If you plan to train your dog using a remote system technique, there are a few things you need to remember, some general principles, if you will. In order for the training to be successful and fun, be sure to keep them in mind.
1. Instruct your dog to develop an eagerness to obey you. What this means is that you want to use the electronic collar as a tool for avoidance guidance method instead of a punishment tool.
2. Create a training atmosphere that is fun for your dog. You don't want your dog to associate the electronic collar with something he hates. Put on the collar first but do not activate it. Rather, spend a few moments playing and tussling with your dog. Not only does this get your pooch in a happy mood, but he will not associate the collar with anything negative.
Once you start the collar training, keep each session short and heap on the approval and love each time your dog does something correct. When you see some positive improvement, stop the session and take a break. This allows the dog not only to "come down" from the session but also to have confidence that he can do the training.
3. Learning the commands before employing the collar. Allow your dog to get a solid grasp on a command before you turn on the collar for remote training. Starting blind on a command with the collar on can backfire.
4. Show your dog what to do first before turning on the remote collar. Teaching your dog the right way to respond will assist with remote training. It takes a lot of trial and error before a dog totally understands what is expected of him with a command. If you give him a good basis of how to act before turning on the collar, chances are that you will only have to spend minimal time with the remote training on a particular command.
5. Determine the intensity of the shock the remote collar emits. Because dog is unique, their sensitivity levels will be vastly different. If you set the shock too high, your dog will immediately lose focus. Too low of a setting and it becomes more of a nuisance like a buzzing fly or hopping flea. You have to find a happy medium so that the shock gets your dog's attention without it wandering or shutting off. With some dogs, they will yelp if the setting is too high.
6. Show the dog that it has the power to turn the collar off and on. When your dog performs correctly for a command, immediately turn off the collar and praise it. Repeat the process for each command you wish to teach him. After a while, you can leave the collar on the dog but keep it turned off. Eventually, the dog will respond to your commands whether he is wearing the collar and if it is turned on or not.
The remote collar is a handy tool for many dog trainers. Once the dog has proven that their actions are an ingrained part of their routine, there is no need to ever turn the collar on. In fact, once you are comfortable that the dog will not regress, you can take the collar off.
