Pet Fountains

What is the Best Age to Introduce a Dog Training Collar?

How Young Can My Dog be When I Start Using a Dog Training Collar?

Remote Training Collars

One of the most common questions we get asked by dog owners is, ‘What is the best age to introduce a dog training collar?’ A remote training collar can often be a very useful tool with pet dogs or working dogs. However, it is fair to say, that each dog will respond differently, particularly at different ages. So, introducing a dog training collar is going to depend on the dog and its age. Certain dogs seem to pick things up earlier or quicker than other dogs, the key is knowing what to look for and what you can pick up from the experts.

Understanding the Consequences

One of the main points to consider when bringing in the dog training collar is to determine if the dog is at an age where it can understand the reason why a correction is being given. It is vital that we learn if the dog’s mental development is enough to make the connection that a given response to a command, or certain behaviour is causing a correction. This applies just as readily to a citronella spray remote trainer as it does to an electronic dog training collar. There are some who will say that you can introduce a citronella spray remote training collar as a better option for younger dogs and pups. However, the fact remains, unless a dog has the mental development to understand the purpose of the training, early introduction can actually be detrimental.

Observe your Dog's Behaviour

Often, you can discover your dog’s readiness for a dog training collar through simple observation. Watching your dog, and how it reacts to accidental circumstances is often a great indicator. When a pup’s behaviour alters due to experiencing a situation like getting stuck somewhere they cannot get out of, or their tail gets caught in the door – little things, like avoiding that location or being cautious around the door. This is a good sign that your dog is showing signs of learning. From here there are a couple of considerations that we need to take into account;

Is your dog capable of joining the dots between a correction and the behaviour that caused it? This is important for curbing unwanted behaviour

What is the right level of correction on the dog training collar for your dog? It is vital that you don’t over-correct your dog, especially a younger dog. This only leads to your dog being stressed will slow and delay any real learning. Today’s dog training collars allow you to adjust the correction levels so that you can find the best to suit your dog and its temperament for any age.

Recommended Age

The majority of dog training collar manufacturer’s all recommend that a dog be at least 6 months of age prior to the introduction of a remote training collar. Generally, this is a good rule of thumb, however, in certain instances, it may prove beneficial to wait a little longer. Another good approach is to allow your dog to get familiar with the collar before any training is commenced. In terms of dog training collars, by letting your dog wear the new remote training collar for some time (anywhere from 5 days to a month) without correction has two main benefits; firstly, the dog gets used to the collar and the routine associated with it, to the point of ‘owning’ the collar. Secondly, your dog is less likely to be ‘Collar Wise’ and be more responsive, whether wearing the collar or not.

A Final Note

As mentioned earlier, a dog training collar is a great tool for the pet owner and working dog owner. That said, it is important to understand that the introduction of such a tool is very reliant on timing. Bringing in a dog training collar TOO early can actually set you and your dog’s training back several steps. However, introduced at the right time, and you will enjoy great success with your dog training, and a better bond between you and your dog. For more expert advice, please call us on 0800 144 869 and find the right dog training collar for you.