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Best Dog Training Collar (Vet Recommended)

Last Updated 20 March 2024

This article is written by Pet Circle Veterinarian Dr Maree Monaghan BVSc (Hons).

Having a well trained, obedient dog that is a joy to take anywhere is the dream of every dog parent. Although this may seem like a daunting task when you first start, choosing the right training equipment will set you and your pooch up for success in achieving this goal. 

Why is it important to choose the right dog training collar?

Every dog is an individual and needs a training program that takes advantage of their strengths and helps them overcome their weaknesses. Some dogs are born with a never ending supply of energy and enthusiasm but lacking in self control while others take a much more thoughtful approach to life. These differences must be taken into account so that you can choose the best training collar to meet your needs and those of your dog.

Head collars or halters are great for curbing the enthusiasm of dogs that love to make a dramatic entrance at the dog park and announce their arrival with an exuberant display of barking and bouncing. If you have a Houdini dog that has learned to back out of their collar and go adventuring, an obedience collar might be the solution.

 Four factors to consider when choosing a training collar for dogs:

  1. Size and fit: Collars and head collars are ineffective and can be dangerous if they don't fit the dog properly. This is particularly true with head collars as a poor fit can lead to eye and mouth damage or excess pressure on the nose.
  2. Level of training: Dogs with little or no training are more likely to make mistakes and need more input from their trainer. As training progresses and dogs learn which behaviours are appropriate and which are not, so less interaction between dog and trainer is required. This means that different types of training collars can be appropriate during the various stages of a dog's training.
  3. Trainer experience: Just like dogs, trainers have different levels of experience and need different tools to communicate effectively with their dog. Inexperienced trainers may find a head collar more useful as it gives them greater control over their dog's movements, where experienced trainers can achieve the same results with an obedience collar. 
  4. Quality and strength: A broken collar and a dog dodging traffic on a main road is every dog parent's worst nightmare. Choosing a high quality, well manufactured collar instead of a cheap and shoddily made collar could mean the difference between an enjoyable training session and a nerve wracking experience. 

Results:

  1. Best Halter for Hard to Fit Dogs: Halti Optifit Dog Headcollar
  2. Best Training Collar: Rogz Obedience Collar
  3. Best Three Way Harness: Petsafe 3 in 1 Harness
  4. Best No Pull Harness:  Halti No Pull Harness
  5. Best Front Control Harness: Halti Front Control Harness
  6. Best Collar for Sighthounds: BlackDog Wear Sighthound Collar

How We Review Our Products

Our Pet Circle Vet Squad comprises 30 vets with over 120 years of collective, independent veterinary expertise. Our Vet team use their health and husbandry knowledge, along with their own personal and clinical experiences to evaluate each product and provide detailed, informative reviews, free of any commercial bias. We then collate this information into our 'best of' recommendations.

Top Dog Training Collars in Australia

Best Halter for Hard to Fit Dogs: Halti Optifit Dog Headcollar

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Pros

  1. Designed to fit most dogs from short nosed Boxers to long nosed Borzois.
  2. Specially designed cheek straps to stop nose strap from sliding
  3. Lightweight, comfortable padded noseband
  4. Halti safety link which connects to the dog's collar for extra security.
  5. Reflective cheek straps for improved visibility 

Cons

  1. Needs to be fitted precisely to work effectively
  2. Not suitable for dogs under 9 months of age
  3. Only available in black

Dr Roger Mudgform and the team at Halti have spent over 40 years designing and manufacturing award winning dog training products. Halti's unique designs with their emphasis on safety, comfort and fit are the next generation in dog training aids. 

What our customers say: "I recently bought this Halti for my 3 year old Golden Retriever. I have tried several different harnesses over the past 3 years but have not been able to stop her sniffing and pulling. After only 2 walks this Halti has been such a game changer. My dog is no longer pulling or trying to sniff the ground, but instead is walking beautifully beside or just ahead of me. Definitely recommend this product."

What our vets say: "This headcollar is designed to stop your dog pulling and so you can both enjoy walk time! It has a safety link which connects to their collar for extra security and it is made with a strong and secure design to prevent pulling. It has been designed for comfort and visibility including an adjustable chin strap ensuring that optimal fit regardless of breed or size. “


Best Training Collar: Rogz Obedience Collar

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Pros

  1. Non slip design for greater security
  2. Reflective stitching for night time visibility
  3. Made from durable, high quality materials

Cons

  • Chain may become tangled in long hair
  • Does not have a buckle or clip so must be slipped over dog's head
  • Not suitable for dogs that pull

The Rogz Obedience Collar is a comfortable webbing collar joined with a short length of rust-proof stainless steel chain which draws together when pressure is applied on the lead. This combination provides the comfort of a webbing collar with the security of a non-slip metal chain. The sound and vibration of the chain closing also provides two different types of training cues to the dog.

