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A young waterfowling friend recently got a German shorthair and asked me what kind of upland shotgun he should buy so he could take his dog hunting. I said, “That’s the wrong question. You’ve already got a shotgun. Buy a GPS collar first and save up for a bird gun later.”
Yes, that is me, a shotgun columnist telling someone an e-collar is more important than your choice of guns. It’s not just the GPS models that have changed dog training forever, it’s all e-collars. Collars offer instant, long-distance correction. You can’t explain to a dog after the fact what it has done right or wrong, and an e-collar lets you correct the dog in the act. Used correctly, e-collars are invaluable training aids. Bark collars and invisible fences make your dog a better citizen. And beeper and GPS collars let you keep track of your dog in the field. Here are the best dog training collars to get your pup ready for hunting season.
Best Overall: Garmin Alpha 300i w/ TT 25 Collar
Best for Beginners: Garmin Pro 550 Plus w/ TT 15X GPS Tracking Collar
Best Invisible Fence: PetSafe Stay and Play Wireless Fence
Best for Retrievers: SportDog WetlandHunter 425X
Best Beeper/Trainer: DT Systems SPR5300 Upland
Best Budget: DT Systems DD700
Best Cellular: Garmin Alpha LTE
Best Bark Collar: SportDog NoBark SBC-10
Best Overall: Garmin Alpha 300i w/ TT 25 Collar
Garmin Alpha 300 Dog Tracker with Alpha TT 25 Training Collar
Specs
Uses: Training, tracking, navigation, emergency messaging
Range: 9 miles
Number of Dogs: Up to 20, collars sold separately
Pros
Combines training, tracking, nav, and emergency messaging in one unit
Long battery life
Bright screen
Cons
Expensive—some features require a subscription
Overcomplicated for some applications
The Garmin Alpha 300i is the gold-standard for training collar transmitters and the Alpha TT25 is the best collar to pair with it. The functionality of this setup is darn impressive—and can’t be beat by any other collar on the market. The Alpha 300i comes preloaded with topo maps, an altimeter, multi-GNSS support, and a simple compass display option. The device tracks both your and your dogs’ movements across the landscape, and can track up to 20 dogs at a time. It also records your truck’s location at the start of each outing. The battery lasts up to 55 hours, the touchscreen is bright, and there are three buttons on the top of the device that allow you to easily apply stim, tone, or vibration to your dog in the field. Additionally, you can connect the handheld device to Garmin’s InReach program, which allows you to use satellite service to communicate with loved ones, get weather updates, or call for help in an emergency (note: this service requires a subscription).
During testing, I paired my Alpha 300i with a TT25 collar, which is a compact and functional tracking and training collar. It delivers 18 modes of stimulation and can track your dog up to 9 miles from your handheld. The collar also has LED beacon lights that increase your dog’s visibility in low light situations.
The vast array of features will be ideal for tech-inclined hunters who are serious about getting the absolute most out of a GPS training collar setup, but it may be overkill for others. While it’s fun to see how far your dog ran, for instance, it doesn’t necessarily help you kill more birds in the field. The mapping tracks are nice, too, but I often reverted to the device’s simple compass mode—which is reminiscent of the Garmin Pro 550 Plus display— to find my dog when he went on point. The handheld could also be a bit bulky for basic training applications. That said, the ability to send an SOS from the device could be a literal lifesaver in the field, and I’d rather have a setup that I can continue to improve my use of than one that’s limited. —Sage Marshall
Best for Beginners: Garmin Pro 550 Plus w/ TT 15X GPS Tracking Collar
Specs
Use: Location and training
Range: 2+ miles
Number of Dogs: 3, collars sold separately
Pros
Bare bones display
18 stimulation levels
Simple controls
Cons
Transmitter is bulky
The Garmin Pro 550 Plus and TT25 Collar is hand-down one of my favorite training collar pairings. The setup is ideal both for hunting and training scenarios. What makes this system so effective is its simplicity; where many GPS collar transmitters have fancy—and finicky—screen displays with maps and other extras, the Garmin Pro 550 Plus has a simple 2-inch screen that shows an arrow to your dog, its distance, and whether it’s on point (the transmitter also buzzes to alert you of a point). For most upland hunters, this is all you need. Additionally, the transmitter has just two buttons that deliver levels or types of stimulation, and a dial for additional stimulation levels. With these oversized buttons, it’s easy to correct a dog during training and in the field. The one drawback to the transmitter is its awkwardly long size, which can make it difficult to fit in your pocket.
