E-Collar Suggestions

[pmsmith2032]

I would like to start using an e-collar in training of our 8 month year old lab and am looking for reliable and safe collars that don't cost a fortune. Areas we need to work on is walking while on a leash (she pulls like crazy) and jumping. Also might use it for other basic training and hunting/retrieving training. I've seen a bunch of collars on Amazon under $100....are any of these decent? Thanks in advance!

[Anna Scott]

e-collars are not used to train/teach, they are a tool used to reinforce an already learned behaviour. I would not recommend getting any type of e-collar until you have put your dog through a basic obedience program and find someone who knows how to use an e-collar properly. They can do more harm than good in the hands of someone who does not know how to use them. Your dog must be collar conditioned so that it understands the stimuli and how to turn it off.
As to recommendations for a collar it depends on what level of training you're taking your dog to. Some have very limited range and levels of stimulation can vary greatly. Most of the trainers I know have gone to Dogtra. I have the first Garmin 550 collars that were made along the Tritronics model. I like them but do not care for the new Garmin products. I have also had a Sport Dog collar but it was very limited in its usefulness. Do do your homework before you purchase a collar learn to use it correctly.

[pmsmith2032]

Thanks Anna. Do you have any suggestions on videos on teaching heeling?

[Anna Scott]

There are probably a lot more on here that can give you good advice on teaching heeling. I have always used a 6 foot leather leash and a collar that Jack and Wendy Volhard used. It is different from a choke chain. It is made of parachute cord with a clip on one end and a dead ring on the other. It has a sliding ring as well. The sliding ring is hooked to the clip so that when you give a correction it is quick and fast. Most choke chains go over the dogs head so that there is too much chain for a quick correction but with these collars you can fit them to the dog's neck size and there is a very short correction length. You could use a martingale or a pinch collar. The pinch is self correcting, dog learns that if I don't pull then I am not uncomfortable. You never tug on the leash with a pinch collar. Make sure your leash is loose not pulled tight. I know your dog is a little older but one of my favourite DVD is Jackie Merten's Sound Beginnings. She starts with very young puppies but there is a very good section on obedience that would apply to your pup.
The Lardy tapes are good as well but are geared to field trial and hunt test training. If you are getting a collar Mike Lardy's collar conditioning DVD is good.
If you are thinking of hunt testing I always train sit to a whistle when I am doing heeling, stop, blow the whistle, the dog sits. It makes the transition to the field a little easier. Look for a training club in your area. People are always willing to help.

[JenC]

If you aren't looking for alot of distance, this one works. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The vibrate and tone is enough to put the fear of God in my dogs, no shock necessary.