Basic Training W i t h T h e Tr i - Tr on i c s E l e c t r on i c C ol l a r
CONGRATULATIONS! Your Tri-Tronics Remote Trainer will make it easier for your dog to learn, and easier for you to train your dog. With the aid of this training manual and our Basic Training video, which also accompanies your new Remote Trainer, your dog can learn with tail-wagging enthusiasm those useful obedience commands. “Come,” “Sit,” “Heel,” and “Down.” In addition, your dog can learn to avoid nasty habits like chasing, destructive chewing, and jumping up.
T R I Ta - b lT e O fRC o O n t e nN ts I C S TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION TWO WAYS TO USE REMOTE TRAINERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 KEEPING THE DOG FROM BECOMING COLLAR-WISE . . . . . 1 DO NOT LEAVE A TRI-TRONICS COLLAR ON A DOG ALL THE TIME. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 INTENSITY SELECTION TIPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 STOPPING MISBEHAVIORS GENERAL POINTERS FOR STOPPING MISBEHAVIORS . . . . . 6 JUMPING UP. . . . . . . . .
T R I - I nTt ro dRu c tO ion N I C S INTRODUCTION TWO WAYS TO USE REMOTE TRAINERS There are two ways to use your Remote Trainer in dog training. You can use it to reinforce commands, like “Come” or “Heel,” and you can use it to stop misbehaviors, like digging and jumping up. This booklet will give you some instruction in both types of training.
T R I - I nTt ro dRu c tO ion N I C S A good rule of thumb is to have the collar on the dog during training for 30 days after the last time you had to press a button. Also, you should plan on having the collar on the dog during training for 30 days after you have reintroduced the collar to help with a particular problem. Remember that these rules apply in every situation in which you might need to reinforce a command with the collar, not just in formal training sessions.
T R I - I nTt ro dRu c tO ion N I C S Some dogs who have been confused by collar corrections in the past can learn to feel inhibited simply by wearing a collar. They can become reluctant to leave their owner’s side any time the collar is worn, even though they’re never corrected. To make sure your dog doesn’t feel this way about wearing the collar, use correct procedures for introducing it in training, such as those in the obedience program on pages 19-33.
T R I - I nTt ro dRu c tO ion N I C S Finding the lowest intensity in your collar model To perform the sensitivity test, you should start with the lowest level of intensity and work up. How you achieve the “lowest level of intensity” depends on your collar model. Adjusting intensity generally includes two types of adjustment. First, there is an adjustment to the basic intensity of the collar, using variable contact points, plugs, or a rotary dial or knob on the transmitter, depending on model.
T R I - I nTt ro dRu c tO ion N I C S When to increase or decrease intensity Note that different types of training call for different levels of intensity. You may wish to increase the intensity of stimulation during training if: (1) The dog is not responding to the corrections, particularly when he is distracted. (2) You use the momentary buttons instead of continuous for most of your training. (3) You are using the Remote Trainer to stop the dog when he is chasing something.
T R IS t o-p p iT Ri s bO ng M e h a vN i o r sI C S STOPPING MISBEHAVIORS GENERAL POINTERS FOR STOPPING MISBEHAVIORS Here are some pointers to keep in mind when you use a Remote Trainer to stop a dog’s misbehaviors. 1. Consistency and correct timing are the keys to success. Press the button the moment the dog makes the mistake. You want him to think he caused the correction by taking a particular action, and he cannot learn this if your corrections are too late. 2.
T R IS t o -pp iT Ri s bO ng M e h avN i o r sI C S 5. General obedience training can help dogs with behavior problems. Obedience training (“Heel,” “Sit,” “Down,” “Stay,” “Come,” etc.) teaches your dog to respect you more. It teaches you how to communicate with your dog more effectively. Also, many problem behaviors can often be traced to the dog having too much energy and no outlet for it.
T R IS t o-p p iT Ri s bO ng M e h a vN i o r sI C S If after several corrections the dog does not seem at all discouraged from jumping up, raise the intensity by one level. Be careful not to increase the intensity too much or too quickly because using too strong an intensity for jumping up could cause the dog to be afraid of the person he jumps on. You can use this same method to stop a dog from jumping up on barriers like fences, patio doors, and screen doors.
T R IS t o -pp iT Ri s bO ng M e h avN i o r sI C S correction, raise the intensity by one level. To cure the digger, you must catch him in the beginning of the act every time he digs. Expect to spend several days watching your dog closely. These days do not need to be consecutive, but when you cannot watch him, do not leave him where he can dig. Continue to observe the dog for three days while he’s in a place where he has the chance to dig.
T R IS t o-p p iT Ri sbO ng M e h a vN i o r sI C S You must be careful to correct every chase once you start your training. You might need to do this many times before the dog will believe that chasing is always unpleasant. The instinct to chase is very strong in some dogs and they may eventually regress and start chasing again. More corrections with the Remote Trainer may be needed.
