This post was most recently updated on February 14th, 2021
Bringing your cute pup for a walk? Are you planning to start training? Whatever the purpose is, it’s important that you get the perfect collar. The best puppy training collar won’t just make the dog easy to instruct; it will also make them comfortable to the new kind of restraint. If used well, it should be a tool for pet owners to control the behavior of the pup without hurting it.
PUPPY COLLAR | PRODUCT NAME | EXPERT RATING | PRICE |
---|---|---|---|
Blueberry Pet Floral Collection Collars | Check Price | ||
StrawberryEC Bandana Puppy Collar | Check Price |
There are so many dog collars in the market right now. The question is which one is actually worth your money. Many manufacturers come up with gimmicks to sell their products only to be useless in a matter of weeks. Since training will also be a bonding moment for you and your pooch, it’s important that discomfort won’t get in the way.
Are collars safe for puppies?
The safety of the best puppy training collar lies on how you use it. If you pick the right piece and use it with caution on your puppy, nothing should go wrong. Remember that puppies grow fast, especially those that came from large breeds. If you don’t adjust the circumference of the collar, that’s where the problem will occur.
Always check the fit of the collar every month. If it’s starting to squeeze your pup’s neck, loosen it up or purchase a bigger one. The rule of thumb is you should still be able to slip a finger or two between the collar and your dog’s neck.
Make sure that you remove the collar when not supervising your dog. If the best bark collar will be a choking hazard to your pooch, remove it and put it back when needed.
Collars aren’t always a bane. It’s actually a helpful tool to track your dog.
Some pet owners place a tracking device on the collar or an ID which makes the pup easier to identify. A collar tag will make it easy for owners to be reunited with their pup in case the latter got lost.
Collar vs. harness for puppies
Both collars and harnesses serve important purposes. If your pup isn’t much of a tugger, a collar will be an excellent start to introduce restraint. Pups can wear either a collar or a harness at 8 weeks old. However, since harnesses wrap on their small bodies, it will take a while to get used to. Some pups also have balance and comfy issues when you put them on a harness. Also, harnesses, can’t be worn all day long unlike collars.
Collars, on the other hand, are smaller than harnesses, thus easier to put on and off the pup. Most puppies wear collars as a mode of identification and ownership. If your puppy accidentally wanders around without a collar on, someone may think that it’s a stray pup. It will be harder for you to get your little buddy back.
Also, collars are handy. If you wish to take your pup on a walk or restrain him, you just hook the leash and you’re good to go. Meanwhile, harnesses will take a little coaxing and struggle to put on without the defiance from your pup.
Recommended collar types
Remember, pups are small and they need the best puppy training collar that won’t hurt their tiny necks. If you’re still weighing your options, here are the types you should consider according to the American Kennel Club:
➕Standard flat collar
Flat collars are the common types you’ll see on pet stores. It’s a cheaper and convenient option. You can adjust the fit of the collar since this type uses a buckle and a holed loop. A lot of dog owners prefer this type since their pup can grow into it.
However, beware of dog breeds whose neck is larger than their heads. They can easily slip out of the collar if you’re not watchful.
➕Martingale collar
Martingale collar can have the same material and look with that of the standard flat type. The difference is that martingale uses two loops. The large loop is where the neck of the pup goes while the smaller loop is used to hook the leash. When the pup tries to tug, the larger loop tightens, thus preventing further tugging. You don’t have to worry since the tightening won’t come to the point of choking your dog. It also loosens once the pup retreats, thus the best puppy training collar.
If you want to discipline your doggo without being brutal, the martingale collar will be the best pick.
How about head halters?
Personally, I think it’s too early to use head halters to puppies. Unless they are big enough to overcome your strength, I don’t see the point of using one. As much as you want your pooch to pay attention to you, you may also want to let him explore the environment.
You may want to reserve head halters for advanced training once your pooch is big and old enough. For now, let’s keep the fun at best bark collar.
Collar types to avoid
Before you go purchasing, I just want to emphasize some collar types that you should avoid. Pups are small dudes and you don’t need the following collars:
➕Prong and pinch collar
How could you hurt that little sweetheart? Pups can get really yappy but it’s not right to use pinch collars to discipline them. Obedience training is the key here. Pinch or prong collars may just develop aggression at an early age.
Physically, prong collars will injure your pup. A responsible pet owner doesn’t lash on their dog’s neck and sends them bleeding to the vet.
➕Choke chain collars
I hate this one the most. Puppies don’t need choke chain collars unless you know the right timing to use it and you’re certain that it will yield positive results. The choke chain causes pain when the pup tries to jerk or pull the leash. This is guaranteed to cause trachea damage if used haphazardly. Not the best puppy training collar.
If you’re not a trainer or someone who’s supervised to use this collar, refrain from purchasing it.
