Picking out the perfect accessories for your new puppy is one of the best parts of dog ownership. You can choose the things that fit your style and look great on your pup.

Young puppies aren’t used to wearing collars and may not like the feeling of them. You also need something that’s going to be sturdy enough to hold an exuberant puppy during training sessions. When puppies are learning how to walk on a leash, the right collar can mean the difference between a frustrating training session and a successful one.

To help you find the right collar for your puppy, we gathered our favorites in this list, from harnesses to no-slip collars. Browse the reviews to see which one will fit your needs.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites (2024 Update)

The 8 Best Training Collars for Puppies

1. Frisco Martingale Dog Collar — Best Overall

The Frisco Martingale Dog Collar is our best overall choice for a training collar for puppies. It comes in three sizes and four color options. The solid nylon material is gentle and non-irritating on the skin.

The collar is easily adjustable, so your pup will have a snug but not too tight fit. This martingale collar will keep your pup from slipping out of it while training, walking, or playing. If the puppy tries to get out of the collar, the second nylon loop will tighten. When the puppy returns to walking or training without pulling, the loop loosens.

This collar will help puppies learn to walk on a leash and keep their attention on the task at hand. Since this collar is a martingale, it should only be worn during walks or training sessions. For safety purposes, make sure to remove the collar when training is over and before putting your puppy in a crate.

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2. Halti OptiFit Headcollar — Best Value

The best puppy training collar for the money is the Halti OptiFit Headcollar. This nylon collar works to gently direct your puppy’s head, keeping them from losing focus and showing them how to walk on a leash. This can be used to enjoy a leisurely walk with your pup or as a training aid to keep them from pulling on the leash.

The self-adjusting chin strap and reflective cheek straps won’t irritate your puppy’s face. This collar is available in three sizes. To use this headcollar effectively, your puppy should wear a regular neck collar. A double-ended lead is then connected to the ring under the dog’s jaw and the dog’s neck collar. During training, this enables you to only use the headcollar to correct the dog’s behavior when necessary. The two attachment styles also keep your puppy secure.

One issue with the nylon material is that it is easy for puppies to chew through it. If the nose strap is not secure, puppies can manage to chew it and get loose, which is why attaching it to a neck collar is important for safety. As with all training collars, this one should be removed when training or walks are over.

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3. PetSafe 3-in-1 Harness & Leash — Premium Choice

The PetSafe 3-in-1 Harness & Leash can be used in three ways. First, it is a training aid to teach your puppy how to walk on a leash. Then, once your dog is ready, it can be used as a regular harness for walks. Finally, a seatbelt can be threaded through the loop of the harness so it can be used as a car safety restraint. A leash is included that will attach to the front and back of the harness for extra control of pulling puppies. Once your dogs have mastered leash-walking, the leash can be used at its full 4-foot length to offer them more freedom.

The harness reduces strain on your dog’s neck and throat as they pull, thanks to a tightening martingale loop. The front leash attachment will gently redirect your puppy when they start pulling. There are five adjustment points so you can find the perfect fit for your dog. Some dog owners have found it complicated to operate, though.

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4. CollarDirect Adjustable Training Collar

The CollarDirect Adjustable Training Collar is available in three sizes and eight colors, so you will be sure to find the one that looks the best on your pup. The martingale feature on this nylon collar is made of a stainless-steel chain that tightens as your puppy pulls on the leash. The nylon material prevents damage to the neck, trachea, and throat.

This collar is perfect for training sessions in open areas where your pup is at risk of slipping the collar and running off. The reflective features on the collar offer extra safety and visibility in the dark. The collar can be used while training and for regular walks around the neighborhood.

The collar is not meant to be used with tie-outs. This is a walking and training aid only. As with all collars that tighten, this should be removed from your dog once you’re safely back inside the house. One issue with this collar is that the buckle can snap open if enough force is applied to it.

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5. PetSafe Gentle Leader Headcollar

Available in five sizes and eight colors, the PetSafe Gentle Leader Headcollar was designed by a veterinary behaviorist and resembles a horse halter. This training collar is made to prevent and discourage leash-pulling. When your puppy starts to pull on the collar, the movement will automatically redirect their head. This design helps prevent and correct undesirable behaviors like lunging, jumping, and pulling.

It is easy to put on your pup with an adjustable nose loop and quick-snap neck strap. The nose loop is padded for your pup’s comfort and protection. Each collar gives your dog a custom fit so they are still able to pant, eat, drink, and bark without any unnecessary pressure on their necks or throats.

It may take a while for your puppy to get used to the feeling of this collar. It should always be adjusted to fit properly, so read the instructions thoroughly before fitting it on your pup.

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6. Mighty Paw Leather Training Collar

The Mighty Paw Leather Training Collar is made of quality leather and a stainless-steel martingale chain loop for gentle and controlled correction. The chain is durable and resistant to corrosion. The leather is comfortable and soft.

This training collar works like most other martingales. The gentle cinching action is a safe and effective dog training aid. It provides enough tension for training purposes, helping your puppy learn cues without causing any pain or fear.

