tracking collar VS shock collar

[rimfirematt]

Well I lost my beagle again. Thought he was done with this junk! He turned up next day at animal control. He found his way back to the road that evening and somebody picked him up and brought him to the shelter. Thats awesome that someone would do that!
Lucky for him too cause it got down to -14 that night. I thought for sure he was a gonner when I went back there at 1 a.m and he wasnt there.


Anyhow, right now Im in debate mode between e-collar to try and instill a little obedience or a tracking system.

I like the idea of training him to come, and yes with him an e-collar will be necassary. He knows how to come, he just shuts down in the obeying department when hes hunting. That would be convenient when its time to leave.

I also like the idea of the tracking, cause sometimes he can go along ways really fast. And hed be out of range of voice, or if he hasnt barked for awhile I get panicky and I like to know where he is to make sure hes not in trouble. He only barks when He is hot on the trail. Hes real honest if hes got something or not. Thats why he can sometimes go along ways without barking.

With my budget I think I can get both, a new tracking unit and a used e-collar. But I hate the idea of weighing him down with 2 collars.

Also what do you guys recomend for a tracking collar? Im thinking either the garmin astro or one of the tracker units.

[bluegrass]

We run both on our hounds, their running doesnt suffer at all...you can get the supralite collars for the tracking systems if you want, lighter and better size wise for beagles...the Garmin tracking system is very nice, the collars are a bit large for beagles though....we use it on our beagles along with our Tri Tronics shockers for the hounds we arent sure about...just the trackers for the deer broke hounds we count on....



Hope this helps.


Tony

[DIXIEDOG]

If you are going to run both I would go with Tracker for sure, you can mount both units on the same collar. Go with a Tracker Supralite and it holds to the collar with two screws so to mount it on your shock collar you only need to put 2 holes in the collar and screw the tracking unit on. Works great.

[jim matuszewski]

need a little more information here, was dog trashy when you lost it? If so buy the ecollor first for off game training.rabbits and hares don't live in that big of area were you should loose your dogs , if they run clean.

[rimfirematt]

No he doesnt run trash. We really dont have trash up here. He has ran moose before, but the last one a few years ago scared him out of that . I think he was having a bad day maybe. It was -2 and the snow was dry and fluffy. He got on a few but there was lots of checks. He had to work to find a hare that day. He just got out of range. And sometimes he can actually be close by. He just has a real tight mouth. He doesnt open up till hes hot on the trail.

Thats good that you guys say they can run both collars with no problems. He really needs both. I try to bring him to safe areas and after 6 years Im doing good, but I've got traps, wolfs, coyotes, moose and any number of things that arent good for beagle. A tracking collar would help me find him if he goes silent for too long. The shock collar would be great to get him to come once I have found him.

So I pm'd that guy duke on here about tracker collars, I wanted to ask about the pico, he hasnt responded yet. I might give that number a try tommorow. I saw a tri-tronics pro 100 for a good price. What do you guys think about that combo assuming the pico is out? If not Ill check out that supralight.

[RiverBottom]

Matt, I would not be without both. I put tracking collars on every dog I turn loose and I use shock collars to train them to come in when I call them. Train your dogs to come when you call them and put tracking collars on them so you know where they are and you will have a lot more fun running beagles.

With my budget I think I can get both, a new tracking unit and a used e-collar. But I hate the idea of weighing him down with 2 collars.

I would recomend getting a NEW shock collar and a USED tracking system. I use an old MN10 tracker and it works great and does everything I need it to do. You can get beagle sized tracking collars for around $125, and you should be able to find a good used MN10 dirt cheap. It will pay for itself many times over in the first year.

If you have more money to spend go with the newer Tracker systems. They work pretty good and are much smaller to carry around. The collars are the same and they don't do anything an MN10 can't do. Also, be careful of the early Tracker's. The screen on them had a tendency to go blank in cold weather. The newer ones don't do this, and if you carry them inside your coat it isn't an issue.

I am on my 4th or 5th tri-tronics and thinking of getting a new one. They keep getting better and lighter all the time. DON'T buy a used one, you will regret it. The ones from even a couple years ago were heavy and the batteries do not last more than a couple hours in cold weather.

Spend the money for the best shock collar you can get (Tri-Tronics G2 Trashbreaker) and go cheap on the tracking system, the older ones still find your dogs for you just fine.

[les guynn]

Matt, You will get what you pay for, if you go cheap on either one you will not be satisfied, I tryed that route just ended up spending the money later, I want to know where my dogs are not the area they are supposed to be. Get the Garmin THEN ADD ON. GOD BLESS

[JUDE]

I run the Wildlife 3850 tracker , TT Shocker and the regular
collar with nametag . Some wonder why I do this well some
people will steal a shocker and a tracker (if I don't catch them)
and leave the regular collar alone . A couple hundred bucks
is a small price to pay compared to trying to replace my best
hound .

Super hunt (will out hunt most dogs even when he's out of shape)
Leaves the check with authority
Keeps his mouth shut in the check or until the rabbit is up
Tons of desire to please
Minds better than most children
Is the same dog 99 % of the time (the 1% is just in case he
ever does something different)

He's worth a tracking system and a e-collar imo (even if I never have to use it) .

Goodluck ,

[jar242]

Take a look at westcoasttelemetry.com , He's a good guy and has collars that slip onto your tracking collar, I have 3 and they work well. It's called the tagalong on the left side menu.

[steve w]

I use Dogtra 1800's and Johnson 2000 hr. Ultralights with the tracker Maxima reciever and the dogs carry those collars fine and I have plenty of peace of mind. No cold weather issues on the collar end. Johnson collars can be found at http://www.johnsonstelemetry.com The Tracker recievers cold weather problems can be cured with lithium batteries or like already said carried under your coat. I am waiting for Duke's report on the new GPS system from Tracker and would recomend you do the same, as well as call Tracker. They are very friendly and I'm sure would be of great help.The peace of mind knowing were your dog is and having the extra ability to dicipline make the tracking and e-collar well worth the price in my book. Plus I ain't as young as I used to be and the steps are starting to add up and I hate wasing them.

[DIXIEDOG]

You may want to call Tracker and see if they have anymore Supralite refurbished collars available, the last one I purchased was $75 and came with a warranty. If I had none about the refurbished I could have saved several hundred dollars on my system, the Supralites generally sell for $145

[bigdogpace]

I RUN BOTH NO WAY ID GO WITHOUT BOTH IRUN WILDLIFE 1000 BOX AND QUICK TRACK CHANGEABLE BATTERY COLLARS I HUNT 3 TO4 DAYS AWEEK YEAR ROUND BATTERY WILL LAST YEAR . CHANGE FOR $5 BUCKS .