German Shepherds are an incredibly smart breed. They’re also loyal and highly intuitive, making them the perfect dog for a variety of services.
Like all other service dogs and family dogs, German Shepherds require training early on to allow them to live their lives to the fullest. And as the owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that your favorite dog is well-trained.
Fortunately, modern technology has paved the way to make training more convenient for us. It’s in the form of shock collars. These collars release a light static output that alerts the puppy that what he’s doing should be corrected. Within a few weeks – sometimes, even just a matter of days – you will notice the changes in his behavior for the best.
So if you’re in the market for the best shock collar for German Shepherd, then you came to the right place. Here, we tested and reviewed five of the best in the market, so you get enough options to choose from.
5 Best Shock Collar for German Shepherd: Reviews
Educator E-Collar Remote Dog Training Collar
First on our list is the Educator E-Collar Remote Dog Training Collar, which gives us great performance and value for the money.
With its Biothane collar strap, you can be assured of how comfortable it is for your pet. Speaking of comfort, it also comes with a small receiver. This feature keeps it from giving your dog a heavy feeling around his neck.
The Educator E-Collar Remote Dog Training Collar offers up to 100 stimulation levels for you to choose from. That guarantees that you’ll pick the level that best suits your pet’s training needs without causing him any stress.
To ensure the best results, this training collar offers two sets of contact points. This allows you to use it on either medium or short-haired German Shepherd breeds with no issue.
Despite all of these innovative features, the Educator E-Collar Remote Dog Training Collar retails for a reasonable price. While it’s not the most affordable item on this list, it certainly delivers great value. That’s why it’s a top contender for the best shock collar for German Shepherd.
Pros:
- It is easy to use.
- It uses premium and durable materials.
- It has humane output levels that keep our pets trained yet stress-free.
- Users have 5 color options to choose from.
- It is easy to adjust.
Cons:
- The battery life is not very impressive.
SportDOG Brand SportHunter Family Remote Trainer
The SportDOG Brand SportHunter Family Remote Trainer is another value-for-money shock collar that you should look out for. With its multiple training modes and user-friendly controls, it’s a training tool you don’t want to miss out on.
This shock collar offers three modes, which include vibration mode, tone mode, or static stimulation mode. That allows you to choose the method that’s most effective at training your German Shepherd, so you can see the results as soon as possible.
If you choose the static mode, you get to choose from 21 stimulation levels. While it’s not as impressive as those with 100 levels, it still offers a safe range for training puppies.
We also love the superior waterproofing on this device. Aside from being waterproof, it is also submersible for up to 25 feet. That guarantees that even an unexpected rain shower won’t cause it to short-circuit. And that’s both a safety and a durability feature.
We also love how the SportDOG Brand SportHunter Family Remote Trainer is designed with our convenience in mind. It’s fast-charging and comes with a low battery indicator, so we’re never left guessing its battery status. It’s also expandable to up to 3 dogs, so you can train them all at the same time.
Pros:
- It has a versatile and adjustable design.
- It can be expanded to train up to three dogs.
- It is waterproof.
- It has three training modes to choose from.
Cons:
- Some users feel that the 21 stimulation levels for the static mode do not offer enough variety.
Dogtra 1900S Series Ergonomic E-Collar
If you have a little extra budget, we highly recommend the Dogtra 1900S Series Ergonomic E-Collar. If you’re after unmatched training control and durability, then this one’s perfect for you.
With up to 127 stimulation levels to choose from, you’re bound to find the level that’s perfect and safe for your German Shepherd. Each level adjustment can be easily made through its user-friendly remote, so you don’t have to worry about guessing what each button does.
Aside from the static stimulation, this impressive shock collar also offers other correction options such as nicks, constant output, and vibrations. You can choose to use any of these correction types to ensure the best results.
We also love that the Dogtra 1900S Series Ergonomic E-Collar is ergonomically designed to ensure our pet’s comfort. When your dog is not comfortable with his collar, he won’t be as responsive to the training because of the stress he’s experiencing. Thus, your pet’s comfort should never be overlooked.
And finally, this e-collar boasts impressive waterproofing. It is IPX9K-rated, which means that it can withstand high pressures of water coming from different angles. This means that even if your dog runs around in the rain with the collar on, you don’t have to worry about it breaking down. That’s how you know it’s built to last for a long time.
Pros:
- It has an impressive 127 stimulation levels.
- The ergonomic receiver makes it comfortable for your dogs to wear.
- It has a waterproof rating of IPX9K.
- The minimalist remote is easy to use.
Cons:
- The battery life is not very impressive.
- It is quite pricey.
SportDOG Brand TEK Series GPS Tracking Systems with E-Collar
Another top contender for the best shock collar for German Shepherd is the SportDOG Brand TEK Series GPS Tracking Systems with E-Collar. If you need a collar that’s paired with today’s advanced technologies, then this is the one for you.