The collar comes in three sizes and can withstand all weather conditions. Some dog owners have had issues with sizing, so it’s best to measure your puppy’s neck before ordering.

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7. Blueberry Pet Training Martingale Collar

For extra safety during training sessions and walks, the Blueberry Pet Training Martingale Collar can be personalized with your dog’s name and phone number. This is ideal for those who dislike the distracting clinking sound of identification tags. Since a martingale collar should only be used under supervision outside, this is a convenient way to keep your pup’s info on them.

The collar is made to slip over your pup’s head and can be adjusted when it’s around their neck. However, depending on the size of your dog, you may have to loosen and tighten it every time you use it to make sure it stays secure while in use. Proper measuring should be done before purchase to ensure that you get a size that will fit comfortably over your dog’s head. The martingale loop will tighten as your dog puts tension on the leash.

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8. Mycicy Reflective Training Slip Collar

The Mycicy Reflective Training Slip Collar slips over your puppy’s head and then tightens around the neck in a P-collar design. This tightening feature gives you control over your pup for training purposes and adjusts for your dog as they move to keep them comfortable. The nylon material has a mesh padded backside for added comfort and protection of your pup’s skin. This collar also has reflective strips sewn into the nylon for added nighttime visibility.

Some dog owners have noticed that the material doesn’t easily slide through the rings, so the collar doesn’t tighten as much as they’d like it to. The nylon material is also easily chewed, so it should be kept out of reach of puppies when they aren’t wearing it. This collar can choke puppies, so it should always be used during training and removed after the session or walk is over.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Training Collar for Puppies

The collar that you choose for your puppy will depend on what your goal is for them to learn. While most training collars can be used for any purpose, your pick should be based on the area that your pup is struggling in.

Walking

Martingale collars, headcollars, and harnesses can be used for training your puppy how to walk properly on a leash. Martingale collars will only tighten if your puppy pulls. It will discourage them from pulling again if they don’t like the feeling, but it doesn’t do much other than ensure that your dog can’t slip the collar and run away. If you have a little Houdini on your hands, a martingale collar is a good choice.

Pulling

If your dog pulls on the leash or is easily distracted by things on your walk, a headcollar might be a better idea. These keep puppies focused by gently redirecting their heads as they lunge, pull, jump, or stray. They can discourage pulling behavior and keep your dog focused on you.

Obedience Training

If you’re having outdoor obedience training sessions with your dog, a harness or martingale collar will work best. They will ensure that your dog doesn’t slip out and will keep them near you, ready to learn.

Can My Puppy Use a Regular Collar for Training?

Regular collars that offer no features other than a buckle and unique pattern will give you something to clip a leash to or hang a tag from. While you can walk your dog using this collar, training sessions should be more serious and regimented. If you struggle to get control over your dog during training, a different collar can offer you more control and keep their attention where it belongs.

Training Collars vs. Regular Collars

Your puppy’s permanent collar might be stylish and unique and never come off. Dog owners use collars to signify dog ownership and hang identification tags from the rings in case the dog gets lost.

Training collars are usually made to tighten and restrict movement or redirect your dog to go another way. These aren’t everyday collars and shouldn’t be used as such.

Since training collars tighten, this is a safety risk. If your dog is wearing the collar without your supervision and gets caught on an object, they can choke. The more they pull, the more the collar tightens.

It’s important to only use training collars, harnesses, and headcollars during training times or walks. Remove the training collar when you arrive back home, and your puppy can go back to wearing their regular collar. For extra convenience, you can leave the regular collar on during training, too.

How to Choose the Right Training Collar

Size

Measure your puppy to get the perfect fit. Using a measuring tape, wrap it around the neck and note the measurement where the tape meets. Then, add 2–3 inches for a proper collar length. The collar should be snug-fitting, but you should still be able to slip two fingers comfortably between the material and your dog’s neck.

As your puppy grows, you’ll need to adjust the size of the collar or replace it with a bigger one to keep them comfortable.

Some collars are made for specific breeds. Check the recommended breed size to make sure it corresponds with your puppy’s. Training will be useless without the correct collar fit.

Comfort

If the collar isn’t comfortable for your dog to wear, they won’t be paying any attention to training. They’ll be fighting to get the collar off.

Training collars are made of different materials. Nylon is a popular choice, but leather, polyester, and stainless steel are also used.

If you notice that your dog is scratching at the collar or it’s turning their skin or fur a different color, they could be allergic to it. Try a different material and see if that helps.

Conclusion

Our best overall choice for a puppy training collar is the Frisco Martingale Dog Collar. It’s made of non-irritating material, is easy to put on and take off, and has a martingale loop to gently tighten without hurting your pup. For the best value, we like the Halti OptiFit Headcollar. It attaches to a loop under your puppy’s chin and to their regular collar for extra security and control to keep them focused. Choosing the right training collar doesn’t have to be overwhelming once you know the difference between them. We hope that our reviews help you find the perfect one!

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Featured Image Credit: Melounix, Shutterstock