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A dog training collar is a handy piece of equipment that can be used to obedience train your dog. No doubt you have heard it referred to as a slip collar, pinch collar, choke collar or possibly a choke chain but it is one and the same no matter the name. Essentially it fits around the dogs neck and is attached to a leash or lead. When the dog owner applies pressure to the leash, he or she can effectively control their pet.

However a dog training collar and lead has to be used properly for it to be totally effective while at the same time being safe for your dog. This article will examine five things you should think about when getting a training collar. This will help you to understand how the collar works and how to use it effectively. Here goes.

1. Get the right fit of training collar ” The collar must be of a size that is just right for your dog as one that is too tight will hurt the dog and be hard to get on. One that is too big will fall off and will not serve it purposes of training the dog. As a rule of thumb, the collar should fit snugly around the dogs neck with a bit of play in it.

Measure the neck of your pet. To give the collar a bit of play add an extra 2-3 inches (about 5 cm) to this measure. This should prove to give your dog enough movement but also keep you firmly in control. Generally a training collar will come in 2 inch (5 centimeter) increments so go for the nearest increment to your measurement if you can’t find an exact match.

2. Placing the training collar on your pet correctly ” Most collars will come with comprehensive instructions about fitting the collar onto your dog. Pay attention to these instructions as they will indicate what is too tight a fit and how to place the collar onto your dog safely. This may prevent you dog from hurt or injury from a badly fitted training collar.

3. Using the training collar properly ” Above all use the collar in an informed and compassionate way. It is not a way to punish your dog but merely a way to communicate with him when he is doing wrong. You should never exert a continuous force on the lead or leash when it is attached to the collar as this could cut of air to the dog and lead to problems.

4. Think about the weight and link size of the training collar. This should reflect the size of the animal that it will be used on. For instance a big dog like a St. Bernard would require a heavier chain with bigger links than a Jack Russell. Many chains will list which dogs are suitable for the type of chain.

5. Ensure that the collar and lead is correctly positioned on the dogs neck. For example the lead must be positioned at the top of the neck so that the slightest pull by you will be translated to the dog. It also means that the collar will loosen as soon as you ease the pressure on the lead.

To close, ensure that the collar and lead are well constructed using sturdy materials. They are likely to get well used and roughly treated so need to withstand some poor treatment. You also don’t want them to break at a vital moment in your obedience training program.

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