How Dogs Learn

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Here are some basic guidelines that cover all your Remote Trainer work on obedience commands.

Follow a step-by-step introduction process on each command. Don't assume that your dog will understand a Remote Trainer correction in connection with a command. The stimulus can confuse him initially, even if he knows the command.
Don't introduce remote training with too high of an intensity level. Use a level that is just high enough to cause your dog to respond to it after repetition. Do not introduce the collar at so high a level that your dog becomes worried or is vocalizing. The intensity level of Tri-Tronics Remote Trainers can be adjusted for a wide range of breeds and temperament types. The section, "INTENSITY SELECTION TIPS" on page 3 e x p l a i n s how to select a level for starting training.

Don't introduce remote training around distractions. Keep things simple for your dog in his first sessions. He can't learn well when there's too much going on.

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. Gradually increase training challenges in small steps so he can succeed. Avoid using distractions that scare a dog. Examples of how to use distractions are in the Tri-Tronics Basic Training video.

You might need a higher level of intensity when reinforcing commands around distractions. This is normal for most dogs. After your dog has been properly introduced to the Remote Trainer, don't be afraid to increase the intensity somewhat to help your dog learn that he must obey your commands even when he's distracted. Don't "nag" an experienced dog with corrections he just shrugs off.

Keep your dog in "behavioral balance." Some commands call for the dog to move somewhere-like "Come" and "Heel." Other commands call for him to remain stationary-like "Sit" and "Down." A dog that has become good at obeying one type of command with the Remote Trainer will tend to offer the same behavior even when given the opposite type of command. He isn't "being bad" when doing this, he's actually trying hard. We recommend that you alternate command types. Teach a motion command over a few sessions, and then choose a stationary command to work on next. If you start with a stationary command, cover a motion one next.

Keep your dog's lessons short, and break lessons down into small sub-tasks. Dogs learn in very small steps, and they have short attention spans for formal training.

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. He learns by association, and needs repetition to identify exactly what to associate with what.

Concentrate on teaching your dog one thing at a time. He can't make the associations he needs if the lessons are too complicated for him.

Use praise to let your dog know when he's done the correct thing. Be sure to have plenty of play time as part of the training session. Use play within a training session to keep your dog enthusiastic. Both you and your dog should always look forward to training.
Teach the Command First To get the best results when you start using a Remote Trainer, we recommend you teach the command first 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. However, he doesn't need to be letter perfect on the command when you introduce the Remote Tr a i n e r. In fact, it can be better if he isn't. This booklet will cover how to introduce your dog to the Remote Trainer after he knows basic commands. If your dog doesn't already know any basic obedience commands, you'll find suggested procedures for teaching the "Heel," "Come," "Sit" and "Down" commands with a leash and check cord in our training video, "Basic Training with the Tri-Tronics Electronic Collar."

Using The No-Stimulation Signal Tone For Training
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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. As a substitute for a verbal or whistle command. Before you can use the tone, you must follow a conditioning process with your dog. The process will give the tone a certain meaning to the dog.
Conditioning the Tone as Praise 1. First introduce it during play, and other things he enjoys. This step gets the dog used to the tone. 2. After he is used to the tone, watch for situations in training when he naturally feels successful. Press the tone button at these times, so that the dog associates the tone with his feelings of success. 3. Also watch for situations in which you could normally praise the dog during training. Use the tone a second or two before giving the verbal praise. 4. After the dog has made this association, you can use the tone during training to signal him when he is correct. 5. Avoid wiping out the praising power of the tone by following it shortly by a reprimand or correction. The tone should signal to the dog that he made a correct decision and can therefore relax.
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. You can substitute the command of your choice for "Come" so long as it is one that the dog already knows and can be reinforced with your Remote Trainer. Don't expect the dog to learn that the tone means many different commands. It is usually best to reserve it to mean just one command.
Conditioning the Dog that the Tone Means "Come" 1. After the dog has been introduced to the Remote Trainer with the "Come" command (pages 22-25), begin pressing the tone button just before you give the command to come. For several sessions, do this every time you call the dog. 2. After several sessions, use only the tone to call the dog. If he does not respond right away, immediately reinforce a verbal "Come" command with a Remote Trainer. (You must release the tone button before activating stimulation.) 3. You can now use either the tone or your verbal command to "Come." They both mean the same thing to the dog.
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.