7 Best Training Collars for Stubborn Dogs in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

If you have a stubborn dog that acts aggressively around people, you know that it can be a difficult behavior to control. Many herding dogs, such as Border Collies and German Shepherds, are especially prone to this issue, and if you are an inexperienced owner or can’t afford a professional trainer, a collar can be your only effective tool. However, with so many different brands available, finding one that works well can be challenging.

We have reviews of several brands of the top training collars for stubborn dogs so you can see the differences between them. We provide the pros and cons of each one, along with a short buyer’s guide to help you know what to look for if you continue to shop.

DISCLAIMER: The use of shock collars on dogs is a controversial issue and something that is actually banned in many countries. This is largely because they can be both a cruel and ineffective way of training dogs, but this can come down to how they are being implemented. Shock collars are not a substitute for training, and if you do not have good control over your dog, do not let them off the leash. Shock collars should never be used to punish or cause pain.

If you are struggling to get control of your dog, off and on the leash, you’re probably looking for anything that might help. In terms of training collars, we’ve taken the time to choose some of the best options, so you don’t have to wade through hundreds of reviews yourself.

We’ve found seven great training collars to help you train your stubborn dog, and we have also provided a buyer’s guide full of advice on how to get the best results with them.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

The 7 Best Training Collars for Stubborn Dogs

1. SportDOG WetlandHunter 425X Remote Training Dog Shock Collar — Best Overall

The SportDOG WetlandHunter 425X Remote Training Dog Shock Collar is the best overall training collar for stubborn dogs. It has a long 500-foot range so you can control your dog while you’re on the trail and you are ready for any distractions. It is waterproof up to 25 feet, so it’s perfect for dogs that like to get into the river or lake. It has 21 levels of stimulation, so you can use the smallest jolt necessary, and you can also switch to vibration and tone options if your pet is a quick learner.

The only problem with this product is that it is quite expensive, especially if you haven’t used one of these tools before and aren’t sure if it will work for exactly what you need.

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2. PetSafe Smart Dog Training Collar — Best Value

The PetSafe Smart Dog Training Collar is the best training collar for stubborn dogs for the money. It has a long 75-yard range and comes with a rechargeable battery, so it’s always ready to go. It works well for training your dog, and you can control it using your smartphone, as it is compatible with the iPhone and Android operating systems.

The downside to the PetSafe Smart Dog Training Collar is that even though most people do, not everyone has a smartphone.The Bluetooth signal is also weak, and it doesn’t always effectively control the collar because you frequently have to unlock your phone before you can make any adjustments.

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3. SportDOG SportHunter 825X Remote Training Dog Shock Collar — Premium Choice

The SportDOG SportHunter 825X Remote Training Dog Shock Collar is our premium choice training collar for stubborn dogs. It features 21 levels of stimulation, so you can find the minimum shock required to correct your dog’s behavior. It has an extended range of ½ mile, so you don’t need to keep the dog nearby. You can also switch to vibration or tone once your dog starts to understand what the collar is telling them. It’s waterproof up to 25 feet deep, so you don’t need to worry about your dog jumping into the water, and the batteries are rechargeable, so it is always ready to go.

Besides the high cost, the only downside of this product is that there is no automatic shut-off, which is a feature that some other brands offer. It shuts off the collar if the dog continues to bark in order to reduce stress and prevent injury.

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4. Educator By E-Collar Technologies Mini 1/2 Mile E-Collar Waterproof Dog Training Collar

The Educator By E-Collar Technologies Mini 1/2 Mile E-Collar Waterproof Dog Training Collar is a fantastic training collar for stubborn dogs. It has a small, discreet design to help make it easier to put on and take off. Both the transmitter and receiver are waterproof, and it has a ½-mile range, so you can train your dog from a considerable distance away. It has 100 selectable stimulus levels so you can find something that trains without harming, and the video instructions make sure you understand all the features and how to use it correctly.

The downside to the Educator is that it’s extremely expensive and might be out of some new pet owners’ budgets. Also, the transmitter seems a bit flimsy and might break if dropped.

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5. High Tech Pet Express Train Remote Radio Dog Training System RT-1

The High Tech Pet Express Train Remote Radio Dog Training System RT-1 is an electric collar that has an easy-to-use transmitter that enables you to train up to three dogs at once. However, you will need to purchase additional collars to train more than one dog at a time. If your pup is a quick learner, you can switch to positive and negative tones instead of the electric shocks.

The downside of the High Tech RT-1 is that it doesn’t quite have the ½-mile range that it claims, and the transmitter works intermittently at much closer ranges. It also drains the battery in just a few hours, so you will need to charge it constantly so it’s ready to go when you need it.

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6. Frisco Trainer Dog Collar Waterproof & Rechargeable

The Frisco Trainer Dog Collar Waterproof & Rechargeable is an electric collar with a huge ¾-of-a-mile range, meaning you will have control over your dog farther than you can see them in many cases. It has 127 stimulation levels, so you don’t overdo it with the shocks, and there’s even a safety mechanism that prevents overstimulation. The LCD screen makes it easier and faster to make adjustments, and complete step-by-step instructions come with it.

