This post is all about the best Dogtra training collars.
As a dog trainer, I help dogs and dog owners enjoy life together. Sometimes, this means improving obedience and off-leash control. Other times, this means correcting some unwanted and dangerous behaviors with e collars.
An e collar is a wonderful tool to help dog owners feel safe and in control of their dog. Plus, it also allows their dog to have so much more freedom.
Dogtra is one of my favorite dog training collar brands to work with. This post will review some of the best dogtra training collars for each situation.
Best Dogtra Training Collars
Utilizing an e collar is one of the most modern ways to train your dog. It's like having a leash on your dog without the leash - IF you condition and train your dog properly.
E collars are not shock collars. E collars utilize a TENS muscle stimulation which is controlled by the remote. Shock collars use electric shock, also controlled by a remote.
There is a clear difference in feeling. Electric shock is painful and dogs can be very sensitive to shock. The TENS muscle stimulator feels like hitting your funny bone or like when your arm falls asleep. The stimulation isn't painful, but can be hard to ignore at certain levels.
In this post we will only discuss e collars as we do not believe that shock collars should be used for ethical dog training.
Best Dogtra Training Collars for Large Dogs
The best Dogtra training collars are going to depend largely on what you need for your dog.
After working with hundreds of pet dogs, and for the most part, it usually comes down to one of five e collars that the owner chooses from:
The Dogtra 280C, the Dogtra Arc, the Dogtra 280C Tom Davis, and the Mini or Micro Educator.
In this post we'll discuss some of the biggest factors to consider when choosing your e collar and share the top three we recommend for pet dogs.
If you are considering hunting with your dog or your dog has other working responsibilities, there are many more collars to choose from. This article will cover the most common pet dog e collars.
Dogtra E Collar
Dogtra is one of the best e collar brands on the market. Most Dogtra collars have a range of 1-127 levels of stimulation. This allows you to deliver accurately-timed and appropriate communication to your dog.
Dogtra also offers the ability to buy individual parts for your training collar, should it break in the future. This way, you don't have to buy a completely new collar.
All Dogtra e collars are waterproof as long as the flap is over the charging port.
Most Dogtra e collars do not have a tone or beep feature. If you are training pet dogs, this is almost preferred because you want the "warning" to be your voice. People tend to rely on the tone because it feels more humane.
However, your voice can be the audible cue that tells the dog what to do, without relying on a middle man to "warn" your dog before you use the stimulation.
If you're using the appropriate stimulation level for your dog, there is no reason to feel guilty about using it.
Here are some of the biggest factors to consider when shopping for an e collar for your dog.
Dogtra Collar Two Dogs
1. Ability to Expand to Two Dogs
If you have two dogs, or could see yourself with two dogs in the future, consider whether you want each dog to have their own remote. Alternatively, you could have both dogs on one remote.
Some owners just like having two collars ready to go! This way, one of the collars is always on the charger.
Dogtra Collar Boost
2. Boost Feature
The boost feature is a little newer to Dogtra, introduced with the 280C Tom Davis edition.
The boost button (I call it the "Oh, shit! Button") allows you to work on two levels very easily. This is usually a good model for dog owners who have reactive or impulsive dogs who need to be able to switch between two levels very quickly.
This way, you can use your regular level for obedience. Then, if you need to override your dog's adrenaline during a reaction, chase drive, or excitement, you can quickly and easily press a button to increase the level of the stimulation.
With other dog collars, you can roll up the stimulation easily, but it may take a few seconds to find the appropriate level.
Dogtra Collar Range
3. Distance
Most pet dog owners don't need a huge range on their collar. However, if you live on a lot of land, or you plan to hike or camp, considering a bigger range could be important. Most Dogtra e collars have at least a 1/2 mile range.
Dogtra Collar Features
4. Digital Screen
There are several Dogtra models that do not have a digital screen. Instead, they have a dial that is virtually impossible to see what level you are working at.
These are so difficult to use. It is worth it to upgrade to the digital screen so you can see what level your dog is working at.
There are dogs who need a very precise amount of stimulation. 9 is too much, but 7 is too little. And in that case, you need the digital screen.
