A Shock collar also known as a bark collar is a tool used in the training of dogs. Shock collars are used to stop unwanted behavior in dogs. For instance, excessive barking and aggression can be stopped with training with a bark collar.

Function
The use of a shock collar revolves around aversive training. Aversive training means unwanted behaviors have consequences. In the case of a shock collar the consequence of unwanted behavior is a slight shock given to the dog.

Types

There are three main types of shock collars:

• The first type is an automatic bark collar. A slight shock is administered to the dog when the collar detects a bark.
• The second type is a remote-control collar. In a remote-control shock collar system shock is only administered when the trainer chooses too. This type of shock collar is used for manually training a dog.
• The third type is used for electric-fence systems. This type of collar keeps dogs within a certain boundary set by the owner. If the dog gets too close or past the electric fence the collar is automatically activated.

Features
Shock collars have many different features including being water resistant or waterproof. Shock collars also have different intensity levels of shock administered and continuous vs. momentary stimulation options. During continuous stimulation, the collar delivers an electric stimulation to the dog as long as the button is pressed from the remote transmitter. During momentary stimulation the dog will only receive a short burst of electronic stimulation.

Range
The range of the collar depends on the model and purpose of the training. A hunting dog will have to be trained with a collar with a long range as opposed to a house dog. Collars come in ranges from couple hundred feet to over a mile.

Transmitter
When it comes to choosing the transmitter make sure you buy one that is comfortable for you. Dog trainers must be comfortable enough to hold the transmitter for long periods of time.