GSP Mix wearing a dog training collar.

The Best Dog Training Collars Australia - For Extra Control

Written By Olivia De Santos | Canine Coach, Professional Writer & Video Content Creator.
Edited & Fact Checked By Renae Soppe | Double B.A Journalism & Science. 
Last Updated: 8th January 2024

Training your dog with positive, effective techniques needs no special tool. However, we can all do with a helping hand every now and again! Dog training collars are incredibly useful for walk training, bark training and even agility training.

There are many different types of training collars, and they come in all sizes and styles. Before coming up with this list, our expert team worked with the professionals to study which dog training collars are best for our dogs. After months of testing, we will reveal the study's results in this article and talk about how to find the best training collar for your dog. We'll also give the pros and cons of the listed dog training collars that the Australian market offers.

Let’s dig in!


Quick Picks - The Top 3

ET-300TS Mini Educator Remote Dog Trainer

Our Number 1 Pick - 
ET-300TS Mini Educator Remote Dog Trainer

  • 2 year warranty
  • Fully waterproof
  • 800 m signal range
  • 100 control of stimulation levels

Canny Collar

Runner Up - 
Canny Collar

  • Good value for money
  • Easy to fit
  • Good reviews
  • Okay size range

CollarDirect Martingale Collars for Dogs with Tribal Patterns

Third Choice - 
CollarDirect Martingale Collars for Dogs with Tribal Patterns

  • Cool design
  • Lightweight
  • Comfortable
  • Durable


Types of Training Collars Dogs May Need

There are several different dog training collars on the market, and they all have their varying strengths. The right one for your pup depends on the type of training you’re doing. Here is a quick summary of the main types you’ll encounter.

Martingale Collars - for walk training

A martingale collar is a flat collar with a small difference - a third of the collar is in a D-ring loop. The result is a collar that can slightly tighten and loosen when a dog pulls forward. (1)

Does this sound like a choke collar? I promise you it’s not. This is a human alternative that remains effective as a training tool.

The martingale collar tightens but is not restrictive or asphyxiating in any way like a choke collar would be.

Martingales are effective walk training tools for any dog. However, they are specially marketed towards sighthounds with small heads. Think greyhounds, whippets, salukis and afghans. Because of their slinky heads, they can escape quite easily when walking. They’re also notorious chasers. They will chase small rodents, birds and even smaller dogs. So a martingale is not only a training tool - it’s added safety while walking your dog too. 

Show trainers and agility dog trainers love martingale collars too.

Citronella Collars - for barking

Citronella collars are most often used for bark training.

They work by having a small cartridge filled with citronella on the front of the collar. Most are automatic but some are remote controlled. When your dog barks, the cartridge emits a small spray of citronella to distract and deter your dog from raising hell in your backyard.

“The Cornell University study found that all dog owners found citronella collars to be effective at reducing or stopping nuisance barking, and many preferred them over the electric shock collars. Citronella bark collars are also used in several stray and pet adoption organizations to help control excessive barking.” - Melissa Brasfield at Everyday Health (2)

The cartridge is refillable, and the collar is generally easy to use. These collars are designed to be worn for long periods but ensure that your dog doesn’t sleep in a citronella collar. If your dog snores at all or barks in their sleep, the citronella spray could wake them up and disturb them. An unrested dog will probably result in more barking and agitation during the day.

Vibrating Collars - for barking and other signals

Vibrating collars are also primarily used for bark training. They work by having a small vibrating box at the front of the collar and vibrating when your dog barks or does some other undesired behaviour.

These tend to be remote controlled but there are some automatic options. You’ll see vibrating and sound collars integrated into one as well.

Vibrating collars are also incredibly useful for deaf dogs. You can train your dog to respond to certain pulses and signals. This is vital for communicating with your dog while walking, as a dog’s eyes are almost always ahead of them as they walk. They can’t look at you at all times to receive signals.

Beep Collars - for barking and agility training

Beep collars or sound collars work similarly to vibrating collars and are most often employed to stop your dog from barking too much. Many collars combine vibration and sound to create a more integrative training approach.

The sound used is too high a frequency for human ears to pick up.

Head Collars - for walk training

Head collars are likely the simplest on the list. No automatic censors or moving parts. A head collar is very similar to a flat collar with an extra strap that rests over your dog’s snout.

The design of a head collar allows your dog’s head to turn when they pull forward. This is how head collars work as a corrective tool when walking.


