Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This is my review after SIX months of using this EXACT product I purchased here, on Amazon: WHEN PURCHASED?: I bought these in November 2012 from AMAZON, 6 months ago. I've used these for six months, and here is my unbiased review. WHY PURCHASED?: I have FOUR dogs of my own, and usually one or two foster dogs (all cocker spaniels or a mix there of). I needed a set to reign in a couple of them, indoors or outdoors, when verbal or redirection fails. I only have two dogs, at any given time who don't listen when their inquisitive side takes over and all their training flys out the window, and this helps me out. WHAT I USE IT FOR SPECIFICALLY: 1) Used this for getting a couple of my overly adventurous dogs to stay away from low areas of the yard when it rained, instead of me having to go out with them on the leash, to make sure they didn't run through wet or muddy areas and come in muddy. I have a fenced in yard, but some areas are totally muddy when it rains for a long period of time. Two of my dogs love to splash, run through and play in it if I'd let them. All of my dogs are INDOOR dogs, and a dog full of mud coming into the family room doesn't mix. Sometimes I had to bath them more than once in a day when it got really bad, or take them out on a leash so I know they stayed out of those areas. 2) Used this to help control barking when a couple of my dogs just insist an nonstop barking when people first come over, or if they are anxious for dad to come home and every gust of wind they think is him and they start barking and barking, when verbal correction or redirection doesn't work. 3) Keeping dogs away from under the shed when a varmint runs under there, like a squirrel or a rabbit, and there are two of my dogs who just OBSESS over that and dig and dig to try and get under the shed when that happens. This stops that behavior. HOW DOES IT WORK?: Well, let me say I use verbal correction, usually once, then twice more sternly. If they do not respond I use the vibration. If they continue and the vibration doesn't work, I go to LOW SHOCK. WHALA.. my dogs have only been "LOW SHOCKED" once. Now they all respond to the vibration. I had one dog that it took TWO shocks of the collar to reiterate what the vibration meant, but that was the only occurrence I opted to use the shock more than one time on a dog, and that was TWO separate occurrences, not a single situation. I'm so happy to say, I haven't had to use any of the shock buttons in MONTHS! They all respond to the vibration now. Do I think this is an end all be all of training? ABSOLUTELY NOT! This is only a tool to use JUDICIOUSLY and with great caution, when all other methods fail to get a dog to react. I tend to put these collars on one or two of the dogs maybe 1 - 3 times per week, if that some weeks. I've also gone one month without having to get these out. I do find these collars hold their charge fairly well, over about 4 - 7 days of non use, depending on if they were charged up prior to placing them in the drawer where I keep them. If they were used prior to storing them for a few days, they will need charged for a few hours before use. PROS: * Buttons are labeled "V" (Vibration) "L" (low shock) and "H" (high shock) so there is NO chance you won't know what they stand for. Others are labeled with only numbers, where you have to scratch your head and think "what did the "2" stand for??? This is a BIG plus in my book. * Buttons are also White (for the red collar) and Black (for the black collar) * You can control 2 dogs separately at the same time. * Collar turns off if the dog hasn't moved (like if they are napping) to save energy consumption * Little red light is on when the collar is in use (ie.. when the dog moves, you can see the tiny red light if you look for it, to see that yes, it is functioning) * Collars are rechargable with the included charger, and it takes a standard 9 Volt battery for the controller. I have NOT had to change out the 9 volt battery in 6 months, it still works well. * Charging port is covered with an ATTACHED rubber stopper thing (for like when it is raining outside, water will have less of a chance getting into it) BUT>> THESE ARE NOT WATERPROOF! So don't use them if the dog is going to take a swim or something! Someone here will no doubt misinterpret, so I want to make that clear. * The seller, after reading the negative reviews on this collar set, stands by the product! They have offered an email (sales@dogwidgetsforless.com), and a telephone number (916-873-3785)for people who have had issues and have offered replacements. That impressed me, and also helped my decision to purchase this particular inexpensive set. * Control seems to have a great range in my suburban medium sized yard, and indoors. * I HAVE TOTAL CONTROL OF THE COLLAR. I have used other collars that are set off by barking (like citronella bark collars) and similar. I have two citronella collars I still use from time to time, but here is my problem with those. Should there be a loud concentrated noise, or another dog barking, near those types of collars, it will trigger them and the poor dog is wondering "OMG, what did I do?!!!???" and become frightened. This has happened with my citronella collars, and to a coworker of mine who has the shock type of bark collar. It can be triggered if the noise is concentrated and loud enough, through no fault of the dog. Total control over the collar is a benefit to me in most situations. * PRICE! For 2 dog controllers, this is a competitive price * Has plastic/rubber things you can place over the prongs to help lessen skin irritation, but one reviewer said the shock can still be felt through the plastic/rubber cap. (thank you to Tom V Worcester MA for that) OK.. NOW THE CONS: 1) The prongs/probes need tightening from time to time (the metal prongs screw onto the collar. When I take the collar off, or put it on, I need to make sure I twist them to make sure they are not loose. I attribute this to general use and the vibration possibly "shakes/turns" them somewhat during normal use. This is not an end all, be all. I just get in the habit of checking them when I take the collar off and when I put the collar on the dog. Takes no additional time. 2) The nylon collars themselves do tend to loosen up sometimes after continued use. IE.. after I take them off and put them on a few times, I'll need to adjust them tighter from time to time. Not all the time, just every so often to ensure a good, but not too tight, fit. I check fit every time I place these on the dog. I could stop this by sewing the collar to the spot I want, but I use these with multiple dogs, so they don't always have the same neck size. Again, not a large issue. 3) There is only ONE charger. So if you want to charge both of them, you will need to divide up your charging time. Again, not a giant issue, but it would be nice to have a dual charger for dual collars. 4) It only has ONE vibration mode. It would be nice to have a TONE as well, or a low and a strong VIBRATION choice. But hey, these are NOT the most expensive, so I chalk that up to price competitiveness versus features. Can't have it all for only this price :-) (PS.. another reviewer said this had a "beep" when the button was pushed for low shock, it does NOT have any type of noise!) 5) I misplace the controller (MY FAULT, NOT THE DEVICE! :-) A WORD OF CAUTION: NEVER let any child, have access to the controller. This is NOT a toy, and if the dog were shocked on accident or because of a child's curious nature, that poor dog can experience a lot of pain and negative adjustment or reaction if abused. NEVER LET A CHILD, OR A BORED TEEN, handle this device! I have never had a problem with this, but in today's age, safety of your children and your pet is most important! Just don't set anyone up to fail, and treat this, as you would any item that can cause pain and suffering. Keep it OUT of reach of children & teens. I'm being overprotective, but I won't even let my 16 year old daughter, or 13 year old son, use the controller. I don't care how responsible they are (and yes, they are), this should only be operated by a responsible adult. SO.. did I get my money's worth? YUP Am I pleased with the purchase? YUP Do I use this device every day? NOPE Do I recommend this and help others use it effectively? I HAVE AND I WILL I am glad I purchased these. Again, this is a tool to assist you, not an answer to a prayer. Use it responsively and appropriately when the dog does not respond to verbal, training or redirection. Hope this helped someone. I am pleased with this purchase.