Your ecollar should have come with instructions for conditioning the dog to the collar and then how to train with the collar.  If so, take a look at those.  What I do is put the ecollar on and let the dog where it during the day for a while without ever using it (so they don't get collar wise later on).  So, in the morning when we get up I put the collar on and the dogs day progresses as usual.  After about a week or so, then you can start your training with the collar.  Before you go any further whatever command you want to train with the ecollar must first be understood by the dog. So, you will use normal training methods to teach the sit, down, recall or whatever.  For example, you will train your dog on a recall using a check cord in a controlled environment.  When he is coming every time and you know he understands the command you are ready to go forward with ecollar training.

First you need to make sure the dog understands how to turn off the stimulation.  This is a pretty good article on that: www.vonfalconer.com/electroniccollar.html.

Now you are ready to start training.  You give the command and if the dog responds you give praise and life is good.  If the dog does not obey then you use the collar at the lowest intensity needed to get a reaction (see the link above).  So, for a recall if you call the dog, no response.  You press the button on the remote and hold it down until you get a response from the dog (he turns and comes toward you).  The dog will learn to turn off the stimulation they have to do what you are asking (for a recall that is move toward you).  I have a TriTronics and I have never had to go beyond level 2 intensity.  Also, I only had to use the ecollar one time and after that every time I called, Halo came.  Now I don't even put the collar on her, but you do not want to go without the collar until you are confident in your dogs response. Timing is everything with the collar, so watch the video if one came with your unit.  There are also books and videos you can buy on ecollar training.  I would strongly encourage you to get one or two and look at or read them.  Better yet, if you have a trainer in your area who trains with an ecollar see if you can get a few lessons with that trainer.

Remember the dog will have no idea how to respond to the ecollar unless you do the conditioning.  You get get a variety of responses from an unconditioned dog.  Anything from bolting to freezing just because he doesn't know what to do. Same thing if the stimulation is higher than needed.  So do your homework before you use the collar. If you do, I think you will be pleased with the results.

Thanks for the response! I'll look at that article too.

We've read several bird-dog training books, watched videos, and watched the video that came with the collar. I believe in being armed with as much information as possible! I think we checked out EVERYTHING our library had.

We got the Tri-tronics collar too. My husband has put it on him a couple times now (I haven't been involved). Apparently, the first time, Bo did everything he was asked, so there was no opportunity for correction. " src="/DesktopModules/NTForums/themes/blue/emoticons/smile.gif" /> He found that 2 was the correct setting (3 made him yelp).

Good thought about having him wear the collar around with no training or stimulus. That was probably our first mistake. :p

Let me know how the training progresses. I am always interested in what works and what doesn't work with different dogs.  Good luck!!

Don't let him out without either the check cord or the ecollar.  Those are the only two things that let you correct him.  I don't think you need to start over, just keep your training tools handy.  I know it is a hassle when all you are doing is going to the mailbox, but it sure is nice when they decide it is time to test mom.

I know, I know.  :p   Lapse in judgment on my part.

I was frustrated at myself for setting him up for failure, AND frustrated he completely ignored me.

Bxr - Just when you think they are solid, oops.  It is easy to be lulled by these hooligans.  They can be so good when they want to be, and then bam they get you. 

I was thinking Ringo was doing great on his recall until this last weekend.  Of course, in a hunt test they can't wear the ecollar.  Well on the Sat. run we had finished and the judges had asked us to collar our dogs.  I thought I would never get Ringo.  He so wanted to keep hunting those birds.  He knew if he came to me he would have to stop.  So, I finally got him, but as soon as the tests were over and they would let us, I took him back out for another run.  I wanted him to know that just because he finished one run didn't mean that there wouldn't be another one.  Well on Sunday he was much better about coming to me.  I again took him out for another run as soon as I could.  I am hoping he gets the idea that when I call there is always another chance to keep hunting.

I try to do this at the dog park.  Call him to me, then let him go play a few times. I don't want him to associate coming to me as the end of the fun.