Your Guide to the Best Dog Training Collars Australia

When used correctly and judiciously, modern training collars can be safe — but they must never be a tool for punishment or abuse. All reputable collars have adjustable intensity, and the idea is to use the lowest effective level as a tactile cue, not to hurt the dog. It’s crucial to introduce the collar properly and pair the stimulus with commands so the dog understands what it means. If misused (e.g. too high a shock or poor timing), a collar can cause fear or anxiety. Australian animal welfare experts (including RSPCA Australia) warn that shock collars can be harmful if used as a shortcut for proper training. The bottom line: consult a professional trainer or vet behaviourist, use the gentlest settings, and never use the collar to vent frustration. When applied responsibly, many owners find that just the vibration or tone settings are enough to get their dog’s attention.

The legality of training collars in Australia depends heavily on where you live. In New South Wales, the ACT, and South Australia, electronic shock collars are outright banned, meaning it’s illegal to sell, possess, or use them. In Victoria and Western Australia, they are permitted but only under strict conditions: the collar must be an authorised model, the dog must be assessed by a vet or qualified trainer, and training must follow approved codes of practice. In contrast, Queensland, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory currently have no specific bans, so the devices remain legal there. Because the rules differ so much across states and territories — and can change over time — it’s essential to check your local regulations before considering a training collar.

No, a training collar is not a magic fix — it’s one tool in the toolbox. These collars are most effective for reinforcing known commands and curbing specific unwanted behaviours like ignoring recalls or chasing something when off-leash. They should be used in combination with solid positive reinforcement training. In other words, your dog needs to understand the basic command or behaviour you’re working on before the collar cue will make sense to them. Issues rooted in anxiety or aggression usually cannot be solved with a shock or vibration; in fact, using a collar in those cases can sometimes make things worse. For serious behavioural problems, it’s best to consult a professional trainer or veterinary behaviourist. Think of the collar as an assistant to good training techniques, not a replacement for them.

Training collars are designed for active training sessions, not 24/7 wear. You should remove the collar when training time is over. Leaving it on for extended periods can irritate your dog’s skin or even cause pressure sores, especially with any metal contact prongs pressing in. A good rule of thumb is to frequently rotate the collar’s position around the dog’s neck during longer sessions and take it off when not in use. Most manufacturers recommend not leaving an e-collar on for more than 8–10 hours in any 24-hour period. Also, remember to remove any other collars or accessories that could cause rubbing when the dog is wearing the training collar. Regularly inspect your dog’s neck for any signs of redness or sores if you’re using the device daily.

A remote training collar (the focus of this article) is controlled by you — the dog’s handler. You decide when to activate the tone, vibration, or stimulation via a handheld remote, typically to reinforce a command or correct unwanted behaviour in real-time. In contrast, a bark collar is an automatic device that triggers on its own when it detects your dog barking. Bark collars are usually used to curb nuisance barking and often do not come with a remote (the dog essentially “trains themselves” not to bark due to the automatic deterrent). Because bark collars work autonomously, they require very careful adjustment to avoid false triggers or over-correcting. Remote collars give you much more control since you administer the stimulus knowingly and can pair it with a specific command. Many dog trainers prefer remote trainers for versatility, whereas bark collars are a one-trick tool. If your main issue is excessive barking and you want an automatic solution, a bark collar might be worth looking into (we’ve covered those in our article on the best bark collars in Australia), but for general training purposes, a remote collar offers far more flexibility.