Customer Reviews

SportDOG Field Trainer for Stubborn Dogs, SD-400S

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I own 2 SPORTDOG products (SD 400 and SPORTHUNTER 1200). I bought this brand because of their lifetime parts warranty. What I didn't realize is that they require the customer to return the unit for repair no matter how trivial the failure. Then they assess the minimum service charge (not less than $25.00) for parts costing less than $1.00 which the customer could easily replace themselves. They do offer to sell the parts to the customer at an exorbitant price if one would rather not return the unit for repair. This is very frustrating and disappointing. Don't put your trust in their warranty as I did.

I tried this on my Siberian Husky, he can be a very stubborn dog at times and has a high tolerance for pain. I set it on one and he didn't even flinch, I adjusted it to two and he reacted to that and followed my commands right away. I wouldn't imagine you would ever have to turn this all the way up for any dog, but it works great!

This thing really works. I got it because my previous collar used regular batteries and needed to be replaced weekly. I can leave the SD-400S charging all night and put it on my dog during the day. He has learned new tricks like "come" and "heal" since I got this collar. I have only used it up to level 3 and that's strong enough for a 80 lb lab. Hope this helps :-)

First of all, this is a pretty long review and I apologize for that. I've tried to break it down into sections so you can easily jump to what you most want to read about. I felt it's important to be a bit more verbose to explain my feelings about eCollars and I'm sure many will identify with where I'm coming from, so I hope this write-up is helpful to you.

WHY I AM WRITING THIS REVIEW
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I wanted to write a review on this collar because I think many other people may have the same views about ecollars in general and thought it would be good to share my comments and experience.

HISTORY ON ME
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A little history on me. I have worked with dogs for many years and am very comfortable doing basic obedience training with them. Actually, I love it and think it's the best bonding time with a dog and establishing pack order. The dog is kept busy...thinking...building trust in your relationship together and everyone is so much better in the end for that time spent.

WHY I PURCHASED AN ECOLLAR
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I have traditionally felt that eCollars are bad and can seem abusive. So, this is the first time in my years of working with dogs that I actually gave it a try because I felt it is best to speak from experience and not ignorance on any topic. I have been working with two Beagles and what a great breed...totally hound dogs and their noses lead them everywhere. They can be very stubborn at times, but very loving in general.

I purchased the SD-400S primarily because I wanted a black collar and not a bright orange one..although I was a bit concerned about the higher stimulation level. I figured I could just keep it set very low.

Doing the traditional training I've always done, I've never really had a dog offleash except for in the enclosed park areas and other similarly very controlled confines. Normally, we go on very long walks all over the place and in new environments, but always on leash. I've always wanted to be comfortable having a dog offleash(in the right environment) and feel it's so much free-er for the pup. Some breeds need that more than others.

SD-400S EXPERIENCE WITH THE BEAGLE
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Wow! So amazing... Truly it was like opening a door...or getting to the 'next level' with training together. TOTALLY does not break his spirit. *HOWEVER*, it is so very important that the handler show restraint and use the tool properly...which the very excellent booklet that comes with the device reinforces over and over(btw, the authors are totally Pavlov'ing us...lol). The intent is to set at the lowest possible level that the dog can feel and when used that way, it's simply like a small leash tug...but at 400 yards! Amazing. The fault with any failed training or 'bad dog' is always with the humans, in my opinion. And over-stimulating or setting too high, or TRYING TO USE THIS IN PLACE OF Basic obedience training...will surely cause problems and fail in the end. Remove emotions..focus on the dogs needs and responses and you'll both be so happy using this together.

...[Continued]

This product has worked great. I was a little scared to spend the money on this product because I did not know if it would work, but it does. The first day it took some getting used to-me and the dog. After that I can take him out without a leash no problem. DO WATCH THE VIDEO FIRST OR THE COLLAR WILL NOT WORK FOR YOU.

Tested on one of the most stubborn dogs I've ever seen - a German Shorthair Pointer. The battery life is good (I usually recharge the batteries after 1 1/2 - 2 hours training session). Also, the claim that the collar and remote are waterproof is true. I have not tested the collar over 100m, as this was not my training objective, but I can confirm that at this range it works fine (usually I avoid allowing the dog getting more than 40 m away... as I train the dog for pheasants and quail shooting).

Something else - I was initially afraid to let the dog running with the collar attached in dense bush (due to the suffocation risk) but if you attach the collar is tight, there is little to be concerned of...

Ahh.. Last, but not least: this is the first time I use such device, and it really simple to get around. Soon I guess I will put away the collar as the dog already behaves.

I bought the sd-400 for a dog who had started chasing cattle. Even for cattle and deer chasing, the lowest levels were plenty--I can't imagine needing the "stubborn" trainer. A couple warnings: the transmitter doesn't transmit very far; 1/4 mile is only in perfect conditions. 100 yards is more like it. After several months, the unit stopped working. The manufacturer talked me through some steps that didn't work, and then they offered to send a new replacement. At that point, I opted to pay a little more and get the sd-800, which transmits over 1/2 mile. This is a much better unit, and worth the extra $20 or so. Before you use any remote trainer, make sure you work with a good trainer, or at least carefully read the directions and watch the video. It's easy to destroy your relationship with your dog, but if you use the e-collar carefully, it can be a great tool for working with your dog in a positive manner.

I give this collar high marks for quality and value compared to others in the same price range, but would encourage others to consider the same collar in it's regular output instead of this 'stubborn' model.

At level 1 neither my lab nor I can feel anything and at level 2 my lab often yelps. I got this model because my lab can be quite stubborn and very strong leash corrections didn't faze him a bit.

I think a better choice would have been the regular model.

This collar is often advertised as having 16 intensity levels, but that is misleading. The dial is numbered 1-8 and comes programmed for 8 intensity levels. It can be reprogrammed (the owners manual gives instructions and they aren't difficult) to set it for 16 levels of intensity, but the dial still reads 1-8. What happens is you give up the momentary stimulation button as it now becomes a continuous stimulation button. Also the intensity no longer matches the dial setting. At level 1 one face button is level 1 and the other is level 2. At level 2 on the dial one button is level 3 and the other level 4. A bit confusing.

I have another dog, a golden retriever, I would like to use this collar on him for a few things, but I can't as the intensity level is just too high for him.

Again, this seems to be a well built, rugged product that is a good value, but do consider that unless you have a dog that really is stubborn (meaning a high pain tolerance and hard leash corrections do not faze him) this collar may be too powerful.

I've had this for a week now-- as soon as I pick it up, my dog starts dancing around excitedly because she thinks it means something fun is going to happen. Only been using it for training for two days now, and already, I feel comfortable letting my dog run loose around the property. She used to take off as soon as she saw the great outdoors, and I back up to conservation land, so there's nothing to keep her from running till the sun goes down. She still runs to say hello to every dog walking by, but comes right back when I call her. And she no longer tries to chase bikers, runners, skateboarders, or the town's construction and DOT vehicles!
She'll do anything just to hear the collar beep-- A lot of people use the beep as a correction, but I prefer to use it as a reward, occasionally the beep gets linked to a cookie, but usually just a lot of good old lovin!
My dog is 20 pounds, and after I ordered it, I was a little worried the Stubborn would be too much for her, but the first and second settings are definitely doing the trick! I go up to the third setting when the neighbors have their dogs out, and haven't had a problem yet! She's a rescue dog who has a lot of fear issues, and she's terrified of men and strangers, so this collar gives me the control I need if she gets scared. Also, she responds better to it than she did when we attempted to use a long leash to learn "come", and me physically yanking her towards me. She's taken to this collar better than I dreamed she would, and even went to one of my friends when the friend called her! She's never willingly gone to any person but me before.

Would definitely recommend this product to anyone in need of a little extra training. It does not take the place of basic obedience training, but it is a great "reminder" when you aren't at your dog's side. I've only used it for coming when called, but I think once she has that down, we might venture to "stay off the couch!!"
This collar is worth the price-- The cheaper collars usually aren't rechargeable, which is why, after a great deal of research, I went for this collar.

Following the guide that's included this trainer is great. The fact that it's rechargable is HUGE since it's easy to leave on and drain batteries. My dog has been swimming in ocean and fresh water with no problems.