Hi Debra
I was pretty sure you would weigh in on this, and we will have to agree to disagree. One thing we do agree on is the use of e-collars for training. I don't use the collar to teach the dog, only to enforce what he already knows. With a Basenji, I find this useful. With my Border Collie, or my Shepherd cross, or our Sheltie, or other dogs I have trained in the past, I wouldn't need an e-collar for a reliable recall. For independent dogs like Basenjis, I find it a good way to keep them safe.
My boy seldom feels a full on correction, and he accepts a low level tingle or shock or whatever you want to call it in a very matter of fact way. He knows I am the source of the correction. It does not affect our relationship in any adverse way. When I call him to put the collar on, he comes immediately and is happy to see it, as he associates it with some off leash rambles, which he enjoys. I do think the collars that generate a noise as a reminder are a great idea. Especially when the dog is at a distance on a windy day, and perhaps cannot hear you. Under those conditions I have sometimes found it necessary to use the low level just to get my guy's attention, and in that instance I would prefer to use sound, but as it stands he isn't particularly disturbed by the sensation. If you saw him you would understand what I mean. I get a look from him sort of like "You rang? What do you want?" After which I can wave him in if that's what I require, or wave him on if I meant "Leave it". He understands my signals, very useful at the beach where the waves make it difficult to hear.
I train new behaviours with clicker training, as I find it faster than anything else. Once the dog understands a command, the only issue is whether or not he chooses to obey it. Without some means of enforcing rules, you are left with hoping habituation achieved through positive reinforcement and negative punishment will be enough. Sometimes it isn't. (With many breeds of dog, "positive punishment" is achieved simply by your disapproval. Many people may not understand how sensitive a dog is to body language. You can "punish" your dog without even realizing you have done it…....which is often the reason people have training issues, when their voice is saying "yes" and their body is screaming "no!" I have seen NQs in high level obedience because the handler is tense at the show and the dog reads it as a correction, resulting in an incorrect response!)
The best way to decide whether an e-collar is appropriate or something you want to use, is to find a trainer who uses them and audit a couple of classes. I did this and concluded I preferred to use the collar simply for insurance, not for everyday training. For that purpose I have been very happy with the results, and so has Perry.
I always find these discussions interesting, because our society is built on a punitive system to enforce its laws. Somehow it has become politically incorrect to apply the same reasoning to our pets (or our kids!). In nature, if you don't pay attention, there are consequences. That's life. Using an unpleasant sensation to keep an animal safe is a concept I am perfectly comfortable with, and have been for the thirty years my horses have remained safely contained behind electric fences. A dog properly taught to wear an e-collar is a bit like a driver with a cop car visible in the rear view mirror. There is extra incentive not to bend the rules. 
but he is very cool with other dogs, always lying down before approaching a colleague and all dog owners of the neighborhood simply love him. He makes all dogs run after him, keeping all of them fit and healthy 
