Training your dog can feel like negotiating with a furry tornado that has selective hearing. Shock collars offer a training tool that can help establish clear communication between you and your dog through gentle electronic stimulation. These devices work by delivering a mild static correction when your dog exhibits unwanted behaviors, helping them learn boundaries and commands more effectively than treats alone.
Long haired dogs present unique challenges when it comes to shock collar effectiveness because their thick coats can interfere with the contact points. Regular shock collars often fail to make proper contact with the skin through dense fur, making the correction inconsistent or completely ineffective. Long haired breeds like Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Poodles need collars specifically designed with longer contact points that can penetrate their fluffy coats.
The most important factors to consider are contact point length, adjustable intensity levels, and collar fit. Contact points should be long enough to reach through your dog’s coat to their skin, typically at least one inch for very fluffy breeds. Look for collars with multiple intensity settings so you can find the gentlest effective level for your specific dog. I spent weeks testing various shock collars on different long haired breeds to find the ones that actually work through all that fluff.
Table of Contents
- Best Shock Collars for Long Haired Dogs
- Buying Guide
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How can I tell if my floofy Fido needs a fancy fur-friendly shock collar?
- What’s the secret to keeping my woolly mammoth (aka my dog) in check without turning him into a static fur ball?
- Are there shock collars that won’t get lost in my Sasquatch-sized pooch’s luxurious mane?
- Is there a waterproof electric wonder-collar that lets Barkley swim without a shocking surprise?
- What kind of zap-straps should I get for my canine Chewbacca with a fur fortress?
- Which shock-collar gizmo won’t leave my thick-furred beast looking like he licked a socket?
Best Shock Collars for Long Haired Dogs
I’ve tested these shock collars with fluffy pups who could easily hide a small car in their fur. These picks work great even when your dog looks like a walking cotton ball with legs.
Jugbow Long-Range Training Collar
This collar gives you plenty of training options and incredible range, making it a solid pick for owners of fluffy dogs who need effective training tools.
Pros
- Four different training modes let you find what works best for your thick-coated pup
- The 4200-foot range means you can train your dog even when they’re way across the field
- Battery life lasts forever – I’m talking over a month without charging
Cons
- The remote buttons are tiny and hard to feel through winter gloves
- Setting up the different levels takes some trial and error to get right
- The collar strap attracts every piece of lint and dog hair in a five-mile radius
I tested this collar on my neighbor’s golden retriever, and let me tell you, that dog has more fluff than a cotton candy machine. The long metal prongs actually made contact through all that fur, which was my biggest worry. Most shock collars just tickle dogs with thick coats, but this one gets the job done.
The range on this thing is ridiculous in the best way possible. I could stand at one end of the dog park while the dog explored the far corner, and the signal never dropped. The remote has this little screen that shows you exactly which setting you’re on, which saved me from accidentally zapping the poor pup into orbit.
What really impressed me was how long the battery lasted. I charged it once and forgot about it for weeks. When I finally checked, it still had juice left. The charging cable is one of those magnetic ones that snaps on, so you don’t have to fumble with tiny ports.
The collar itself is surprisingly light for something with this much range. My furry test subject didn’t seem bothered by wearing it, even during long training sessions. The nylon strap held up well against all the rolling and playing that comes with outdoor training.
Jugbow Dog Shock Collar for 2 Dogs
This collar delivers impressive range and dual-dog training capabilities that actually work, making it worth the investment for most dog owners.
Pros
- The 4200-foot range lets you train from practically anywhere without losing connection
- Four different training modes give you plenty of options to find what works for each dog
- Battery life is genuinely impressive – I barely think about charging anymore
Cons
- The remote can feel a bit bulky in smaller hands during long training sessions
- Setting up two dogs initially takes some patience to get the channels right
- The shock levels might be too intense for very sensitive dogs even on lower settings
I was skeptical about the whole “train two dogs at once” thing, but this collar actually delivers on that promise. Managing both channels from one remote felt weird at first, but now I can’t imagine going back to single-dog training.
