The Truth About Dog Training Collars: It’s Not the Tool, It’s the Hand Behind It

By Cecilia from Southernwind

 When I trained horses, I discovered that the bit works much like a dog’s collar.

Over my 50 years of training both dogs and horses, I’ve learned one timeless truth: tools don’t control — connection does. When I trained horses, I discovered that the bit works much like a dog’s collar. The bit isn’t meant to force a horse into obedience; it’s a channel of communication. In the wrong hands, a bit can cause pain and fear. But in the right hands, with balance, body awareness, and a respectful connection, the bit becomes almost invisible — simply a whisper between horse and rider.

It is exactly the same with dogs and their collars.

When people hear the words choker, pinch collar, or electric collar, emotions flare. These tools have been labeled as harsh or cruel. But here’s the truth: the collar itself is not the problem. The problem lies in the hand and the mind behind it.

Think of a collar like a telephone. A phone doesn’t create arguments or love; it simply transmits a message. In the same way, a collar is not meant to dominate, punish, or cause pain. Its role is simple: to open a line of communication between you and your dog.

Think of a collar like a telephone. A phone doesn’t create arguments or love; it simply transmits a message.

Communication First, Tools Second

A dog who feels bonded to their handler will work the same with or without a collar. Why? Because the connection comes from the relationship, not the hardware. Before a collar ever becomes part of training, you must establish trust, structure, and communication. Without this foundation, even the softest flat collar can become a weapon in the wrong hands.

Any Collar Can Cause Pain — If Misused

It doesn’t matter whether it’s a flat buckle collar, a martingale, or an e-collar. Any tool, misused, can create discomfort or harm. But when used correctly, these same tools become a language: a way to say “Hey, let’s go this way” or “I need your attention.” That signal should feel to the dog no more invasive than a gentle tap on the shoulder.

A dog who feels bonded to their handler will work the same with or without a collar.

The Psychology of the Collar

Dogs are highly sensitive to energy, intent, and consistency. If your hand is calm, steady, and fair, your dog interprets the collar cue as guidance — not punishment. If your hand is harsh, frustrated, or angry, your dog reads the collar as conflict. The psychological truth is this:

• The collar doesn’t control the dog.

• The relationship controls the dog.

• The collar only amplifies the bond, the respect, and the communication you’ve already built.

  
  

A Balanced Perspective

Instead of asking Which collar is the best? the real question should be: Am I using this collar as a way to hurt, or as a way to guide? *

Does my dog trust me enough to listen without fear?

A responsible dog owner understands that collars are tools, not solutions. A leash and collar cannot replace leadership, clarity, and consistency. They simply transmit the message already present in your relationship.