Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

10 Best No-Shock Dog Training Collars in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Written by: Nicole Cosgrove

Last Updated on March 22, 2024 by Nicole Cosgrove

10 Best No-Shock Dog Training Collars in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

dachshund dog with electronic collar

Have you got a pup who barks all day long while you’re out? As much as we hate to have to correct our best little friend’s behavior, there’s sometimes no avoiding it. Thankfully, many options allow you to avoid shocking the dog and avoid the potential to cause them discomfort or even pain.

We only want to train the dogs, not hurt them!

Thanks to some great and well-thought-out products that put the dogs first, we don’t have to risk it! From high-tech to low-cost, we’ve got some amazing options that will get you and your dog sorted out in no time! Here are our 10 best no-shock training collars, starting with a techy entry.

divider-dog paw

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Wagz Freedom Smart Dog Collar Wagz Freedom Smart Dog Collar
  • GPS tracks your dog's activities
  • Modern humane deterrents
  • No shock
  • Best Value
    Second place
    PetSafe Spray Dog Bark Collar PetSafe Spray Dog Bark Collar
  • An ultrasonic deterrent is a great setting
  • Citronella is a gentle and effective deterrent
  • Great affordable option
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Garmin Barklimiter Deluxe Garmin Barklimiter Deluxe
  • Great battery life
  • Automatic intensity distribution
  • Intuitive design
  • GroovyPets Anti Bark Humane Collar GroovyPets Anti Bark Humane Collar
  • Excellent range
  • Incredible battery life
  • Built for comfort
  • PetSpy M919 ½ Mile Training Collar PetSpy M919 ½ Mile Training Collar
  • Great range
  • Decent battery life
  • Well regarded in reviews
  • The 10 Best No-Shock Training Collars for Dogs

    1. Wagz Freedom Smart Dog Collar – Best Overall

    Wagz Freedom Smart Dog Collar

    Range: Connects to a smartphone—Unlimited
    Battery Life: N/A
    Deterrent Type: Vibration, ultrasonic stimulation
    Recommended Pet Weight or Age: Any
    Includes shock?: No

    The Wagz Freedom Smart Dog Collar training system makes our top pick based on one standout feature alone. Have you ever been away from home and wanted to check on what your dog is doing? We know we have. This system allows you to set up an invisible fence and track your little buddy’s activities! It uses GPS technology and feeds it to your smartphone. That’s pretty cool!

    We really like how it connects to your smartphone, however, the downside of this is it requires a subscription to the app. However, if you’re willing to get the app, this is a great smart tool that is more affordable than an invisible fence. The other piece that we like to see is that it uses only vibrations and ultrasonic stimulations rather than any form of shock, which is great. This is the best overall no-shock training collar for dog parents!

    Pros
    • GPS tracks your dog’s activities
    • Modern humane deterrents
    • No shock
    Cons
    • Requires a paid monthly subscription

    2. PetSafe Water Resistant Rechargeable Spray Dog Bark Collar – Best Value

    PetSafe Water Resistant Rechargeable Spray Dog Bark Collar

    Range: N/A
    Battery Life: 40 hours
    Deterrent Type: Spray, ultrasonic, shock
    Recommended Pet Weight or Age: 8 lbs up, 6 months and older
    Includes shock?: Yes

    The PetSafe Water Resistant Rechargeable Spray Dog Bark Collar is a water-resistant version from the same makers as the vibration collar listed above. This one is even more affordable for any pet parents who are on a budget. The only downside is it does also come with a mild shock feature that is said to feel like tickling—but you just need to be careful not to use it.

    It also features a citronella spray cartridge option, which is an unpleasant but humane correction.  It’s said to be quite a gentle and stain-free spray and makes this collar a good option for those of us who don’t have much for a training collar but need one now! We think it’s the best no-shock training collar for the money.

    Pros
    • An ultrasonic deterrent is a great setting
    • Citronella is a gentle and effective deterrent
    • Great affordable option
    Cons
    • Disposable spray cartridges are a consumable
    • Includes mild shock option

    3. Garmin Barklimiter Deluxe Dog Training Collar – Premium Choice

    Garmin BarkLimiter Deluxe Dog Training Collar

    Range: N/A
    Battery Life: 3 months
    Deterrent Type: Vibration, shock
    Recommended Pet Weight or Age: All ages, better for medium and large breeds
    Includes shock?: Yes

    The Garmin Barklimiter Deluxe Dog Training Collar is our top choice for pet parents who have a large dog and a bad barking problem. These are kind of the big guns, so to speak, and aren’t recommended for smaller breeds. Sometimes, it’s in the dog’s best interests that the correction is effective, and some dogs have very thick skin!

    This uses a vibration, but it also comes with a shock and vibration setting, so make sure you know what it’s set to. For the purposes of this article that is going to count as a strike against, but what puts this item higher up on the list is its intensity sensing ability.