The Garmin Pro 550 Plus pairs with any Garmin GPS Collar but is most commonly used with the TT15X—the more affordable sibling of the TT25. The main difference between the collars is that the TT15X is slightly bulkier and slightly less expensive. My dog is a 50-pound griffon and has zero issues with the TT15X. The only breed I might opt for the lighter collar would be a Brittany.
Another aspect of the collar-transmitter pairing that I appreciate is that it has 18 stimulation levels, which allow you to correct your dog however lightly or firmly you need to. The collar is waterproof and comes with a red 1-inch strap. While this no-frills option is fantastic for most hunters, there are several scenarios in which it might make sense to go with a setup with more bells and whistles. If you’re trying to dial in a dog’s conditioning, for instance, you might want a system that tracks your dog’s mileage, which this collar does not. And if you’re running a pack of hounds, you should look for a setup that handles more than three dogs and has mapping abilities. —SM
Best Invisible Fence: PetSafe Stay and Play Wireless Fence
Specs
Range: 3/4-acre circle
Uses: Keeps dog from leaving a safe area
Number of Dogs: Unlimited with add-on collars
Pros
No digging is required to install an invisible fence
Correction-free re-entry if the dog does leave
Portable
Cons
Only protects a circular area—cannot be configured to other shapes
The Stay Safe Wireless Rechargeable Fence keeps your dog inside a designated 3/4-acre play area with no need to dig and bury wires as with many other “invisible fence” type units. This unit consists of a stationary transmitter and a collar. The transmitter can be set up indoors, where it plugs into an outlet on the ground floor. It broadcasts over a maximum 3/4- mile circular area, which can be reduced to accommodate smaller yards. The collar sounds a warning tone as your dog approaches the boundary. Crossing the boundary triggers one of five stimulation levels in the collar. Should your dog get through the barrier, it won’t correct on the way back inside the circle. The unit also comes with flags you can use to mark the perimeter for training.
You can add as many collars as needed, in case you have a whole pack to contain, and you can also add a second transmitter to control an overlapping figure-8 area. And, because there are no wires to bury, you can take the unit with you on vacation to a cabin or campsite and establish a secure play area there. The only true downside of the Wireless Rechargeable Fence is that you can’t set it up to accommodate any shape other than a circle. —Phil Bourjaily
Best for Retrievers: SportDog WetlandHunter 425X
SportDog WetlandHunter 425X Electronic Dog Training Collar
Specs
Use: Waterfowl hunting, all-around training
Range: 500 yards
Number of Dogs: Up to 3, with extra collars added
Pros
Compact and lightweight
Camo finish
Easy to use
Reliable
Cons
Difficult to change remote transmitter programming
Low range
Relatively high stimulation intensity
It’s hard to go wrong with the SportDog WetlandHunter 425X for most waterfowling applications. The collar is built for the wetlands and comes in a drab Realtree Max-5 camo that certainly won’t flare birds. What I love most about this collar is its size and durability; the collar weighs just 1.76 pounds and is only 2.6 inches long and 1.6 inches wide, making it one of the lightest and most compact training collars. Importantly, the collar has Drytek Waterproof technologies and can handle the moisture inherent to retrieving waterfowl; technically, it’s submersible to 25 feet, though I’ve never heard of a waterfowl dog diving underwater like that. I’ve used this in the field with my griffon for several seasons without any issues with its reliability.
The SportDog collar is controlled by a simple remote transmitter that is also compact and can easily be stored in a small pocket when you’re out training or hunting your retriever. The transmitter includes three buttons, which can deliver different levels or types of stimulation, depending on which mode you have it in, as well as a thumb dial that you can make larger changes to stimulation levels. In total, there are 21 stimulations levels as well as vibration and tone options. The transmitter can control up to three collars at a time.
