keanmu
Czech Republic
MH
Posts:304
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| 06/26/2010 2:58 AM |
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Can I please find out how many of us use or have used an e-collar and even how many would use one if needed.
Not sure if you remember my predicament with Baira but I have basically just been ripped an new a*%e hole for using one.
It has been a god send. It has been used properly and I am now able to take Baira out with me when I ride. I've only had to use the shock function 3 or 4 times and I really feel that i am able to offer her a better quality of life as she doesn't have to be locked in a stable whilst I ride and that potentially I am saving her life as I can now prevent her taking off after something and possibly running under a car.
Kerry |
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Splat
Illinois (Northern)
MH
Posts:2439
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| 06/26/2010 6:41 AM |
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I used one for a short period when we moved and Blitz kind of forgot that he had to listen to the come command. Our first house didn't have a fence but he had learned come and listened to it. When we moved we didn't have a fenced in yard and we were on a busier street, he would just get too caught up in exploring and ignore me...it was winter with lots of snow so it was hard for me to go out with the check cord and fix his recall...he was about 6 1/2 months which was kind of young, we tested the level of shock on my husband and used the lowest setting. We only had to "shock" Blitz a few times and not all in a row a couple days apart. We kept the collar on for a couple months about when winter was over we took it off. His recall is amazing now and without the collar. We now have a fenced in yard but he is still great with recall and even at the dog park he listens too with all the distractions!
I think that if used properly and so that your dog knows what you mean they are great training aids! |
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http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=2553
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=2554 |
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unowhoandwhy
Middleofnowhere, NH
MH
Posts:1794
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| 06/26/2010 8:41 PM |
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| I was resistant at first, but properly used there is no better tool! I don't even have to zap my dogs at all now that they're trained. Just wearing the collar is enough of a reminder that they need to listen. |
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Daniel Yankee Flyer - 8/2002
Lady Layla - 1/2006 |
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zodiakgsps
NW PA
MH
Posts:1059
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| 06/27/2010 5:13 AM |
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I use tham a lot. I never train or hunt w/o one on, you never know when your dog is going to have a brain fart and take off after something, possibly across a road!!
That said, I rarely have to use it when hunting or training, it is there if I need it for an IMMEDIATE correction, levell used determined by the "oops" of the dog.
Chasing deer/turkey ellicits a higher correction, movement on a bird, lower level unless they move again for an example. Most times I use it, it is on a level I can stand easily on my arm & yes, I have hit myself with several levels, I want to know what my dog is feeling!!!
I personally think the e-collar, when used properly on a dog that already knows it's yard work, is a MUCH better correction than a physical one, plus it is immediate, you don't have to chase down said offender to correct after the fact!!! |
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TessaGA
Georgia
MH
Posts:2378
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| 06/27/2010 12:51 PM |
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I use it. Started Tessa on it when she was 14 months old, primarily to reinforce the recall and it's been a godsend. She wears it whenever she's offleash (field, beach, etc) and it has given her a lot more offleash freedom than she would have without it. It's a great way to get her back if needed, but her recall has improved so much that she really only wears it as back-up. |
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To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:6748
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| 06/27/2010 1:00 PM |
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| Ditto what zodiak said. I use one all the time when my dogs are out either hunting or hiking (only ever had to use it once or twice on Halo, but my boy needs reminders from time to time). The one other thing I would add is I adjust the intensity to the offense, but also to the dog. My girl, Halo, needs more intensity to break through to her brain than my boy does. My girl, Belle, is very soft and I have never needed to use an ecollar on her. My raised voice is enough for her. I think with shorthairs, you have to use an ecollar at some point for the recall at a minimum, and to break chasing game. They are very smart dogs and they know when you have that check cord on and when it is removed. They want to please you, but they will test you as well. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
     
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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Gunnar
MH
Posts:288
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| 06/28/2010 6:52 AM |
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Like everyone else I use them but I am not a huge fan. These dogs are crazy smart and soon get " collar wise" meaning if the collar is off they know it and will try to get away with more stuff. That's why yard work and basic obedience is so important first. That way the dog knows whats expected of it and if you do correct the dog he knows exactly why. I use it mostly when hunting as an insurance policy ( much like you do when riding ) for when he takes off and heads toward a road or if he starts to chase a deer or something. In short for me it's an insurance policy. That seems to me what you are doing as well and that's fine. Nick the dog to save it's life. Yeah I'm on board with that.
My collars have a tone feature on them and that's what I use 90% of the time, rarely will I have to nick the dog. When I was collar training him I would hit the tone first and if he didn't comply I would nick him, now he hears the tone and the response is immediate. The fact that it's on and he knows what it does is more then enough. What I like most about it is the beeper that lets me know where he is and if he's on point. Specially if we're working woods or deep cover.
