Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

PROS: - works consistently, every time, without having to guess if the stimulation was delivered (so far) - rechargeable batteries with long battery life (battery powered models eat up a lot of batteries even in standby mode) - simple to operate - transmitter smaller than was expecting based on photo (size of the smallest flip phone) - tone is NOT automatically sent with every "stimulation" but rather via separate button, which means if you never use the tone to correct BAD behavior you can train your dog to respond positively to tone signals, like coming to you when he's too far away to hear you calling his name. CONS: - packaging. Wrapping it in a sealed box is one thing. But inside that box, it's sealed up in plastic tough enuf you need tin snips to cut it open so don't buy except from trusted seller like Amazon that has a no fuss return policy. SD-425 model or SD-425S model for "stubborn dogs"? Owners use these collars mainly for 2 reasons: to train hunting dogs from a distance too far to always be shouting commands, or to correct unwanted behavior. I've trained dogs for 40 years. I can't imagine a stubborn dog would be a good candidate as a hunting dog. So I have to guess the "stubborn dog" model was invented to correct bad behavior. Some reviewers have said the S model emits too strong a shock even on the lowest setting. I've tested it on myself so I know for a fact that it is equivalent to a hard tickle, unpleasant but nothing that would make a dog yelp in pain. If for some reason, the lowest setting is still too strong for your dog, you can always just use the vibrate mode but at least you have the higher intensity in case your dog develops new behaviors, like blindly charging out of the yard into dangerous traffic. BTW, you owe it to your dog to test the stimulation level on yourself (unless you have a heart pacemaker) so you know what kind of jolt your dog is getting, that it is humane. I've not trained sport dogs but have used these collars to correct unwanted behavior like random barking, digging, running along a fence barking at every pedestrian, getting them to stop sleeping on a certain pieces of furniture, etc. Different trainers have different methods, but here's what has worked for me: - dogs are incredibly smart and will learn quickly, literally in one day. If proper procedure is followed, I've never had to "stimulate" a dog more than 3 times to stop any bad behavior, and that includes dogs that their owners have said have been uncontrollable barkers for 6 yrs. In fact the older the dog, the easier it is to correct bad behavior. - but they can also learn just as quickly that they only are getting zapped when the collar is on. I suggest you have the dog wear the collar a week before using it AND once ur dog has corrected his behavior be prepared to for the dog to wear the collar for several months afterwards, esp when you're not home or in situations that generally would trigger his bad behavior, to the point that he's long forgotten his bad behavior even though you no longer have to stimulate him. - dogs are smart enough to even notice if you're wearing the transmitter around your neck. Carry it in your jacket pocket instead. - anticipate your dog's behavior: if he jumps out of bed in the morning and the first thing he does is head for the front window to bark, put the collar on BEFORE he gets up. - modify one behavior at a time. - the instructions say to give a command followed by a "stimulation". The only verbal command that should be given is "no" or "stop". And then only if you or multiple members in a family have yelled "no" at the dog so many times for so long that he's learned there are no consequences to not listening to you. - Although humane, a stimulation is at least irritating to mildly painful depending on the needed setting. A painful zap will never train a dog to respond positively (as in coming, heeling or sitting). That's like calling for your dog downstairs to come up to your bedroom and then yelling at him for chewing the shoes you just found -- trust me, the dog will think twice before he comes running next time you call him. - my preferred approach is to NOT to give any verbal command. If you don't want the dog on the white sofa, watch him. When he jumps up, zap him, SAY NOTHING and just watch him jump off. He'll look confused, maybe shake his head but generally after no more than 3 attempts he'll realize that sofa is no longer a pleasant place to nap and will instead go sleep on the leather sofa. And don't let him in the room with that white sofa unless you are around to correct his behavior again if needed. That way, the dog is "tricked" into believing there's something suddenly uncomfortable about that sofa or his action is causing the zap, whether you are around or not. Should your dog yelp or run to you confused wondering why he just got stimulated, just reassure him with comforting words, like "what happened baby?" He'll quickly associate the zap with the bad behavior and not because YOU issued the command and therefore will stay off that white sofa even if you are not around. These collars are NOT a replacement or short cut for proper basic training. But if used correctly they are invaluable in correcting single or isolated bad behaviors.