The WetlandHunter 425X only has a range of 500 yards, which is plenty for waterfowl hunting and training applications but could pose an issue if you’re working with a far-ranging upland dog (in which case, you’d want a collar with GPS capabilities anyway). My dog is particularly soft; the lower stimulation levels on this collar are not quite as gentle as on some other collars but they’re still fine for most gun dogs. Just be careful with this when you’re introducing a puppy to the collar. Changing the mode of the collar is more difficult than with some other models and requires you to use a pen to release the mode button on the back of the transmitter.
The collar comes with a rechargeable lithium battery which can hold a charge for 50 to 70 hours. I like how it is turned off and on with a simple button; the transmitter just stays on and goes dormant when you’re not using it. The collar does offer a light signal for when the collar is running low, but you have to hit the stim button while the collar isn’t on your dog check for it. I sometimes forget to do this and have been stuck in the field with a dead collar; this issue can be easily avoided by charged the collar more frequently. —SM
Best Beeper/Trainer: DT Systems SPR5300 Upland
Specs
Use: Training and locating dogs in the field
Range: 2 miles
Number of Dogs: 4, with accessory collar
Pros
Allows you to locate dogs less expensively than with GPS
Locate mode lets you hunt in silence and only use the beep when you need it
Radio reception means terrain won’t disrupt connection
Easy to bump stimulation level
Cons
High price point for non-GPS collar
Awkward transmitter shape
The beeper collar fits in between a simple bell and a GPS. Unlike a bell, it doesn’t clog with snow, and it doesn’t stop when the dog is on point and you need to find it. Instead, it switches sounds so you know it’s pointing. Beepers are great for keeping tabs on close-ranging dogs if you can stand listening to a beep that sounds like a truck backing up throughout your hunt. And, you can run it on “point-only” mode, or even run it on point-only and combine it with a bell. When you hunt with a beeper, everyone in the party knows where the dog is, both for safety and to keep everyone involved in the hunt.
The DT Systems SPR5300 is the best beeper collar out there today—and it’s also a pretty darn good training collar. Unlike some collars, the SPR5300 uses FM signal to communicate between the collar and transmitter, which means that you won’t lose connection from the device if your rod runs on the other side of a hill.
The SPR5300’s best attribute is its powerful “baritone” beeper which emits and clear and loud signal. DT Systems says that the beep can be heard for up to 400 yards. After experimenting with the collar in the field, I believe this claim and might even say that it could be heard from further away given the right scenario. The tone is crystal clear and seems to cut through the air. The collar not only has “run-point” and “point only” modes but also an option to “on-demand” beep and locate your dog. A small LCD display helps you toggle between modes.
For training purposes, the collar has 24 stim levels and a vibration option. It also has an option to easily “jump” this stimulation level to get your dog’s attention by pressing a combination of buttons. Like the Garmin Pro 550 Plus, the transmitter is an awkwardly long shape that can make it difficult to easily store in your pocket, though I appreciate the built-in handle and clip. For DT Systems products, you need to tap a certain part of the transmitter to a certain part of the collar to turn it on and off. This works fine but does mean that it’s possible to inadvertently turn a collar on and drain its battery if you throw them into a bag for transport together. —SM
Best Budget: DT Systems DD700
Specs
Use: Training, close-range hunting
Range: 700 yards
Number of Dogs: Up to three dogs with accessory collars
Pros
High quality for its price
Comfortable, intuitive transmitter
Enough range for many hunting situations
Fully waterproof
Cons
Requires 9-volt battery
Lacks GPS or beeper
The DT Systems D.O.G. Director 700 is a great all-around training collar that offers a ton of functionality for its price point. The transmitter is compact and fits snugly in the palm of your hand—and can be quickly stashed in a pocket. The system uses FM signal and has a range of up to 700 yards, which is more than enough for training scenarios, waterfowl hunting, and upland hunting with a close hunting dog.
