Contact Points

How to Select the Best eCollar Contact Points for Your Dog

Choosing the correct metal type—traditional stainless steel, hypoallergenic stainless, or titanium—can help reduce skin irritation. Matching the contact point length to your dog’s coat is essential to ensure consistent stimulation and effective training results. This guide will help you select the right type and length of e-collar contact points that work best for your dog ...read more

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Contact Points

Types of Contact Points:

Some dogs can develop allergies to the nickel present in metal contact points. Signs of a nickel allergy typically appear quickly and may include redness, irritation, sores, or even infection around the contact area. It's important to monitor your dog closely, especially during the first few weeks of use. If symptoms occur, it is recommended to switch to reduced-nickel hypoallergenic contact points for mild reactions, or to titanium contact points for more severe allergies.

1. Traditional Contact Points (Stainless Steel – Contains Nickel)

  • High-quality stainless steel (chromium and nickel)
  • Durable and corrosion-resistant
  • Suitable for dogs without nickel sensitivity

2. Hypo-Allergenic Contact Points (Stainless Steel – Reduced Nickel)

  • Lower nickel content for dogs with mild nickel allergies
  • Reduces allergic reaction risk
  • If reaction occurs, switch to titanium points

3. Titanium Hypo-Allergenic Contact Points (100% Nickel-Free Titanium)

  • Lightweight, durable, and highly biocompatible
  • Ideal for dogs with moderate to severe metal allergies
  • Corrosion-resistant; suitable for water environments
  • May naturally develop harmless coloration from oxidation

Choosing the Right Length:

All Educator eCollars come standard with 1/2" and 3/4" traditional contact points, which are ideal for most single-coated dogs with normal to longer coats. Using the correct contact point length is critical for your Educator e-collar to work properly. The contact points must make solid contact with the dog’s skin to deliver consistent stimulation.

If the contact points are too long, the receiver may not fit properly and could cause skin irritation. If the points are too short, they may not make proper contact with the skin, resulting in missed or inconsistent corrections.

  • 3/8" Micro-Probe – Short-coated breeds (e.g., Boxers, Beagles, Pitbulls)
  • 1/2" Standard – Normal coat lengths (e.g., Cocker Spaniels, Mastiffs, Malinois)
  • 3/4" Standard – Long coat breeds (e.g., Border Collies, Golden Doodles)
  • 1/2" Thick Fur – Double-coated moderate coat breeds (e.g., Australian Cattle Dogs)
  • 3/4" Thick Fur – Double-coated long coat breeds (e.g., Huskies, Golden Retrievers)
  • 1" MAX Probe – Very dense and long coats (e.g., Newfoundlands, Saint Bernards)

View Our Comprehensive Contact Points Selection Guide (PDF) for detailed assistance.

Special Note: Thick Fur contact points (1/2" and 3/4") feature a small nub on the tips, specifically designed for double-coated dogs to help reach through the inner coat and make solid skin contact.

Tip: To check if your dog is single- or double-coated, part the fur around the neck area using your thumb and finger. If you can see the skin clearly, your dog is single-coated. If there is a layer of fuzzy undercoat, your dog is double-coated.

Important Considerations:

  • Immediately discontinue use if allergic reactions occur, allow time to heal, and switch to suitable contact points.
  • For dogs with sensitive skin or for additional comfort during extended wear, consider using comfort pads with your Educator e-collar instead of contact points.
  • It's always recommended to use authentic E-Collar Technologies products to ensure quality, performance, and safety, and avoid knock-offs offered on other websites.