I don't think the Illusion collar is meant for non-problematic dogs. I think its intent is for those dogs whose owners are experiencing have relatively serious issues in trying to walk their dogs. I think the description of this collar indicates that it is not intended for puppies (dogs IMHO, the best tools to start training a dog to walk with are a simple, flat nylon safety collar (or a leather collar) and a 6ft leash. Oh, and an abundance of patience on the part of the owner :).

The illusion collar essentially places the choke leash portion of the collar in the correct position on the dogs neck. If you know how and where to place a choke collar on your dog's neck, then you'll get the same results as the illusion collar.

If your dog is unruly you may want to start with a martingale collar.

It doesn't matter that you don't have roads or sidewalks in your area. Basic obedience training and leash training can happen anywhere and once your dog learns it he'll be able to walk anywhere with you.

Just keep the slip collar high, right behind the ears and your dog will be fine. Labs are usually pretty easy to train. But they have wide muscular necks at the base, so putting a training collar at their base of their neck is pretty ineffective.

I'd buy a gentle leader before I would buy an Illusion collar. I have used a gentle leader on a very rambunctious Lab.

I do use a martingale collar right now on my lab.

Actually, if you watch Cesar's first contact with a new dog, he uses a simple cheap plastic lead---the kind many vets give away. The reason he uses that first is it is easy to keep in place---just behind the dogs head and loosens as soon as pressure is released.

The proper technique for that placement is to take training slow---you do not want to jerk back on the lead---just short jerks to the side(with a command). If your dog lunges away, you might want to use the wider collar and a larger lead that you can pull back on---along with the plastic lead.

Keep the large lead in the hand on the side where the dog is and the plastic lead iacross your front in your other hand. Use short jerks to redirect the dogs intent(lunging, jumping, misbehaving,etc.)

If you anticipate problems - that may be what you get...Just slip a collar on your dog and click on the leash and off you go you dont need to be on a sidewalk or by a roadway. Basic training should be for every dog just in case you need to recall them or put them on a leash to see the vets - you are doing the right thing just be firm and dont let your dog stop to sniff everything - walk to walk. Also just so you know - it is eaasier to train a tired dog than a fresh one.