E-Collars for Lab

onemoreridge · Feb 25, 2010

I am a new member on here and would just like to say that as much as I do enjoy looking at and reading stories about big deer and elk I enjoy just as much looking at and reading about dogs and bird hunting. I am planning on getting a new lab puppy this spring. I have had labs all my life but have never purchased an e-collar for them. I am leaning towards getting a collar for this dog and was looking for some suggestions on collars that you guys like. I will be hunting mostly grouse, pheasants and waterfowl and chuckars when I can. I don't need a collar that has all the bells and whistles but I am looking for a collar that is durable, waterproof and reliable in cold weather for a close working dog. Thanks for the input and when I do get the puppy I will post a pic of him.

Deuce · Feb 25, 2010

I have the Sport Dog 800 it has tone, nick, and continuous buttons. They work pretty well, never had any problems with it. I would do some conditioning with it before actually using it. (let him wear it around for awhile) Also make sure the pup has the type of personality for it, make sure he is old enough first. Personality wise my male can handle it, my female can't she would never look at ever again if I used it on her. I rarely use anything but tone any more they get the message pretty quick. Remember it is not a punishment or substitute for a little obedience training. Yes my labs are spoiled as can be. I hope this helps.

Califelkslayer · Feb 25, 2010

I have the Cablea's brand, the GS-7000. And I like it. YET I didn't use it on my pup til he was a year old. That was the last week of Jan, 2010. I was frustrated the second half of the season cause I couldn't properly control him. For a male, GSP he was kinda timid early so I swore I wouldn't use it til he'd been in a ton of birds AND was a year old. He'd had 96 chukar and 13 quail taken over him before I ever shocked him. It worked like a dream in one hunt and I probably could have gotten away with it sooner but I didn't want to do it just cause I was pi$$ed. Guess I'm saying, "Be careful." They are a great tool IMO but they aren't a cure-all.

Shummy · Feb 26, 2010

LAST EDITED ON Feb-26-10 AT 07:50AM (MST)[p]Buy a Tri-tronics and never look back. It's an excellent product and they have great customer service. Go to collarclinc.com and look at a refurbished one. I bought my two dog set from them and I've been happy. As was mentioned above, don't just throw the collar on the pup and light him up. Go through a proper conditioning program first. Good luck. Labs are cool, I have a couple of them.

onemoreridge · Feb 26, 2010

Thanks for the replies, I should have specified a little more. I am not looking to get the collar to train the dog with, I just want one to keep him in gun range when we are hunting as I like my labs to be very aggresive at flushing birds. I just wanted time to look into collars and also learn how to properly use them as not to ruin the dog from them or hunting. Also if there are any suggestions on books that can teach how to properly use them that would be appreciated also.

Shummy · Feb 26, 2010

Honsetly, from your description of what you are trying to accomplish and knowing labs like I do, I don't think your going to even want or need to spend the money on an E-collar. What you want can be accomplished without one. I've never really had a problem with a lab running out of gun range, they are traditionally a close working dog. Try a pinch collar instead. Get one from Kent at Snow canyon outfitters. They are the best available and will truley let go when you want them to. Kent has a web site, tell him shummy sent you. Also, for what it's worth, it sounded like you were on the right track with your thinking. E-collars are used to enforce an already known command, not to teach new ones.

onemoreridge · Feb 26, 2010

Thanks for the suggestion on the pinch collar, I looked them up and they seem like a really good idea and will likely get one ordered. My want I guess for an e-collar is going off of my experinece with my last black lab. She had more energy than I or my dad who has had 1 or 2 labs all of his life had ever seen. Usually she would hunt great but we hunted a lot of ditch banks where pheasants are prone to run, when she would catch a fresh scent it was very difficult to keep her in range without having to just go with her at her speed. I would like a way to keep them in check when they are hot on a bird.

Deuce · Feb 26, 2010

I think lots of E-collars come with instructional dvd's and booklets.

440sixpack · Mar 26, 2010

Dogtra is the best, I use my e collars a lot and I'd say tri tronics is #2 but I'm sick of sending them back all the time for repair. I used my Dogtra all season on my GSP's and not one problem with either one, the range of both the collar and the beeper is far better as well.

You may not need that quality but I'd advise against one of the cheapos that are supposed to be good enough , they aren't. you get what you pay for.