Years ago, dog training collars were called "shock collars." They were used to train dogs by delivering an electronic shock to the dog whenever he went out of line. They were used for various types of dog training, including for hunting and gun dogs. However, many dog owners found them to be inhumane. No one liked the idea of delivering huge electric jolts to Fido. As a result, many dog trainers didn't use dog training collars and those who did you them, never admitted it.

Times began to change. There was a need for dog training collars as they were found to be a very effective way of training dogs. The collars started to change and give a variety of different currents. The second generation of dog training collars, still also called "shock collars" had three different levels of stimulation that could be delivered to the dog. Still, many dog trainers found that the lowest level was still over the top when it came to minor infractions.

The purpose of dog training, whether it is a gun dog or any other type of dog, is to get the dog to follow your commands. You are not being cruel in training a dog, but being a responsible dog owner. To the contrary, it is cruel not to train a dog as he will most likely not be a good hunting dog or even a pet. After a while, owners may get fed up with an untrained dog and send him to the pound where he is likely to be put down.

Because it is imperative that dogs be trained in a humane and efficient manner, dog training collars began to improve. But it was not just the collars that needed work. Humans also needed to be trained on how to use the dog training collars so that they could effectively train their dogs without causing them harm.

Jim and Phyllis Dobbs were one of the first dog trainers to address the issue and put out a book called "Tri-Tonics Training Retrievers." This book detailed, in step by step instructions, what people needed to know when training a dog using a dog training collar.

Today, dog training collars are much more technologically advanced. There are basically two different types of stimulation that can be given when using these collars - continuous and intermittent. Both can be used for various purposes. There are also different levels of stimulation that are used in today's modern dog training collars as well as different ranges. And you can even find some dog training collars that are weather proof - very helpful if you are training retrievers hunting in the water.

Dog training collars, thanks to modern technology, are no longer called "shock collars." They have come a long way since their first inception and have proven to be one of the most effective as well as humane ways to train a dog. Remember that your dog depends on you to teach him right from wrong, as well as what it takes to be a good hunting companion. Today's dog training collars have come a long way from their early predecessors.