E collar recommendations

[Lizbeli]

I see what you're saying, and if I recall, you said it's the length of the body of the electronic unit that causes it to stand away from the neck. I wonder though: What length of probes are you using? Could you use shorter ones and thus have the unit sit closer to the neck? The Dobe's very short coat probably calls for the shortest probes.

Im curious about that also. These are whatever the stock points are, same as the educator I believe. I think they are 5/8ths. Maybe ill try the half inch ones. I think either way the thickness of the receiver will crate this gap. Its just more noticeable on this breed, probably due to the super smooth coat and thinner neck. Im just being picky. But these aren’t cheap, so..

 

[Ddski5]

Is it brand new?

Is it possible that the belt collar itself can be “broken in” to not have such a gap?

If not, then it is definitely a game changer. That was the whole purpose of moving over to the stealth looking one.

Currently have an Educator 300 and for last 2.5yrs it has performed great. Just don’t like the square box on his neck.

 

[Lizbeli]

Is it brand new?

Is it possible that the belt collar itself can be “broken in” to not have such a gap?

If not, then it is definitely a game changer. That was the whole purpose of moving over to the stealth looking one.

Currently have an Educator 300 and for last 2.5yrs it has performed great. Just don’t like the square box on his neck.

Yeah it is brand new. But the collar material is a bit different than the educators. It feels more stiff, and looks laminated. Maybe I will try a different collar material. But honestly, with all the small things I don’t like about it I wish I just got the educator. My biggest problem is the remote. It takes two hands to change the shock setting for me. Maybe its just my small hands.

 

[Rits]

You might be able to send it back in for a full refund @Lizbeli. I've done that before because I don't like how a collar works.

 

[Kaiser2016]

Wouldn't it be nice if they sold just the box and you could pick your own collar size and material of collar (from other threads bungee material is supposed to be tighter and grip against their soft fur better), and pair a remote based on personal preference. That would enable everyone to get a custom/perfect ecollar.

 

[jazzies mum]

I have this collar and hadn't really noticed that gap, until you pointed it out, but it is the same on Jazz. She just has natural ears that do a great deal to hide the receiver! As far as the control unit, I found it needed two hands to change the level of stim, but as I don't often need to give more than a low level this isn't too much of a problem. When I do need to dial things up the long range gives me plenty of time to bring the other hand in. I only use it for off leash so both hands are free most of the time, with the controller on the lanyard around my neck. Most people just think it's a satellite phone!

 

[Kaiser2016]

@Lizbeli how do you like it now? Have you had to use the highest stim yet? I’m reading up on this as it’s the same one I want to get, and I’ve seen some descriptions say it’s for mild to medium temperaments, including the dogtra site itself. I’d never call a Doberman ‘mild’ for anything, but maybe it’s comparing to much harder tempered dogs?

 

[Lizbeli]

@Lizbeli how do you like it now? Have you had to use the highest stim yet? I’m reading up on this as it’s the same one I want to get, and I’ve seen some descriptions say it’s for mild to medium temperaments, including the dogtra site itself. I’d never call a Doberman ‘mild’ for anything, but maybe it’s comparing to much harder tempered dogs?

I wouldn’t get another Dogtra. I definitely miss my mini educator. But I wont go spending the money until this collar breaks.

I actually find Jasper is more sensitive to stim compared to my previous dog, but he was an AmStaff and a lot more high strung/dog reactive. I have never went above 50stim. Even 35 can be too much given the situation. But my boy could just be a baby haha.

After a few months of using it, I find that I really have to stick the remote out from my body for it to work. I have held the remote in my hand while walking (so leisurely by my side) pressed the button with no effect. I assumed he was just ignoring it so I held out the remote and increased stim by a few clicks and then Jasper yelped. With the mini educator I never once had this issue. I even used it in my jacket pocket to be a bit more “secretive” in public.