About Aversive Collars: Never Use Them

The collar types I mentioned above are very widely used in the dog community. Though each veterinarian and trainer have their own methods, the collars in the previous section are widely seen as humane ways to train your dog.

So you’ll notice some notable absences from the list. Shock collars and choke collars are nowhere to be seen.

These two forms of “corrective” dog training are old fashioned and broadly considered inhumane by today’s standards. Let’s explore both of them and you’ll see why.

Shock collars

Shock collars are also known as “e-collars”. They are electric collars that carry a live current. When a dog misbehaves, however that is defined by the owner, the collar can zap the dog with a small pulse or shock.

This was a very common dog training technique in the 1960's (in other words, when we didn’t know any better). (3) Vets used to purport that dogs would barely feel the electric shock and it was perfectly safe. But dogs often suffered electric burns and heightened anxiety over prolonged usage of shock collars.

Luckily, we humans have come to our senses and realise that shock collars are not appropriate as a teaching tool for any animal.

Choke collars

Choke collars are even worse somehow. It’s very frightening to think that choke collars were part of popular culture not too long ago.

Choke collars used chains to enforce strangulation on the dog whenever the dog “misbehaved.” It led to many dogs getting severely injured with skin damage and asphyxiation. Beyond the physical harm, the psychological harm was irreparable. Dogs who were choke trained would have high anxiety, depression and sometimes even more aggressive tendencies.

Choke collars are very different to martingale collars as martingale collars do not disrupt the blood flow or asphyxiate the neck. They apply gentle pressure without strangling your dog.


What To Look For in A Dog Trainer Collar

Finding the right training collar for your dog is very similar to finding any collar for your dog. The four main tenets are the same:

Size

For a dog training collar to be effective, it needs to be the right size for your dog. Generally, we go off of the rule of two. You should be able to slip your two fingers between the collar and your dog’s neck snuggly. If there’s a huge gap between the collar and your fingers when you do this, it’s way too loose and needs adjusting. On the other hand, if you can’t get your two fingers around the sides of the collar to your dog’s neck, it’s far too tight.

Sometimes some adjusting of the collar itself will do. Other times you need a completely different collar entirely.

So how do you preempt this to ensure you make the right purchase from the beginning?

You need to measure your dog’s neck at two points.

  1. Around the midpoint of their neck
  2. Around the base of their neck (where it meets the shoulders)

This is to ensure that it’s not too tight if your dog is pulling and the collar slides further up the neck. But the ordinary resting position for a collar would be towards the base of your dog’s neck.

The manufacturer of any collar should give adequate measurement guidelines for the sizes they provide. Have a quick look at the reviews too to see if anyone mentions the collars coming up small or large.

Durability

Dog training collars are used in acute situations generally. You don’t keep them on all of the time. Hopefully, you can phase them out entirely once your dog has learned the desired behaviours and you can use voice commands to keep them on track.

That said, it’s no use investing in a dog training collar that won’t even last you the duration of your training regime. I use the word “investment” very purposefully here. These extra special collars are not cheap. Particularly the remote-controlled ones or collars with automatic sensors.

The only way to tell if a collar is durable or not is to see the materials and read reviews. Generally, steel and nylon are hardy, but they’re not foolproof. If a consumer is unhappy with the build quality of a collar, they’ll be sure to write about it in their reviews! Don’t ignore them.

Comfort

Your dog can only train effectively if they are comfortable with the tools you’re using. A huge part of the comfort level of a collar is the fit. We’ve spoken about sizing before, but just to reiterate - a well-fitted dog training collar is an effective dog training collar.

Other metrics of comfort would be the materials that the collar is made of and the weight.

The weight is of particular importance to any sound, beep or spray collars you look into. These collars have a small cartridge at the front of the collar, under your dog’s nose.

If it’s too bulky or heavy, your dog will do everything in their power to get the collar off. That’s not an effective training tool. So, ensure that the collar is suitable for your dog’s weight. Ideally, you barely want them to notice the collar as they wear it. You want it to be just as comfortable as a regular collar.

Style

Finally, style is no small thing! It means absolutely nothing to your dog, but it may bring you some small pleasure to purchase a fashionable collar for your pooch. Not only that, but the more styling looking collars are also less conspicuous when it comes to training your dog.

