I currently have a 16 mo old ESS up at a field trainer's kennel - and he has him on a shock collar at the lowest setting -- and only to 'break' concentration and have him follow a command i.e. COME! The boy now skeddadles right back when he hears come no matter what he's doing! He can not and will not be able to hunt as part of the 'team' unless he follows commands - it wouldn't be safe for him.

DH and I had considered using one before he went to field camp -- and nixed the idea because used improperly you will ruin a dog.

If you need to step up to a shock collar then have someone who knows how to properly use it train him. Try other methods first! Cowboy knows what the commands mean - it was just too darn interested in whatever he was chasing or sniffing to comply.