Your concern is a real one, and the E-collar may be the only answer ultimately.Would also come in handy to snake break the dog if you are in rattler country ( and it appears you are...) But you hit on one thing most folks don't, but we teach it as "Dogma"...If the dog isn't 'getting it'...whatever 'it' may be, then YOU are doing something wrong...
Gotta drop back and punt with a concept the dog does understand.
If you ultimately go with a collar, get one with a 'tone' on it too, and completely dissassociate yourself from the collar ( meaning don't yell at the dog, then shock him...) Give him maybe a little comeback whistle, then a tone...then...
I also reccomend ( as do some manufacturers) that you try the collar on yourself first to get the setting right.I keep one in my office for my students to try- not their dogs, just themselves....so they will know what it feels like.
