SportDOG Brand FieldTrainer 425XS Remote Training Dog Collar, E Collar For Stubborn Dogs - Waterproof, Submersible Up To 25 Feet, Rechargeable Dog Training Device with Remote Static, Vibrate, and Tone

I bought this because our Lab/Irish Setter mix dog can run free thru the woods around our home. SOmetimes he does not come back as quickly as I'd like. After setting this up and following almost all of the teaching in the training manual, this worked like a charm. However one day, I noticed that the receiver was not receiving a signal. I tried it on my arm and nothing. I checked to make sure everything was charged, read how to fix it in the booklet and got stumped. I called customer service and a very nice man patiently walked me thru how to re connect collar to transmitter. He also sent me a link on how to reset things if it ever happens again. I greatly appreciate good efficeint customer service and Sport Dog service was exceptional.

This has worked well for my dog training and I called company twice and they were extremely helpful and told me what to do to fix the issue.

I have a Mini Aussie, now 6 months old. She's 99.9% of the time always with me, I bring her to work with me. I got her on this at 5 months and it has helped in more ways than one. She's super stubborn and her recall is very good without distractions. But if there are people or dogs walking around, she's so distracted - she doesn't hear my recall. So the beep / vibrations definitely help. She hears the beep and she immediately turns around. When she's so amped up, I boop her a few times and she's like 'Fine!' and immediately turns around back to her heel position. There are times when the boop doesn't work very well, even when the collar is securely on her. I have to turn it on and off a few times to get it working properly. The vibrations and sound work great - just not the boop at times. And it dies after 2-3 days, but I am using it practically everyday. Especially when we go to the dog park.

I have been searching for a well balanced e-collar to add an additional level of training for my dog, especially for off leash work where I am attempting to move away from long leash training and still make my dog accountable for obedience. This collar is wonderful; I want to start with that right off the bat. I had originally tried the 425X model and then switched to the 425XS model after I noticed that my dog had no reaction to the max output on the 425X, so I tried the "stubborn dog" version. It most definitely works and gets his attention. However, that's the issue, is it is too strong. This e-collar sits at a middle of the pack price range compared to more expensive options like the mini educator and dogtra offerings and as such has some downsides. The only downside really in my opinion though, is the lack of true range. This collar only has 21 different "power levels" when on the low, medium, or high mode set on the actual collar. When compared to other brands which have over 100 settings often, this model can seem lacking.Ultimately, this collar did not work for my dog and my needs as a trainer. I find myself looking for something with more sensitivity adjustment to really work with my dog. As the manual for these say, you DO NOT want to be stimming your dog so hard they are in pain or uncomfortable. The goal is to get their attention using the bare minimum and to save the real high intensity modes for moments when they are extremely distracted. These are built well and seem like they would've lasted for a few years of heavy use. Easy and simple to use, three buttons for three powers, and a physical dial to switch between the varying intensities. Decent battery life and good signal between collar and controller. I say try this if you are curious or thinking of e-collar training and see if it works with your specific dog. For many, this will serve just as well as a $200+ e-collar.

SportDog is my go-to brand for training collars! My newest dog is a tough trainer so this collar is perfect. The collar is quality and waterproof and has a great range.

