Installation Guide

will become more challenging. No matter what phase of training you’re in,
attitude should always be top of mind. This is one of the most important words
I will mention. First, your attitude toward your dog should be very positive and
direct without a lot of unnecessary chatter. Straightforward, one-word, simple
commands will make your dog’s job easier. As important as your attitude is, your
dog’s attitude requires the most attention. If your dog is walking around with
head down and tail tucked, you need to back off and slow down. There will be a
fair amount of mental pressure during this program. Most folks think of physical
pressure during training, but in reality, most of the pressure your dog feels will be
mental. When this occurs, I’ll explain to you how to relieve that pressure and get
the tail wagging again. A happy dog learns faster, so make sure both you and your
dog’s attitudes are positive.
OK, let’s get started with turning this business of dog training into part of your
daily routine.
LEARNING TO TRAIN
Every animal on the planet has an alpha or beta relationship with every other
animal. We usually think of “beta” as submissive and beaten down, but in wild
packs or herds, that’s not the case. The beta dog in a pack of wild dogs is still
quite happy and lives a good life. So, your dog should live the comfortable life –
while remaining in the beta position. Your dog will be quite happy being beta, as
long as you show the dog that beta is a good way to live. In dog terms, you are the
“alpha,” giving your dog everything it needs to survive. The essentials of food,
shelter, and, most importantly, companionship (the pack) are provided by you. For
those things, your dog will work and be happy as long as you demonstrate that you
won’t submit to challenges.
To be sure, the beta dog
will present regular
challenges in hopes of
gaining the al pha position.
If the beta dog wins the
challenge, there’s a new
leader of the pack, so
don’t give in. Some of the
challenges are subtle.
Those are the ones you
must pay close attention
to while training. If you
win the small battles, the
big fights will be much
easier to handle. Dogs
see the world in black
and white. To your dog,
either you’re in control
or it is. There is no middle
ground.
WELCOME
Few things are more rewarding than setting a performance goal for your dog and
accomplishing that goal as a team. In this manual I’m going to lead you, step by
step, to a successful result: An obedient dog that loves to work and be with you.
There’ll be frustrating training sessions where nothing goes as planned, but as
long as you keep your focus, you’ll reach your goal.
Electronic training is safe. No harm will come to your dog if you follow the steps
I set up for you. This program is built on more than 20 years of success with
virtually every breed. Many people are concerned e-training will cause their dog
to dislike them or lose its happy and playful attitude. This won’t happen if you
follow two very important rules:
1. Follow the steps in the order I’m presenting them. Don’t jump ahead.
2. Be careful about accepting outside coaching or information. There
are many good professional trainers capable of training your dog,
and they have their own programs, but their methods may not
be compatible with this one. And, many well-meaning but less-
experienced folks will toss out information that may not be best for
you or your dog.
When finished with this training, you and your dog should be able to comfortably
face most any distraction while you maintain total control. We'll start with very
simple goals in our training sessions and move forward at a pace prescribed
by your dog, not a timetable. Initially, you'll learn to properly use a leash, and
then progress to verbal commands and obedience drills. Only after these skills
have been mastered will you start using the e-collar. From there, the lessons
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