Choosing the best fit for your puppy
First, the type of collar you should purchase depends on the breed and size of your pup. The energy level and age is also a big consideration here so you know how much control you want to possess. If you’re walking your pup for the first time, the best bet is a martingale collar. This provides control to you as the handler and comfort to your pup due to its loose nature, unless he tries to pull.
If you’re worried and you can’t decide, it doesn’t hurt to seek the opinion of your veterinarian. The dog doctor will advise you of the best type and fit that suits your pooch.
Best training and best bark collar for puppies
Looking for a commercial option real quick? Here are two of the classiest and chic options I have to add good boy points to your pup:
Blueberry Pet Floral Collection Collars
Puppy collars need not be boring! This Blueberry Pet Floral Collection Collar is a stylish option as the best puppy training collar. It has a floral-printed polyester material paired with an eco-friendly plastic buckle. There’s also a durable, nickel-free D ring to hook the leash on.
When putting the collar, make sure that you adjust it well and leave room for two fingers to slip on it. Not too loose or your pup will start to chew on it.
This collar comes in 9 different floral designs and collars to suit your preference. So far, this looks and fits great on all breeds but it pays to check the exact measurements.
For a designer collar, this is already affordable. Besides, the material is thick and it will last longer. It stays in place even if your pup is a little bit of a puller. Overall, this is a beautiful and quality collar that you can use every day to walk your pup.
✔️Very stylish
✔️Adjustable, thanks to its eco-friendly buckle system
✔️Premium polyester that’s comfy to wear
✔️The collar doesn’t smell even if worn daily
✔️Wide option for the style
❌Not a tie-out collar. You have to remove it when you’re not supervising your dog.
StrawberryEC Bandana Puppy Collar
Planning to get that good boy bandana? You can now get it together with the best puppy training collar in one. This adjustable bandana collar from StrawberryEC is both stylish and functional. It has a five-point adjustable girth for the collar that’s wrapped with the polyester bandana fabric.
The collar itself is made of synthetic leather that’s water and dirt-resistant. Meanwhile, the bandana comes in different prints like Navy Note, Burgundy Love, Red Grid, Peacock Green, and more. Feel free to choose which best represents the personality of your pooch.
Aside from the bandana, this collar also comes in bow tie versions. If you’re attending an event and bringing your dog, a bow tie collar is a good way to dress him up. The collar also comes with a leash with the same print.
As the best puppy training collar, it can hold well on energetic puppies. Also, the bandana serves a good purpose of keeping the dirt off their coat. This won’t just fit on dogs; it will also fit on cats and bunnies.
✔️Unique and stylish
✔️Premium materials
✔️Affordable collar/ bandana for pups
✔️Pliable fabric that’s comfy to wear
❌Not a good pick for pugs and dogs with thicker necks
Using the puppy collar
There are mix opinions about using a puppy collar during training. But one thing that convinced me that it’s staple is the fact that like kids, puppies forget. Even if you use positive reinforcement, there are moments when they will fail to tread the line. At that point, you have no control over your pup’s movement. The little pooch will zoom in too quick which can result in injuries or accidents.
Leashing through the best bark collar will encourage the dog to realize his limits. Paired with rewards, collars should be an effective way of instilling obedience to puppies.
Remember that there are dog breeds with a hard-wired tendency to chase. And at puppyhood, this is mixed with playfulness. You would want to be in command when they decide to run after a squirrel or another dog during training.
Putting the best puppy training collarfor the first time will not always induce an exciting reaction. So to encourage your pooch to put it on, give a reward the very first time you put him on a collar. Don’t scold the pup if he resists, whines, or mouths your hand. This is just a phase he needs to get over with. Let him wear it around the house but make sure that you’re keeping a close look. Chewing might ensue if you give the pup some private time.
Safety tips when using puppy collars
When using puppy collars, make sure that you practice the following caution:
Two finger rule. When putting the best puppy training collar on, make sure that you can still slip two fingers between the fabric and your dog’s neck. If it feels very tight, loosen it up a bit to give your puppy enough breathing room.
Check the fit regularly. If you’re using a tie-on collar, always check the fit every 2-4 weeks. Puppies inflate like balloons. You wouldn’t want your pooch to choke on it, right?
Remove the collar if not in use. Some dog owners prefer leaving the collar on for identification. But if your dog isn’t living the house, you might as well remove it. This will prevent the hair on the neck area from matting.
Tug lightly. Your pup is still a little pooch. If he tries to pull, don’t tug back too strong that you’re already dragging his entire body. Just pull lightly to send the signal. If he doesn’t stop, retrieve his body with your hands.
Using the best puppy training collar will help you train your puppy with more control. Just practice caution and nothing should go wrong. The fit and comfort always matter. Let your pup judge your option.