Hunting Washington Forum
Other Hunting => Bird Dogs => Topic started by: arintime on December 25, 2009, 07:34:49 PM
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My Christmas gift this year was a garmin astro dog tracking system. My question is which collar, e-collar or tracking collar, would be better out in the field? I have been talking about getting an e-collar for training my 5 month pudelpointer puppy and I will still but, should I keep the tracking collar or exchange it? Does anybody use a tracking collar or have an opinion to help me with this choice?
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Be careful asking for an opinion here,'cause we all have one :chuckle: Mine would be that the tracking collar would be useful for hound hunters, but if you need one for you pudlepointer your doing something different than the rest of us. Get a training collar, and learn how to use it properly. I use tritronics, because they're made in the good 'ol USA, but they are basically all the same.
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Be careful asking for an opinion here,'cause we all have one :chuckle: Mine would be that the tracking collar would be useful for hound hunters, but if you need one for you pudlepointer your doing something different than the rest of us. Get a training collar, and learn how to use it properly. I use tritronics, because they're made in the good 'ol USA, but they are basically all the same.
Im with Larry. :yeah:
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That is my gut feeling and the more I think about it, the gps would not work so well while grousing in the mountains. I don't think my puppy is going to be a long ranging dog so the ability to locate her should not be too big of an issue. On the up side, e-collars are cheaper than this tracking unit so that means more gear! I will sleep on it.
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They are two different tools for different purposes. I don't think it is an either or situation, but what tool do you need.
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They are two different tools for different purposes. I don't think it is an either or situation, but what tool do you need.
:yeah:
I prefer not to use a colar on my dogs if I can avoid it. However sometimes I find it necessary for some of the most stubborn ones. If you do get one learn how to use it properly, I have seen a lot of dogs with potential become ruined by improper use.
Shootmoore
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if you want to know where the dog is... just by an electronic collar with an with a beeper... or put a bell on the dogs collar... we use the GPS collar in TX with out pig dogs... i just couldn't see paying that much for a gps collar that i won't need to use with my shorthairs.... one of my dogs will range upward of 5-600 yards depending on terrain and i can always here the bell on his collar... well unless the wind is kicking
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I think the astro is a sweet set up. Yea it's another collar on your dog, but if you have a big runner they will not only tell you where your dog is, but where its been. How many miles traveled, elevation gained and lossed. All useful information in my mind.
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truth to that
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I think the astro is a sweet set up. Yea it's another collar on your dog, but if you have a big runner they will not only tell you where your dog is, but where its been. How many miles traveled, elevation gained and lossed. All useful information in my mind.
I really don't think my pup will be a big runner but this sort of information I do think would be useful. That is for the most part my dilemma. I carry a gps whenever I hunt/hike/fish because I like to know those things. Being able to find my dog if we got separated is a big plus and that is why my wife bought it for my x-mas present. I am still pondering what to do.
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i can't figure what you'd need a gps tracking collar on a bird dog for. a hound dog running bears or lions yeah...but a pointing dog?
i'd exchange it and get an e-collar.
:twocents:
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i can't figure what you'd need a gps tracking collar on a bird dog for. a hound dog running bears or lions yeah...but a pointing dog?
i'd exchange it and get an e-collar.
:twocents:
I am heading to cabelas in the morning to exchange, If I ever lost my puppy bird hunting, I would never live it down.
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I think you are making the right decision for your poodlepointer.
i can't figure what you'd need a gps tracking collar on a bird dog for. a hound dog running bears or lions yeah...but a pointing dog?
i'd exchange it and get an e-collar.
:twocents:
If you have ever had a dog lock up in a section of standing corn or sunflower you would understand the need of an astro. Some dogs will not pull off a point.
Alot of chukar dogs will range 2 draws away(600 to 800 yards or more) its alot easier to look at a reciever than guess what canyon he is on point in.
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just get one of those flags they have to put on 4 wheelers in the sand dunes :chuckle: alot cheaper! I agree one of my shorthairs will not pull off of point even if i was dragging him......... that situation sucks when you have your limit... but it's good practice and exposure to birds for him... good luck i honestly wish i had one to log the miles travelled by my mutts... but i don't have the cash to lay down on something i don't absolutey need.... i just run an electronic collar and a bell
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Just an update, I went and exchanged the tracking collar and got a tri-tronics sport upland g3 w/ a beeper. I have been reading up on it for a few days and finally started to put it on my puppy. I am not actively using it yet, just getting my puppy used to wearing it. My wife and I had concerns with it and I told her I would test it out on my arm before I activated the "shock". On the lowest setting, I felt a little tingle and she said she wanted to know what it felt like so, I "shocked" her with it on the same setting. She immediately put it to the back of her neck (which was sore/knotted up) and told me to shock her some more to loosen it up! What The Hell??? I didn't (but I probably should have) and now both of us feel better about using the training collar and I will start in a couple weeks. She wanted me to test it out on the puppy tonight and I said no. Thanks for the input everyone!
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Just remember that the ecollar is just an invisible check cord for all intents and purposes. For it to be effective the pup must thoroughly know the proper response to the command you are giving before the ecollar is used for reinforcement. With my pup and the here command I had him coming everytime while on the checkcord before transferring to the ecollar. Only took a couple of stims on low level with the ecollar and now i just put on the collar and he is completely compliant.
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I have been using a check cord for a couple weeks now and she does listen 80%-90% of the time. It is when she doesn't have the "connection" at home that she gets farther out and doesn't seem to hear anything when I call her. I am still working on the check cord and will continue to get her better before I start the transfer to the e-collar.
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When training with the check cord obedience is not an option, give the here or come command if pup doesn't obey haul it in with the check cord. Let pup out and repeat command same as above, you may only want to do it 3 or 4 times a session, do not let pup get bored, and this all takes time. Never give the command unless you can reinforce it with the check cord. You should only start transferring to ecollar when pup comes 100% on check cord.
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If you can afford them get both. The Astro is great if your hunting high cover and your dog ranges like a pointer should. The e-collar is a must IMO. If I had to choose one it would be the e-collar but hunting in corn, high sage, high crp I always use the Astro. I want to know when my dog is on point and where he is at and I don't want to listen to a beeper or bell all day.
Your killing me without any pictures. When can we see the pup?
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LLEWELLIN, I am hoping to be 100% soon to start the transfer to e-collar but I am not in any hurry at all. I want her to be 100% reliable on the cord and we are practicing daily, especially with the rain they have been short sessions. The 10%-20% of not obeying is when I command here a second or third time but then she comes. I don't have to haul her in so I know we are getting close.
Shannon, I know, I gotta get some pics up! Bella is 5 months about 43lbs and bearded. Generally though, she is pretty smooth. I'll try again.
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Not to sound harsh but there should not be a second or third time. Give command if not obeyed haul the pup in with the cord. Especially with the here command there can be no option other than obeying. You are training the pup to come on command without hesitation.
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I trained mt pup first with all her commands and hand signals. Till she obey what i asked after months of that I move to a e-collar so that when she in the field (I have a 1.5yr old brittany or pocket rocket). More to help control her when she gets overly excited. You don't need a gps for an upland dog. All you need is good training ;)
