Stimulation Variances in Dog Training Collars
Most manufacturers clearly label their devices with stimulation levels. However, while each transmitter is different all of them will have an option to change the intensity of the stimulus or in fact adjust the correction type. It is important that you understand how these controls impact your dog. This will enable you to make the right choices when selecting an electronic training collar. Knowing how the controls work will ensure that you can also operate the collar properly.
Stimulation intensity must be considered when selecting a training system. It’s important that you first identify the range that you need but even more critical that you select a unit that has the proper stimulation levels for your dog(s). You will need to carefully monitor what levels are right for your dog. If your dog has no reaction to one level of stimulus and then the next level panics him, you’re likely to have a problem.
The higher quality collar you purchase, the more likely you are to get interim levels that are sufficient for training your dog. The higher-end products tend to provide a much broader range of stimulations that will allow you to determine which ones work best for your training needs. Units that have levels that are simply one to five often do not allow you sufficient range for training most dogs. Higher end units often allow for ‘steps’ in half points.
It may be necessary for you to have a variety of steps for stimulus, but do not go overboard. For example, you don’t want a transmitter that offers only five levels, but a transmitter with one hundred levels is probably far more than you’ll ever need. In fact, chances are that a transmitter that offers between twenty and thirty levels of stimulus will most likely serve you and your dog best for training purposes.
Hunting and training may require different stimulations. Most electronic collars that are on the market will offer both continuous and momentary stimulus. Be certain when you are shopping for a collar that you take into consideration not just the stimulation levels available, but also the type of stimulation that is available on the collar.
It is understandable that when you are searching for training collars that you don’t want to waste money. However, making sure that you purchase a cost effective system as well as the best system that you can easily afford is a necessity. Having a training collar that does not meet the training needs for you and your dog simply is not cost effective as you could spend far more money replacing it later if you find it is insufficient to meet your needs.
Each manufacturer of electronic training collar has different recommendations as to how their collars and receivers should be used. Make sure you not only investigate thoroughly before you buy, but after you buy read the user’s manual for safe and effective training.
Geoffrey A. English is the Founder of GundogsOnline.com, the internet’s premiere online magazine dedicated to hunting dogs. Visit their site if you are in need of hunting supplies such as Garmin 220, NYX Shooting Glasses and Innotek dog collars.