In some cases, if a person sees a dog with a training tool on them, they’ll automatically fear the dog. It often happens with head collars and muzzles. Because of the associations with muzzles and dangerous dogs, people and other dogs are less interactive and open with dogs who wear them.

Buying a collar that isn’t so easily spotted as a training collar may help your dog blend in.


6 Best Dog Training Collars Australia: 2023 Edition

Now that you know all there is to know about the many types of dog training collars and how to find the best one for your pup, here is a list of the best choices on the Australian market. There’s something for every dog and every training style. However, we will not be recommending shock collars or choke collars in any way. We take our name as Gentle Dog Trainers very seriously and therefore will not be promoting those forms of dog training in any way.

ET-300TS Mini Educator Remote Dog Trainer
  • 2 year warranty
  • Fully waterproof
  • 800 m signal range
  • 100 control of stimulation levels

Our first recommendation for training collars is the ET-300TS Mini Educator Remote Dog Trainer from Dog Line. This is primarily a vibration and sound collar that can be used in a myriad of ways.

During training, some dogs become desensitised to the buzz of a training collar or outright ignore it. This collar removes that possibility by having 100 Control of Stimulation (COS) levels. That means there are 100 different minute settings to increase or decrease the sensation of the vibration.

At the highest level, it is still within safe and humane parameters. However, if you have a very strong-willed dog, it’s helpful to have the option to crank the stimulation all the way up or not.

Compared to the Canny Collar, which is only a simple training collar like the rest of the available ones in the Australian market, we chose this as the top one on our list because of its simulation levels. As dog owners, we know how our dogs react, their personality, and their capabilities, so this tool is helpful in various situations, especially during emergencies.

Most dogs won’t need to have the highest setting on, but you can personalise it to your dog’s personality and sensitivity. There is a lock feature too that allows you to lock in the stimulation level that is working the best for your training or communication purposes.

The ET-300TS Mini Educator Remote Dog Trainer being tested by our independent expert team

ET-300TS Mini Educator Remote Dog Trainer being tested.

 This is a remote controlled dog training collar giving you extra precision in how it’s used. The range is impressive at 800 metres. The remote control has a night light tracker and lost transmitting beeper too in case your dog goes missing or out of sight at any time while wearing it. This feature is what's make this option better than Canny Collar as it provides an efficient remote control to train your dog.

I also like that it has a broad signal range because it secures our dogs' safety from possible harm. Knowing where your dogs are is a must, especially for those who like to go to crowded places or hike.

The collar is fully waterproof which is great for camping trips and active environments.
The battery charges within 2 hours and the collar supports both tone only and vibration only modes.

What's also great about this collar is the two year warranty, which assures us that their collar is high quality as they provide such service to their customers. Even if it's quite pricey, there are many things that you can get from this dog training collar that is not present in other brands.

This collar basically has everything you could need from a training collar and more. The only con is that it’s not suitable for dogs of all sizes. The manufacturer recommends that only dogs over 2.2 kg use this collar.

Pros

Cons

  • 2 year warranty
  • Not suitable for very small dogs or puppies
  • Fully waterproof
  • 800 m signal range
Cell
  • 100 control of stimulation levels
Cell

#2: Best Head Collar: Canny Collar

Canny Collar
  • Good value for money
  • Easy to fit
  • Good reviews
  • Okay size range

The Canny Collar is a great option as a simple head collar for walk training.

The noseband on this collar is purposefully designed to be loosely fit, allowing a full range of movement for your dog’s mouth. Some head collars can be restrictive but the Canny Collar avoids that problem. It’s both easy to fit and comfortable to wear.

Made of cotton webbing, the collar is quite durable. It’s not as hardy as some of the other options on this list with nylon webbing, however, it will last you for walk training sessions. Remember that you shouldn’t let your dog wear training collars all of the time as it’s unnecessary. A head collar is only for use in short bursts.

I love that it's made out of cotton since this is good for dogs who have sensitive skin or long coats and are prone to matting, rashes, and other problems that are caused by tight and hard collars. 

The sizing is pretty good overall. The smallest neck circumference is 7 cm and the largest is 58 cm. Most small to large breeds will be perfectly happy with this product.  Some extra-large dog breeds can have neck girths of up to 65 cm. So the Canny Collar wouldn’t be a good fit for them.

Compared to the ET-300TS Mini Educator Remote Dog Trainer, this one can be used for smaller dogs as it is flexible and designed for them, making it the second-best dog training collar on our list.

