|
johnsteed2 -> RE: Electric Training Collars? (10/29/2008 11:53:48 AM)
|
I agree with what MsKatHouston said, the location of preference is to put the collar on like a cock ring, around the base of the penis behind the scrotum, with the unit on the bottom and the prongs facing "up."
This is very far from the heart, so no risk of electricity across it. There's no chance of constricting the neck muscles.
Now, as for the various models, I can supply some limited information -- and I have to admit, before I purchased anything I researched forums like this and found very, very little information. Certainly little about being used around the base of the penis or about the "small dog" models which I thought most appropriate. I have had a long-standing fantasy about these things -- and specifically about my domme being able to have me wear this in public and "correct" me in public without "making a scene."
Before I continue describing my experience to date with these, keep in mind that your mileage will vary, as this sort of electrical pain definitely is felt differently from one person to another. I know I can withstand more than some, and yet quite less than others. Also, another general result I found is that the position of the "prongs" of the device can affect the pain level significantly -- probably (I presume) based on whether a prong randomly ends up being positioned near a nerve ending. For me, this is nearly a deal breaker. Just by walking around the position can change, and a "good reminder jolt" can turn into a "major pain jolt." That's disappointing.
Another minor point: though these units usually have "good" and "bad" sounds which can be used in training or to "call" the pet, I've found that the sounds are too faint to be heard when you are wearing clothes or in a slightly noisy environment.
Both of the units I tried were intened for "smaller dogs." These units were smaller than their big dog (or older) counterparts. They were not large rectangular boxes with sharp edges, but rounded units that fit well "down below."
INNOTEK Lap Dog Trainer
The first one I purchased was the Innotec "Lap Dog" collar (I believe it is the same one MsKatHouston has). This model is very small, comes with a nylon collar, and a fairly small remote (though not quite as small as that used by present automobiles for remote lock / unlock). It has only four levels of shock, each with a different "button area" on the remote, plus good / bad tone buttons. It comes with alternate metal prongs not quite as big as the standard ones. This unit was very, very comfortable and is supposed to be water resistant, and it uses standard batteries.
Alas, I found that the lowest pain setting #1 didn't feel like much and the next setting #2 was much, much higher. #2 was so much higher that it really couldn't be used (on me, anyway) to correct me in public. I would undoubtedly scream, etc. So -- at least on me -- I found this collar unusable for "public correction." In "private" I found that I could take 1, 2 and even 3 fairly well, though 4 was a bit much for such a sensitive area as my balls.
One minor note: the remote can -- if you're not careful -- be held upside down, and in a low light situation the person with the remote might hit the #4 button thinking it's the #1 button, since the shock buttons run in a row from top to bottom. Simply putting one, two, three or four "Braille-like bumps" on each botton would have helped. Mistakenly using it upside down is not too likely, but it can happen.
PetSafe Small Dog Training Collar
Since I was intent on public use, I next purchased the PetSafe Small Dogs collar. This one comes with an "integrated" rubber collar rather than the soft nylon one on the Innotek. I never showered with either one on, but in theory they are both waterproof and could be "locked on" for long term use. In such a case, I guess the PetSafe would have the advantage of not staying wet after the shower, since the rubber would not absorb moisture like the nylon. In reality, these things would chafe that area after long term use, I think. In any event, the hard rubber collar was much less comfortable for long-term wear than the nylon of the Innotek.
The remote that comes with the PetSafe is a fair bit bigger, and has a little antenna stub. Much preferred the smaller Innotek. Besides the good and bad warning buttons, the remote can be set to pain levels from 1-8 by rotating a small knob / dial. I cannot feel #1 at all. But #2 definitely gives me a jolt (sometimes a bit too much of a jolt depending, as I noted, on the random position of the prongs). #3 is definitely painful and makes me yelp (sort of like #2 on the Innotek). I have not yet experienced #4 or above, though I suspect I can take #4, though it will likely involve collapsing to the floor if standing.
Other things (mostly downsides) of the PetSafe: The collar itself uses a "proprietary" battery (appears to possibly be a standard battery fitted into some sort of waterproof cap/housing). Thus, you can't buy fairly inexpensive and readily available batteries at the local store; you have to get expensive PetSafe replacements and plan in advance for this. Similarly, the remote comes with a wall charger and an internal rechargable battery. While that might sound nice, the problem is that all batteries have a limited life-span. After a number of discharge / recharge cycles, all batteries eventually wear out. Devices (like early iPods) that have non-removable batteries are quite annoying. When the battery dies, the entire device is toast and has to be "repaired" or replaced. I'd much prefer if the PetSafe collar and remote used standard disposable camera batteries like the Innotek.
Another drawback of the PetSafe is the single shock button combined with the little rotating knob controls the shock level. If you are not careful and think you remember where the knob is set but are incorrect, then you will deliver the wrong shock level when you hit the button. This is problematic not only in low-light situations, but since the numbers on the little dial are small, a far-sighted person will not be able to read them without glasses or contacts even in good light (trust me on this).
All that said, even though it has slighly uncomfortable rubbercollar, annoying batteries and slightly "dangerous" shock setting dial, the PetSafe Small Dog is the unit of choice due to the fact that I can generall endure #2 in public without making too much of a scene.
If I could find a way to reprogram the shock delivered for each of the four settings on the Innotek, however, that would be the clear winner. Even if I could only make #2 slightly less painful, that would be enough. The jump between 1 and 2 on the Innotek is huge.
|
|
|
|
