What is the Right German Shepherd Training Collar?
Different breeds require different training methods. There is a lot of controversy regarding the use of shock collars in the training of dogs. But some breeds respond well to that sort of training. One of them is the German Shepherd.
If you are looking for an effective German Shepherd training collar, a good shock collar could be the answer to your prayers. Here is what you need to know about finding the right training collar for your Shepherd pup.
What is the Best Collar for a German Shepherd Puppy?
There are a lot of shock collars out there, but there are a few things you should be looking for when finding the proper collar. Remember, you are looking for a training tool, not a way to punish the dog for bad behavior.
There are a few criteria that you should be looking into to find the best German Shepherd training collar, whether for your pup or a fully-grown Shepherd.
Type of Correction
Because there are so many different options for shock collars out there to choose from, knowing what types of correction methods they include helps. This can come through vibration, shock, or sound. There are some breeds that might not need to use shock as vibration or sound might be enough to get them to recognize and follow commands.
It is always recommended that you start with collars that use sound or vibration first. Some breeds, like the German Shepherd, are a bit more stubborn and require shock to get them to correct their behavior.
Levels of Correction
This is another matter of importance when it comes to finding the proper collar. If you do go with a shock collar, the last thing that you want to do is just crank up the levels without really knowing what you are doing to your dog.
Start at the lowest level and work your way up. Be sure to check your dog’s reaction to each of the levels to see what kind of impact it has. The goal is to correct behavior, not to hurt or punish them. Having a number of different levels is a good way to allow you to customize the collar to find what works best for you and your dog.
Intended Use
What is the intended use of your German Shepherd training collar? This is an important one to know, and not all owners consider this before making their purchase. If you are using the shock collar as a substitute for a lack of training, then stop right there.
The goal should be to purchase a shock collar to be implemented into a training routine. There are times when traditional training methods may not work or be quite as effective as you were hoping. In this instance, the shock collar would be effective to help break them of the habits that aren’t quite working for their training.
Comfort
The collar is meant to provide correction, yes. But at the same time, the dog should not mind having the collar on. Be sure to measure your dog’s neck and look for the right size. You want something that fits snugly but isn’t so tight that it digs into the dog’s neck.
You also want to make sure that you don’t get something too loose, as it may be too far away from the dog’s neck to actually feel it. It takes time and care to find the proper collar size for your German Shepherd.
Range
If you plan to train your German Shepherd outside, then the range is definitely an important factor to consider. For instance, if you plan to use the shock collar to teach them not to run into the street, then you would want to make sure that the collar you purchase has the range to work in those situations.
Consider where you are training before making your purchase. There are both short- and long-range collars. Make sure that you have the right one before implementing it into your training process.
Battery
Finally, there is the matter of battery life. It is important to know how long it lasts, but also just how well the battery functions. Know how long it takes to charge the collar as well as how long the collar will last with just a single charge.
These are important questions to know not only before purchasing a collar but also before getting into training. If you need to have a collar that lasts hours at a time, make sure that you go with one that has a strong, durable battery that can accommodate your needs.
Conclusion
Though they can have some negative connotations surrounding them, shock collars have proven to be a safe, effective means of training German Shepherds. The goal is to find the right collar to suit your needs and to help ensure that training goes properly.
It is important to know things like the levels and types of correction, the intended use, and more before implementing a shock collar. But for breeds like the Shepherd or Siberian Huskies, the shock collar is an effective tool that will help them to become the best companions they can be.
