Which Brands Offer The Best shock collars for Pitbulls, and how do you use one safely?

best shock collar for pitbulls
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Pitbulls are incredibly strong and high energy dogs. While some people dislike the idea of shock collars, the truth is that sometimes you need a little help controlling them.

So, in today’s article, we’ll be talking about the best shock collars for pitbulls to help you with your training. We’ll cover some of the most popular brands, explain their features and help you to find a product that works for you and your pup.

If this is your first time using a shock collar, there’s also a short tutorial on how to train your Pitbull using a shock collar at the end of the article that you may find useful as well.

BUT if you just want the basic info, then we’ve made a nice little comparison table here for you that will help you to compare our top 3 picks for shock collars for your Pitbull side-by-side. This includes easy to read information on key features like range, battery life, and settings information, and our top 3 best shock collars for pitbulls list.

Best Shock Collars For Pitbulls Comparison Chart

Best shock collars for Pitbulls
SportDog Hound HunterEducator The BossSport Dog Trainer
Check PriceCheck PriceCheck Price
Best For Multiple DogsBest For CustomizationBest Budget Collar
2 Mile Range1 Mile Range300 Yard Range
Up to 6 Dogs1-2 Dogs1 Dog
Replaceable ContactsReplaceable ContactsReplaceable Contacts
Great Battery LifeGood Battery LifeGood Battery Life
WaterproofWaterproofWaterproof
XNight Tracking BeaconX

We Recommend: The SportDog Hound Hunter

Our top pick is for the SportDog Hound Hunter. While the Educator does offer a bit more in the way of options, the SportDog was made with stubborn dogs in mind, and they will likely be the best shock collars for pitbulls and other stubborn dogs.

The collar features replaceable contact points, an amazing 140-160 hours of battery life, and more than twice the range of the Educator at 2 miles. This makes it great for long training sessions, and helps to control a dog with a habit of wandering off.

If you have more than one dog, then you’ll also be glad to know that this collar system is expandable, and you can connect it to up to 6 collars if you want to! Click here to get the best price on the SportDog Hound Hunter.

PS. If you want to know the full story on these collars, then keep reading to get our full review of each one. We go over all of the features and explain what’s so great about them in more detail if you’re after the full story.

The Best Shock Collars For Pitbulls

SportDog Hound Hunter 3225

best pitbull shock collar
With its long range, customizable options, and expandable system – The HoundHunter is our top pick for those seeking the best shock collars for pitbulls.

The SportDog hound hunter has one of the most generous ranges of any shock collar. With this device you can correct your dog up to 2 miles away! Great if you live on a property with acreage and you have a dog that likes to run off.

If you have multiple dogs, then you might also be interested in the fact that you can actually train up to six dogs using one remote with this device. All you’ll need to do is purchase some additional collars and sync them up to the remote, making this handy for owners of more than one Pit.

While intended for Hunters, the SportDog HoundHunter is great for any tough to train dogs.

While this product is actually intended for hunting dogs, it’s a great tool to get your Pitbull to stop what he’s doing and pay attention to you, because it was made with stubborn dogs in mind. Getting a hunting dog to give up the chase is tough, and while Pitbulls aren’t really hunting dogs, the same rules apply to them and their often stubborn nature, especially for pitbulls with a very strong prey focus, like chasing squirrels or rabbits.

This collar also has many different methods which you can use for training, including 7 different settings for intensity. That makes it one of the best shock collars for Pitbulls on the market, because you can easily dial in the correct sensitivity for your pup.

You can choose to give your Pitbull a quick nudge to correct him, continuous stimulation or the ability to train using beeps or vibration if you’d prefer. Once your dog gets the idea, this may be all that is needed to get them to heed your commands. After all, a shock collar is really just supposed to be a gentle reminder to your dog that he needs to stop what he’s doing and pay attention.

best training collars for pitbulls
The HoundHunter’s color coded controller allows you to easily control multiple collars.

This collar is also submersible and waterproof up to 25 feet, making it a great choice if your dog likes to play in the water. The battery is also long lasting, and it can go for 140 to 160 hours on one charge, making this very convenient for trips. The only real negative about this shock collar is that the transmitter battery doesn’t last nearly as long as the collar does, so you’ll need to charge it.

These are the best shock collars for pitbulls if you have multiple dogs or need long range control that other collars don’t offer.

PROS

  • 2 Mile Range
  • One remote trains up to 6 dogs
  • Waterproof up to 25 feet
  • 140-160 hour battery life
  • Multiple Training Modes
  • Reflective Collar Strap
  • Easy to use

CONS

  • CONS
  • Pricey
  • Transmitter battery is 40-60 hours

Educator The Boss E Collar

Best shock collars for Pitbulls
The Educator works with up to 2 dogs, and it has awesome customization features.

If you’re worried about introducing your pup to too much stimulation, then the BOSS might be the way to go. This collar offers some excellent features that allow you to customize it to fit your situation.

