Phone: 0800 028 4325
Email: info@pacdog.com
Our Training tips have been assembled to incorporate advice and guidance from a variety of dog experts, trainers’, behaviourists’ veterinary professionals and several anonymous personnel involved with animal welfare organisations. The content has also been influenced by contributions from our very large client base
Thousands of dogs’ lives have been saved and tens of thousands more dogs now enjoy a quality of life and freedom that have been improved – beyond all recognition. The use of PACDOG collars has resulted in an enormous reduction in heartache and frustration for their owners and trainers. Furthermore use of our collars has also prevented countless situations where dogs might otherwise have killed or painfully maimed other creatures, for example, sheep, deer and chickens.
In a recent survey of PACDOG clients, over 50% owned dogs that originally suffered from ‘selective hearing’. Again, 50% had had ‘chasers’, of whom 70% worried sheep. Over 90% of all clients claimed that their PACDOG training had been successful.
An out of control dog is a danger to himself, a menace to others and a huge liability to his owner. Not only is he is at risk of getting shot or run over, but he could also cause accidents that at worst can be fatal. A dog that just cannot be trusted, or that is persistently disobedient, unruly, or plain anti-social, despite hours, days, weeks or months of attempted conventional training, Is a threat to his own longevity. Thus he becomes a prisoner to the house or yard; and, lf he is lucky enough to get ‘exercised’, he will also be a lifelong prisoner to the lead, which is no life for your dog – nor satisfaction for you, since one of the main pleasures of owning a dog is to see him enjoying himself.
If your dog is driving you to distraction…and driving himself to an early demise through sheep chasing, deer hunting or harassing any other animal several fields or gardens away – or simply being a nuisance to others in the park, then the powerful arm of a PACDOG Remote Trainer should enable you to discourage him, quickly and for all time.
If you can still see your dog half a mile (800 metres) or more away, or if he can still hear your voice- or whistle-commands, then the Remote Trainer can extend your sphere of influence and control with confidence. Indeed, the level of correction, whether it need be a mild ‘pins and needles’ sensation (or strong vibration correction with the PAC Buzz collar) for minor disobedience problems – or a more appropriately powerful deterrent against life threatening Or anti-social behaviour will always be faithfully reproduced. The distance between the trainer and the dog will not affect the required correction strength.
A PACDOG Remote Trainer is a wonderful aid to training where conventional methods have failed, but it is not intended either as a short cut to conventional training or an excuse for poor or shoddy training. It must also be stressed that it is a training aid – not a punishment tool. Furthermore, the unit is not itself a trainer. That responsibility lies in your hands. If you are of the school that believes that more gets rapid results, or you are of an impetuous disposition, then It Is very unlikely that this tool is for you. For the sake of your dog’s welfare, never allow access to this equipment, either to children – or anyone else who is unaware of the collar’s function and its recommended usage.
It is utterly pointless attempting to correct a dog some minutes, or even seconds after he has ‘committed an offence’, since he will hardly be able to associate the punishment with the crime. Any late reprimand will not be understood, making the dog believe that the trainer is cruelly dominant, and cause him to be reluctant in future to come back… just to be ‘punished’. Training then takes a giant leap – backwards! Furthermore, corporal punishment can easily result in damage to the dog, both psychologically and physically.
Not all dogs respond to standard “compulsive” or -reward” training methods, and until you encounter a difficult dog, it is hard to imagine the need for a PACDOG Remote Trainer. The use of such a tool as a last resort can be extremely effective in curing a comprehensive range of problems – quickly and usually pain-free. Correct use of the device will inevitably elevate the trainer to surrogate ‘pack-leader’ or ‘top dog’ … Indeed, once the trainer has established his dominant position, there should be no need for him to be the least bit physical with his dog; and, before long, a calm but firm word (or whistle) command should suffice. Indeed, constantly ‘nagging’ a headstrong dog will be a thing of the past. Making walks or training sessions much more pleasurable for both the dog and his trainer.
The enormous power of the PACDOG system, as a training instrument, lies not so much with the strength of correction available, which can be awesome, but more with the timing of the correction, either during or immediately following the deed. It is believed that a dog’s limited ability for logical reasoning will cause him quickly to associate his disobedience or undesirable act, with the correction. The message gets home very quickly and because the timing is so immediate, the level of correction needs most often to be no more than a slight tickling discomfort or a very strong vibration with the PAC Buzz collar. Since it is possible to use such low levels of correction, it will not inhibit the dog’s spirit. Indeed, the correction should be rather like a very long, invisible check-cord that tingles, but does not tangle
Many users have found that their dogs tend to bond more closely when they have been trained with the PACDOG Remote Trainer. This most likely happens because, after a correction, the dog comes back with the view that “There’s something quite scary out there – but at least you’re a friendly face- and you can praise him for being so good!