The handheld is simple and straightforward to use with three buttons: one for nick, one for continuous stim, and one for vibration or tone. There’s a dial on the top to dictate stimulation level. As with the SPR5300, the collar offers the ability to quickly “jump” stim levels by mashing multiple buttons. There are 10 levels of nick stimulation—and the low ones are weak enough for truly soft dogs, while the high ones pack a punch as you’d expect. The collar is fully waterproof, small, and lightweight. The transmitter can handle up to three collars. You can’t ask for, or expect, much more than this at this price point.
In terms of drawbacks, the transmitter does not come with a battery; you’ll need to by a 9-volt battery separately. The collar itself is rechargeable. Again, I don’t like that DT Systems collars are turned on by tapping them against the transmitters instead of using buttons. —SM
Best Cellular: Garmin Alpha LTE
Garmin Alpha LTE Training Collar
Specs
Use: Locating dogs
Range: Unlimited—as long as there’s cell service
Pros
Super lightweight
Transmitter not needed
No range limit
Can be used to supplement GPS collar
Cons
Monthly subscription required
Doesn’t work in remote areas
No stimulation options
Device only fits thin collar straps
Cellular collars are a recent addition to the training collar market. Essentially, a cellular collar uses cell service to track your dog instead of GPS. There are some benefits to these collars, the chief one being that they don’t have the same range limits as GPS collars. This could come in handy if you have a dog that really likes to roam—or even run away. Furthermore, you don’t need an additional transmitter for a cellular collar; you can just use your smartphone. I used the Garmin Alpha iPhone app while testing this product and its display showed a map which I could mark spots on, as well as the track of my dog. It reminded me of the Alpha 300i interface, except simpler and more user friendly.
The downside of a cellular collar is obvious: it won’t work at all when you or your dog out of cell range. This means the Alpha LTE isn’t a good option as a standalone collar for hunters that spend most of their time in truly remote areas. Instead, though, the Alpha LTE can easily be slid onto a Garmin collar strap as a supplementary safety device for extra piece of mind if you get separated from and lose your dog. The collar is also compatible with the Alpha 300i and other Garmin handhelds in case you don’t want to use your phone in the field. For hunters who spend most of their time in cell range, though, the Alpha LTE can certainly be a standalone option for keeping track of your dog. You can easily toggle how often it updates, depending on how closely you need to pinpoint your dog’s location and how long you want the device’s batter to last.
The Alpha LTE doesn’t have any stimulation settings and is more helpful for keeping track of your dog than actively training it. The device slides on to Garmin collar straps and other thin options but can’t be adjusted to fit normal Dayglo collars; this is a bummer because I wouldn’t mind keeping it on my dog’s main collar as a safety precaution during walks near home. —SM
Best Bark Collar: SportDog NoBark SBC-10
Use: Curtail barking
Range: N/A, works on dogs wearing it
Number of Dogs: 1
Pros
Offers progressive correction and manual settings
Waterproof
Cons
No vibration mode
Barking dogs annoy you and really annoy the neighbors. While some people have success solving barking problems by spraying the barking dog with a garden hose in the act, the best way is with a collar. It makes instant corrections, and it doesn’t require your immediate presence. The SportDOG Nobark SBC-10 is a reliable option that will do just that.
The collar comes with two modes. The first mode, which is the default, is called “progressive correction” and starts at a low stimulation level before increasing if needed to get your do to stop barking. It’s a great option for humanely teaching a dog how a bark collar works and should get the job done in most situations. If your dog needs a stronger correction immediately, you can do so by setting it to a higher level in the manual mode.
The one thing this bark collar doesn’t offer that others do is a vibration setting, or a vibration warning before applying static stimulation. Some folks consider vibration to be less painful than stimulation, but the lack of vibration isn’t a dealbreaker for me as I don’t think it’s significantly different from low level stim. —SM
How We Tested Dog Training Collars
Since I got my first bird dog in the mid-80s, I have been running dogs with e-collars. I’ve used them to train dogs, handle them in the field, and break them from behaviors like getting up on counters or chasing deer. I used some of the earliest beeper collars and have recently made the switch to GPS locators. I have also been afield with lots of other hunters and had a chance to see their collars in action.