This includes a setting system with intensities varying from 1 to 100 and an additional boost stimulus. You can think of the “boost” as something like tapping your dog on the shoulder. It’s just a small vibration which is meant to help get their attention a little better.

The collar also features removable contact points in different sizes, allowing you to choose the most appropriate size for your dog. While the range of this collar is half of our first pick, this one does offer a lot more in the way of customization, so if you don’t really require a 2 mile range, then this might be a better pick for you.

This company also prides themselves on making some of the most humane shock collars on the market. This is because they use a more “blunt” feeling than the sharp stimulation of traditional collars. Using this method is less stressful for your dog, but it still gets the point across, and that makes this the best shock collars for Pitbulls where a gentle reminder is all that’s needed, rather than stronger and more aggressive force.

The Boss has a huge number of intensity settings, allowing for maximum control.

If your dog is particularly difficult to control, then this collar will allow you to scale up until you find a setting that makes an impact. However, the shock for this device can be quite strong, so be sure to start low! When used properly your dog should not fear the training collar. Shock collar training is not meant to be painful, and you should be careful not to put too much stress on your dog.

This model is however created to be especially effective on stubborn dogs. They also offer a bunch of customizable accessories including stainless contacts, titanium contacts, and different collars. This collar model also comes with a tracking light. This makes it one of the best e collars for Pitbulls who are escape artists.

The tracking light is controlled by the transmitter, which features a nicely made stop watch type of design. If your dog does manage to run off after dark, you can use the light button as a sort of beacon to try and hunt them down. It’s a very nice feature to have.

best e collars for pitbulls
The Boss collar’s tracking beacon helps you to locate your dog at night if he runs off.

The BOSS 800 is also super durable, it can be submerged up to a whopping 500 feet, and the remote floats so that it’s harder to lose it. However, the manufacturer doesn’t seem to mention how long it can be submerged for, which is often an important factor in waterproofing.

One of the few cons of this collar is that you need a separate model to use for multiple dogs, and it can only work on up to two dogs. This means that if you originally buy the ET-800 you can’t just add more collars like you can with the SportDog collars. If you need to train more than one Pitbull you’ll need to make sure to buy the two dog product right off the bat.

These are the best shock collars for pitbulls for customization and nighttime tracking.

PROS

  • Submersible up to 500 feet
  • Transmitter is waterproof and floats
  • 1 Mile Range
  • Tons of customizable options
  • Removable contact points
  • Tracking light to find dogs at night

CONS

  • 800 can’t be upgraded for more dogs
  • 802 allows only two dogs
  • Battery life not as good as SportDog

Dogtra Handsfree Remote Training Collar

best shock collars for pitbulls

The Dogtra remote training collar is an excellent and affordable device that is fully waterproof. This makes it great if you’re looking for a collar which can keep your dog under control when you’re out and about on hiking trails or on your land.

This collar has a wide variety of levels, with intensities up to 127. While you most likely wouldn’t need to go this high, the options are highly customizable. This allows you to dial in exactly what your dog needs to respond to training.

The device itself is slim fitting and designed to sit comfortably on you dog’s neck. It also allows for the “nick” feature and constant stimulation, allowing you to choose exactly how you want to correct your dog. This allows you to make the training experience less scary, because you can adjust it until your dog is completely comfortable, and it’s important to remember that the best shock collars for pitbulls are the ones that suit your dog and training style.

While this device is more affordable than our first two options, it also has a much shorter range. This device will only be effective up to 3/4 of a mile, which is a lot less than our first two options, though honestly, it’s probably adequate for most people.

However, if you don’t really need a collar that can function for a distance greater than this, then you can save some money by picking this up. The collar is highly rated and extremely effective in controlling even stubborn dogs.

It does however have a couple of problems you should be aware of. Just like the BOSS collar, you can’t upgrade and add more dog collars later. You’ll need to purchase the model that comes with two collars.

That means that while this collar is great for one dog, but if you want to train multiple dogs, then the SportDog collars are likely a better choice. They just offer better options when it comes to multiple dogs.

best shock collar for pitbull dogtra
This collar is really only good for training a single dog. Owners with more than one should go for the SportDog.

However, this device does come with some great features including being completely waterproof and featuring a hands free control. This allows you to quickly and discreetly correct your dog’s behavior, and it’s also a bit more affordable than our other two picks.

Plus, if you don’t care about the hands-free features you can save even more by getting a more basic collar. If you just want something that does its job without a bunch of other stuff, then this is a good collar. Especially if you only have one dog to train.

These are the best shock collars for pitbulls if you don’t need all the bells and whistles.

PROS

  • Affordable
  • Works
  • Totally Waterproof
  • Hands-free remote
  • 3/4 Mile Range
  • Shock and vibration

CONS

  • CONS
  • Not the best for multiple dogs
  • Can’t add more collars
  • Not as many customization options

SportDog Yard Trainer

If you liked the SportDog collar but you couldn’t justify the cost, then the company does make some cheaper collars that you could look into. The SportDog Yard Trainer collar comes with all the quality that consumers have come to expect from the brand but at a much more attractive price.

