My husband recently went to a sportsmans show where a guy told him what a useful training tool a shock collar can be. We are realzing what challenging pups the GSP's can be but do we really need a shock collar?

A training collar can be a useful tool. They are not to be used lightly or by the inexperienced. They are for re-enforcing known commands, not for behavior modification. Sometimes the dog is not within reach and is ignoring commands, you need to be able to enforce the given command. The dog must know the command and know that refusal is not an option. You can cause as many problems with the collar as you can correct.

If your dog doesn't know who the boss is without the collar, it will not know with the collar on either.

My suggestion would be you don't need one.

Dan

GSPs are very challenging as they are incredibly smart and high energy.  They also go through growing phases.  You are getting into what I call the "puppy stupids." They know all kinds of things that they learned when they were a pup, and now all of a sudden they just seem to forget.  Be patient and consistent and this too will pass.  Also, their need to be with you constantly will pass.  GSPs are velcro dogs in that they want to be with you constantly, but as they grow and build confidence this problem gets better.  They will always want to be with you and that is why we love them so, but it does get better.  Best advice I can give is get into obedience training and be patient.  You need to give your pup a job and obedience will do that.  I also agree with the other poster, you don 't necessarily need an e-collar and can do allot of harm if you use one when you haven't trained the dog.  Try the obedience first and see if that doesn't help.  Also, understand that you still have a puppy that won't really grow out of puppyhood until about 2 years old.  Be patient, be firm and be consistent.

If you are still desparate a year from now and you have worked hard at obedience (your pup knows the commands), then you might consider the e-collar, but be sure you really understand what you are doing.  Also, if you can find someone who has already used an e-collar all the better.  I have used an e-collar, but only after I have trained the dog on the commands first.  In fact, I never needed the e-collar with my oldest. She is very soft and an e-collar would have ruined her.  On my youngest, who is very strong willed, I used an e-collar to train her not to jump on windows.  I was terrified the window would break and she would be cut to pieces.  In that case, the e-collar was a life saver.

Good luck!  Also, you might check out the General Discussion area as allot has already been covered that you might find helpful.  Also, if you have questions, that is where you should  post and most people read the Gener Discussion area.

Bev and the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo)

I agree with everything that has already been said.

With our boy Otto, we started (and will forever be) working on obedience, great galoop that he is.  As for the e-collar, we're leaving that to the professionals!  Otto is with our trainer for a winter camp, and he will be introducing him to the e-collar for us.  I realize it can be a very useful tool in the right hands--but, as beginners, I knew that we'd probably make some really dumb mistakes that would require more work from our trainer to correct.  When Otto gets back in a few weeks, our trainer will walk us through everything--but the groundwork will have already been laid (correctly).

When in doubt--get help from someone that has lots of solid experience!