Today, we are learning more and more about training bird dogs using the relatively new technology called electronic dog training collars. These collars have changed the way that working dogs are trained, especially hunting dogs.

One of the greatest values these collars give to the trainer is the increase of interaction between the trainer and the dog. They allow for remote training, without a traditional leash, which greatly increases the options a trainer has in training a working or hunting dog. Let’s look at why these collars are so effective.

Electronic training systems consist of two parts: transmitters and receivers. The transmitter is usually in the hand-held unit and is controlled by the trainer while the receiver is usually worn in the dog’s collar. Correcting a dog–at home, in the field hunting, or during a show—is done by sending a signal from the trainer’s transmitter that sends a light volt of static shock to the dog through the collar. These corrections are light and do not harm the dog, but they do distract the dog, which corrects bad behavior. This quickly increases the training pace.

If you’re looking for an effective dog training collar, you’ll need one that is not only safe, but reliable. Innotek is a known name when it comes to electronic dog training collars. Innotek systems will serve your needs; you can get a backyard system for your property which will allow you to train two or more dogs, or you can opt for a simpler one for training at home.

In addition to the high quality that is guaranteed by the use of top of the line components, Innotek products offer long-term durability. Innotek’s Ultra Smart Training collars also offer a variety of options including 15 levels of stimulation, allow for multiple dogs to be trained and options to use sound as well as electronic reminders for your dog.

Innotek UltraSmart training collars provide the best value through the IUT 300 series. Great for trainers who have want to train two dogs at a time, you can experience great results in field or show training where your dogs will need to be a bit of a distance from where you stand. Designed to work up to 300 yards away, these collars work with either sound or electronic stimulation.

The IUT300 offers a number of features that are not available in any other collar including self diagnosis, electronic fit testing, battery strength display, a built in receiver and lithium ion technology that is not found in any other collar. In addition, the nine stimulation levels make this collar one of the most versatile for those owners who want the control of both electronic and sound correction.

Extra-long probes for long-haired dogs are also available as well as lanyards, test lights, and instructional DVDs. Innotek is committed to ensuring that you and your dog get the most from their products when training.

If you’re the happy new owner of a puppy that you plan to train to someday be a hunting or gun dog, then you’ll be wondering what you’ll need to make that happen. Besides patience, love, and a sense of humor, you’ll need some tools to make the training process easier. Before you bring puppy home, make sure you have the things you’ll need to make him comfortable and get him off to a good start.

Dog Crates

The fact of the matter is, puppies aren’t born housebroken. Sad, but true. This means you’ll need to housebreak puppy and the best way to do that is through create training. A lot of other benefits come from this as well and crate training utilizes puppy’s “denning” instinct to make it all happen. Crates also keep your dog (and your house) safe while he’s unsupervised.

Fortunately, regardless of the size of your dog, crates are easy to use, they come in a variety of sizes and some can even be collapsed and put away once you are done using it. Some dog owners only use a crate until a puppy is housebroken and then only for rare occasions.

Most dogs like to be in a crate. The dog crate helps them feel protected, secure and they begin to consider it a safe place to go. Most dogs treat their crates as if it was their own personal den! Whether you elect to purchase aluminum or a metal wire dog crate, you will want to make sure that you have purchased the appropriate size. If you get a dog crate that is too small, your dog will be unable to turn around comfortably in it and a crate that is too large may result in your dog being frightened and not feeling safe. Some dog crates come with removable panels that can be added or removed depending on the size of your dog.

Dog Training Collars

Dogs don’t train themselves—another sad fact. Luckily, they have us to do it for them and the process is usually fun. Training hunting dogs is even more of a challenge with greater rewards. Training collars can really help with this, especially the long-range electric collars. Whether you choose one of those or a simple choke collar for obedience training, make sure it’s the right one for you and your dog.

You will have to decide if your dog responds best to positive discipline (i.e. give him a treat when he does the right thing) or if electronic stimulation offered through electronic collars are best for him. Many owners of hunting dogs (especially larger ones) find that the electronic stimulus collars work best.

Other Hunting Dog Supplies

Start working with puppy early to begin the training process and to set a schedule of training, play, and down times. The earlier you begin obedience and hunting training, the more effective it will be. There are a lot of products out there to help you accomplish these tasks and they are generally available at all hunting and pet supply stores:

1. Dog whistles to train your dog to listen to you at home and in the field
2. Dog training bumpers – to teach retrieval
3. Launchers – to teach fetching and retrieval

Your puppy will become a part of your hunting and a member of your household for years and years. Getting the proper dog training supplies will ensure that you have everything you need for successful training so that he will listen and remain safe in your care.

Some believe that an electronic collar is not safe for their dogs and in fact, believe they are inhumane. Before you make that decision you should do your homework and you’ll quickly discover that they are not only effective, but they are safe and a perfectly humane tool for training your dog. One of the most important considerations is choosing the electronic collar that works best for you and for your dog. We are putting together some brief reviews that we hope will help you make a decision on which of these popular models is the best choice for you and for your dog.

Containment Systems (“Invisible Fence”)
There are two types of these perimeter-sensing collars for teaching your dog the boundaries of your yard: electric and wireless. Electric systems work with a buried line that you install to establish the perimeter of your yard. PetSafe is a good model for this application with an easy-to-use setup for both the fence and the collar receiver. PetSafe comes just about right to fit any standard-sized yard. To fit a larger area than PetSafe can handle, we recommend Innotek’s containment system.

Innotek offers the ability to expand the area that your dog can be free in up to twenty five acres and also has the ability to utilize multiple receiver collars – if you have more than one dog then this might be the system that is most effective for you. PetSafe and Innotek are both good systems if you’ve decided a hidden wire system is the route you wish to pursue.

PetSafe also makes a wireless fence that works almost like the wired system, but without the wire, and is much more advanced. It works along with a transmitter around the middle of the area you want to confine. Signals are sent to the transmitter within a radius that you can set. It’s easy to set up and is extremely versatile and portable.

BARK COLLARS
These collars are popular for dog owners who have pets that like to make a lot of noise. The most popular and widely-respected brand is the Innotek collar. It’s reasonably priced and very advanced, having sophisticated sensors to tell if it’s your dog barking or another dog. In addition, the collar can intelligently increase the intensity of the static charge to curtail continual barking. When the dog stops barking, the collar stops correcting the behavior and resets to its original setting. These collars are totally waterproof and very lightweight, suitable for any dog and almost any climate.

BEEPER COLLARS
This high tech safety device offered by Dogtra can be set to notify you if your dog goes out of your yard. This collar emits a beep that allows you to quickly and easily find your dog. The design offers a variety of settings that are geared to work up to one mile away and includes features that are even helpful to hunting dog users.

DOG TRAINING COLLARS
These are popular field training devices, whether you’re fielding, hunting, or just out in the big open spaces. The collars from TriTronics are the best, offering many system options for optimum training of your dog outdoors. They boast up to a mile range for many models and stimulation levels with twenty settings. They are waterproof and lightweight with long-life batteries for maximum use per charge and longevity. There are a lot of useful accessories as well, including holsters for the transmitter, field chargers for collar and battery packs, and even dummy collars so your dog won’t learn to only respond when the collar is in use. A comparable, less expensive, and shorter-options version of this training collar is available from SportDog as well, boasting very long ranges.

Discuss your electronic training needs with your veterinarian and your trainer and make sure that you ask for their advice. A good electronic training collar is one that is suitable for your dogs individual needs.