I'm curious as to who criticized you for using the collar because most folks that you run into with dogs like this use them. For riding hiking hunting etc you need to be able to control your dog period. So that may give you a little context 
Like most of the folks here I zapped myself to see exactly what I was doing to my best buddy. Low settings are just enough to get his attention. A hard nick is a serious offense correction. Good luck and stay the course. |
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JoeyBean
Albany, NY
MH
Posts:280
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| 06/28/2010 9:08 AM |
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I think we have to get one of these for JoeyBean... her recall is fine in the house, she's good with most commands, but we can't shake the nervous feeling sometimes when she is off leash. We went camping this weekend at a public site and had to her on a line because she gets brave and tests her limits and doesn't like to come back at all. Can someone recommened a decent, cheap e-collar, maybe around $100? I don't think we'll have to use it for long--she's pretty bright.
On a strange note.. I let Joey out this morning (we live in the city and have a smallish fenced in yard with no waterbodies nearby) and Joey was chasing a DUCK around the backyard! I saved the duck, grabbed it and put it over the fence into the neighbors yard. I think it got away uninjured. Her count is at 4 birds dead and a live duck--in the backyard. |
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Gunnar
MH
Posts:288
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| 06/28/2010 9:15 AM |
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Dunno if you can get a collar @ or under 100$ the cheapest I have seen is 150 160 for the Tri tronics sport jr. I can tell you I used a cheaper collar once and the button stuck  So even if I have to wait and save a bit I stay with the tri tronics collars.
Maybe some of the other folks know of some deals out there. I'm a horrible shopper |
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keanmu
Czech Republic
MH
Posts:304
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| 06/28/2010 10:34 AM |
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My collar has 3 functions, a beep, vibrate and shock and I only use the beep now. Yes, I have also tested it on myself, to level 3 (which is what baira needs to even notice it). My husband has tested it on level 5 and said it has a bit of a kick. My dad tried it on level 9 and barely flinched but then again he tests live bloody wires with his fingers....nutter!
I bough an elite-tek off ebay. (UK ebay). It has a 550m range and is completely water proof. It wasn't cheap but have to admit it was one of the cheap-ER ones. I like it, it does what it says it does and i've not had any problems with it (yet).
This one (if i'm allowed to post links on here)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/UK-Elite-tek-9898-II-Remote-Dog-Training-Collar-600YD-/230456528156?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Dogs&hash=item35a8478d1c
Kerry |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:6748
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| 06/28/2010 11:11 AM |
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You will probably have to pay more than a $100 to get a good one. I made the mistake of buying a less expensive one and it was ok in the backyard, but that was it. Range was not good and the stimulation was much milder so had to go up to a 6 or 7 for just the initial reaction. Now I own a TriTronics that allows for up to three dogs. Right now I only need it for Ringo and Halo, but when I add in one of Halo's pups in the future will have to buy that third collar.
If you collar condition the dogs then they won't get collar wise. I start mine wearing the ecollars when they are pups (I don't turn them on or use them, just let them wear them) especially when we do something fun like hiking. Now when I get the collars out they know they are going to do something fun and do not associate them at all with a correction. Mine are good without the ecollars, but I keep them on Halo and Ringo because they still get very focused and I like the insurance. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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JoeyBean
Albany, NY
MH
Posts:280
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| 06/28/2010 11:23 AM |
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Sorry I took over the thread!
Kerry and Bev-
Thanks for the info. Kerry the elite-tek looks pretty darn good based on what I've read. Its an ebay only thing. It definitely has the most features for the $100 cost. Bev - will be sure to put the collar on when doing FUN things before using it. thanks for the tip!
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been far east
MH
Posts:264
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| 06/28/2010 4:08 PM |
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| I do not have one yet, but glad for all the info . I need one for MY YOUNGEST LIGHTNING BOLT.I dont want to take away any drive , i love to see them HAPPY HUNTERS . But i agree with the Zodiak i have heard of many dogs chasing rabbits and getting killed .i would do what i have to -too keep my dogs safe .(been far east ) |
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JoeyBean
Albany, NY
MH
Posts:280
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| 06/30/2010 8:07 AM |
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| After a coupla days of research, I decided to get Joey the SportDOG SD-400. Generally well reviewed everywhere and especially well at gundogsupply and has the tone function. We had a BAD experience yesterday at the dog park, which is right next to the community garden... inside which there was a bird......you can figure out the rest. So we said thats enough and I pulled the trigger and ordered the collar today. |
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pvstks
MH
Posts:224
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| 06/30/2010 10:36 AM |
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| Missed most of this thread but, for what it's worth, I'm glad you decided on the SportDog -- they make fine products. Best to spend the $ and stick with SportDog, Innotek, Dogtra, Tri-Tronics, etc... |
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revlistless
Illinois
MH
Posts:240
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| 07/01/2010 7:05 PM |
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I have found the e-collar to be a great tool. I have experience a few people ruin dogs with excessive use of the collar. I have introduced my little girl to the collar at 5 months, because she has learnd when we are trainning and she is on a check chord and when she is not. I have a model that has vibe/tone and love it! I haven't had to use shock yet. The vibe is all she needs (so far) for correction. The tone i have found to be good for a "reminder" of what she is supposed to be doing.
E-collars are great tools when use judiciously!
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Hummingbird Hill Manors' Adelaide
Hummingbird Hill Manors' Lucy in the sky with diamonds |
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