I am not sure if its just my unit or not. But their manual does say holding the remote away from your body is best because it increases range. But it hasn't even worked at 40ft away with it by my side. I have to hold it out like a weirdo for it to work lmao. But the mini educator seemed like it would be able to send the signal through my jacket pocket without issues.

I am sure there are many people who love theirs, but coming from the educator, I am not impressed. I want to like it but I regret the purchase. And I haven’t even tried it in salt water for swimming yet, which I am worried about.

 

[Kaiser2016]

Wow, so glad I asked. Though it does sound like it might be a bad model. I’d definitely try returning it. I was so attracted to it for its sleek design, but I know you weren’t too pleased about that either. I can’t imagine having to stim Kaiser too high...so many issues lol, and so hard to be doing this when everything is locked down so much. Annoying.

 

[Kaiser2016]

@jazzies mum please give me an update lol.

@strykerdobe you have the 1900 which is less slim, but the dogtra site says its for harder temperaments. How high of a stim have you had to use?

 

[jazzies mum]

Well, I am totally happy with my Dogtra Arc. Jazzies base level is 10, but I usually have it on about 14 when out walking as it is only ever used when she needs "reminding" of the rules. Not needed most of the time. One ping is usually enough, but very occasionally she will start a chase if it's a different critter. (guinea fowl flushed from under her feet!) Then she gets continuous with gradual increase in strength until she leaves it. This was the latest and she was right on it's tail but still broke off at 38, which I think is good. To begin with I had to break a chasing habit and the very first time using this e collar to break a chase got up to 65 and has never needed that level again! (she had a good understanding of what a stim meant before I put it to the test in the field) Considering that there are 127 stim levels and we have only needed about half that I would consider it capable of turning most dogs.

I haven't had trouble with the transmitter range, but I don't think it would work in a pocket. I use the lanyard around my neck and just put a hand up and tilt the antenna slightly away from my body. It won't function well if anything is touching that antenna though. The range is great even if there are obstructions and it will work when I am down in the river bed and Jazz has exited on out at speed, so @Lizbeli I would be wondering if you have a faulty unit?

 

[strykerdobe]

@jazzies mum please give me an update lol.

@strykerdobe you have the 1900 which is less slim, but the dogtra site says its for harder temperaments. How high of a stim have you had to use?

On the 1900 I've gone as high as 40. When in the back woods of a park with lots of deer in the area. The unit does go up to 127.

The 1900 units we have were going on 10yrs old. And they didn't seem to be putting out enough stem. So we have now purchased the Dogtra ARC. Very slim unit and its slightly curved. We got the 2 dog unit.

 

[Ddski5]

Interesting about the range and the direct line of sight needed for the Dogtra.

I know with the Educator, I can have a thick coat on with it in my pocket or have it in pants pocket and it works well. Never really had to lift it up or out from my body for it to reach Ragnar- for that matter, really never had any issues of it reaching out to him anywhere, doing anything.

It also works well if I am using in my truck or on the other side of my house. Like if I am in my front yard and Ragnar runs to the back yard, around house to chase a squirrel, he can feel the vibrate/stim and will come back around.

If on the soccer fields and I am in truck, he is out always with the girls playing ball. If he gets too far or unruly, the vibrate/stim will find him through the truck.

Hmmm... dang, really was liking that sleek look of the Dogtra.

 

[Lizbeli]

@Lizbeli I would be wondering if you have a faulty unit?

I doubt it. It just doesn’t have the range like the educator. If its held away from my body its fine. @Ddski5 I had the same experience with my educator. Worked nearly anywhere. I actually didn’t think to mention that the dogtra also doesn’t like to work when I am standing just inside my sliding door and Jaspers in the yard. I have to stick my arm outside. Just annoying when you are used to how reliable to educator is.


@jazzies mum Your girl goes swimming with the collar on right? Have you ever been in salt water with it?