Of course, some sacrifices did have to be made somewhere, and in the case of this collar, the range is much shorter, and it will only work for a single dog. Your training range will be capped at 300 yards, so keep this in mind when you try to save some money on a collar.

It’s always important to evaluate your needs before making a purchase and comparison shopping is the best way to do that. Just make sure that when comparing prices you’re also taking into account which features are not present on the cheaper collars.

SportDog’s Yard Trainer Explained.

But, if you want to save some cash, and you only have one dog to train, this might be a good option for you. Just keep in mind that if you want to expand later and add more dogs, this system is not capable, while the pricier Hound Hunter we reviewed first is.

SportsDog’s Yard Collar was created specifically for stubborn dogs and as long as you keep your Pitbull close by, it’ll do an excellent job of keeping your dog in line. Just remember that your range is much shorter here, so you’ll need to start pressing that button sooner to keep your dog at your heel.

training collar for stubborn pitbulls
The YardTrainer has 8 options for stimulation.

Just like the Hound Hunter, the SportDog Yard collar also allows for you to purchase different contact points, allowing you to pick the one that fits your dog. You can also quickly select a stimulation level from 8 options, and there are training options for vibration and tone as well if you’d prefer to use those.

Over all, this collar is an excellent value and provides premium quality without the premium price tag. If you’re willing to forgo a few features, then this is one of the Best Shock Collars for Pitbulls when you’re on a tight budget.

These are the best shock collars for pitbulls if you need quality features on a budget.

PROS

  • Waterproof
  • Affordable
  • 8 Stimulation Options
  • Up-gradable to control up to 3 dogs
  • Replaceable contacts
  • Good for stubborn dogs
  • 40 hour battery life

CONS

  • Only 300 Yard Range
  • Less customization options
  • Works for only 1 dog

Alright, well, that’s our list! We’ve done our best to pick the best training collars for Pitbulls and to help you out with your shopping. However, it’s important to remember that dogs are individuals.

Your dog might need more or less strength to get the message. However, you should always start out slow so that you don’t care your dog or hurt them when training them.

If you need help learning how to use your training collar safely, then please read over the below tutorial for some tips on how to make the most of collar training your dog.

How to use a shock collar to train your Pitbull

The shock collar is a great tool for dog training, but it is not the end all be all. While a short buzz from the training device will get their attention, you’ll still need to be patient with them.

Be patient with your dog

Training takes time, and a dog doesn’t speak your language, so you’ll need to learn how to communicate with him in a way that he understands.

If your training method involves smashing the button every time you get angry, your dog will just end up being scared and confused, and your “training” will simply be time wasted. That’s no way to treat your best friend, and even the best shock collar for pitbulls will be ineffective if you are not using it properly!

Learn basic commands without a collar first

Before you begin using the collar you should work with your dog to teach them at least the very basic commands without it. This helps your dog to understand what it is that you want them to do. Otherwise, they may not be able to associate the collar with your commands.

Begin this initial training by using rewards and not punishments. You don’t want your dog to associate your training sessions with only bad things. This will only make them afraid of you and this is not the goal of using the collar.

Once your pup has mastered a few basic commands like sit and stay, you may move on to the collar. You can start off by trying something simple like keeping your dog’s attention.

Only train in safe areas

Start off in a safe area, such as a fenced yard in case the collar spooks your dog. Try to keep their attention and if they run off, firmly state your command and give them a little buzz. The setting on the collar should only be enough to get their attention!

The goal of a shock collar is to make the dog stop what they are doing and pay attention to you. Your shock collar should not be turned up enough to actually hurt them. Dogs have different tolerance levels and you should start out slow.

After a few instances of this happening, your dog should start to understand that the buzz means that he or she should stop whatever they are doing. However, it’s important that you are consistent with your use of the collar or you will just confuse your dog.

Give clear commands

Make sure that when you press the button you are giving a clear command and communicating what you want to your dog properly. Otherwise, your pup will not make the connection and will think you just randomly decide to shock them.

One of the most useful functions for a shock collar is actually to keep your Pitbull safe. If your dog starts to run off, a gentle buzz from the collar can get them to stop what they’re doing, saving them from running into traffic, getting into fights with other dogs and keeping them in the safe confines of your yard.

In short, while shock collars have gotten a bad name thanks to irresponsible owners that don’t know how to use them, they are not inherently bad. When used correctly, they can be very useful and they will not harm your dog at all, and they can in fact, even help to keep him safe.

Note – These collars are not recommended for dogs with aggression problems! This can be dangerous, and the dog may lash out, potentially injuring someone nearby.

Michelle Rei
Michelle Rei
Michelle is a pet parent turned amateur pet product researcher. After adopting a fur baby with digestive issues caused by bad pet food, she's poured hundreds of hours into research to find the best of the best to help him and other pets live happier and healthier lives.
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