One of the most common questions we get at Red's Hunting.

If you've hunted with us, watched our videos, or seen photos of our dogs in the field, you've probably asked yourself one question:

Why is that dog wearing two collars?

At first glance, it doesn't make much sense. Garmin's Alpha TT 25 can both track and train your dog, so why would anyone choose to run a second collar?

The answer comes down to one simple thing: timing.

Better timing leads to better communication, and better communication creates a better bird dog. Here's why so many experienced bird hunters and professional trainers choose to run two collars.

The Three Types of Garmin Dog Collars

Before talking about two collars, it helps to understand the three most common Garmin systems you'll see in the upland world.

Garmin Alpha TT 25 — Track & Train

The TT 25 combines GPS tracking and electronic training into one collar.

It allows you to:

• Track your dog's location
• Receive point notifications
• Give tone
• Give vibration
• Deliver stimulation when needed

For many hunters, this is the perfect all-in-one solution.

Garmin T 20 — Tracking Only

The Garmin T 20 is designed strictly for GPS tracking.

There are no stimulation contact points, making it ideal for hunters who only need to know where their dog is.

It's lightweight, simple, and does one job extremely well.

Garmin Pro 550 or Sport PRO — Training Collar

The final option is a dedicated training collar.

These are built for one purpose: Fast, consistent corrections.

With a dedicated training transmitter, every correction is right at your fingertips. Without taking your eyes off your dog, you can instantly deliver tone, vibration, or the precise level of stimulation your dog needs. That speed and consistency are what make dedicated training collars the preferred choice for many professional trainers and serious upland hunters.

So Why Run Two Collars?

Many experienced bird hunters and professional trainers choose to run a GPS tracking collar alongside a dedicated training collar. While a Garmin TT 25 can do both jobs, using two collars allows for one major advantage: better timing.

Professional trainer and friend Ryan Fortier taught me that we're not just training our dogs, we're training ourselves. By using a dedicated training transmitter all offseason, corrections become second nature. When your dog creeps on a bird or ignores a command, you can respond instantly without looking down or navigating menus.

Dogs learn through timing. The faster and more accurately you deliver a correction, the better your dog understands. That's why many serious upland hunters choose two collars, it isn't about carrying more gear, it's about becoming a better handler.

Hunting Is Busy Enough

When your dog locks up on point, you already have plenty to think about—your approach, your hunting partners, your shotgun, and the upcoming flush. The last thing you want is to be fumbling through a GPS handheld looking for the right stimulation setting.

A dedicated training transmitter stays on your vest, and after training with it all offseason, using it becomes second nature. No looking down. No scrolling through menus. Just quick, consistent corrections when timing matters most.

Already Own a TT 25?

Good news, you don't need to buy another tracking collar. Simply remove the stimulation contact points from your TT 25 using Garmin's included wrench and use it strictly as your GPS tracking collar. Pair it with a dedicated training collar for corrections, and you've got the same setup many professional trainers rely on, all without replacing your existing collar.

Final Thoughts

Running two collars isn't about carrying more gear, it's about becoming a better handler. A dedicated GPS collar keeps you connected to your dog, while a dedicated training collar allows you to make quick, consistent corrections when timing matters most.

If you're looking to build the right Garmin setup for your dog, stop by Red's Fly Shop or give us a call. We use these systems every day in training and in the field, and we're happy to help you choose the setup that best fits your hunting style.