Every day, with each new client, or at each new class I teach, dogs show up wearing a variety of collars, harnesses and head gear. The owners have done their homework by searching the internet, asking their neighbors, vets or friends, and consulted with the sales clerk at the pet store and have made their choices carefully.  The owners only want what's best for their dogs. Still the first and most often asked question is "Which dog training collar is best?"

I want to make clear that this article is not meant to advocate the use of one collar over another. It is not the collar that makes the trainer. Rather, it is the trainer that knows how dogs think, learn and bond with humans who can therefore advise the owner which collar will work best for their dog. For any trainer to exclusively recommend a collar or training technique would in my opinion indicate their lack of understanding and experience with canines. More importantly, when I hear of trainers who forbid certain training aids and techniques be used in their classes, I have to wonder if they honestly have the dog's best interest at heart. No training equipment can take the place of a strong, mutually respectful relationship.

All dog collars, halters and harnesses are simply tools designed for specific purposes.  If you understand the purpose of each tool and the result you expect, the choice of a collar can be fairly easy. Unfortunately, today's "experts" on the subject have obscured these very simple facts. With the advent of "gentle", politically correct methods of dog training, highly manipulative and slanted views have been infused into this discussion. Many times the decision on which training tool to use is based more on myth and hearsay. It should be based on facts about each tool’s effectiveness in providing the desired result.

I have questioned many "dog trainers", veterinarians and educated owners and have supplied indisputable evidence either from studies, reports or demonstrations, (in my opinion an even more effective way of making a point) in the proper use of training collars. Their responses are almost always arguments based upon their moral views or worse, the moral views of someone else who heard it from someone else. Usually they concede that any "training collar" can be gentle and effective but that an owner must be as skilled as I am in order to use it properly. Therefore, for them to recommend or use it it is too risky. They in fact make my point for me. The effectiveness of any tool is directly related to it's proper use, including ones they themselves would endorse. This is why I do what I do. I teach owners how to use the proper tools to train their dogs.

Buckle Collars (Flat collar with either a metal buckle or plastic interlocking pieces)- While many dogs can be trained on a buckle collar, too often they arrive at class with one that is not fitted properly (too loose or too tight) connected to a retractable lead - a combination which is basically useless in training. Dogs become very excited around other dogs, especially young pups. Nothing is more important to that pup at that moment than playing with another dog. They will choke, gag, twist, roll over and sometimes slip out of the collar in the midst of their euphoria. This can be the beginning of a very long and frustrating period - for both owner and dog. The pressure that the excited dog exerts on the collar and neck can cause tracheal damage.

For the owner whose dog does not pull to the point of choking and gagging and who also responds well when learning commands, the buckle collar is fine as a training aid. However, less than 10 percent of dogs beginning obedience training can be trained on a buckle collar. All other responses require an upgrade. Once your dog is older and well trained, walking on a buckle collar will be no problem. This will usually be a more mature dog who is 2 to 3 years of age or older and who is well socialized with other dogs.

Body Harness - A harness is designed for sled dogs to pull. Pulling is the reaction from about 99% of all dogs placed on harnesses. So as a training aid, a harness is basically worthless, unless the training goal is to teach a dog to pull something. When I see dogs on harnesses, I often assume the owner has given up on trying to teach their dogs to walk at their side on a loose leash. While harnesses are frequently recommended by veterinarians, because they don’t do damage to the trachea, neck, or back, a harness does not allow an owner to effectively communicate and bond with a dog in a way that is mutually beneficial.

Some of the newer harnesses come with a front clip which, supposedly, eliminates the desire to pull by allowing the handler to control this action. For walking your dog this harness might work fine. As a training tool a harness is usually not effective, except for some very small breeds or very young dogs.  The effectiveness of the harness depends on the amount of resistance the dog exhibits.  If the owner has to constantly nag the dog saying “sit,sit,sit” or” Fido heel, Fido heel, Fido heel,” the dog is resisting the attempts to teach.  The dog is not deaf.  The technique is ineffective.

Head Halters - Head Halters are the latest in politically correct, morally proper tools that feed into owners desire to treat their canine companions like humans. While I too love my dogs and consider them family, I fully understand a dog's psychological view of head halters. I understand, and teach owners, that in order to include dogs into their human family they must treat them respectfully like the dog they truly are!

I will acknowledge that most dogs will not pull on a head halter. But, let's examine why. (And before I do this, for those of you who have used them, I ask; How easy was it to get it on your dog? Was your dogs personality the same after it was put on? How happy was your dog when you took it off?)

The manufacturers of these head halters claim they are "gentle" and safe. But, when they are attached to a retractable lead they can be downright dangerous. The way these devices work is to pull the dogs head towards the owner if it attempts to pull. This is uncomfortable for the dog and it will often keep the dog from pulling. However, if the dog becomes extremely excited and hits the end of the leash (as young dogs will often do) the head and neck could be snapped back at such a force as to possibly cause injury.

I rate head halters as a poor training tool. In my classes, without exception, those who begin the first class with them, change to another collar by the second. When they see other dogs responding, learning and enjoying themselves they quickly decide that the head halter is hampering their dogs' progression.

I have yet to work a dog who accepted a head halter willingly, and I have never observed a dog who appeared happy with having a halter around its muzzle. Most dogs appear depressed and subdued which does not create a positive learning experience. Dogs are uncomfortable with head halters, because their muzzles are very sensitive.  They use their noses and mouths to communicate, eat, play, and defend themselves.  Canines are predators.  Any dog feels psychologically vulnerable when its muzzle is restricted in any way.

Recently I read an article in a popular dog journal where the author  backed off of her previous accolades regarding the use of head halters. She carefully chose her words so as not to offend an audience that would no doubt include many head halter advocates. I found it interesting that included in the article was a one-week program designed to help owners "desensitize" their dog to the halter. To me this speaks volumes. If head halters are supposed to be "gentle" and an effective training aid, why would my dog not readily take to it? A dog would only need to be "de-sensitized" to something if they are experiencing fear or discomfort.

The bottom line on head halters is that as a management tool they might work fine. In other words, if what you are attempting to do is to subdue your dog's personality, you will probably get that result. Aggressive dogs have been known to respond well. However, dogs are willing partners of humans and eager to please. They enjoy respectful relationships based on clear communication and understanding. The canine resistance that I see caused by the use of head halters is not supportive of the unique bond we can achieve with our dogs. Their joy and exuberance is something we cherish, is it not?

Slip Collar (aka Choke Chain) - Possibly the oldest training tool available, the slip collar has been used for years and criticized for almost as long as it has been in existence. There are modern variations such as the cloth slip collar, martingale, and limited slip collar.