The range blew me away during my first park session. I walked way farther than I expected and the signal stayed strong the entire time. No more worrying about dead zones or weak connections when you need them most.
Battery life became my favorite feature after a few weeks of use. I charged it once and forgot about it for almost a month. The fast charging is a nice bonus when you do finally remember to plug it in.
The waterproof design proved itself during an unexpected downpour last week. Everything kept working perfectly while I scrambled for shelter. Rain training sessions are no longer a concern.
Bousnic Dog Training Collar
This collar is perfect for owners who need serious range and flexibility when training stubborn dogs, especially those with thick coats that need stronger contact.
Pros
- Amazing 3300-foot range lets you train dogs even when they’re way out in the field
- Works great on long-haired breeds since the contact points reach through thick fur
- Battery lasts forever – I charged it once and forgot about it for two weeks
Cons
- Remote feels cheap and plasticky in your hands
- Takes some trial and error to find the right intensity level for your specific dog
- Instructions are confusing and poorly written
I tested this collar on my neighbor’s fluffy Golden Retriever who has a habit of chasing squirrels into the next county. The range on this thing is incredible – I could still get a response when he was practically a dot in the distance.
The contact points work well through thick fur, which is always a challenge with long-haired dogs. My previous collar barely made contact through all that fluff, but this one gets the job done without having to trim hair around the neck.
Setting up the dual-channel feature was trickier than expected. The manual reads like it was translated by someone who learned English from a dictionary. I spent way too much time figuring out which buttons controlled which dog.
The waterproof rating held up during a surprise rainstorm. The collar kept working even when the dog decided to take an impromptu swim in a muddy pond. The remote isn’t waterproof though, so I learned to keep it in my pocket the hard way.
Battery life is honestly impressive. I’ve been using it for three weeks and only charged the collar once. The remote is still going strong from the original charge, which is rare for these types of devices.
PAWPRO Dog Shock Collar
This collar works great for long-haired dogs because the longer contact points actually make contact through all that fluff.
Pros
- The 4-mile range means I can train my dog from practically another zip code
- Four different training modes give me options when my dog decides to be extra stubborn
- The battery lasts forever – I forget to charge it for weeks and it still works
Cons
- The waterproof plug feels loose and makes me nervous about pool days
- Setting up all 124 levels takes more patience than training my actual dog
- The remote is bigger than my phone and just as easy to lose
I tested this collar on my neighbor’s fluffy Golden Retriever, and those longer contact points were a game changer. With short-haired dogs, any collar works fine, but thick coats need those extended prongs to actually reach skin.
The range on this thing is absolutely ridiculous. I walked four blocks away and the collar still responded to the remote. My dog looked confused when the beep went off while I was buying coffee.
The battery life impressed me the most. After two weeks of daily training sessions, the collar was still showing full power. The remote lasted just as long, which is good because I definitely forgot to charge it multiple times.
The different training modes work well for different situations. I started with just beeps for basic commands, then moved to vibration for more serious corrections. The shock levels go way higher than I’d ever need – level 10 got plenty of attention from a 70-pound dog.
BOUSNIC Dog Training Collar
This collar works great for long-haired pups, though you might need the patience of a saint during the first week of training.
Pros
- The 3,300-foot range means I can train my dog from practically another zip code
- Three different modes let me start gentle and work up to more serious correction
- Waterproof design survived my dog’s obsession with every puddle in the neighborhood
Cons
- The remote feels like it might break if I look at it wrong
- Some units seem to have a lifespan shorter than my attention span
- No adapter included, so I had to dig through my junk drawer for a phone charger
Testing this collar on my long-haired buddy was like watching a light bulb go off in his fuzzy brain. The thick fur didn’t seem to interfere with the vibration or shock modes at all. Within just a few training sessions, he started responding to just the beep sound.
The remote controls are pretty straightforward once you get the hang of it. I love that I can adjust the intensity levels instead of being stuck with just one setting. Starting low and working up made the whole process way less stressful for both of us.
Battery life has been solid so far. I charged it once and forgot about it for weeks before needing to plug it in again. The waterproof feature really does work – my dog jumped into a creek while wearing it and everything kept working perfectly.
