Need advice on good brands of electronic collars

**Burns** · 08-16-2008, 11:52 AM

Well I've decided to buy an electronic/remote collar. Red has been blowing off recalls more and more on our off-leash walks through the woods, and I've had enough. I know he knows better but I need his recalls to be solid - not just when he feels like returning.

I know that remote collars are not a substitute for training - believe me, I train my dog! But I've come to the point that I think this would be a helpful thing to aid in helping Red's intermittent selective hearing.

I have no idea where to start in regards of brands, models, quality, etc. I can't spend a ton of money on this - I don't need a super fancy one. Just need something that works well and I can use a few times a week when we go for our off leash walks.

What brand/model do you use? Would you recommend it? Or what brand/model would you recommend for me?

Santa · 08-16-2008, 12:06 PM

It's certainly worth a try. I got one for Zac for the same reason and, to be honest, it didn't work. The only thing that does, and it does work solidly every time (for us), is saying 'goodbye, Zac, see you tomorrow' and turning and walking off in the opposite direction, letting him think I'll leave him.

**Burns** · 08-16-2008, 12:17 PM

Thanks for the reply. Another reason why I don't need a really expensive one - in case it doesn't work for him. I wish saying I would leave him would work for Red too - but when he is in the woods following his nose or a noise, he could care less if I leave him or not..

Travis · 08-16-2008, 12:20 PM

Have never used one, but I hear and read that Tri-Tronic and Dogtra collars are pretty decent.

**reisende** · 08-16-2008, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Travis

Have never used one, but I hear and read that Tri-Tronic and Dogtra collars are pretty decent.

that's what I've read and heard too. dogtra has got some easy to use, and wide range of models, some with up to a medium-level shock and some higher-level (more expensive, naturally). some come with 1/2mile radius, and some much much longer (no point for our non-hunting/flushing dobes).

I tried searching on ebay before.. I would buy it from those vendors on ebay if I could!

if/when you get your e-collar, do share with us how Red responds to your recalls! I'm all for e-collars under the correct training and circumstances.
good luck!

KEstep · 08-16-2008, 12:34 PM

Check out ebay for some. remote shock collar, Pet Supplies, Gadgets items on eBay.com

**berkshire** · 08-16-2008, 01:15 PM

On the Front and Finish list-serve, the Dogtra collars haven't gotten great reviews. TriTronics has, though. Innotek is the other brand that gets good reviews.

As far as suppliers, I've been happy with Gun Dog Supply (see Tri-tronics Dog Training Collars, Tracking Systems, No Bark Collars Retriever & Bird Dog Gear. Save on Innotek, Petsafe, DT Systems, Dogtra, & Tritronics Dog Collar) for training supplies.

**RedFawnRising** · 08-16-2008, 01:45 PM

Ah, okay, this is right up my alley, as my Kylie girl forced me into reluctant education on electronic collar shopping.

Before I go into that, though, you do know the ethics rule is ya gotta shock you first at each level you will be using, right? Hehe. (That way, you are prepared when you get those folks who throw it in your face--Why don't you put it on yourself?!)

This is the one we finally settled on, and I LOVE it. I can't find at the moment the exact link I ordered mine from, and you'll probably want to comparison shop anyway, but this was "only" about $170, with free shipping. It has every bell and whistle you'd want, too, is lightweight, small, and takes abuse well (Kylie chewed the antennae and it still works!).

Here is the lower level stim version--if you think the "stubborn dog" model is not right for Red <--it DEFINITELY was for Kylie!

I had a Tri-tronics collar and was horrified to discover one day that, after one of Kylie's water adventures, it was randomly shorting out and thus shocking her indiscriminately. Ugh. It was supposed to be okay in water--and she'd just been playing in puddles, not swimming, but, agh, I can't explain the guilt I felt--plus I got the crap shocked outta me when I checked it--and it was never supposed to be on that extreme level, just complete malfunction.

I'm NOT saying it was a Tri-tronics fault; it may have entirely been our error and I never properly followed up with the company, although I did report the incident and got mediocre customer service before deciding to cut my losses.

I totally understand the not wanting to fork over a lot (money was way tight when I bought the Sportdog collar, personally) but here is where I landed with it: This is something I plan on using for years, off and on as needed, with different dogs, possibly. It needs to be tough, reliable, convenient, and LAST in a safe manner.

All my hours, days, weeks of training do not deserve to be blown by a malfunctioning collar, and my dogs sure as heck don't deserve to be corrected for doing nothing wrong.

So, not to be an alarmist or get ya shakin' in your shoes over which collar to buy, but do be careful and read those reviews, particularly on longevity/guarantees.

Oh, and to get you something to look forward to--it's a beautiful moment when you see those wheels turning in their eyes...Blow her off, don't blow her off, um, yeah, let's do an immediate about face and get running back to my human!

aquaholic · 08-16-2008, 01:52 PM

My behavioral specialist recommend the Multivet Spray Commander.

**doberkim** · 08-16-2008, 01:52 PM

I only use TriTronics for my own dogs, have for years and never had a single complaint with them ever.

that being said, I personally see no use in wasting money in a crappy collar - even if you only want to use it for a certain reason, I want a collar to be functional when I need it, every time I need it. I've been using Rah's collar since I had Bowie (since 2002) and it's still working, despite many dips in the lake/ocean, playdates in the snow, trips to the beach, etc. I've lost antennae, replaced them, had them die, left them out in the rain, had them chewed, you name it. Berlin's breeder also uses TriTronics and is very happy with them - I only know this because I accidentally took one of hers home once

elle also uses tritronics - her dog swims in his every time we go out.

Innotek, Dogtra, and Tritronics would be the only collars I would recommend as having used and experienced them personally, each ones have varying different collars in their lines that have more or less functions they offer. If you are using it weekly, that IS a fair amount of use and you don't want to discover that you got a crappy collar when you have it on your dog. Crappy quality collars have poor contact, poor reliabiliy over distance, and more of a risk of doing harm to your dog than any good. I was so pleased with my TriTronics I have my new one charging right now, waiting to be used

I have to go now, I have a sick fascination with Chris Hoy and he's about to race in a keiran and I need to watch... he's wearing those cute racing outfits. I'm drooling...