This is just to clarify:

I probably worded my original post wrong. Quite a few people have misunderstood. Let me explain a bit what I'm thinking I want to do:

1st: As with ANY method, even the old traditional methods, start out with no corrections whatsoever. Teach him what the commands mean with the help of the clicker.

2nd: When he knows what the commands mean, introduce the corrections - to be used ONLY when he chooses not to obey the command. At this point I will probably still want to keep using the clicker (along with the word "yes") to mark when he is good.

3rd: When he's consistently following commands, phase the clicker out (but still use the word "yes" when he does good).


In step number 2, I think I'll probably start out with the prong collar turned inside out, so the prongs are sticking out instead of in. That may be enough for him, but I'm not sure yet. If it isn't, I'll turn every other prong around, and if that still isn't enough, I'll go ahead and turn all of them around. That's one of the things I like best about the prong collar; they're so versatile!

Did all that make sense??


On a side note: I think I'm really going to like my new Dogtra 200NCP Gold collar. I put it on Gypsy lastnight and found her stim level. It is 40, right on the nose. Of course, that would be for just basic stuff; I'd have to up it when she gets more distractions and is more aroused. With the stupid Petsafe collar, I never could find the stim level that brought the flick of the ears, blink, or slight look down. It was either too low or too high - I like this infinite level dial!

Thanks for the feedback. I'm in the process of buying a new e collar. The problem was my old tritronics (12 years + old) never died, so I couldn't justify, until now, spending the money on a new collar. I love the idea of the infinite levels.