Discover the Right Way to Use Dog Training Collars - Proper Selection

When it comes time to pick a collar for your dog you may be a little surprised to see all the different varieties there are. What you thought was going to be a simple task isn't quite that easy any more. It's not just a matter of going and picking one by your favorite color.

There are things you need to determine before you make your purchase of the dog training collars especially. First of all what is the main function of the collar you are looking for. Is it training, walking, tying or just show? Next what is the size you require. Is your dog big or small? Do you want one of the wide styles or the thin ones? Now you can see why it's a little bit more complicated.

Let's deal with the dog training collars. It is very important that you know the kind you need and how to use it properly. It is not meant for something the dog has to fear. This can easily happen with improper use. Then it will be a big battle every time you go to put the collar on for his training session. This is not the way you want to start off with your dog obedience lessons.

You may have seen other dogs with chain dog training collars and thought they were cruel and inhumane. Actually they aren't if they are used correctly and this cannot be stressed enough. The proper name for these collars are called chain slip collars, the slang term being choke collars.Most dogs will not even require training with this type of collar. It's meant for those dogs that like to walk the master rather than the other way around.

These dogs are insistent about pulling on their lead to the point of choking themselves. In some cases they are used for general obedience training ,when they won't respond when wearing the traditional collars. Be sure to have a professional dog trainer show you the correct way to use these dog training collars. Otherwise you could end up hurting the dog. Its easy to put the collar on properly if you remember the top loop must form the letter "P" when the dog is in front of you. If it loops like the number "9" then it is on incorrectly. If you use it like this, it could create pain or gagging and coughing.

The proper way to use it is with a quick tug then release. Never give it a steady pull. When worn properly it will slack off when you release. Never ever leave this on the dog when he is not in a training session. If it gets caught on something it could choke him to death.

Other dog training collars that are really not good ones to use is the spike collar. This has prongs on the inside of the collar. Although the prongs are blunt they are extremely uncomfortable. They are used as a last resort when the dog continues to pull out of control You will get the same control if you use a halter collar, and it is far less dangerous and far more humane.