Best Dog Shock Collar

SportDOG Brand 425 Family Remote Trainer

BOTTOM LINE

Capable of training multiple dogs with one remote, this SportDOG collar is a good option for homes with more than one unruly dog. The collar has a good range and is waterproof at up to 24 feet.

PROS

Train and work with up to three dogs at the same time with this shock collar, which has a 500-yard range. It gives you the option of choosing a shock type or a sound type to stop your pets.

CONS

This collar produces an intense shock that makes it unsuitable for dogs weighing 10 pounds or less. Some of the reviews of the collar claimed that the remote stopped working too.

PetSafe Rechargeable Dog Training Collar

BOTTOM LINE

As this collar is waterproof, you can use it outside on your dog in the rain and the snow. The manufacturer also allows you to train three dogs with multiple collars and the same remote.

PROS

Designed for both indoor and outdoor training, this collar has a range of up to 400 yards. Suitable for use on dogs who weigh at least eight pounds, it is fully waterproof.

CONS

The high price tag of this dog collar might turn off some shoppers. Other customers had problems with the battery, which stopped taking a charge.

Ipets Waterproof & Rechargeable Dog Shock Collar

BOTTOM LINE

Whether your dog responds best to sound or shock, this collar will help you curb bad behaviors. The collar is waterproof and comes with an internal battery that you can easily and quickly charge.

PROS

Not only do you get a good warranty with this collar, but you can register it online and extend your warranty. It has 100 levels of shocks and sounds that let you customize the experience your dog has.

CONS

Some shoppers found that the range listed on the packaging doesn’t match the range they got out of the collar. There were also complaints from customers that the collar stopped working.

Petrainer Waterproof & Rechargeable Dog Training Collar

BOTTOM LINE

The adjustable design of this collar makes it suitable for almost all sizes of pets. Many dog owners will also like how easily and quickly they can charge both the remote and the receiver on the collar.

PROS

Suitable for all types of dog owners, this collar has a range of 330 yards and is completely waterproof. You can charge both the receiver and the remote for regular use.

CONS

Most of the negative reviews surrounding this collar point out that it stopped working after a few months. Some pet owners also found that the buttons on the remote were confusing.

DOG CARE Dog Training Collar

BOTTOM LINE

Control your pup and keep it from barking and engaging in other bad behaviors from a distance of up to 330 yards away with this shock collar. It has an adjustable collar that fits on both smaller and larger.

PROS

No one can use this dog collar without the remote because it has a lock feature that keeps it from operating. It also has nine channels that let you use similar collars on nine different animals and control all their collars with one remote.

CONS

Some reviewers found that the dog collar stopped working one day after they used it on their dogs or that it stopped working later. You may need to use it on a higher setting to control a larger or heavier dog.

Shopping Guide for the Best Dog Shock Collar

Television shows and films make it seem as though the mailman is a dog’s worst friend. Hearing your dog go off when your mailman stops by or when anyone walks down the street can be one of the most frustrating things you’ve ever experienced. As much as you want to keep that pup quiet, nothing you do seems to work. You can now get all the control that you need with one of the best dog shock collars for 2023. Each one delivers a mild shock that makes your pup sit up and pay attention without injuring your four-legged friend.

If you think that the best dog shock collar 2023 products only work on large dogs and breeds, think again. Small dogs such as Chihuahuas and Shi Tzus can bark just as much as any big dog can. Some collars deliver just enough of a shock to make your dog realize that it did something bad. You can easily find collars that are suitable for the largest and smallest dogs around.

Shock collars are for more than just barking too. You can use one when your dog just won’t stop barking as you try to sleep at night or it barks at the first sign of anyone outside. The collars work on a range of other bad behaviors such as dogs that like to rush out the door when it opens and those who jump on and lick visitors to your home. You can use these collars with your dog inside or outside. Check out the following article to see the best dog shock collars and what to consider when buying one for your pup.

Selection Criteria

As the parent of a four-legged child, you probably worry about the safety of your pet every day. While some pet parents worry that shock collars are cruel, we worked hard to find the best products that work as training aids but won’t harm your pet. The mild shock that these collars deliver will make your dog stop and think twice before continuing with its actions. Our list also includes collars that use sound in addition to or in lieu of a shock. Those loud noises can startle your dog and make it stop in its tracks.

Like we do with all our shopping and buying guides, we turned to real shoppers for help. After looking at the reviews for dozens of products, we quickly located and weeded out products with a number of fake reviews. Some of the shock collars we came across had positive reviews that stated the same things and included the same information with a larger number of negative reviews from customers who actually purchased and used those collars.