T R IS t o-p p iT Ri s bO ng M e h a vN i o r sI C S Special Intensity Considerations for Stopping Chasing Select an intensity level that is one level higher than the one you selected for your dog in the section “Intensity selection tips.” (If you are stopping chasing inside the house, you may not need the higher level – just start with your dog’s pre-selected level of intensity.) Some dogs are too excited when they chase to feel the lower levels.
T R IS t o-p p iT Ri sbO ng M e h a vN i o r sI C S Chasing – summary of steps • Train “Come” with the Remote Trainer before using it to stop chasing. • Start with an intensity one level above your dog’s normal intensity level. • Set up situations in safe areas that will cause the dog to chase; be ready to use the Remote Trainer as soon as a correction is needed. • When the dog starts to chase, press and hold the continuous stimulation button until the dog stops chasing.
T R IS t o-p p iT Ris bO ng M e h a vN i o r sI C S chew something he shouldn’t, press the stimulation button. If the dog does not respond to the correction, increase the intensity by one level. During this training period, do not give the dog any opportunities to chew the wrong things unless you can correct him with the Remote Trainer. When you are not watching, confine him to an area with only his approved chew toys. Observe the dog for three days after his most recent correction for chewing.
T R IS t o-p p iT Ris bO ng M e h a vN i o r sI C S JUMPING ON FURNITURE Follow the same procedure used to stop digging. The dog should be by himself in an area with “off limits” furniture. Lesson Plan to Stop Jumping on Furniture Follow the procedure described to stop digging. The moment the dog starts to get up on the furniture, press the stimulation button. If the dog does not respond to the correction, press and release the stimulation button several times.
T R IS t o-p p iT Ris bO ng M e h a vN i o r sI C S EATING WHAT’S NOT ALLOWED The Remote Trainer can be used to stop a dog from eating things he shouldn’t. Using a Remote Trainer makes it easy for the dog to learn not to steal food, raid the garbage, or eat animal droppings, because you can make these things unpleasant to the dog. Lesson Plan to Stop Eating What’s Not Allowed Follow the procedure described to stop digging.
T R IS t o-p p iT Ri sbO ng M e h a vN i o r sI C S CONTROLLING BARKING Barking is a strong instinctive behavior in dogs. Some dogs start barking almost without thinking, so it’s not realistic to try to teach a dog never to bark. However, you can teach him to be quiet on command, or in certain situations. You can use the Remote Trainer to limit barking by training the dog to stop barking when he hears the word “Quiet!” (or another command of your choice).
T R IS t o-p p iT Ri s bO ng M e h a vN i o r sI C S Tri-Tronics Bark Limiter XS A Tri-Tronics Bark LimiterXS is another way to control your dog’s barking. It applies mild stimulation automatically when the dog barks, causing discomfort which he learns to associate with his own barking. The dog learns that he prevents this mild discomfort by not barking. When the dog wears a Tri-Tronics Bark LimiterXS, you don’t have to get personally involved in correcting the dog for barking.
T R IS t o -pp iT Ri sb O ng M e h avN i o r sI C S Controlling barking – summary of steps. • Use a pre-selected intensity level. • Put the dog in a situation which will cause him to bark. • Say “Quiet!” and press the continuous stimulation button. Release it a moment later. • Repeat this several times in the first session. • Repeat this lesson for a week, finding different things to cause barking. Do not correct every barking episode.
T R I O-b e dTi en cRe P O r o g rN am I C S OBEDIENCE PROGRAM This part of the training booklet covers training on obedience commands. We will cover the commands, “Come,” “Sit,” “Heel,” and “Down.” Using your Remote Trainer to solve behavior problems is in the earlier part of this booklet, on pages 6-18. WHAT TRAINING PROGRAM SHOULD YOU USE? There are many ways to train a dog and many good training programs available.
T R I O-b e dTi en cRe P O r o g rN am I C S Use distractions later, to train your dog to be reliable. Using a command in “real world” situations before a dog has been taught to be reliable can have disappointing results, because the dog will act confused. Some planned distraction training is the “bridge” that many dogs need. When you add distractions, add them gradually. A confused dog can associate the stimulation with the distraction itself, instead of with his own failure to obey a command.
T R I O-b e dTi en cRe P O r o g rN am I C S Be sure your dog can be successful in training. Dogs learn from their earlier successes. Sometimes you have to simplify things more than you thought you would before your dog can understand a lesson and be successful. Any time your dog seems confused, simplify! Back up and divide the lesson into smaller steps. Be consistent. Be consistent in your procedures and in the standards you set for your dog’s work. Repetition is necessary for your dog to learn.
T R I O-b e dTi e n cRe P O r o g rN am I C S Teach the Command First To get the best training results, first teach the command with a leash and check cord (a 20 to 30-foot rope, or “long line” as it’s sometimes called), before you start using a Remote Trainer. After your dog understands what you expect him to do, he is ready to learn that the Remote Trainer can also reinforce your command, instead of the leash or check cord, and he’ll learn quickly how to respond to the Remote Trainer.
T R I O-b e dTi en cRe P O r o g rN am I C S Procedure for Introducing The Remote Trainer With the "Come" Command 1. Put your dog, wearing his Remote Trainer, on a 20-30 foot check cord. Let your dog wander around and relax. 2. Remind the dog one time about the check cord correction before you use the Remote Trainer. Call the dog and give a light pull on the check cord so that he turns and comes to you. 3. Let the dog wander off and relax again.
