Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Let me preface this by saying- I've only had the collar a week, so I cannot comment on battery usage/product integrity besides what I see at this point. This is long winded, but if you're very skeptical or have a dog you think you've lose hope on...please read! Let me tell you- I have had a very SERIOUS issue with our Plott Hound from day of rescue. He found his alpha male in my husband, and although I was born and raised with dogs, I could not find any way to make Charley respect me. The insane situations that happened with him are almost too much to name- tearing up and peeing on MY things, getting a little too aggressive with children nearby (please, I would not write this if he was a threat to my kids or others), the incessant and ridiculous barking if he was put outside, or inside, or up your a$$, the psychotic behavior when mailmen or repair men/women came, digging in trash, running away if you didn't army slide through the doorway. Just to name a few. Worst part, my husband never believed me because he is an ANGEL when he's home. You can only imagine how hard this is with a spouse who often works late, or travels monthly. I was at my wits end, and had to watch my husbands heart break when I told him I could no longer handle it...we had to find a home for his very best friend. I had to give something a try. Looked into boarding schools (can't justify the expense), googled muzzles (only helps one issue), looked up self help articles in case I was just crazy and somehow forgot to have a dog (we have and have had other dogs in our home), and even wrote Cesar Milan praying he would feel pity. After much hesitation with a shock collar, and thinking they were only used for barking or might make him more aggressive, I did some research and found this. Read many reviews, and found one that brought me to tears as I realized- I'm not the only one! Charley isn't the only one! I bought it. Day 1- my husband used vibration when he wasn't listening, and then shocked him. I highly recommend you not only let the alpha parent or the one who has more control use the first shock/vibrate, but start at NO MORE than level 25-30 (depending on size of dog). He is 90 pounds and I wish we would've tried a lower setting. Charley knew that if he alpha wasn't accepting the behavior and used it, that this is not a joke. He actually wanted to be around me more, and realized that he cannot do what he wants just because dad isn't around. That being said- he was literally transformed from day 1. I was able to take him outside ALL day without a leash, and without dad. He sat for me, came when I called, and if I even reached for the remote he knew what was up. Starting jumping and barking when my parents came to visit, and after telling him to stop and Seeing they were "ok", he kept going. One push of the vibrate and it was over. Day 5- one occurrence of him running away and it was bc he is extremely intelligent (something to keep in mind- if you have an almost too smart pup, this product is even better). Knew I was holding a black box and not the remote (couldn't find it in time) and he took off. Next walk- brought the remote and he walked 4 acres unleashed right beside me. This will take discipline, follow through, and making sure you use the buttons correctly. Don't shock him every time they don't listen. Start with warnings. Reward them when they listen to the warnings, and especially if they listen without a warning. Use shock as the last resort... the "I'm counting to 3" method. This collar has saved our lives, figuratively speaking. It was a huge fight within my marriage, and a frustration nobody could ever understand with me trying to bond with our family dog. If the collar breaks or the battery dies or it doesn't last for 10 years...I will buy another one. The best benefit I got from this purchase was knowing I could keep our boy in our home, and us and our children had a way to keep our family complete. Thank you!!!