Do NOT buy this unit.UPDATED DEC 15 2021 USA.I added the longer electrodes and they didn’t make any difference. The sportdog continues to UNDERPERFORM. Right now I have no idea what power setting is activaged. I thought it was set on #2 but the test put my puppy on the ceiling. This unit may have a short. Nethertheless it’s a POS.This a review of the SPORT DOG E-trainer Model 425x, an electrical training collar designed for training animals, mainly dogs. This was purchased by me shortly after I adopted (purchased) my new 10 week old German Sheppard puppy with true blue bloodline documented by the AKC. The collar was purchased April 3, 2021 and put into use May 2021. The electrodes were 3/8. Extended 5/8 inch is a $10 option but back ordered 2 months+.I never write a review when I’m mad, and finally after several months using the SmartDog 425X I decided to write the review mad or not.Notes: 1) The extended electrodes are backordered 2 months…. Why?• 500 yard range e collar that can support training 3 dogs with the same remote with purchase of additional collars (SDR AF)• Choose to train with vibration (buzz), tone (beep), or 21 levels of static simulation in either momentary (nick) or continuous• Waterproof and submersible to 25 feet using DryTek technology• Lithium ion, rechargeable batteries feature a 2 hour quick charge, and a low battery indicator lets you know when to charge• Fits dogs 8 pounds or larger with neck sizes 5 to 22 inches• Age range description: All stages• Included components: Basic training manual•The puppy, is an energetic male of 10 lbs as a puppy, and is still growing at 11 months and approximate 80 lbs. His dog mom (130 lbs estimated and dog dad 150 lbs. Due to breeder issues Yeti was not transferred to me until he was 12+ weeks old. That is on the further edge of the training age and to wait longer will make training more difficult. He is a smart dog and I enrolled him a reputable boot camp for 2 weeks. He came home with a good attitude. We have a lot of distractions (cats, snakes, horses, coyotes, wolves, cougars, etc. on a 10 acre ranch with a stocked lake and I was afraid that we may have issues with him chasing animals or cars. The additional benefits of the SmartDog is to further train him with obedience for his and my safety. However, it seems NOT TO WORK about 80% of the time. Perhaps there’s a Broken wire which may cause the malfunctions, or maybe a design issue.The Good: Customer Service is very friendly and cooperative. I’d give them 5 stars.2) The competitor’s devices are backorders 2 months .. that may indicate problems with this product forcing a purchase of the competition?The Bad:The E-Collar 425X is not reliable. My German Sheppard Puppy has thick hair so to get a electrical shock the collar has to be very tight making it hard to put a finger between the electrode and skin. The longer electrodes are ½ inch longer, but BACK ORDERED 2 months. Why? The Amazon advertising did not mention anything about dog size, fur thickness, etc. This may have affected the purchase decision.The color of controller is battleship gray which is hard to see at night or low light. I see adds for the orange version but not listed in the options on the Amazon pages. I put on orange tape to increase the visibility. I painted the control buttons but the paint came off after a few days. The controller is very small but then I have large hands (large gloves are very tight). I didn’t see any dimensions for the handheld controller so I have these measurements: 3x1.75x1 inches shaped like an hour glass. It’s too small for my hand. It may be best for a small child.The overall small size of the controller makes it harder to find the proper fit to a hand. The contoured unit is shaped like an small hour glass. The activation button is the same dull gray color and it’s only ¼ inch round . and it’s hard to locate and only on one side. It needs to be much bigger (the button ½ inch) and there should be 2 of them, and a neon glow color for rapid identification. The grey leash is accessing hanging from the necklace suspension, and about 80% of the time the palm of my hand wrapped around was totally out of place. It took 2 or more grabs to get the single activation button in an activation position. Larger and 2 extra buttons would be an improvement.The collar is long and rubber with the standard belt buckle design, NOT Velcro. Velcro would be easier to put on a bouncing puppy. On the recommendation of the mfg I trimmed the collar but just few weeks later because my puppy rapid growth , I had to buy another collar ………. $20 with shipping, or buy 3 and get free shipping ($45 for 3). In my option Velcro would be easier to fit and adjust.The batteries charge with 110 AC from a compatible sourse, like the wall. The charging light is steady during the charge and go to ”flashing” when charging is complete. The duration of the charge depends on frequency of the unit use. The zap is very short and has an aural beep when zapped. As the battery drains the flashing green changed to flashing red. The manual suggests that a charge will last 72 hours if not used.I’m not happy with the unit. It seems they should of had an interview questionnaire to assist on making a purchase decision more informed, such as dog type, long or short hair,The instructions are not simple. There are 3 plateaus for shocks at 21 level. I’m not clear how to change the settings. I think I’m on level 1.3 now, but not sure. I found the instructions confusing.Not knowing where the zap setting is was poor planning. Why not an LED scale for rapid referral to set the zap?The collar was purchased for training AND for safety interventions. My puppy is curious and is distracted when he gets close to a road with a speed limit of 25 (not the 52 everyone speeds at). It’s important to me that the collar can be used to change his run direction away from a danger. This unit seems only to work 20% of the time for a correctional change.We were at a local farm store when an elderly man came out and my Puppy 70 lbs at the time, began to pull me flat footed on pavement toward this man. I’m 230 +gun & amo and he was pulling me. I was pressing the zap button with nothing happening. I was yelling for him to stop. Finally the man began to pull his pistol. When I was 30 I could draw and fire from the hip in .26/100 second striking center mass. I shoot competition. I’m 68 and have slowed down to .68/100s …….. the old man saw the business end of a 45 auto. He stopped. We talked. We understand that the puppy thought the guy was our neighbor. THE fact is the SPTDOG failed during a critical time.SUNDAY DEC 12 2021 I’m sitting here with a pulled hamstring leg muscle. I can barely walk. I was taking my 85 lb puppy out for potty time. He saw a kitten on the front porch and puppy bolted through the screen door with my hand holding the leash, and other hand on my sportdog 425X shock button. Putty had the forward momentum and pulled me (220 lbs) off of my feet and across the deck. Down the steps in a single foot touching the ground 5 ft drop to the ground …… pulling my hamstring. THE SPORT DOG FAILED ……. FAILED TO SHOCK AND THE DOG DRAGGED ME DOWN THE STEPS AND ACROSS THE DIRT……….