Unfortunately, the long range of the Frisco Manger drains the battery quite quickly, so you can only train for short sessions before you need to recharge. Like other models with a range of ½ mile or more, it’s extremely expensive, and in many cases, you can’t even see your dog that far away.

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7. Halti Nylon Padded No-Pull Head Collar

The Halti Nylon Padded No-Pull Head Collar is part of the popular Halti product range that gives you much better control over your dog when on leash. The head collar works by applying light pressure over the bridge of the nose to turn the head, rather than needing lots of strength to control the neck. There are also Halti no-pull harnesses for dogs with short muzzles or those that really resent the head collar.

Some dogs do best on these sorts of collars all the time, while others can eventually switch to a regular collar once their leash control has improved.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Collar for Stubborn Dogs

Steel-Prong Collars

You might be wondering about the use of steel prong collars dogs, but we don’t recommend using these, even for stubborn dogs. While shock collars can be used in a positive way, as we outlined at the start of the article, prong collars do not work in this way. By inflicting pain on your dog when they pull on the leash, they create a negative association between you and the leash and increase stress and anxiety. That’s why we recommend alternatives like the Halti collars that give owners good control using minimal force and no pain.

If you are still struggling to get control over your dog, either on or off the leash, we recommend speaking to your veterinarian or dog trainer.

If you’re concerned about your dogs behaviour, we recommend you speak with a vet.

Strength

When using a shock collar, it’s a good idea to choose one that has a lot of intensity levels. This gives you a much greater range to find your ideal levels to get your dog’s attention. Your collar should be strong enough to interrupt what they are doing, without causing pain or distress.

Be sure to read instruction manuals carefully to ensure you are using the collar correctly and safely.

Range

You will see many brands discussing how far the range of their electric collars is. While it would technically be nice to control your dog from miles away, it’s not reasonable to deliver electric shocks to an animal that will not be able to see or hear you. A small increase in the range can lead to a noticeable increase in cost, so we recommend avoiding any brands that promise more than about 1/2 mile of range.

Weatherproofing

Many of these collars do not have any waterproofing. If you are a long-time dog owner, you know that many breeds enjoy jumping into the water to take a quick swim. They may also find themselves in the rain and otherwise get wet quite often, so a collar that isn’t waterproof will likely not last long.

How to Use a Training Collar

In the past, shock collars have been used to punish or stop an unwanted behavior, like barking, running away, or aggression. But used in this way, these collars will only add further stress and anxiety to a dog that is likely already experiencing stress and anxiety. Shock collars should never be used to punish or cause pain, and they are most effective when used to get your dog’s attention and redirect their behavior as part of a counterconditioning training program.

What does that mean?

We know that positive reinforcement is, by far, the most effective way to train your dog, and shock collars are not traditionally seen or used as a form of positive reinforcement. However, when used in the right way, they can actually become part of a positive reinforcement technique. To do this, you need to teach your dog what the collar means before you take them into a situation where the collar will actually be needed.

Use the collar on the lowest setting that gets your dog’s attention and reward them with a treat when they obey. In this way, we are using the collar in a similar way to clicker training. Gradually increase the distance between you and your dog so that each time you press the button on the remote, they listen to your voice and come for their treat. This allows you to get their attention over a longer distance without having to shout at the top of your lungs.

Use different distractions to ensure that the collar is still effective when your dog is focused on other people or dogs. You may need to increase the intensity of the collar, but not to a point where it appears to cause any stress or pain. The collar should be used to startle, not punish.

Once you are confident that your dog understands what the collar means, you’re ready to take it out for a spin.

If your dog is showing any signs of aggression toward people or other dogs, you need to keep them on a leash. If you decide to use a training collar to try to overcome this sort of behavior, we recommend using a muzzle as well, or better yet, enlisting the help of a qualified dog trainer or behaviorist.

How We Selected These Training Collars for Stubborn Dogs

This buyer’s guide was carefully crafted by our writers and editors in collaboration with our team of in-house veterinarians. The dog collars reviewed here are rated on a combination of factors: brand reputation, customer reviews across multiple retail outlets, personal experience, and in some cases, feedback from our own dogs! Together, we choose and review only the best dog collars available, to help you make the most informed decisions that foster the well-being of your furry friends.

Why Trust Dogster?

Dogster has been a trusted brand for dog owners online since 2004, which means we have a lot of experience with dog collars. We are a team of passionate dog owners who care about our pups as much as you do yours. We want the best for every canine on the planet. Dogster’s writers, editors, and veterinarians are deeply invested in the well-being of our pets, and we believe that all pet owners share this dedication to providing only the highest quality products and services for our dogs.

Conclusion

When choosing your next training collar for a stubborn dog among these reviews, we highly recommend our pick for the best overall. The SportDOG WetlandHunter 425X Remote Training Dog Collar has a usable 500-foot range, and you can select from 21 levels of stimulation, so you can provide just enough shock to change your dog’s behavior. We also recommend our premium choice if you need something with a bit more range. The SportHunter 825X has many of the same features as the top choice but extends the distance up to ½ mile.

• See also: Are Shock Collars Illegal?

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Featured Image Credit: sophiecat, Shutterstock