If you have a dog that just will not listen to your commands, it can be very frustrating. And if you have already unsuccessfully tried conventional training methods, such as consistent rewards for correct behavior, being consistent with your techniques, and everything else under the sun, you may be ready to throw in the towel, even though you greatly love your dog. But, you don't have to give up on your dog just yet: you can try an electronic dog training collar.

Electronic dog training collars are ones in which the dog receives a small shock, given by the dog owner, whenever an undesirable behavior occurs. The shock is not harmful, and there are no side effects. In fact, the shock feels a lot like a "static shock" that a person can get, the type a person gets when she walks across a carpeted room in socks and then touches a wall, for example. Nearly everyone has felt that type of shock before and knows that it is quite mild. Well, this is the same type of shock that comes from the electronic dog training collars, so you won't be hurting your dog by using this type of collar. Really, all you are doing by using this collar is catching your dog's attention immediately and letting him know that you are serious about what you said.

Experts say that you can use electronic dog training collars on dogs of any breed and size; however, it is not recommended that they be used on puppies under the age of one year. This isn't because it is necessarily harmful to puppies; instead, it is because it is recommended that conventional training methods be tried first before using electronic dog training collars because some dogs can be taught to listen without using them.

If you decide to get an electronic collar for your dog, you will need to take your dog's size into consideration. It can be helpful to consult a veterinarian about the type and strength of electronic dog training collar you should get. Or, you could ask a knowledgeable person at any pet supply store.

The collar you choose should be ideal for your specific dog. If yours is a toy breed, you don't need to purchase a heavy, thick model made of the strongest leather with the strongest electronic voltage available. Likewise, if you have a very large dog, opting for a narrow vinyl collar with only very low shock strengths available is not a wise decision. The type of collar, along with the strength of shock it can provide, should match the size of your dog.

Both online and brick-and-mortar pet supply stores carry electronic dog training collars; however, you may find more of a selection online. You can purchase an inexpensive, basic model for less than $50; this will work for some smaller dogs. Models for large dogs as well as more complicated electronic dog training collars that have more features may cost as much as a few hundred dollars.

Don't give up on your misbehaving dog; try out an electronic dog training collar, you will see that it can work.