The use of the tone or Vibration facility in conjunction with, or in place of, electrical stimulation (or Strong Vibration correction on PAC BUZZ Collar), enhances even further the PACDOG Series as the quickest, most effective and most humane training tool available (see Tone or Vibration Function).
It is very important that your dog does not associate the correction with the PACDOG collar. Otherwise you will have lost some of your advantage, since he will soon realise that when he is wearing the collar he will have to behave himself. And when he is not … he can do just what he jolly well pleases! As a result he will very likely have to wear the collar most of the time when he is out; and the system starts to be used as a deterrent, rather than a training tool.
To avoid this realisation, you will need to familiarise your dog with the collar by fitting the PACDOG Collar on the dog, turned off, for at least 10 – 14 days, before you enter the active training phase
The main aim of the “dummy phase” Is to condition your dog to the shape, weight and feel of this strange, new PACDOG collar. To ensure a good result, he should be made to wear it more or less continuously (but no more than 12 hours a day) for the first two or three days … and certainly always when taken out for exercise. Indeed, to make sure that the dog treats the new PACDOG collar with complete indifference, take the PACDOG collar off, at home and during his walks, count till, 10, and then put the PACDOG collar back on. Do this several times, every day, almost ad nauseam. But during the first week, fit the PACDOG collar loosely (make sure collar is still turned off at this stage) so that it flops around and make its presence felt, deliberately making the dog aware that it is there. He then gets used to it; soon ignores it and forgets about it Thereafter, for the next few days, whenever you take him out, fit the PACDOG collar just a little bit tighter each time. Positioned centrally on the front of his neck, you can just get each of two fingers under the two probes*. If the dog’s neck tapers, position the PACDOG collar at the narrowest section (nearest his head).Most dogs will eventually associate the fitting of the PACDOG collar with good fun and after several days you should have achieved this objective. The ideal position of the contact probes is at the front centre point of his neck.
If your dog needs to be taken out on a lead, or to be attached to a line, he should also wear a normal collar at the same time. Never attach a line to the PACDOG collar, as this might damage it. If you feel you might need to use a line during training with the PACDOG collar, give him complete freedom of the line.
Do not be in too much of a hurry to introduce your dog to a live situation. Ideally you should only do this after you have firmly established an appropriate intensity setting – for your dog – and that you are getting a positive response.
Despite all the subterfuge with the “dummy” process, there have been instances where some dogs also get to associate the correction with the presence of the PACDOG handset. It is our strong recommendation, therefore, that you are very discreet when handling it (the handset}. Ideally it should be kept out of sight – under your jacket – or perhaps in a top jacket-pocket.
If your dog were to suspect the PACDOG handset had something to do with the corrections, he would start to regard it as the ‘thing’ rather than ‘you as top dog’ with miraculous power; possibly diminishing some of your advantage. BUT, just In case you are unable to hide it, carry the PACDOG handset with you (using the lanyard around your neck) during the “dummy” training period to disguise and enhance the effect.
* IMPORTANT
Be careful not to over tighten the PACDOG collar: and remember always (at least daily) to check for soreness before fitting the PACDOG collar.
Avoid leaving the PACDOG collar on for over 12 hours per day and wash the dog’s neck area weekly. In the event of any sign of irritation, leave the PACDOG collar off for a day or two, before progressing with your training programme. If longer sessions are necessary (e.g. on a long walk), make more frequent checks for soreness or irritation – especially if you are using the smaller radius probes (for thicker coated breeds). Just as it is unwise to leave a car unattended with its engine running, it is safer, and therefore preferable, not to leave an active PACDOG collar on an unattended dog for long periods of time, particularly since the prolonged wearing of a ‘snug-fitting’ collar is likely to become uncomfortable. Also, by the same token, although faults on active PACDOG collars are extremely rare, this precautionary measure will avoid any chance of inadvertent accidental or even malicious actuation.
The stimulation correction level (intensity) or strong vibration correction level on PAC Buzz collar is controlled solely from the handset. Depending on the PACDOG handset model this intensity is controlled from a dial on the handset whereas on others, it is controlled by pressing the appropriate, pre-set-level trigger. See the PACDOG Instructions for use for your particular PACDOG Remote Trainer model.
