CHAD MENGEL
New member
I'm looking to buy a training collar for my pooch. im thinking about the tri-tronics classic 70 any thoughts?
training collar
- Thread starter CHAD MENGEL
- Start date
Nick Wansha
Active member
Chad,
First off - How old is your puppy at the moment? What type of work are you doing/have done right now?
Second - Are you having issues and what are they? What do you expect the collar to do for you?
Third - Before you purchase a collar - I hope that you read up on how to introduce and use a collar properly.
Why am I saying this - because I have seen some people with AWS over the years indicate that "they immediately" need a collar to get things done when they have just overstepped basic obedience, yardwork or fieldwork. I have seen some dogs get ruined by folks that have no clue as to what they are doing. Then they blame the AWS for being a crappy breed.
Good luck!
Nick Wansha
First off - How old is your puppy at the moment? What type of work are you doing/have done right now?
Second - Are you having issues and what are they? What do you expect the collar to do for you?
Third - Before you purchase a collar - I hope that you read up on how to introduce and use a collar properly.
Why am I saying this - because I have seen some people with AWS over the years indicate that "they immediately" need a collar to get things done when they have just overstepped basic obedience, yardwork or fieldwork. I have seen some dogs get ruined by folks that have no clue as to what they are doing. Then they blame the AWS for being a crappy breed.
Good luck!
Nick Wansha
Last edited:
John Augustine
Well-known member
Chad, I just ordered a Dogtra 280NCP. It is replacing an 8 year old Dogtra 1200
that still works great and has the original batteries in it. The only problem is that
I charged it up this spring and now can't find it!! So I got a new one.
If this is a new tool for you make sure you collar condition with a system like
Dobbs(minimum stimulation) and not like Lardy (continuous burns). My dogs require
almost no stimulation and the 280NCP turns down very low and has a praise tone.
If you are careful and use it properly to reinforce KNOWN COMMANDS it is a great tool.
Read up and best of luck. John
that still works great and has the original batteries in it. The only problem is that
I charged it up this spring and now can't find it!! So I got a new one.
If this is a new tool for you make sure you collar condition with a system like
Dobbs(minimum stimulation) and not like Lardy (continuous burns). My dogs require
almost no stimulation and the 280NCP turns down very low and has a praise tone.
If you are careful and use it properly to reinforce KNOWN COMMANDS it is a great tool.
Read up and best of luck. John
Nick Wansha
Active member
Tod,
The amount of stimulus to get a response varies from breed to breed as well as dog to dog as well as the location and fitting of the collar.
My experience is that the AWS doesn't need too much stimulus. But first and foremost, the dog must understand what is being asked of it like John suggested.
With that being said about the AWS - Sometimes folks will think that an AWS is a Lab or Chessy and some training books and videos have "timelines" with those breeds used as the example. Some folks get frustrated when things don't get picked up as quickly as one of those breeds, get frustrated, get a collar and start zapping a dog without really understanding how to use a collar and start blaming the dog rather than the than the training approach.
Nick
The amount of stimulus to get a response varies from breed to breed as well as dog to dog as well as the location and fitting of the collar.
My experience is that the AWS doesn't need too much stimulus. But first and foremost, the dog must understand what is being asked of it like John suggested.
With that being said about the AWS - Sometimes folks will think that an AWS is a Lab or Chessy and some training books and videos have "timelines" with those breeds used as the example. Some folks get frustrated when things don't get picked up as quickly as one of those breeds, get frustrated, get a collar and start zapping a dog without really understanding how to use a collar and start blaming the dog rather than the than the training approach.
Nick
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Capt Jeff Kraynik
Well-known member
First off, an e-collar should not even be used on a dog until after their adult teeth have come in.
After that, a dummy/de-activated collar should be worn for a minimum of (30 thirty days.
AWS's are more sensitive that other breeds, but if utilized correctly the trainer should not encounter any serious issues.
My suggestion is to find a local training group in your area (HRC) & speak to trainers who have already utilized a collar in their training program.
I would also suggest reviewing/purchasing Mike Lardy's "Total E-Collar Conditioning" or the "Total Retriever Training" cd's.
I've been to Mike's seminar & we've trained over a dozen dogs on these tapes (3 AWS's) with great success.
There are other programs out their but instead of burning the dogs into compliance, you "nick" the dog to get his attention & if properly trained, he will turn around, sit & wait for further direction.
