[quote=athanshadow]
My apologies. I'll have to figure something out with the collar (Oh God that's the only balancer I could think of please help me.). But about his history. I know it is overused but I think it works out well in giving Ren a reason to let the dog kill his father. I could keep the mother alive but then there would be less of a reason his father would turn to drink. I'm sure I could create another one if you want me to.Oh and it gave him another reason to want to leave Da-Hyun and travel around as a performer.
[/quote]

Take it easy, Athanshadow, breathe remember?I have a few ideas:

-What if the collar works in reverse? Instead of choking him, it loosens slightly in warning each time until at it's at its limit then the thing falls off and releases the effect over the animals allowing them to scatter before he can put it back on? If he's practiced enough then he would know its limits. 

-another thought is making the size of animal a limiting factor? Larger animals could be less willing to give their help or require more mental energy then smaller, requiring more focus on Ren's part and so he's more distract and likely to be hit/attacked/ect while gaining help from bigger animals.

-when he goes past his animal limit, the first animal's effect wanes or fades allowing the beastie to move along its merry way again? Maybe he has to make eye or touch contact with the animal, or even can only effect in a set range around him would work.

As for the history, there's other reasons he could hate his father. Maybe the man was a jealous type and thought the worse of his wife so he separated from her, taking Ren away with him at a young age in order to hurt her beyond just physically? She could've died shortly after of a broken heart and the man gloated to Ren since creating a bitter and utter hatred to the man he grew to believe 'killed' his mother. Just a thought To work from if you're interested.