bEFORE YOU PUT A E COLLAR ON YOUR DOG, HE MUST A WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF THE COMMANDS YOU WANT HIM TO KNOW, tHEY DO NOT HAVE TO BE 100% BUT HE OR SHE NEEDS TO BE RELIABLE. I ALSO KNOW LOTS OF LABS AND POINTERS THAT ARE YOUNGER THAN A YEAR OLD AND HAVE BEEN THROUGH CC AND ARE GREAT RETRIEVERS AND POINTERS. I WOULD ALSO SUGGEST TO DON'T JUST BUY A COLLAR AND PUT IT ONT HE DOG AND THEN START SHOCKING HIM, YOU WILL RUIN THE DOG. PLACE THE COLLAR ON THE DOG FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. THIS WILL CONDITION THE DOG IN HAVING SOMTHING AROUND HIS NECK. LEAVE IT ON HIM IN THE KENNEL AND EVEN WHEN HE IS OUT OF THE KENNEL. PURCHASE OR BORROW A COLLAR CONDITIONING BOOK OR VIDEO. I WOULD SUGGEST MIKE LARDY'S VIDEOS. I HAVE ALSO HEARD THE DOBBS STUFF IS VERY GOOD. IF ALL ELSE FAILS CONSULT SOMONE WHO HAS COLLAR CONDITIONED A DOG. THE ECOLLAR CAN BE A GREAT ASSET IN TRAINING BUT IF NOT USED RIGHT IT WILL RUIN YOUR PRIZED DOG. BE CAREFUL AND HAVE FUN.