We weren’t even exaggerating when we said that this collar contains today’s latest technology. Among its most notable features is its built-in GPS, and which allows you to track your dog’s every move. This also doubles as a safety feature, since the GPS allows you to track your dog within a 10-mile radius. And if that’s not impressive, we don’t know what is.
Aside from its built-in GPS, the SportDOG Brand TEK Series GPS Tracking Systems with E-Collar also allows you to train your dog in three options. You can do so through its 99-level static mode, vibration mode, and tone mode. That guarantees safe and comfortable training days for you and your puppy.
We also love its superior connectivity. This e-collar can be connected to up to 21 dogs. That makes training more convenient, especially if you own multiple puppies.
All things considered, the SportDOG Brand TEK Series GPS Tracking Systems with E-Collar comes with superior features that put all others to shame. If it weren’t for its expensive price tag, it would have been perfect.
Pros:
- It has an impressive 10-mile range.
- It has a convenient GPS feature to help track your dog.
- It is waterproof and submersible.
- It allows users to train up to 21 dogs.
Cons:
- It is expensive.
- The remote is not very easy to use, it could take some getting used to.
PATPET Dog Training Collar with Remote
And finally, we have the PATPET Dog Training Collar with Remote. If you’re looking for an affordable yet high-performance training collar, then this is for you.
Despite its affordable price tag, this training collar still comes with features that are usually present in more expensive models.
It similarly comes with three training modes: tone, vibration, and static stimulation. All of these allow you to train your dog in different ways.
The receiver on the PATPET Dog Training Collar with Remote is also lightweight yet responsive, and that’s how you know it delivers the right output to train your dog. The receiver also comes with waterproofing as an additional safety feature for your pet.
Another safety feature of this device is its automatic shut-off feature. The collar automatically turns off once it detects no more operation within 5 minutes. This will surely keep your pet safe against accidental shocks from the remote’s misuse.
We also want to add that this shock collar features a comfortable nylon belt that’s easily adjustable. Whether you’re training a puppy or a grown German Shepherd, you can make the necessary adjustments to ensure a comfortable fit.
Pros:
- It has excellent waterproofing.
- The minimalist remote is easy to use.
- The collar is adjustable to ensure your pet’s comfort.
- Users have 4 color options to choose from.
- It is very affordable.
Cons:
- It is not very durable.
Buying Guide
Now that you know our top 5 picks, there’s a chance that you’re torn between two or more options. Allow this buying guide to help you narrow it even further.
Quality
One of the most important features you have to look into is the quality of the collar.
As much as possible, it should be made of premium materials that won’t easily wear off after a few months of use. This is especially true since it will be worn by an active German Shepherd, so you need one that can hold up against its energy.
Usability
Since you’ll be using the shock collar to train your dog, it’s best to buy the one you’re most comfortable using.
Most of today’s training collars come with a convenient remote that allows us to control the stimulations with the push of a button. As much as possible, the interface should be as user-friendly as possible. Otherwise, you run the risk of hurting your pet by pushing the wrong buttons.
Safety Features
It’s also important that the shock collar is equipped with safety features to keep your pet protected.
A popular safety feature is waterproofing. That guarantees that even if your pet dives into a puddle or plays in the rain with the shock collar on, the receiver won’t short-circuit and cause unintentional stimulations to your beloved canine.
Another safety feature is the automatic turn-off function. This feature shuts the receiver off after notable moments of inactivity. Even if you accidentally press a button on the remote, it won’t activate any unnecessary output.
Budget
And finally, we shouldn’t overlook the budget. While most effective shock collars come with expensive price tags, there are affordable options available if you’re patient enough to look for them. These may not be packed with the most updated technology, but they work just fine and produce the same results over time.
FAQs
What is the best shock collar for a German Shepherd?
Picking just one from all of these options is tough. But if we have to choose the best, we believe it’s between the Educator E-Collar Remote Dog Training Collar and the Dogtra 1900S Series Ergonomic E-Collar.
Both of these shock collars offer premium performance, a reliable stimulation output, ease of use, and great value for the money. These are the reasons why we believe either of them is the best.
Do shock collars hurt dogs?
In general, shock collars are perfectly safe for our dogs. However, it is not a device that should be used by someone who has no experience in using one. When in the wrong hands, it can hurt your dog and cause him so much stress.
Thus, it’s best to ask for help from a professional or thoroughly read the instruction manual before you use it on your pet.
Do shock collars make German Shepherds more aggressive?
No. As long as you use the shock collar properly, with the settings that are recommended for behavioral correction, it won’t cause German Shepherds to become aggressive.
Conclusion
All things considered, the best shock collar for a German Shepherd is the one you and your pet are most comfortable with.
It should be made of a material that’s friendly on his skin and should have a receiver that’s small enough to go comfortably around his neck. It should also come with a user-friendly remote, so you can send corrections whenever necessary.
Fortunately, all items on our list meet these criteria.