    The vibrations increase automatically as the dog keeps barking which is good for efficacy. In terms of how humane it is, we also like the intuitive design. It’s built for distinguishing between barking and other vocalizations and seems to do quite a good job at avoiding false corrections.

    Pros
    • Great battery life
    • Automatic intensity distribution
    • Intuitive design
    Cons
    • Includes shock feature as well
    • Not for smaller dogs

    4. GroovyPets Auto Anti Bark Humane Static Shock Waterproof Collar – Best for Outdoors

    GROOVYPETS One Dog Set 1100 Yard Auto Anti Bark

    Range: 1,100 yards
    Battery Life: 40 days
    Deterrent Type: Tone, vibration, static shock
    Recommended Pet Weight or Age: All sizes, 6 months and older
    Includes shock?: Yes

    The GroovyPets One Dog Set 1100 Auto Anti Bark Humane Beep Vibration Static Shock Waterproof Collar is going to be a great choice for those of you who love to take your dogs into the outdoors—even the real outdoors! What makes it great for the backcountry is the range of the remote—boasting a  generous 1,100 yards, as well as a long battery life which lasts over a month! This design seems to highly prioritize the dog’s comfort and features silicone caps to prevent irritation.

    The only downside to this awesome training collar is the fact that it’s a single set, and of course that it includes a shock feature. If you have 2 dogs and want to use this otherwise great remote, then you need 2 sets. That might be less than ideal, but won’t be the end of the world for most—this is a collar for the great outdoors.

    Pros
    • Excellent range
    • Incredible battery life
    • Built for comfort
    Cons
    • Includes shock
    • Set for 1 dog only

    5. PetSpy M919 Premium ½ Mile Training Collar – Best for Multiple Dogs

    PetSpy M919 Premium Half-Mile Range Remote Dog Training Collar

    Range: 880 yards
    Battery Life: 72 Hours
    Deterrent Type: Vibration, sound, shock
    Recommended Pet Weight or Age: Over 10 lbs
    Includes shock?: Yes

    The PetSpy M919 Premium ½ Mile Training Collars are good for owners who want to get out on the farm or bush. They have a good range of 880 yards and can go for 72 hours on their batteries. There were a lot of positive reviews about these collars, however, they are big, bulky, and bright orange. They also feature a shock function, which gets points docked, however, there aren’t many buyers who have anything negative to say. So, while we may think they look like inmate shackles, they do seem to rank highly in customer satisfaction and look like a good option for training dogs out in the great outdoors.

    Pros
    • Great range
    • Decent battery life
    • Well regarded in reviews
    Cons
    • Shock option included
    • Big, bright, and bulky

    6. PetSafe Vibration Remote Dog Training Collar

    PetSafe Vibration Remote Dog Training Collar

    Range: 100 yards
    Battery Life: 14 Days
    Deterrent Type: Vibration
    Recommended Pet Weight or Age: All sizes, 6 months and older
    Includes shock?: No

    PetSafe is a brand that makes quite an extensive line of no shock training collars, so they actually have a couple of entries on our list. First, the PetSafe Vibration Remote Dog Training Collar is a vibration-only bark collar. This is a remote training collar with an OK range of 100 yards—good for the park or maybe a trail, but not enough for hunting and tracking or agriculture. That said, this is a very solid collar that comes with a strong ‘bang-for-buck’ ratio.

    You can choose from 16 levels of vibration, and it is also safe for dogs of all sizes. We love that it doesn’t feature a shock option, and this collar is also reportedly quite useful for training dogs that are deaf or hard of hearing. The only downsides we found were a couple of reports of poor battery life, but other than that, for most people’s needs, this collar delivers!

    Pros
    • Vibration only, great for dogs that are deaf or hard of hearing
    • Versatile
    • Great all-round choice for value, performance, and humane deterrent
    Cons
    • Some complaints about battery life

    7. Frisco Rechargeable No-Shock Dog Bark Collar

    Frisco Rechargeable No Shock Dog Bark Collar

    Range: N/A
    Battery Life: Approximately 400 discharges
    Deterrent Type: Sound, vibration
    Recommended Pet Weight or Age: 15 – 110 lbs
    Includes shock?: No

    If you need value but aren’t willing to concede on quality and your deterrent options, then you should really consider the Frisco Rechargeable No-Shock Dog Bark Collar. The only caveat to this is that it explicitly states that it should not be used with aggressive dogs. Considering the types of deterrents used, that makes some sense.

    We like the sound and vibration combination. It’s a highly effective way to approach the correction on 2 fronts. The design of this is nice and modern – the unit looks almost like a smartphone that’s been attached to the collar! Despite the modern aesthetic, it is one of the most affordable options going—the only possible gripe we could come up with was the prongs need to be in contact with the skin, so long-haired dogs need either another collar or a little buzz cut.

