Best Dog Shock Collar for Training Dogs & in the Field

You got the new pointing lab puppy home.  You got the dog bed, the treats, the food, the retrieving dummies, dog food dishes and maybe even a good crate (I like ruff tuff – but that is another post).  But what about a good shock collar?  A guy can’t help but notice the number of shock collars on the market — there are literally hundreds.

With all those different types of collars it is tough to know where to start to get a good one.  Since I use electric shock collars practically every day, I came up with a brief review of what I consider the best dog shock collar.  Hardy and robust, these collars have spent many a day with me guiding in the pheasant fields of South Dakota.  I really like that they give me the flexibility to run two dogs and have a rheostat feature that allows a great range of stimulation.

Keep in mind, they are not well suited to waterfowl use right out of the box – I mean hell they are completely waterproof but last I checked green and orange aren’t great in a duck blind.  Some black tape or other darkening agent is needed to prep them for waterfowl.  Imagine that collar in goose hunting situations!

Did you know?  Dog Probiotics can be vital to your hunting dog’s performance and recovery after?

Dogtra 2700T&B Dog Shock Collar & Dogtra 2702T&B Training and Beeper 2-Dog System

Dog Shock Collar Pro’s:

• • The Rheostat allows you to use many levels of stimulation, making it perfect for dogs with different personalities.
    • • Got a hard dog? Turn it up.
      • Got a soft dog? Turn it down.

    Overall a great feature that in my mind, put Dogtra on the map.  This feature separates this collar from, the cheaper SportDog models.  The basic SportDog model has only six levels of stimulation giving you very little flexibility.

  • These collars are tough. I have literally had dogs chew parts of it to pieces, despite the abuse it still works like a champ.

• Battery life is great. I have owned mine for 8 years and the battery will still last me all day.  A guy needs to put it on the charger at the end of the day, but it will stand up to constant use for 8 hours.
• The controller is light weight and is easily clipped to your upland vest or hung around your neck. It does not seem to get in the way of guns, whistles or other hunting equipment.
• The beeper feature is LOUD allowing you to hear your dog from quite a distance away in heavy cover.  We train our dogs to work back to us when we beep them allowing the beeper to act as a training tool and a location tool.

Dog Shock Collar Con’s:

• With heavy gloves on it is tough to toggle between the two collars. That switch is VERY small and cold fingers can be a problem.
• When the batteries do go…they go right now. One day they work, the next they won’t hold a charge.   It takes a while to get them replaced as well.  Collar clinic does a nice job if this is needed.
• Poor Choice of Colors…  As I already mentioned, you can’t really use this model for waterfowl effectively right out of the box. Personally, I have two collars although that is not practical for everyone.  A bright green / orange collar in a duck blind seems foolish to me.  I wish they made one of the straps black – then problem solved.
• PRICE – At right around $520 dollars for the two-dog model, it is a major commitment – hell some guns don’t cost that much. The single dog model is right around $370, not quite as painful – but still pricey.

Overall the Dogtra 2700T&B Training and Beeper & Dogtra 2702T&B Training and Beeper systems are robust, flexible, light weight tools that make training your new dog a snap.  While not cheap, a guy should be able to use them for literally years.  Might even outlast your new pup!

See you in the field!

EDITORS NOTE: Justin McGill is a full-time breeder and trainer of pointing labs.  Check him out at Hunters Point Kennel!