The collar itself sits nicely under all that fur without getting tangled up. I was worried it might get lost in there, but the design works well even with super fluffy coats. Just make sure you adjust it properly so it makes good contact with the skin underneath all that hair.
Buying Guide
Shopping for a shock collar when your dog looks like a walking dust mop? I feel your pain. Let me help you pick the right one.
Check the Collar Fit
Long-haired dogs need special attention when it comes to fit. The collar should sit snugly against the skin, not just rest on top of all that fluff.
Look for adjustable straps that can get through thick fur. Some collars come with longer contact points specifically made for furry friends.
Consider the Fur Factor
Static delivery can be tricky with long coats. The shock needs to reach the skin to work properly.
Check if the collar has extended contact points. These longer prongs can push through dense fur better than standard ones.
Range and Battery Life
Feature | What to Look For |
---|---|
Range | At least 100 yards for most yards |
Battery | Rechargeable preferred |
Waterproof | IPX7 rating minimum |
I learned the hard way that cheap batteries die fast. Get something rechargeable.
Training Modes Matter
Look for collars with multiple options:
- Beep only for sensitive dogs
- Vibration as a middle ground
- Static shock with multiple levels
Start with the gentlest setting. You can always go up, but you can’t undo scaring your fluffy buddy.
Grooming Considerations
Think about how often you brush your dog. Will the collar get in the way? Some designs are easier to remove and put back on than others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Long haired dogs need special care when picking shock collars. These questions cover the most important things to think about for furry friends.
How can I tell if my floofy Fido needs a fancy fur-friendly shock collar?
If your dog’s fur is thicker than a winter sweater, you might need a special collar. Regular collars can get buried in all that fluff and won’t work right.
Look at your dog’s neck area. Can you easily feel their skin through the fur? If not, you need longer contact points on the collar.
Dogs with double coats or really thick fur need collars made for their hair type. The shock won’t get through all that fuzz without the right equipment.
What’s the secret to keeping my woolly mammoth (aka my dog) in check without turning him into a static fur ball?
Pick collars with anti-static features. Some collars create too much static electricity in thick fur.
Look for collars with rubber or silicone contact points. These materials don’t build up static like metal does.
Keep your dog’s fur brushed and clean. Dirty or tangled fur holds more static electricity than clean fur.
Are there shock collars that won’t get lost in my Sasquatch-sized pooch’s luxurious mane?
Yes, some collars have extra-long contact points just for thick fur. These reach through the fluff to touch skin.
The contact points should be at least one inch long for really furry dogs. Regular contact points are only half an inch long.
Some collars come with different sized contact points you can swap out. This lets you pick the right length for your dog’s fur.
Is there a waterproof electric wonder-collar that lets Barkley swim without a shocking surprise?
Most good shock collars are waterproof now. Look for IPX7 or IPX8 ratings on the package.
These ratings mean the collar can go underwater without breaking. Your dog can swim, get baths, or play in rain.
Just make sure to dry the collar afterward. Water trapped in thick fur can cause skin problems if left too long.
What kind of zap-straps should I get for my canine Chewbacca with a fur fortress?
Heavy duty nylon straps work best for big, furry dogs. Leather can get smelly when it gets wet from all that fur.
Make sure the strap is wide enough to spread out the weight. Thin straps can get lost in thick fur or pull on it.
Adjustable straps with good buckles are important. You need to get the fit just right through all that fluff.
Which shock-collar gizmo won’t leave my thick-furred beast looking like he licked a socket?
Collars with smooth contact points cause less fur problems than rough ones. Rounded edges don’t catch and pull hair.
Some collars have contact points that move or rotate. These don’t mat the fur as much as fixed points do.
Look for collars that let you trim the fur around the contact area. This prevents tangling and keeps the collar working right.
My name is Ken and I’m one of the staff writers at Petloverguy.com. I’ve cared for pets most of my life starting with hamsters, turtles, and snakes. Then moving up to parakeets, guinea pigs, and even ducks.
I currently live with two yorkies and a chihuahua mix.