I know were your coming from mate Iv never tried one of them collars tho so I don't know, don't let it drag you down tho if it hasn't worked out it hasn't worked out, think your doin great in a lot of aspects tho but one thing I'd be trying now is taking him off that pedestal for abit, don't hit him as you'll loose his genuine love forever with that type but give him a good run in the mornings on the bike or whatever then stick him in the kennel for the rest of the day giving him chance to miss and apreciate you and be less dependent on you abit like a bird lol, spend abit of time in the eveni