Considering a change

I’ve never used electronic collars on my dogs. A whistle always sufficed. But as I begin training what may well be my last bird dog, I’m considering a change.

All my friends use electronic collars, and I can’t help but notice that their dogs are a bit more under control than mine.

It didn’t used to bother me. I always put more emphasis on enthusiasm for the hunt than any strict protocol. I bend to the dogs’ will as much as they do mine.

Last season, however, there were two occasions when my whistle was far from adequate. Both involved my late dog Ruth. The first happened when she...