With great reviews and a decent price point, this is an excellent choice if you’re after a walking aid as you train your dog.

Pros

Cons

  • Good value for money
  • Not suitable for extra-large dogs
  • Easy to fit
Cell
  • Good reviews
Cell
  • Okay size range
Cell

CollarDirect Martingale Collars for Dogs with Tribal Patterns
  • Cool design
  • Lightweight
  • Comfortable
  • Durable

Onto the martingales!

The CollarDirect Martingale Collars are very high quality, no matter what model you choose. I chose this one because the tribal patterns are so cool! They're unisex, bright and a little different to the typical patterns you see on collars. Compared to the first two options, this design is unique and playful, which matches some of our dogs' personalities. And who said dog-training collars couldn't become fashionable?

Beyond that, with this product, you can expect durability and comfort. It’s made of woven nylon which is very sturdy. Even if your dog wears the martingale all the time, it’s unlikely to fray or break for years and years. The nylon may be as tough as old boots, but it isn’t harsh on your dog’s skin. It’s soft and forgiving.

There are three sizes to choose from. The smallest is 30 cm in length which is a bit of a con. This size will work for medium dogs, but small dogs and puppies are excluded. The larger sizes are much more representative of extra-large dogs ranging up to 60 cm in length.

Although it has a limited size range, unlike Canny Collar, which offers a good fit for our dogs, it is one of the most affordable collars in the Australian market that's worth more than its price.

If you’re looking for a comfortable martingale collar with an eye-catching design, look no further than the CollarDirect line!

Pros

Cons

  • Cool design
  • Limited size range
  • Lightweight
Cell
  • Comfortable
Cell
  • Durable
Cell

#4: Best Remote Controlled Collar: My Pet Command Citronella Training Dog Collar

My Pet Command Citronella Training Dog Collar
  • 4 training modes
  • Excellent battery life
  • 1 year warranty
  • Long remote control range

When you first start working with dog control collars, you may encounter this common complaint: “The collar activates when it’s not meant to.”

This can happen with automatic collars that use sensors to detect barking. For example, your dog may be yelping and crying for help and the collar vibrates or beeps for them to stop. Not ideal! Some collars have advanced technology to avoid false activation happening but it’s not a perfect system.

The only nearly perfect system would be a remote-controlled collar that you can use during selective moments. That’s where the My Pet Command training collar comes in.

What we love about this dog collar is that it is similar to the ET-300TS Mini Educator Remote Dog, which is also controlled by a remote. It helps owners to effectively train their dogs. However, the remote offers a different kind of control which is not similar to the simulation levels of the first option.

Also, it is cheaper compared to the first option, which makes it the best choice for those who want efficient but affordable remote-controlled dog training collars.

Even though this is named a citronella training collar, it integrates four different training modes: light, sound, vibration and citronella. This is a great option for those who are training their dog more comprehensively. The collar can help you with way more than just nuisance barking. It could help you with daily training as well as more advanced skills like agility.

The one-size-fits-all collar does come close to fulfilling that promise. It can cover 15 cm to 65 cm which is quite impressive. However small dogs are excluded.

The battery life lasts 7 days on standby and takes less than 3 hours to charge fully. The manufacturer also offers a 1 year warranty.

For a great all-rounder with remote control precision, this is the choice for you!

Pros

Cons

  • 4 training modes
  • Pricey
  • Excellent battery life
  • Doesn’t come with a citronella can
  • 1 year warranty
Cell
  • Long remote control range
Cell

PetSafe Rechargeable Citronella Bark Collar
  • 3 year warranty
  • Two training modes
  • Comes with citronella refills
  • Long battery life

If you want to give a citronella collar a go with your yappy dog, this PetSafe collar is the one for you. It’s offered by dog training collar specialists Dog Line so you know it’s a great product that you can trust.

Whenever your dog barks, the collar uses sound and citronella spray to distract and deter your dog. It’s very effective at what it does with minimal false activation risk.

This is one of the best features of this dog collar since citronella is known as a safe alternative to control our pets' barks. This is a gentle way of training our dogs and is also harmless to the environment.

There are two training modes to customise your dog training. It’s always recommended to start on the weak mode and increase to the strong mode if your dog isn’t listening.

It’s quite rare that citronella collars come with any citronella refills. It’s the bane of a dog trainer’s life! But this collar comes with not one, but two additional citronella refill cartridges to last you a long while. Each cartridge contains 35 to 40 sprays and is fully recyclable.

