Background:

I use Marker training and Ellis training methods to teach my dog (Ranger) all new things. We are having lots of fun and plan on continue marker training for the life of the dog.

Both my wife and I train our Ranger (Male/GSD/almost 8 months)

I used a prong collar with my previous dog Shadow and had two problems with it.

1. I feel like it was hard for me to give the same level of correction with the prong.

2. My wife did not correct at the same level as me.

Now telling my wife not to train would not work for us (Or me.. I might end up dead if I said anything).. (I know we should only have one trainer)

So I was thinking about getting the e-collar and Ed's e-collar video before I started the obedience training.

Also I would love to go off leash in the woods and be able to get his attention as needed.

I am considering the Dogtra 7100 (Not the plus) It seems to be around $200.00-$240.00.

So my question is.. Are those good reasons to use the e-collar?

John, The first thing which comes to mind is that if your wife and you train differently and correct differently - the same is going to continue with the e-collar; it is simply changing from one type of collar to another, but actually with more opportunity for confusion / ill-timed correction - in my opinion.

You are correct, ideally, one person is training and correcting (when appropriate, after distractions, etc...). When two people are involved in the process - it really is very, very important that their training strategies and techniques are the same.

Eight months is not too young to begin appropriate corrections, but only after the training has progressed to the point of including distractions in varying levels, different situations, etc...

How is Roger's recall at home, outside, unleashed? (Assuming you've been able to safely train this unleashed).

For my wife and I.. Yes we will both have to work on it.. To be honest I train the dog 80% of the time, but my wife loves to help out, its a together hobby.. I could probably convince her to only do the marker training and none of the corrections type training...

Ranger is doing well with his training under different distractions. I have not fully ganged a great engagement when other dogs are around.. I have to do a lot of moving with the food and toy rewards to keep his attention when other dogs are around, but his is getting better at that as well.

My assumption was I would start correction training around 12 months. I was starting to ask the questions now before I purchased something. sorry I research everything for a few months before I buy it (when its over 200.00 dollars anyways).

Ranger's recall is something I need to work on with other dogs around. Seems to be very good if we are alone in the house, alone in the backyard, alone in the front yard. At parks on a 20' lead if there are people around it depends on how well I have his engagement. If he is really engaged with me its about 95% of the time. If he is already distracted when we get to the park its about 50/50.. but we are working on it. Other dogs around, I am able to get him to do commands, but he is always looking at the other dog.. working on that too .

and no I have not worked unleashed in parks.. only at home in the backyard. Its really other people and their dogs I am worried about if I go unleashed..

So I know I am not ready to start correction yet, and did not plan on starting today but I was hoping another 4 months would get me there. (My last GSD I started correction work around 12 months but I know it can be different for each dog)

I think your idea of having your wife concentrate on the marker training is brilliant! And if discussed calmly and rationally, I'm sure she would not want Roger exposed to confusing messages/ different levels of corrections any more than you would. Maybe even getting your wife another dvd - (The Power of Training with Food?)and really putting her "in charge" of that would avoid any feelings of being "shut out".

Planning in advance for a big purchase makes perfect sense to me.

It sounds like you are on the right road John, just keep working on the distractions (as I still have to do with Falcon when other dogs are near when we are off site). Connie has some great links regarding desensitizing - have you read any of those? They are great for info on working your dog near other people / dogs.

The ecollar has been great for us on our property when we are outside in the woods, and has allowed Falcon far greater freedom than I'd be comfortable with without it. It just isn't a tool to grab for "corrections" if the training isn't already in place.

Barb: Yep we own the training with food and tug/toy videos.. What a great collection! I will do that.. Put my wife "in charge" ..

I put her "in Charge" of the raw diet already and so she loves to tell me what is going on with the diet.

Looking forward to buying the focus heeling video.. I am just having so much fun training with markers and tracking..

Thanks again Barb!

Funny story: We drove the puppy 2400 miles this last week and he loved it.. He was very stressed the first few days and got some runs.. But some Pumpkin in a can solved that and after that he stopped yawning, stretching and looking so stiff and relaxed. he is so much fun!