Irrespective of size, breed and type of problem, each dog is an individual. It is important, therefore, before starting your first active training session, that you establish the most appropriate correction level for your dog. While it may seem logical to assume that a small dog will need less corrective stimulation (or strong vibration correction level on PAC Buzz collar) than the bigger dog, this is not always the case. There are many examples of large dogs, such as Great Danes, that are highly sensitive and of some smaller dogs, such as Beagles that require a much higher level of correction. Furthermore, among dogs of the same breed, and even among dogs from the same litter, there can be wide variation of reaction to a particular correction level. In addition, the Insulating effect of the fur on longhaired breeds will often require a higher setting … or the use of different probes (see the PACDOG instructions for use)
Certainly, since a dog’s ears are often blocked by adrenaline whilst he is chasing a quarry, it may well be necessary temporarily to increase the stimulation level, or strong vibration correction level on PAC Buzz collar. It is also worth bearing in mind that a dogs pain threshold is mostly, significantly higher than that of a human. Testing the correction level on yourself (e.g. on your arm) is not likely to be very meaningful, but it is as well that you should be aware of the sort of correction that you are administering.
To find the appropriate correction level for obedience training for your particular dog, select initially the minimum level of electrical stimulus or strong vibration correction on the PAC Buzz collar, on your PACDOG handset. When you press the trigger you should see a mild but positive reaction. If this is not the case, gradually Increase the Intensity, a small step at a time, until you notice a slight movement of the head. This might cause him to be startled, but should not produce a greater reaction than this. Such a mild reaction should be sufficient in most cases to correct your dog’s disobedience.
Beware; however, when you press the button for the first time or two, he might well overreact not necessarily to the strength of the correction – but to the surprise of it. Thereafter, he should no longer be so astonished at the correction.
Most dogs should change a persistently disobedient behaviour within a couple of training sessions – at a level hardly more uncomfortable for him than a pins and needles sensation or a strong vibration with the PAC Buzz collar. For some of the more determined, headstrong dogs, however, the setting might have to be increased after a period of training as they become more tolerant to the correction and begin to ignore the low-Levels. On the other hand, however, if you notice that he is overreacting, you have clearly increased correction to a level that is too high. This must be reduced progressively, till it is just enough to get his obedient attention.
If your dog enjoys plunging into water, this will increase his sensitivity. Although you can compensate for this by reducing the correction output, we would recommend that in the early stages most of your Initial training be affected away from water. But in any case, the PACDOG collars are waterproof to several metres, and should not be affected. But If the collar, and dog, have been wetted with salt water, avoid re-using till after a thorough brushing off (both collar and dog) to remove the salt water.
For correction of serious anti-social habits, such as sheep chasing, the intensity level should be chosen initially to be at least half strength – and if necessary, be prepared to select the maximum level. A short correction at such high levels often only need be one-off.
For your first session, make sure that everything is ready to work.
Note if, during an attempted correction, no reaction is observed … You might need to Increase the correction level (this should be done gradually).
TRAINING STYLES
There are two distinct training strategies that are normally used with your PACDOG Remote Trainer:
1) ENFORCEMENT OF OBEDIENCE
Where dogs are wilfully hard-of-hearing or just plain headstrong – running away, refusing to respond to recall or running in on birds and other game, or animals
If for example, you were trying to correct a recall problem, call him using your normal voice command or whistle. If he does not respond, call him again while pressing the Tone or Vibration pre-warning button, if he does not respond, call him again in a manner that suggests your displeasure and working from the minimum correction level on the handset upwards press the correction button initially for about ½ second until the dog reacts, thus enforcing your command. If he then comes, praise him, your dog should return to you, encouraged by your praise. If appropriate, you may also wish to use a reward such as a titbit. More often than not, the one correction should cause your dog to obey your command to -come-, to -sit·, to “lie or whatever. Check that you have achieved your obedience objectives over several more training sessions before gradually reducing the number of times he has to wear the collar.
2) AVERSION THERAPY
To create an aversion to his anti-social behaviour or activity – such as
Where dogs exhibit anti-social behaviour such as eating their own-, or other animals’-faeces, swallowing stones, chasing bikes or cars etc. and often in the case of animal worrying, the technique known as “aversion therapy” is used. For this therapy it is even more important that the dog has been properly trained to the “dummy effect” so that there is absolutely no association with the equipment.
In this strategy it will be your objective to encourage the perception that there is some sort of magic ring· around his quarry. You must appear not to notice what he is doing … and to appear to take no part in the correction. You give no commands. In this way, he will be conditioned to believe that his action alone is the cause for his discomfort. In other
Words, he must believe that the act of picking up faeces or stones, or chasing bikes or cars actually causes the unpleasant sensation. He must not be given any indication that you have had anything to do with it, although, having just been corrected, he is very likely to come back to you for comfort. At this stage, of course, you should be prepared to make a fuss and to praise him.
This technique is also very successfully applied to dogs that are worrying other animals such as sheep, deer, cattle, cats, chickens etc., where the dog is led to believe that his quarry has teeth In Its backside. But, it should not normally be applied in cases of aggression towards humans or other dogs unless specifically advised by a qualified trainer or behaviourist.
