How to train your dog with an electric collar?

This type of dog training collar is undeniably divisive. There are dog owners who swear by its usefulness, and others who simply hate it. The defenders of animals are fiercely opposed to anything that could harm an animal in any way, the use of electric collars on dogs is no exception.

Other people simply denounce the abuses associated with electric collars. Some owners mistakenly believe that wearing an electric dog collar alone will solve a dog's behavioural problems. These days, training collars are used for anything and everything.

A dog training collar is not a miracle tool. To be effective, its use requires that the dog's owners not only rely on the object but that they be actors in the education of their dogs to obtain obedience.

TOPICS

• What is a shock collar?

• How to use a dog training collar?

• What are the limits to training collars?

• What are some alternatives to electric collars?

What is a shock collar?

Definition of a shock collar

A shock collar, also called electric collar, is a tool used in dog training, sending small electric shocks or vibrations to the dog.

The handler must determine what to use it for as they serve two main purposes: it serves as an anti-bark collar, specially designed to teach the dog to stop barking, and it also serves for recalls, designed to help owners train their dog to return to recall and prevent runaways.

However, training collars have been misused to punish a dog that had an accident on the carpet or like to sleep on couches too often. The use of electric collars should be reasonable and sensible.

How much does a dog training collar cost?

There are many types of electric collars on the market, with prices ranging from around

for the cheapest to over

for the most efficient. It is very important not to rush into buying a training collar but to compare the features of each product.

Furthermore, even if it may be tempting to choose a low-end product, you must be aware that the functions will be limited and that some first-price training collars may be poorly made.

For example, the electrical stimulation may be poorly dosed and may be painful or even dangerous for the pet. The range can be irregular, which distorts the distances between the owner and their dog.

How to choose the right training collar?

To make an informed choice and buy the best training collar for your dog, you should consider the different functions it has to offer. You should consider the exact use of the collar, your dog’s size, character, and nature, as well as the breed, as some breeds are known to be more dominant and stubborn than others. So, what should you take into account?

Weight

Some training collars are super-light, weighing 2,45 oz. (70g), while the heaviest ones can weigh over 1,10 lb (500g). The weight is therefore a determining factor depending on the size of the dog.

A training collar for a small dog such as a Jack Russell will be quite different from a training collar for a large dog such as a Bernese Mountain Dog.

Range

A training collar has a range of a few metres to 1300 ft. or 1950 ft. (400 or 600 meters).

Waterproofing

This is an option that most training collars have. Be aware, however, that while some models are waterproof and will follow dogs without problems when swimming in a stream, others are simply splash-proof.

This is an important point to bear in mind, depending on the dog's habits. For Labradors, which are known to love water, the collar must be truly waterproof and submersible.

Stimulation

Some training collars can emit vibrations and/or beep sounds, others deliver electric shocks, and some offer all three modes of stimulation.

The choice will depend on the dog's character. For example, an electric training collar should be reserved for a dog with a strong character or dominant tendency that cannot be tamed by a sound signal alone, whereas for other dogs, vibrations and beeps are more than enough.

Autonomy

This is an important criterion when choosing a training collar. Some training collars can have an autonomy of 50 to 70 hours. It is up to the dog owner to choose according to their preference as to the charging method.

There are training collars with a battery that can be recharged in 2 or 3 hours at most, but which have the disadvantage of having to remove the collar from the dog for a few hours.

Emergency system

Some collars have an emergency system that is used in case of an escape or an impromptu attack. This type of system should only be used in cases of force majeure, as it consists of sending a stronger shock and therefore hurting and stopping the pet.

Finally, some training collars are designed to work simultaneously with several dogs. A single remote control governs several collars, which is ideal for an owner with multiple dogs or a hunter.

How to use a dog training collar?

Warning before use

Temporary device

An e-collar is not a magic tool. It supports training interventions but never replaces the role of the owner in teaching with kindness and consistency. Owners must remain active educators. A balanced trainer can help use the e-collar safely, ensuring trust and effective learning without harming the bond. The e-collar should not enforce blind obedience. Its purpose is to teach clear commands. Once the dog understands, the device should no longer be necessary.

Not to be used on all dogs

E-collars are not for puppies under 8 months, dogs with heart conditions, or pregnant females. They suit only healthy dogs familiar with basic training. Sessions must stay short, 10 to 15 minutes maximum. The collar should be removed afterwards to reduce stress and make training interventions effective. Authorities like the Australian Communications and Media Authority warn about misuse. Professional advice helps owners ensure responsible e-collar training.