Having started using collars years ago in their dark ages, I have come to appreciate the reliability of contemporary collars. Some, however, are more reliable than others, and I factored that into my choices. User-friendliness matters a great deal, too. If you’re using collars in the field, you’ve got a gun in one hand and a transmitter in the other. Controls have to be easy to find and intuitive.
Collars come in a wide price range, from a couple of hundred dollars to a thousand in the case of GPS systems in which the handheld is essentially a small computer. So, while some of these collars are expensive, I chose units that were, in my opinion, good collars at their price point.
Finally, collars have to hold up to hard use. Transmitters stay fairly safe on your person, but they get bumped and banged around. Collars have to withstand mud, snow, ice, water, grass seeds, brush, and anything else your dog gets into.
What To Consider When Choosing a Dog Training Collar
Some people believe collars are cruel. I would disagree, so long as you use the collar correctly. What is cruel is confusing dogs and disciplining them when they don’t understand why. And, although “shock collar” was the old term for e-collars, most have a wide range of stimulation levels that let you use the mildest level that works. Many have tone and vibrate functions, too. For around-the-house and leash-manner training, I don’t have to use any more stimulation on Zeke, my German shorthair, than a brief, painless vibration of the collar. I strap a GPS collar on Zeke during every hunt, so I know where he is and whether he’s on point. Mine has a nine-mile range, so I could use it to find him if he ever got lost in the field.
There are electronic collars for all purposes, from units best for yard work to sophisticated GPS models that combine mapping and navigation with training. Think hard about what you need. How many dogs do you need to train? How much range do you need? What extra capabilities besides training do you need? A hunter who follows bird dogs in thick cover needs to know where their dog is. A waterfowler usually doesn’t, so there is no need for a GPS if you only hunt ducks. A collar with too many features can be almost as bad as one that doesn’t offer enough. Choose a collar from a reputable maker, and recognize that cutting corners on a collar purchase will leave you more frustrated, not less, defeating one of the main purposes of an electronic trainer in the first place.
FAQs
Q: Are e-collars cruel?
E-collars work by delivering electronic stimulation to a dog. Misused, they can be inhumane. Used properly, e-collars are an invaluable means of long-distance communication, allowing you to correct a dog immediately in such a way that it leans after only a few stimulations. In most situations, you can train with very low levels of stimulation, or use a tone first, then stim, so that the dog quickly learns to obey upon hearing the tone. In other cases, merely using the “vibrate” setting is enough. At the other end of the spectrum, a collar set at a high level can break a dog from dangerous behaviors like running deer or approaching rattlesnakes with only a few, or even one, repetition.
Q: Do dogs become collar-shy?
Dogs understand cause and effect, and once they learn that wearing the collar means they will receive stimulation, they come to associate collars with correction. Some people put dummy collars on dogs to wear to get them accustomed to the collar so they don’t learn to link the collar with correction. Be consistent, and be aware that while we are smarter than dogs, they are very observant of causes and effects.
Q: Can you use an e-collar in the house?
Yes, an e-collar can be useful in the house for eliminating behaviors like getting up on counters or rummaging in the garbage. You can either train the dog to obey the command “get down” or whatever, or you can stay silent and deliver stimulation so the dog learns to associate the counter with an unpleasant feeling.
Final Thoughts
Picking the right electronic collar for your needs and using it humanely removes a lot of frustration in dog ownership. You will come to depend on an e-collar, so it’s important that you buy one that will hold up and give you trouble-free service. It’s also important that you choose a collar with sufficient range for your dog. Study the list above and find the collar with the features that make sense for you. An e-collar is one of the most important pieces of gear you will buy, so choose carefully.
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For more than 125 years, Field & Stream has been providing readers with honest and authentic coverage of outdoor gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. You can count on F&S to keep you up to date on the best new gear. And when we write about a product—whether it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cover the good and the bad, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to make a purchase.
