maybe this should be in training forum also, but this is my favorite one and applies. I have always takin my boy out and let him run off lead whenever we are out in the wild hiking, biking, skiing, etc. Being in a rural area helps and I know he isn't just gonna run away because he can.  However, I have always been plagued by his call of the wild being stronger than my call as he will chase some critter, or deer, or harass horses, etc. It has been very frustrating not being able to readily control him at those moments!  I had bought a shock collar a while back, but always hated the thought of using it until a few months ago when a friend of mine bought one and had great success with their not very obedient dog. Well I got so fed up with him harassing horses and not having him listen, that I finally broke down and put the collar on him when I knew we were going somewhere where there were horses that he always harasses. When he ran thru the fence toward them I gave him the "no" command, with no luck, I gave another and used the audible tone feature on it, with no luck again it was command, tone, then shock...he immediately turned around and ran back to me. I have not had to use it again for horses. The same scenario happened with cows, and he was one and done. A few days after he started walking towards them I just had to say 'no' and he turned around. I was very pleased!  
I usually put it on whenever we go hiking still even though I have only had to use it twice. When he might not listen to me right away, I just give him the tone (beep) and he responds to that. It's like just having the collar on he is as obedient as can be. The most amazing thing happened today when we were hiking though! A deer ran right in front of us and he took off after it and I yelled "no!" and before I even grabbed the remote he turned around and ran back. I was blown away because he has been a madman deer chaser first and foremost, and I had never used the collar in a deer situation. I praised him with as many 'good boys' and head rubs as you could imagine.
The best thing about a shock collar and a smart dog is you don't really have to use it more than once or twice


"yeah it's fall! Almost time for snow!" , says massak

Way to go! Just make sure you keep putting it on him so you don't have a scenario where he happens to not have it on and doesn't listen. It only takes once for them to learn that they only have to listen when you put on that "special" collar, smart buggers haha