"Dog training collars" are usually euphamisms for shock collars (and yes, people = these collars don't tickle - they DO shock your dogs with an electronic device). For most training needs, there is simply no reason to use them and in the wrong hands, they can actually CAUSE behavioral problems (such as fear aggression). For the novice dog owner with basic every day dog training needs (like teaching Rover not to pull down the block), I see no need for these kinds of collars. The allure of the "remote control" dog is always there, but good training starts with a sound relationship built on trust and it's never easy to build such a relationship when it is built on a device is created to cause pain. I am not saying I am against the use of aversives in training - but I would never default to an aversive.
There are other types of collars people refer to as training collars as well:
Martingales
Prong
Choke
Head Halters (such as the gentle Leader made by Premier Pet Products)
All have their factions who swear by them. Personally, out of the list I prefer the martingale for most dogs. It's great for preventing dogs from slipping out of the collar, is self limiting so it's unlikely to cause damage to the dog trachea or to sufficate, it gives immediate reward by release of pressure as soon as the dog stops pulling, and can be used safely by novice dog owners.
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