CJ
After that, a dummy/de-activated collar should be worn for a minimum of (30 thirty days.
AWS's are more sensitive that other breeds, but if utilized correctly the trainer should not encounter any serious issues.
My suggestion is to find a local training group in your area (HRC) & speak to trainers who have already utilized a collar in their training program.
I would also suggest reviewing/purchasing Mike Lardy's "Total E-Collar Conditioning" or the "Total Retriever Training" cd's.
I've been to Mike's seminar & we've trained over a dozen dogs on these tapes (3 AWS's) with great success.
There are other programs out their but instead of burning the dogs into compliance, you "nick" the dog to get his attention & if properly trained, he will turn around, sit & wait for further direction.
CJ
Tom Wall
Well-known member
Chad,
The e collar is just a training tool and there are several good ones out there. The TT 70 would not be my first chocie for you. It is a good collar but is not as adjustable as some newer ones. You might check with The Collar Clinic. They usually have a selection of reconditioned collars. You should look for one with adjustable intensity. Having continuous and momentary stimulation is nice but if you are only going to get a collar with one get momentary. Mike Lardy's resources are very good. Besides the DVD's he has compilations of his aritcle from the Retriever Journal which are also excellent resources.
There are distinct philosophies on how to use the e collar in training. Dobbs is completely different from the system developed by Rex Carr that most retriever pros use today. Describing them as momentary or continuous is an inaccurate oversimplification.
As far as a trainer goes look for one that has dealt with a number of different breeds/types of dogs. They will be willing and able to adapt to your dog. Someone that has only trained labs may not be your best choice. The problem with getting anyone else to train you dog is you end up with a trained dog you do not know how to handle. It is kind of like buying a car with a standard transmission when you don't how to use a clutch.
Ideally, you will train your dog yourself. See if you can find a trainer that is able to teach you how to train your dog.
Tom
The e collar is just a training tool and there are several good ones out there. The TT 70 would not be my first chocie for you. It is a good collar but is not as adjustable as some newer ones. You might check with The Collar Clinic. They usually have a selection of reconditioned collars. You should look for one with adjustable intensity. Having continuous and momentary stimulation is nice but if you are only going to get a collar with one get momentary. Mike Lardy's resources are very good. Besides the DVD's he has compilations of his aritcle from the Retriever Journal which are also excellent resources.
There are distinct philosophies on how to use the e collar in training. Dobbs is completely different from the system developed by Rex Carr that most retriever pros use today. Describing them as momentary or continuous is an inaccurate oversimplification.
As far as a trainer goes look for one that has dealt with a number of different breeds/types of dogs. They will be willing and able to adapt to your dog. Someone that has only trained labs may not be your best choice. The problem with getting anyone else to train you dog is you end up with a trained dog you do not know how to handle. It is kind of like buying a car with a standard transmission when you don't how to use a clutch.
Ideally, you will train your dog yourself. See if you can find a trainer that is able to teach you how to train your dog.
Tom
Hank H Garvey
Active member
Chad I sent you a PM. HHG
Greg P
Active member
I would stay with either a Tri-tronics or Dogtra. Both are good quality collars. I have run Tri-tronics for about 10 years and their customer service is the best I have encountered with any product.
There are more "economical " brands out there, but you will get what you pay for. One of the most important functions of a collar is to be conistent with amount of correction at a given level. Some of the "economy " collars are not consistant at all.
There are more "economical " brands out there, but you will get what you pay for. One of the most important functions of a collar is to be conistent with amount of correction at a given level. Some of the "economy " collars are not consistant at all.
Tom Scholberg
Well-known member
Chad, In adition to all the other good advise you have gotten here my $.02 is Tritronics and my reason is their customer service. I have a four year old Upland Special and love all the features. The transmitter is a bit bulky but for me that is an advantage in that I always know where it is.They really took care of me when I had a problem with mine. The problem was not with the collar as such but someone in this house left mine on and put it away. After it became totaly discharged it would not recharge. They have fixed that problem on their collars and mine too. Good Luck.
CHAD MENGEL
New member
Thanks for all the good input. My pup is 6 months old and is doing well. Ive read many books and watched many videos on dog training, and have also talked to a few trainers. Im ready to tackle the training myself. The way i understand it is all you need is time and patience. With my AWS's aditude and fast learning curve he and I should make a great teem.