    Pros
    • Great value, no shock
    • Effective, yet humane deterrents
    Cons
    • Have to shave long coats for it to work (not the whole dog, though!)

    8. PatPet No Electric Shock Remote Dog Training Collar

    PatPet No Electric Shock Remote Dog Collar

    Range: 600 yards
    Battery Life: 10 days for remote, 5½ days for collar
    Deterrent Type: Tone, vibration, light
    Recommended Pet Weight or Age: 30 – 110 lbs, 6 months and up
    Includes shock?: No

    The PatPet No Electric Shock Remote Dog Training Collar is waterproof and of good value, offering 3 kinds of deterrent—none of which happen to be a shock. The styling of the collar is quite nice, it’s somewhat understated, and not as bulky as others that we’ve seen. Its specs are quite impressive, as well. With a 600-yard range, you can brave some decent trails. The collar also has a battery life of 5½ days, which is decent.

    It’s great to have a few different humane options when calibrating the collar for your dog’s particular needs, and that makes this a great temporary solution for more sensitive dogs. It allows you to switch between intensities and the remote will warn you if it’s getting to be too much for the dog, which is a nice feature.

    Pros
    • Design totally puts the dog’s comfort first
    • Great range
    • Decent battery life for weekend trips
    • Best choice for less tolerant dogs
    Cons
    • Limited size range—not for dogs under 30 pounds

    9. PetSafe Rechargeable Remote Spray Dog Collar

    PetSafe Rechargable Remote Spray Dog Training Collar with Disposable Spray Cartridges

    Range: 300 yards
    Battery Life: 40 hours
    Deterrent Type: Spray, vibration, and tone
    Recommended Pet Weight or Age: 8 lbs and up, or 6 months and older
    Includes shock?: No

    The PetSafe Rechargeable Remote Spray Dog Collar is a nice option if you’re into easier trails with good visibility and don’t mind a spray collar. That said, this training system comes with 2 other no-shock modes—vibration and tone. We love it when we have options! While this one may not have the range for the backcountry, 300 yards is a totally sufficient range for most people’s needs.

    If you like going to the park and maybe the odd small trail, then this is a great option. The only drawback we find is that the citronella cartridges need to be replaced, which does add to the cost a bit. That said, if your dog responds to tone or vibration, then you’re off the hook. This is a very reasonable option for what the average pet parent requires.

    Pros
    • Great humane deterrent options
    • Versatile
    • Decent range
    Cons
    • Not the best choice for multi-day trips without power
    • Cartridges are consumable

    10. Eyenimal Deluxe Lemon Scented No Bark Spray Collar

    Eyenimal Deluxe Lemon Scented Spray No Bark Dog Collar

    Range: N/A
    Battery Life: 3 years
    Deterrent Type: Spray
    Recommended Pet Weight or Age: 6 months and older
    Includes shock?: No

    We like the gentle approach of the Eyenimal Deluxe Lemon Scented No Bark Spray Collar. It works by simply spraying a lemon-scented mist that is completely harmless, other than it smells bad to your little pal. It is vibration activated, so it doesn’t get the most points for sophistication in terms of determining if your dog is barking or not. Though the spray is harmless, it loses effectiveness as a training tool if misfiring.

    We didn’t see any reports of that yet and it does boast quite an incredible battery life. Hopefully, after 3 years, it won’t be in full-time use anymore, unless you have more dogs who need some correction!  Again, a spray collar requires refilling in one way or another, but this doesn’t use cartridges, it uses a citronella refill.

    Pros
    • Great battery life
    • Spray is harmless
    Cons
    • Citronella is consumable

    divider-dog

    Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best No-Shock Dog Training Collar

    Choosing the right tools is a fundamentally important part of setting you and your dog up for success. As far as buying a training collar is concerned, it’s all about trust, reliability, and buying one that meets the needs of your particular dog. It’s best to always dig deep in the research and reviews and have a look at the quality of the product.

    hunting dog with training collar
    Image Credit: PaigeWhite, Shutterstock

    Another important aspect is getting the sizing right. This might seem obvious to some, but most of these collars use small prongs to detect the barks if they are automatic. Choosing the wrong size can cause it to either not work when it should or to correct when it shouldn’t, neither of which is good for you or your pooch. Make sure you get the right size for your pup!

    divider-paw

    Conclusion

    At the end of the day, we love how much thought and care went into the designs of these. It’s a really difficult challenge to train a dog—how do you discipline them effectively, but not too heavy-handedly? From high-tech to the outdoors, these no-shock options help walk the line between love and leniency, so you can get those behavioral kinks all worked out!


    Featured Image Credit: Zhanna Kavaliova, Shutterstock

    Get Dogster in your inbox!

    Stay informed! Get tips and exclusive deals.
    Dogster Editors Choice Badge
    Shopping Cart

    Pangolia

    © Pangolia Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved.