I'd prefer to learn from the guy who trained Doug. His system takes a bit more time (a couple of days, tops) but it gives much better results. I've seen both, I've used both. The Ecollar is just part of the system that is used to get the most from the dogs.
The "other series" is called the "Field Series." But it's more confusing than that. In the Field Series ONLY the Classic 70 G3 and the Trashbreaker G3 can handle six collars, NOT all of the collars in the Pro series (there are six of them) can take six receivers, as you said. In the Pro Series, you can only link three collars to a transmitter. Best way to compare their features is on the comparison chart on TT website. CLICK HERE.
I question the real need to have collars on six dogs at once but I'm happy to let those who know more about this issue, school me. In many pack situations it's necessary to control only the pack leader and the rest of the dogs will follow his lead. Just about everyone who has a two dog system has, at some point, stimmed the wrong dog. I'd bet that the problem would be much more frequent with six buttons. It's rare that two dogs, much less six, will be working at the same stim level, and so, not only do you have to remember which button goes to which dog, but which stim level is the right one for each dog. I'd bet that there are very few people who can do this without error. It is good marketing though!
TT has a marked advantage for those who run large packs of dogs. But for the average user, this difference means nothing. Usually, systems that provide two collars are plenty enough. With many of the Dogtra units, you also can replace lost receivers by programming new ones yourself. This is the case with the 2300, the 3500, the 300, the 7100, the 7000, the 2500 and the RR Deluxe series. And with the others in the line, since you have to go to Dogtra to get them replaced, all you need to do is to supply some information that's on the transmitter to have them send a replacement collar with the correct frequency.
This is a bit off topic but should be addressed. I've never felt the need to do this. I think that a goal of using an Ecollar with a PSD (Police Service Dog) should be to work at the lowest levels possible so that he stays focused on his searching, NOT to escalate higher and higher until, at some point you have to do something like this, use multiple receivers to get compliance. What's the next step − the cattle prod? Having to go to two receivers on one strap shows that the trainer is working against the dog, rather than with him. Instead of setting up training to allow the dog to fulfill his drives, he's working against those drives. Instead of a team that's working together, you have a trainer/handler who is trying to force his will on the dog. THIS sort of thing is what gives ammunition to those who are working to ban Ecollars around the world.
I'd suggest that instead of working with a trainer who advocates using HIGHER levels of Ecollar stim levels, that you investigate someone who can show you how to use LOWER levels of stim. It's better for the search work, and that is, after all, the reason that we have dogs.
Sure you can. First of all. NO ONE needs to put two collars on one strap to get more power. But even if someone wants to do this, you can get Dogtra, or any other manufacturer for that matter, to provide collar units tuned to the same frequency. Many units that Dogtra has (I mentioned them above) allow you to program another receiver to the collar, just as with the TT's. But again, there's really no need for this. It's the electrical equivalent of giving harder and harder corrections. That's the path to the sharpened pinch collar, the nail collar and the cattle prod. What happens when you run out of power? Do you plug into the house current?
Sorry Pete, when you go to the higher numbers, like the 2300 or the 3500 you get several things. You get the longer range you mentioned, you get the ability to program more collars to the receiver yourself and you get the quick charge capability (two hours to a full charge). With the 7000 and the 7100 you get a vibration in the transmitter that tells you that you've pressed the button. The last is useful for those who wear gloves, which includes those working in cold climates, and many of those who work tactical ops.
If the only difference was in range, you'd have a point. But since these units have more range (more power in their output – not in the level of stim), it allows them to get a signal through in difficult receiving conditions, such as rolling hills, the presence of chain link fences or buildings that have internal metal construction. It's rarely an issue with sport dogs but it is often is with police dogs.
But I think that the real advantage of the Dogtra Ecollars is still the fact that they have so many levels of stim. This allows the stim to be turned up and down smoothly without the huge jumps between levels that collars with 8, 10 or even 15 levels have. If you're blasting, and someone who suggest two collars on one strap – because one collar is not strong enough, IS blasting; it's not going to be important. That trainer has issues that are separate from this discussion. If you want to take full advantage of an Ecollar to communicate more than just pain and correction to your dog, the Dogtra is the better choice.
