They may be called choke collars, slip collars or electronic collars, but no matter what you call it, a training collar can be useful in teaching and restraining your Rottweiler regardless of how cruel the moniker might sound. The reality is that in order to get a safe and effective result, you must use care in choosing the dog training collar that will work best for you and your Rottweiler.

Here are a few tips that will help:

1. No matter what training collar you choose, it is very important that it be properly fitted for your dog. An improper fit can cause a degree of pain and in some cases even damage to your Rottweiler. A proper fit should be snug but just loose enough to be able to fit over your dog’s head. It is too tight it can be difficult to remove and be painful, while if it is too loose it will render itself almost completely ineffective.

To get the perfect fit, measure your Rottweiler’s neck and add about 2 inches to allow for some breathing room. Training collars are available in 2” increments, so finding the perfect fit will be no problem at all at just about any pet store.

2. To fit a training collar properly, you should place it around your Rottweiler’s neck and tighten it just enough so that you can easily and comfortably slip two fingers between his neck and the collar itself. Adjust the collar one notch at a time until you are satisfied that it is neither too loose nor too tight and you have adequate comfort and control.

3. Do not ever use a training collar as a punishment tool. They are intended to be used as a form of guidance and to serve as a reminder that will help your Rottweiler understand that he is engaging in an incorrect behavior. Jerking the collar or applying too much pressure can cause damage.

4. If you opt to use a chain collar for your Rottweiler, avoid the temptation to use it until the dog is fully matured regardless of how cute it may be. When you do choose one, take steps to ensure that the weight and the size of the links are adequate but not too heavy for your dog.

5. When applying the training collar, the proper location for the connecting point (the point where the collar attaches to your lead) is that the top of the neck. Because these collars are intended to tighten and loosen in response to your tension on the lead, an improper placement of this connecting point may render it entirely ineffective and possibly even dangerous to your Rottweiler.

6. Don’t be too cheap when you are purchasing a training collar for your Rottweiler. Make sure that it is constructed of strong and sturdy materials as many knock offs may break or tighten when they shouldn’t do so. This can endanger your Rottweiler as well as those around him when you are in unfamiliar surroundings.

Only with proper fit and use will a training collar be effective as a training tool for your Rottweiler, but when used correctly the result can be amazing. Patience and understanding are key when you are attempting to train your Rottweiler. Remember that they love and trust you and you don’t want to do anything that will betray that bond.