Dogtra Collar Price
5. Price
The price of a Dogtra collar is a slightly more than their competitor, Educator. Plus, different models will run at different rates depending on their features.
Personally, I find Dogtra a little easier to understand and utilize than the educator collars. But I've also recommended the educator collars for people who have two dogs and need a boost button for each dog.
I've also recommend the micro educator for dogs under 15 pounds.
Dogtra Collar Lock
6. Lock Feature
The Dogtra 280C is the most basic model I like to work with. It still has the luxury of the digital screen, but at the time of writing this, does not have a lock version.
Maybe 3-4 times a year (and I work with e collars daily) I will accidentally hit the dial and change the level of the stimulation. I know this because the collar stops working, or the dog has a bigger reaction.
I do really appreciate the lock on the 280C Tom Davis, but I don't need it and have learned to monitor the level with whatever collar I'm utilizing.
Dogtra ARC
7. Collar and Design
Personally, I use the ARC for my dog. Though we started out using the Tom Davis 280C because of the boost feature. My dog was very reactive and needed to be able to quickly switch.
However, I have loved the ARC because it maintains good contact with the dog's skin. The design of the collar fits the shape of the dog's neck. And, the ARC isn't as boxy as the other models, or the Mini and Micro Educators.
Now about my beef with the 280C Tom Davis. I do love the boost and lock feature on this, but me and my dog HATED that bungee collar.
I find most other dogs hate those dangly straps. Plus, owners find it difficult to maintain the same level of tightness each time they put the collar on, resulting in having to change the stimulation level each time.
So, do you and your dog a favor and grab yourself a replacement collar (in your favorite color!)
8. Other accessories
A few models offer additional features like handsfree, GPS tracking and a tone. Most dog pet owners don't necessarily need these. Though some owners have purchased the handsfree.
Difference Between 280C and Tom Davis 280C
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Dogtra Tom Davis 280C
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Dogtra ARC
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Dogtra 280C
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$214.99
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Pros:
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Pros:
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- Boost feature
- 1/2 mile range
- Lock feature
- High intensity vibrate
- Digital screen
- Waterproof
- Bungee collar
- Price
- Can't expand to 2 dogs
- Expandable to 2 dogs
- Designed to keep consistent contact
- Low power vibrate
- 3/4 mile range
- Digital screen
- Waterproof
- No boost feature
- No ability to set each dog at a different level
- No lock feature
- Price
- High intensity vibrate
- 1/2 mile range
- Digital screen
- Waterproof
- No boost feature
- No lock feature
- Can't expand to 2 dogs
Mini Educator
One of the other options for a quality e collar is the Educator. This is a slightly more affordable option than Dogtra.
Personally, I find the learning curve to be much steeper with the mini educator, but it does have features that are pretty valuable with the boost and lock feature and the ability to expand to two dogs.
If you have two dogs who are working at different stimulation levels, this is a probably the best option for you. It's possible to set one dog at a level 9, while the other dog works at a 22. AND you can set a boost button for each of the dogs.
The hardest part with using a mini educator is learning which buttons do what and keeping track of each of the buttons. However, once you get used to it, it's has a great range of features for two dogs!
If you have a dog between 5-15 pounds, the Micro Educator is one of the best options for you! Especially if you have two dogs between 5-15 pounds. The micro educator can work for larger dogs, but does have closer contact points, and delivers less power with stimulation so it is sensitive enough for small dogs.
A great option for dogs 5 pounds and up that are working at different levels of stimulation! This collar has the ability to set levels individually for each dogs and boost for each dog.
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- Set each dog at their own custom level
- Boost Button
- Close Contact Points - Great for Dogs 5-15 pounds
- Lock Feature
- Comes with the Second Collar
- Confusing to set up
- Steeper learning curve
- Not ideal for larger dogs over 30 pounds
- User friendly
- Easy to adjust stimulation levels
- Easy to set up
- Shape allows consistent contact and comfort for larger dogs
- Easy to use
- Can easily use as a one dog system
- Doesn't fit ideally for dogs under 20 pounds
- Purchase 2nd collar separately