T R I O-b edTi e n cRe P O r o g rN am I C S Add Distraction Training Now that your dog understands how to “turn off” the Remote Trainer by turning and coming toward you when you call, it is time to introduce distractions. Have sessions on “Come” in other training areas, and around gradually increasing levels of distraction. Follow the guidelines on training with distractions in the section, “How Dogs Learn,” on page 19.
T R I O-b e dTi en cRe P O r o g rN am I C S THE “SIT” COMMAND WITH THE REMOTE TRAINER Your dog should have already learned the “Sit” command before you introduce the Remote Trainer for reinforcing “Sit.” If your dog doesn’t already know the “Sit” command, a procedure for teaching it is included in our Basic Training video. Use the intensity level you’ve pre-selected for your dog (see page 3). Use continuous stimulation for the initial lessons.
T R I O-b edTi e n cRe P O r o g rN am I C S 7. Repeat steps 2 – 6 a few times. Then end the session with some play time. 8. When you see the dog anticipating the “Sit” command by watching to see when you’ll stop, maybe even dropping his rear as he walks (he is trying to “beat” the stimulation by being all ready to sit), he is ready to move on to distraction training. You should see this behavior in your dog by at least the third session. Some dogs will respond even sooner.
T R I O-b e dTi en cRe P O r o g rN am I C S Remote “Sit” Training Now that your dog understands the Remote Trainer correction with the “Sit” command and has had distraction training, he is ready to learn to sit at a distance from you. This is called the “remote sit.” It is a very useful command, but it can be hard for some dogs to learn, because they want to come and be with you.
T R I O-b e dTi en cRe P O r o g rN am I C S If he is having a hard time with the concept, go back and teach him better before adding the Remote Trainer. When working on the Remote “Sit” exercise, your dog won’t even try to sit anywhere but at your side. First of all, don’t say your dog’s name before giving the “Sit” command. Hearing his name tends to cause a dog to come to you. Second, put a second check cord on the dog.
T R I O-b e dTi en cRe P O r o g rN am I C S THE “HEEL” COMMAND WITH THE REMOTE TRAINER Your dog should have already learned how to heel on leash before you introduce the Remote Trainer for reinforcing “Heel.” If your dog doesn’t already know how to heel, a procedure for teaching it is included in our Basic Training video.
T R I O-b e dTie n cRe P O r o g rN am I C S 6. Have sessions on heeling in different areas, and gradually increase distractions. Follow the guidelines on training with distractions in the section “How Dogs Learn,” on page 19 . 7. When you see that the dog needs very few corrections, remove the leash and use only the Remote Trainer for corrections on “Heel.” Now your dog can become really reliable at heeling off-leash.
T R I O-b e dTi en cRe P O r o g rN am I C S THE “DOWN” COMMAND WITH THE REMOTE TRAINER Your dog should have already learned the “Down” command before you introduce the Remote Trainer for reinforcing “Down.” If your dog doesn’t already know the “Down” command, a procedure for teaching it is included in our Basic Training video.
T R I O-b e dTie n cRe P O r o g rN am I C S 7. End the session with some play time. 8. When you see the dog anticipating the “Down” command and lying down very quickly (he’s trying to “beat” the stimulation), he is ready to move on to distraction training. Generally you should see this behavior in your dog by the second session on “Down.
T R I O-b e dTi en cRe P O r o g rN am I C S What If …? Your dog won’t lie down at all. Place the receiver on the back of the dog’s neck, so that the stimulation “pressure” is downward. Lower the intensity by one level when placing the collar in this position. Maybe your dog needs more training on “Down” using just the leash before using the Remote Trainer.
T RN oI- S t -im uTl a t iR o n SO i g n aN l ToIn e C S USING THE NO-STIMULATION SIGNAL TONE FOR TRAINING Several models of Remote Trainers come with an independent no-stimulation signal tone. Check your Owner’s Manual for the location of the signal tone button on the transmitter for your particular Remote Trainer. This feature has various possible uses. Two Ways the Signal Tone Can Be Used 1. As “praise” for the dog, signaling him at a distance that his decision or action was correct. 2.
T RN oI- S t -i m uTl a tiR N ToIn e C o n SO i g n al S Conditioning the Dog that the Tone Means the Same as a Command You can train your dog to understand that the tone means the same thing as a verbal or whistle command. It can be useful when verbal or whistle commands might not be heard because of distance. Also, you can use it when you don’t want others around you to hear the command. Here is a procedure to train the dog that the tone means the same as the “Come” command.
T R M oI r e -Tr aTi n i nRg I nOfo r m Na t i Io n C S MORE TRAINING INFORMATION We hope this training material has been helpful to you. The basic training information in this booklet is also presented in video form, in “Basic Training with the Tri-Tronics Electronic Collar.” This video can be ordered by contacting your Tri-Tronics dealer, on-line on our web site at tritronics.com, or by calling us at 1-800-456-4343.
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