We love this feature as this manufacturer carefully considered not only the dog owners and the dogs' health but also the environment in creating the sprays and cartridges, which is also beneficial for the Australian community.

Best of all, the price point is decent for the category and it has a 3 year warranty. This is obviously one of the best choice since My Pet Command training collar only offers one year warranty. This is a no brainer!

Pros

Cons

  • 3 year warranty
  • No remote control option
  • Two training modes
Cell
  • Comes with citronella refills
Cell
  • Long battery life
Cell

#6: Best Beep Collar: Anti-Fury Shut the Bark Up Collar

Anti-Fury Shut the Bark Up Collar
  • Manufacturer’s guarantee
  • Percentage of the proceeds donated to RSCPA Australia
  • Cool design
  • 7 training modes

Finally, we end on a sound collar. As we’ve seen. A lot of collars integrate sound and other techniques together. Anti-Fury has created a sound and vibration collar that truly excels.

It’s an automatic bark collar meaning that it detects your dog’s voice as they wear it. When it detects barking, it will emit a sound and/vibration combination.

There are seven training modes of varying sensitivities. You can tailor the collar’s response to suit your dog.

The battery life reportedly lasts over two weeks on standby and charges relatively quickly, which is better than the My Pet Command training collar. We love the bright colours the collar comes in too.

If you are like me, who does not want to charge frequently or for hours, this is the perfect dog collar. Considering the increase in our electric bills these days, we can definitely save some by charging the dog collars once every two weeks.

The downside is the sizing. It’s very limited. The minimum is 15 cm and the maximum is 50 cm. This will work well for medium breeds. Extra small, large and extra-large breeds are excluded.

As a Sydney-based company you’re supporting an Aussie business when you purchase the Shut the Bark Up Collar. A percentage of the proceeds even go to RSPCA Australia.

Unlike the previous five options, this manufacturer supports and advocates against animal cruelty by giving a percentage to an Australian organisation. It is good to know that our money not only benefits our pets but also other animals in need. If you want to buy from a company that contributes to society, then this is for you.

To support an Australian business and get a great sound collar for your medium dog, we fully recommend this product.

Pros

Cons

  • Manufacturer’s guarantee
  • Very limited size range
  • Percentage of the proceeds donated to RSCPA Australia
Cell
  • Cool design
Cell
  • 7 training modes
Cell

Top Choices: Dog Control Collars

The best dog control collar for your purposes depends on what type of training you’re doing and the behaviour you’re trying to correct. For bark control, the Dog Line training collar is fantastic. Using gentle vibrations to distract and deter, this collar will certainly help with nuisance barking when paired with calm vocal commands.

If you want more flexibility with your training collar for all kinds of uses, we recommend the My Pet Command Remote Control Collar. It has four training modes so you can personalise your dog’s training techniques to work best for the two of you.

As dog owners, it is our responsibility to make sure our dogs are properly trained as a way of protecting them and the people around us. We hope this guide will help you decide which dog control collars suit you and your dog best.

FAQ

Which dog training collar is best for my dog?

No one training technique will work for every dog. From personal experience, one of my dogs responded well to citronella training. The other kinda liked the citronella smell and would bark on purpose to make more citronella spray in his face.

All dogs are different. For this reason, the best course of action is trial and error. You won’t know what works for your dog until you try!

References

  1. Ellison, J. July 3, 2016. “Martingale Dog Collars – Types & Uses”. The Artful Canine. Retrieved November 22, 2023. https://blog.theartfulcanine.com/martingale-dog-collars/
  2. Brassfield, M. “Pros and Cons Of Bark Collars”. Everyday Health. Retrieved November 22, 2023. https://www.everydayhealth.com/pet-health/pros-cons-bark-collars/
  3. Holmes, L. March 21, 2023. “Why Shock/E-Collars are Bad for Dogs”. Petful. Retrieved November 22, 2023. https://pethelpful.com/pet-ownership/Are-Dog-Shock-Collars-Harmful-The-Dangers-of-E-Collar-Training

Olivia De Santos


Olivia De Santos is Gentle Dog Trainers Canine Coach, Professional Writer and Video Content Creator.

Olivia has over 10 years of experience writing professionally and is a dog Mum to Pip, her Podengo and Blue, her Flat-coated Retriever. She loves writing pieces to help people to be better dog owners.

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