 

[jazzies mum]

I doubt it. It just doesn’t have the range like the educator. If its held away from my body its fine. @Ddski5 I had the same experience with my educator. Worked nearly anywhere. I actually didn’t think to mention that the dogtra also doesn’t like to work when I am standing just inside my sliding door and Jaspers in the yard. I have to stick my arm outside. Just annoying when you are used to how reliable to educator is.


@jazzies mum Your girl goes swimming with the collar on right? Have you ever been in salt water with it?

Yes, I've had her in the surf a few times with no problems at all. It was only for a couple of weeks while visiting friends on the coast, but that was August last year and there has been no corrosion as a result. As far as fresh water/mud she has given it a real workout for 18 months now and no issues at all.

 

[Ravenbird]

I'm just now using a Dogtra - I'll have to look up the model. It's about 4 years old, previously used on the Dutchie I live with for chasing deer on hikes. In the mountains, in the trees, totally out of sight with a regular hand hold on it, no awkward "holding it out". Dog didn't return on command and you could hear her squeak when reinforced from a long ways away. I'm just now introducing it for reinforcing the No or Leave It command and she totally gets it. No problems at all with the Dogtra.

 

[Kaiser2016]

So we ended up going for the Dogtra Arc. It’s not coming from too far away, so we expect it to arrive next week. My hb had a training session recently with our club and this one came highly recommended, despite many of them having experience with the Educator as well. They seemed to think the sleek design would work great for Kaiser as a short hair dog. Of course, looks are nice, but as long as it gives us the range, lol, this devil can run! Fingers crossed!

 

[jazzies mum]

So we ended up going for the Dogtra Arc. It’s not coming from too far away, so we expect it to arrive next week. My hb had a training session recently with our club and this one came highly recommended, despite many of them having experience with the Educator as well. They seemed to think the sleek design would work great for Kaiser as a short hair dog. Of course, looks are nice, but as long as it gives us the range, lol, this devil can run! Fingers crossed!

You will love the range! Jazz is extremely fast too but she has never managed to get out of range, and that includes a couple of occasions when she raced up a river bank after a roo, way out of sight. In the beginning I held it in my hand but need so little that it just hangs around my neck now. An admission - the other evening I was halfway through our walk when I realised that the transmitter was still back at home! Luckily didn't need it!!!

 

[MyBuddy]

I just looked and saw that educator makes a mini one now. I wasn't sure if you were in the market but thought I remembered you talking about it at one time.
Educator ME-300 Micro

Sorry, I was just catching up on this thread and saw this. I haven't bought anything new yet. Still the using Dogtra IQ Plus. I had one for each dog but one doesn't charge anymore. I don't really need it on Buddy. He usually very good. He's very collar wise with the ecollar, so if I want him to stick even closer to me, I just put that dead one on and he doesn't know the difference LOL. Shhhh, don't tell him. Kali gets the live one. And I rarely used anything except vibration on her. She knows when she feels that vibration to come to me. And I really never had a problem with distance. I forgot even how long the distance is on this one. But I've never had a problem with it going through my pocket or a building. I will look into this one that you posted versus the other one I was looking at. Looks like they're both the same price. The main thing I was looking for was just something smaller on her tiny neck. I never put it on tight because of that. I just can't see those prongs on her tiny throat. I know the few times that I have used the stim sometimes she can't even feel it because it's so loose on her neck. But she can feel the vibration. And if she took off running and I needed to stim her, most of the time she will feel it because it's bouncing on her neck and finally makes contact.

 

[Ddski5]

So we ended up going for the Dogtra Arc. It’s not coming from too far away, so we expect it to arrive next week. My hb had a training session recently with our club and this one came highly recommended, despite many of them having experience with the Educator as well. They seemed to think the sleek design would work great for Kaiser as a short hair dog. Of course, looks are nice, but as long as it gives us the range, lol, this devil can run! Fingers crossed!

Calling @Kaiser2016.....

Am interested in your thoughts/assessment of the Dogtra Arc on Kaiser.