Once we found the top dog shock collars, we took a look at the features that matter most to pet owners. You’ll find the top five products in the chart above and more detailed reviews of those collars below.

How Does a Shock Collar Work?

One of the most important things you need to know before buying and using a dog shock collar is exactly how these collars work. The collar comes with a small receiver that sits on top of the collar. This receiver usually features a light that flashes red or turns red when the battery is low. An included remote control uses a radio frequency and sends a signal to the receiver based on the setting that you selected. Whether you use a sound, shock or a combination of both, the signal reaches your dog and makes it come to a sudden stop.

Think about it this way: if you had someone slap your hand every time that you reached for a cookie, would you keep trying to grab a cookie or eventually give up? This is the same way that your dog thinks. If you punish your dog, in the same way, each time that it does something bad, your dog will eventually learn to stop doing that specific thing. When used as a training aid, a collar can help you teach your dog how to act around strangers and how to respond to basic commands.

What Types of Behaviors Can a Shock Collar Stop?

One of the top reasons why pet owners use a shock collar is because they want to stop their dogs from barking and/or growling. Depending on your dog, you may find that it barks at every noise that happens outside of your home and each person who wanders by. The right collar can also keep your dog from growling at common or everyday noises. Some of the other behaviors that a shock collar can help with include:

Digging through the trash or breaking open trash bags
Chasing other animals or kids around your home
Jumping on visitors or guests
Getting on certain pieces of furniture
Leaving your yard when left outside
Running away when walking outside of your home with you
Biting and/or snapping at humans and other animals
Acting out on long or short car rides

Types of Dog Shock Collars

You may not realize that there are a few different types of shock collars on the market today. Each one serves a different purpose and can help you with different types of training.

Yard collars: Also called boundary collars, yard collars work with receivers that you place around your yard to mark the boundaries of where your dog can go. The receiver on the collar emits a shock when your dog gets too close to one of these markings.
Remote collars: All the products that we included on our list are remote collars that put you in control. The receiver on the collar responds to the frequency transmitted by the remote that you hold in your hand. You can press a button on the remote with one finger to deliver a shock.
Bark collars: If you simply want your dog to stop barking, you may want to use a bark collar. These collars detect the vibrations that a dog produces before it growls or barks and emit a signal to make it stop. A bark collar works even if you’re not at home.
Vibration collar: A vibration collar emits soft vibrations instead of producing a shock. You can adjust the vibration level to make sure it stops your dog in its tracks. Not all dogs respond well to vibrations though.
Spray collar: If other collars don’t work on your pet, you can try a spray collar. This releases a mist or spray that confuses the dog and makes it stop that bad behavior. One downside to this type of collar is that you’ll need to pay extra for the refill cartridges.
Ultrasound collars and trainers: These collars help train your dog because they release a high pitched noise that only dogs can hear. You might notice a faint squealing sound, but most people use these collars without hearing a single sound.

Top Features of Shock Collars

As you look at the top dog shock collar 2023 products, you may feel a little confused because it seems like most products are the same or come with the same features. It’s important that you look at the top features of shock collars to ensure that the one you buy works the way you need it to work and that it will effectively train your dog.

Range

Even if you plan on only working with your dog inside, you still need to consider the range of the receiver in regards to the remote. If you are on the second floor and hear your dog barking at the front door, you can hit a button on the remote and send a signal to the collar from one floor to the next. Most manufacturers list a range in terms of yards, and one yard is equivalent to three feet, but other companies will list the range of their products in feet. You generally want a range of at least 300 yards, but you may want a larger range that gives your dog more room to roam.

Customization Features

The more customization features that the collar has, the more likely it will work for your dog. You may find that your dog responds to loud tones when engaging in certain behaviors but that you need to use a shock to stop the dog from doing other things. We found a number of shock collars that let you choose between 100 different settings. This lets you use sound or shock alone and to use a combination of both. Some dogs will grow accustomed to a specific tone or shock, especially if you use that setting on a regular basis. Having more settings lets you change the intensity as your dog grows comfortable with the lower settings.

Adjustable Collar

Another thing you should consider is whether the collar has an adjustable design. This is especially important when working with a puppy. As your puppy grows, its neck size will also grow. Even if you have a small breed dog, its neck may double in size once the puppy reaches adulthood. With an adjustable collar, you can adjust the way the collar fits on your dog. Most use either notches or holes that let you simply move the clasp from one to the next.

Color or Design

Though collar or design may not seem important to you, it is important to some pet owners. Many of the dog shock collar 2023 products we came across only come in black, but you’ll find collars in brighter shades like pink and collars that feature patterns like a floral or camouflage print. Choosing a different color or pattern lets you match your dog’s collar to its personality.