The guy I was working with at the time tested the collars on himself...he could not stand to go higher than just over 1/2 way, he did once and hurt himself.

I think you will find that they give quite a hit (although it is dependent on the brand.)

We would need to get confirmation from Trouble, but my recall of this episode is that Cesar had to turn the device up to about mid way, no higher than that, to ensure that Daddy gave the snake a wide berth.

Fair do's, I have no personal experience of them at all, only going on what little I know about them. That does sound very painful. If you have ever touched an ordinary battery operated electric fence, I personally find that they give you quite a belt. But others can grasp hold of the tape for a dare and although it hurts, it is bearable. I think pain is relative. I am a wimp, so probably not a good example !

I don't think he did inflict it on just one. Trouble reminded me that there were several of Cesar's dogs - I think Popeye the pitbull was one of them - who showed far too much interest in the rattlesnake. I think for the sake of the programme, Daddy was used at the filmstar as it were. The implication being that the other were subjected to similar treatment, but I really don't know, I am guessing at that.

You continue to cast doubt on the fact that CM takes his dogs out into the "countryside" ? I think for countryside, we have to read "scrub" or desert, but for the sake of the argument lets say countryside. You obviously know him very well BD if you can categorically say what he does and does not do with his dogs. I think it is presumptuous in the extreme to cast doubt on what he does or not do with his dogs without finding out the facts first.

Fair point Moobli, neither I would I. But I definitely would if we had pit adders or rattlers in this country.

Sounds good to me

Mid way is pretty painful on some of them. Aversion training means a real painful experience, so bad the dogs have a one-off learning situation because it's linked to their very survival.
If he used a mid way level, that was perhaps him being "kind" to Daddy but it's lower than is usually used as they want max impact.

Wys
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Re the chasing - vet check may be necessary as some dogs will chase due to problems in the neurological department for example - not common but I know of a dog who had a tumour which had him chasing sheep.

Secondly, it is a welfare issue - any dog hardwired to chase literally has to chase something somehow, to deny it that is unfair and a welfare issue.

So any dog that is stopped from chasing one thing needs to be redirected to a new target (even if it's only chasing toys thrown by the owner in quality games).

Just stopping a dog with no redirection isn't good for the dog ...

Wys
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Not specifically m'dear, but the implication was there, seeing as I use most of CM's methods !

I agree with your second paragraph. But I do not live with a scared robot, I live with a dog who now knows how to behave in all situations (except for my parents' 60th wedding anniversary celebration lunch yesterday, during which Tai broke wind not once but twice with such intensity that a temporary halt on the proceedings was announced whilst the room was aired !! Luckily my family are VERY dog friendly, so no harm done !!), whose manners are exemplary, and who I cannot praise highly enough quite frankly. We have only had him for just over a year, and he is now 6. Using CM's "cruel" methods, I turned him round within hours. And no credit to me, I am just the messenger

Another good post Wys, with much food for thought. Knowing my dog though, I still think were we to live in an area populated my lethally venomous snakes, I may well have to resort to the expert help of someone who knew how to train with an e-collar.