How to start with an electric dog collar?

The recall collar requires a hands-on approach. For both types of e-collars, a one to two week familiarisation period is key before any training interventions. During this time, the collar is worn but no stimulation is delivered. This helps the dog adapt calmly without stress or fear linked to the device.
Even if most e-collars offer several levels, never use them all. The aim of training interventions is to teach obedience, not cause pain or distress. Always start at the lowest level of stimulation. If the dog does not respond, increase step by step until it becomes receptive. Adjust carefully over time.

How to use a shock collar for dog training

During off-leash walks, if the dog does not respond to recall or refuses to return:

• The owner should first use the sound signal mode of the e-collar.
• If the dog keeps wandering or is too distracted, vibration mode can be used as a second step in structured training interventions.
• If the dog ignores warnings, apply electric stimulation at the lowest level, then increase gradually until the dog responds appropriately.

Instructions vary by e-collar model and its functions. A balanced trainer ensures the method fits each dog’s needs while keeping training safe. With consistency, some dogs respond only to the sound. Always reward correct behaviour with treats, praise, and affection after each success. Experts and authorities such as the Australian Communications and Media Authority warn against overuse and advise seeking professional guidance.

What are the limits to training collars?

Doubts about its long-term effectiveness

Training collars rely on negative reinforcement, so the dog corrects behaviour to avoid discomfort. With all e-collar technologies, use should remain temporary.

Once the collar is removed, behaviours like barking or counter-surfing may return if training lacks consistency. Long-term results need clear commands and repetition.

Stimulates negative association

If a collar is used to calm an aggressive dog, the animal may link people or dogs with a bad type of stimulation. This risk grows with poor behavioral guidelines.

What happens when the dog meets the same trigger without the collar? Misuse can raise the threshold for reactivity instead of reducing it.

Affects the relationship between the dog and the owner

When collars are used only for punishment, the dog may fear the device or handler. This breaks trust and ignores methods like rewards, leash corrections, or structured recall. Excessive use can cause nervousness, aggression, or compulsive licking. A balanced trainer will adapt stimulation levels to the dog, especially for timid and fearful pets.
Other methods or aids based on positive education preserve trust and improve quality of training. Cooperative approaches strengthen the bond while teaching behaviours. That’s why many trainers now combine tools like the mini educator e-collar with rewards, ensuring safe, consistent learning and a respectful relationship with the dog.

Cat training collars

We have deliberately not mentioned cat training collars in this article, for the simple reason that a cat cannot stand such treatment.

Owners who would risk attaching an electric cat collar to their pet would see their cat run away at the first opportunity to find a new home that is safer, more peaceful and, above all, where their freedom will not be questioned.

How to train a kitten? How to train a cat? Read more about the proper ways to train a cat in this article.

What are some alternatives to electric collars?

The training spray collar

There are options other than the electric shock collar for training your dog. The training spray collar, unlike other training collars, would be closer to gentler training methods.

It consists of a spray can attached to a dog collar. It is generally used to stop a dog's barking. When the dog barks, it is sprayed with citronella at nose level.

Why citronella? Because, like lemon, it is a smell that dogs do not like very much. That said, with water or diluted lemon juice, it works just as well. The aim is to startle and annoy the dog to stop their inappropriate behaviour, not to harm them.

The ultrasound training collar

Like the spray collar, the ultrasound training collar is another option for stopping incessant barking. Unlike humans, dogs can hear ultrasound. Ultrasound is triggered as soon as barking is heard. Some dogs that are sensitive to ultrasound will be surprised and stop barking; others will not be vulnerable at all.

In other words, the effectiveness of the ultrasound collar is relative to the dog's level of sensitivity.

The GPS tracker

GPS trackers for dogs and GPS trackers for cats are not strictly speaking used for training dogs or cats. They do, however, allow the pet's position to be tracked in real-time, without any distance limits.

The owner also has the possibility of defining a perimeter for the dog and cat, the garden for example. If the pet crosses the perimeter, a notification is sent directly to the smartphone. The owner is then able to know the position of the dog or cat immediately and to recover them quickly.

Finally, some GPS collars offer a recall option. The idea is simply to condition the pet at mealtimes by ringing or vibrating their GPS collar from the smartphone. This way, the cat and dog will associate the vibration of their collar with their meal and will easily return home.