your small dog overall obedience, a remote training collar is probably the best bet. If he barks too much, try an anti-bark collar, but opt for the one that releases a citronella spray because a shock may be a bit too much for your small dog and stress him out even more.
- Consider the range. It's especially important if you're buying a fence containment collar. But, you may want to put your money on a high quality collar with at least 1/2 –mile range to ensure your dog gets enough space to run during the training process.
- Check the levels of intensity. The best collar is the one that gives you some flexibility regarding the intensity of the shock. For your small dog, sometimes a warning beep is enough to interrupt what he's doing. It could also be a vibration to shock him and make him break the behavior. Don't use a shock collar without a warning feature for your small dog because many small dogs often respond well to the warning beep, saving you from delivering an electric shock.
- Ensure that the collar you buy is waterproof. Even if you think your dog doesn't love water, it still helps to have a collar with this feature to ensure nothing goes wrong when your dog is in a mood to play with lots of water around. You may be able to find a cheap dog collar that is water-resistant, but that's not waterproof in the real sense. A water-resistant collar won't be able to survive heavy downpours, so make the right decision always.
- Check the type of batteries used in your selected dog collar. Top rated collars come with rechargeable batteries, but be sure to check the length of charge time as well as run time after a single charge. It should provide you with low battery warning to ensure the collar keeps functioning properly when you need it the most. It is equally important to check a collar for the ease of replacing its batteries.
Other than these features, you may want to check if your selected collar for small dogs come with a warranty. Going for popular brands is the best thing to do because they usually back their products with at least 60-day money-back guarantee. Also, consider the cost before finalizing a decision because paying the pretty penny doesn't always mean you're buying the best product for your little angel.
How to Train a Dog with a Shock Collar?
Anyone can use a shock collar, but learning to use it correctly makes all the difference. Not using it correctly will distress your dog leaving them confused even panicky, which is not the aim of any shock training session. Before you start anything with your dog find out if you really do need to use a shock collar and if you do take a lesson with a professional dog trainer. They will be able to advise you on other training methods that might work.
Shock collars can be the kindest way to teach dogs that actions will have consequences. To find out the consequence is unpleasant they have to experience it, sometimes more than once. But low level shocks or vibrations will lose effectiveness if over or underused. Training has to be one action, one consequence specific.
Let’s say your dog is jumping up at your guests. It’s misdirected exuberance and you’ve done the usual training such as controlled introductions so you know he knows he should not be jumping up. The first time you use the collar may be enough to distract him. From then on, he begins to learn that when he jumps there is an unpleasant consequence. Keep the warning for when the front paws leave the ground but increase the level of shock for each training session if he does show signs of aborting the jump.
Most importantly, give plenty of praise whenever he greets anyone without jumping up. This type of focused training can produce results almost immediately.
Conclusion
A lot of people feel uncomfortable with the thought of using shocks to retrain their dog even though the shocks are more uncomfortable than painful. How a dog greets a guest is one thing, but when they start chasing traffic, lunging for the mailman or running off they put themselves and others in danger and the issue needs to be addressed.
This is where targeted shock collar training comes into its own. Used correctly, vibrations, sprays and shocks are a humane and effective part of obedience training.
About the Author Steven
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