SportDOG Brand 425X Remote Trainers - 500 Yard Range E-Collar with Static, Vibrate and Tone - Waterproof, Rechargeable

I have a Belgian Malinois (75 lbs)...he is a great dog, but from what I can tell, is nuclear powered, and requires frequent energy release, or bad things happen! If I don’t get him out on the trails at least twice a week, he simply goes batty and drives me nuts! He’s a smart dog, listens mostly, at this point is usually off leash when around the yard or not around others, but he occasionally goes into “forget you, owner” mode...usually when there is a critter in range, or when we’re on the trails and he decides to go “lone wolf”! ...and when he was a puppy, he had some minor aggression issues towards dogs at the dog park. So years ago, after much frustration, I finally decided to get a training collar.I bought the 425s model about two years ago. I tried some of the cheaper ones previously, but found them to be really unreliable...the strength was too weak on the highest setting, too strong on the weakest, the transmitter/receiver would lose link, the range was weak, crappy battery/duration, even lost a receiver in the woods when it slipped out of the collar. Not saying there can't be a decent one at this price point, but use caution. So I finally succumbed to spending the cash for this one (on a promo), and have called the training collar search over.The “s” model has two power modes “medium” and “high”. By default, the receiver comes programmed on the high mode, but, in keeping with the best practice of starting on the lowest setting, and stepping up until it works, I immediately switched it to medium mode. Also, and jokes aside, I do recommend testing it out on yourself, so that you can confidently and safely understand what stimulation you are delivering to your dog. I strapped the receiver to my left arm, and held the transmitter in my right (think about why this is important). I found that, again in medium mode, level one provides a little tingle, level two feels like a toothpick/pin prick, level three starts to get noticeable...with a tiny muscle spasm, and level four will make my arm twitch...that’s where I stopped and decided that that’s the range I’ll stick to for my dog. Coincidentally, his reaction followed suit, he generally ignores 1-2, responds to 3, and yelped at 4...so medium level 3 seems to be the ideal level for our needs. Since both the 425 and 425s have the medium level and a 500 yd range, I suppose from my view the two are interchangeable.As far as design and operation…Pros:-This thing is solidly built...portable, and the rubberized plastic provides a good feel to it.-This thing is waterproof. No concerns when he plays in the streams and sticks his head in to wash his ears out. He hasn’t been submerged/full swimming yet, but I wouldn’t worry about this device if he does.-The range seems as advertised...definitely works at 200 yards, but beyond that hard to say...since in the woods, visibility is limited beyond that range, and I generally keep him within 100 yards. But I yelped him at what sounded like 3-400 yards once, so again, seems good but hard to say.-The charger can charge the transmitter and receiver simultaneously.; no need to switch out. Battery life seems good, and appear to be replaceable if ever needed by contacting Sportdog.-Can control up to 3 receivers with one remote (which limits stimulation to one mode for all three). Also two remotes can control one receiver (though I haven''t used either of these features).Cons:-No LCD...so hard to be sure of dial setting in low light.-In mode 1 (default) the side button provides tone, the upper (front) button provide continuous stimulation, and the lower button provides a “nick”, which you can provide with a quick touch of the upper button anyway. Not to mention, I often forget which button of the two does which. The little green light provides some indication, but it's hard to see in daylight, and I'm generally not looking at the remote when hitting the buttons. So it would be a really bad day if he was chasing a cat toward traffic while I was mistakenly just pushing the nick button instead of continuous. So in my opinion, the "nick button" is redundant, confusing, and dangerous. I also understand this button is supposed to be used for "training/coaxing", but i simply don't agree with that training method...there are better ways to coax a dog....shocks are only for correction in my opinion.-Also, in mode 1, switching from vibrate to static, requires rotating the level dial, which is tedious, and frankly causes feedback delay. Mode 2 will switch the tone and vibrate functions, making the side button for vibrate, but I like having the side button as tone, for test/ranging. So, again, I’d gladly trade the lower, redundant “nip” button for a vibe button, so that you can deliver tone, vibe, or static without having to fumble with the dial. Generally at this point, I just keep the level on three, and have given up vibe. (or you could set it on vibe and give up static). Also, the vibe is weaker than the others I tried.-For what it is, this thing isn't cheap, but not a bad purchase, if you can find it on at a reduced/decent price.Summary:For the longest time I was hesitant about getting a “shock collar”, but now realize that they are much better than what I was doing previously (a lot of yelling and collar dragging, which is not great for dog confidence). The benefit to these is that the negative feedback is instantaneous, so he is better able to associate the negative feedback to the bad behavior since they happen simultaneously; and he simply learned faster. Also, radio travels farther and faster than I can, so, for off-leash training/activities, the control is incomparable to other methods. So USED PROPERLY, these are invaluable tools for a good, happy, and well-behaved dog. And at this point, I hardly ever put it on him anymore, don't really have to anymore, maybe a a few times a year just to retrain. That said, if you are new to dog ownership and training collars, please read up on proper ownership and use. I shutter to think of all the poor dogs being abused by these, and in general. So please be a responsible and sensible owner!Bottom Line: Some definite design flaws, but this one is the best I’ve used so far… so i recommend.

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.

I purchased this collar for my 3 year old rescued female pit bull. We've had her for almost a year and in that time daily positive re-enforcement training had done almost nothing to curb her extreme aggression issues to other dogs, refusal to recall and generally not following any commands. We were almost ready to give up on her and I bought the collar as a last resort. I got the SD-425 about 2 weeks ago and the change has been nothing short of remarkable. She can walk by other dogs now (impossible before, I had too bear hug her), she recalls immediately the first time I call her, and follows basic commands consistently. I highly recommend reading literature on how to use on how to use shock collars effectively, and watching videos on you tube. Used improperly I'm sure this tool could make a bad situation worse. The only thing that could make it better is increased battery life and a louder audible tone.

We have been using the SportDog trainer for a couple weeks now on all of our pups intermittently. We have predominantly used the vibrate feature as with our previous experience the dogs figure out what's coming next within a cycle or two so long as we prep them with a vibrate. Range is excellent, and having the ability to customize the remote to our needs was extra nice. The unit came with a shirt and long set of thread on prongs, and since our dogs are long hair (livestock dogs) we left the longer ones on.Very happy with it, batteries last a long time, so long that we generally forget to charge it up again. Would buy it again if it stopped working, but at this point it looks like it will last a long time

This is a dependable reliable ecollar that actually works when you need it! I have gone through three other collars that lasted for two weeks and then the collar and the remote quit working just when you needed it most and it happened countless times. So I did my homework and this was the best rated ecollar and it includes vibration and tone in its settings if that is all you need. Anyhow so far so good as I have a very tough Shepherd that has a mind all her own and I use the collar to get her attention especially in stressful situations.

Works well. Secure, does not fall off

excelente producto, funciona muy bien. Ampliamente recomendado