What our customers say: "This is a great training collar for your dog but I use it as an everyday walking collar because it cannot slip off. It gives you more control over your dog. I love the colour too"

What our vets say: "I like to recommend the Rogz Obedience Collar for dogs who pull on their lead when walking as it is an excellent tool for training and behaviour correction. Being a martingale type collar, it allows you to make gentle corrections and tightens when your dog pulls on the lead, immediately loosening when they stop. It is much safer than using a choke chain or slip lead for training. The vibration and sound that the chain makes when correcting your dog also helps them learn not to pull. I also love that the Rogz Obedience collar comes in a variety of colours to suit the likes of all dogs!" Dr Jenny


Best Three Way Harness: Petsafe 3 in 1 Harness

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Pros

  1. All in one solution for travel, training, walking and running with your dog
  2. Multiple adjustment points for a perfect fit
  3. Seatbelt loop on the back doubles as a handle

Cons

  1. Multiple adjustment points have the potential to rub very short haired dogs
  2. Girth neck and belly strap must all fit perfectly to stop dogs escaping and this may not be possible on some dogs
  3. Can be confusing and fiddly to put on particularly with wriggly dogs

This harness offers a variety of training options including a set belt loop for travel training, a front lead attachment to control pulling and a back attachment for use with a standard lead or a double ended lead.

What our customers say: "Sizes run a bit big, I measured just like the guide suggested and yet the harness was too big. I then got the size down and it's perfect. Completely fixed my spoodle from pulling, she now can walk using the back hook like any other dog"

What our vets say: "I like recommending the Petsafe 3 in 1 harness for its quality and versatility. For training, you can use it as a no-pull front clip harness, but you can also use it everyday as a regular harness, and it's great to use as well as a car restraint. It's made with high quality, durable materials that offer you and your best friend safety and security, plus it has an adjustable fit for a better, more comfortable fit which are all especially important for lead training." Dr Antonella


Best No Pull Harness: Halti No Pull Harness

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Pros

  1. Chest panel stops harness sliding when dog pulls
  2. Comfortable and lightweight with padded leg straps and chest panel
  3. Easy to put on
  4. Very difficult to escape from

Cons

  • Works best with a double ended lead
  • Has to be put on over dog's head
  • Only available in black

With a unique combination of two anti pull features, this harness is the best designed solution for dogs that pull. The back attachment allows a lifting action when the dog starts to pull while the front attachment on the padded chest panel adds an extra option for control of forward movement. 

What our customers say: "My Kelpie/Staffi cross Betty pulled so hard that I tore my bicep tendon. Someone at work recommended this harness. So, I bought it and from the moment I put it on, no more pulling. I didn't need to attach the front lead. I am not quite sure how it works but it does! It was so nice to enjoy the walk, loose lead walking and not having to hold on to the lead like my life depended on it! Only reward she needed was saying good girl!"


Best Front Control Harness: Halti Front Control Harness

 

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Pros

  1. Designed in partnership with dog behaviour experts
  2. Neoprene padding for comfort
  3. Solution for dogs that can't or won't wear a headcollar
  4. Can be attached to a flat collar for extra stability

Cons

  1. Not recommended for dogs under 9 months of age
  2. Only available in one combination of colours (black and red)
  3. Front lead attachment can slip to the side of the neck and so negate the anti pulling effect

Another revolutionary design from Dr Roger Mugford and the team at Halti, this harness provides the solution for dog owners to control their dog's pulling on the lead. Attaching the lead to the front of the harness gives you control over your dog's direction of movement. The ring on the back can be used as a brake so, by using a double ended lead, you can effectively control your dog's direction and speed.

What our customers say: "Such a wonderful harness, we were sceptical with the price, but it has stopped our husky/malamute from pulling entirely. After using this lead for 6+months we walk regularly with a SLACK rope, didn't even think this was possible. Before I (F 25) wasn't even confident enough to walk the dog without my partner, but now I can confidently walk and control the dog. It has put the joy back into dog walking, and I love that this harness has so much control over the dog, without hurting, muzzling or choking them. We even bought it for family members with dogs and they love it too!"


Best Sighthound Collar: BlackDog Wear Whippet and Sighthound Collars

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Pros

  1. Thick tapered throat pad to protect neck from injury
  2. Can be used for breeds other than sighthounds
  3. Blackdog Wear is Australian made and owned

Cons

  1. No buckle so has to slipped over head
  2. Cannot be left on dog or used to tie dog up due to choking risk
  3. Must be fitted correctly to work properly

Sighthound breeds like greyhounds and whippets have a neck that is bigger than their head so it is difficult to stop these breeds from slipping out of their collars. Martingale collars have an adjustable loop that goes around the dog's neck and a smaller loop with a D-ring for attaching the lead. When the dog pulls on the lead or tries to slip out, the tension pulls the smaller loop taut. This, in turn, tightens the larger loop gently and uniformly around the dog's neck.


What to look for in Training Collars

Quality of materials

Clips and buckles made from stainless steel or brass will last longer and be more secure than flimsy plastic. Look for strong, secure preferably double stitching and good quality fabrics

Size adjustment

Collars and harnesses have to fit correctly in order to work properly. Products with multiple adjustment points allow fine tuning to achieve a perfect fit and make allowances for growing pups.

Design

Dogs come in so many different shapes and sizes that there will never be one style of collar or harness that will suit all dogs. Choose a design that is appropriate for your dog's shape, size and level of training.

Comfort

Some dogs, particularly those with very short hair, will need padding on their collar or harness to avoid rubbing regardless of how well the collar or harness fits. It is also important to ensure that your dog can move freely with no restrictions to their normal gait.

Further Reading

Want to know more? Check out some of our other articles:

Five Essential Dog Walking Tips

Training Your Puppy to Walk on a Lead

Walking Your Dog at Night

Exercising Your Dog