We trained with the positive reinforcement style as well! Check out Ian Dunbar's books or Dogstar Daily. Find a trainer that teaches off leash with rewards, not a shock collar, with CPDT credentials.

Do it yourself. Don't send a puppy to a boot camp. Check out leerburg.com videos. Some colors come with vibration and shock level adjustments. I would not use this color if the dog is food motivated.

I'm with you, OP. I couldn't stomach the idea of zapping my dog for following their instinct. Even if it worked, I was going to end up with a dog who would rather run away from me, and was just afraid to.

I dove into the world of positive reinforcement training, and with a little cheese and a lot of practice, I have a very prey driven dog that I can take hiking off leash in the woods, who returns to me willingly, happily, and repeatedly during our jaunts.

There are other options beyond shock collars!

Anyone have experience using e collars for training? We are getting a puppy and trying to line up private obedience training. The videos are impressive but I am uneasy. Not sure how I would react seeing my puppy react to a shock.