We would point out at this stage that while your dog might have responded well to the line during conventional, obedience training … when teaching him to leave sheep, for example – his desire level will almost certainly increase dramatically when in full flight. You should this. Therefore be prepared quickly to increase the stimulation level to counterbalance. Just one correction at high level should be sufficient to stop him in this adrenaline-assisted rush. After one or two further attempts, he should have got the message ••• and sheep should be off the menu, once and for all.
Many of dogs’ most damning faults that normally require aversion therapy for their long-term cure should only be tackled whilst the dog is in the process of committing the offence. But faults like the chasing of other animals often only occur quite unexpectedly, when on, for example, a walk in the countryside. This is at a time when perhaps you could be
Taken by surprise, quite unprepared for the occasion, and possibly miss the opportunity to correct the problem before It is too late. Remember the correct timing of a correction is extremely important. Clearly, it would be far better to avoid this, by planning and setting up the situation in advance, such that you can anticipate your dog’s reaction, without suddenly having to grope for the handset in a panic. The initiative should therefore remain with you when he encounters the sheep or deer, since you will know what is going to happen…and when …. You will be prepared to correct the fault at the most appropriate moment.
For a dog with a history, for Instance. Of persistent sheep chasing/Worrying, some trainers would prefer to take him into a field with sheep and to give him a significant correction whenever he turns his head to “eye” the sheep. Others prefer to let the dog chase and get near to the quarry before administering a correction. Both approaches are extremely effective, but remember – no command is given in these cases. You should appear neither to have taken part … nor even to have noticed the sheep or your dog’s reaction to them. The use of a long flexi-line can be useful here.
Tone or Vibration Function
See ENFORCEMENT OF OBEDIENCE section
The Tone or Vibration facility on your PACDOG Remote Trainer should be seen quickly to be the preferred solution to long-term obedience training. It reinforces your voice command or whistle by giving the Tone or Vibration pre-warning when needed. Once the dog has had the correction a few times the Tone or Vibration pre-warning is usually enough to make him respond to your voice command or whistle. Training should then progress till he begins to defer to your command – without waiting for the tone or vibration warning. All that remains thereafter is to wean him off the collar altogether
Beside the above, super-humane, progressive, training method, the tone or vibration facility can be used effectively
With deaf or hard of hearing dogs
And, not the least…
WARNINGS
You should aim to switch between tone or vibration pre-warning and correction or strong vibration correction on the PAC Buzz collar, in less than one second. This is simple on PACDOG handsets with separate tone buttons. But when operating a handset in multidog Mode, where each dog is controlled from a single trigger, you should practise, without Involving the dog, your ability to alternate accurately between the warning tone or vibration and the correction level for any particular dog.
As the training programme progresses, your dog should respond more readily to your commands and your use of correction reduce, thus allowing you to use tone or vibration signals, with little or no need to change to correction.
If during training your dog is confronted with another animal (e.g. an aggressive dog or stroppy cow) be careful in the use of the PACDOG collar, whether using tone/vibration or correction… Since, if your dog is distracted during the confrontation, it might just give the other animal (the aggressor) a moment’s advantage… to your dog’s disadvantage. Try to anticipate the situation by getting your dog’s attention – and recalling him in good time.
We also suggest that initial training be carried out in an area of high visibility in order that you may interact with your dog correctly. It would be wrong to attempt a correction if you cannot see the dog or what he is doing. At the moment you press the trigger button, your dog will form an association with it. If, for example, he were on his way back to you at that time, it would create a negative effect in your dog’s mind. Similarly, if you were to correct him when in the act of picking up game he might well associate the correction in a manner that might put him off retrieving. Again, we stress, “Timing is of the essence.
Some dogs with behavioural problems on-the-line will respond in an altogether different manner off-the-lead; since they know full well whether they are on or off the line (or lead). In this case, the initial training of such dog’s off-the-Iead should ideally be carried out in a secure area such as a tennis court, enclosed garden or well-fenced field.
From a general animal welfare point of view, it is good practice never to lend the equipment to third parties unless you are confident that they are thoroughly aware of how it works and how it should be used. To this end, please insist that any other prospective user should read this PACDOG Training Guide, followed by the PACDOG Operating Guide before having access to a live training session with the PACDOG remote trainer.
REVERSION
Once your dog has been cured, he should be safe off the lead … and, provided he has not been presented with blatant temptations, or slack or sloppy instructions on your part, he should enjoy an unfettered freedom for the rest of his life. But … reversion to old habits (recidivism) can occur, particularly with headstrong or very intelligent dogs. It is your responsibility, as trainer (and owner) to make sure this does not occur.
When you have completed your dog’s obedience training with the PACDOG collar, remember that he should, ever after, regard you as top-dog. Be sure, therefore, before giving a command, that the command is necessary. And when you do issue it make sure it is obeyed fully. Otherwise, your dog could start to slip back into his old ways, since he might start to view your stewardship of the ‘top-dog’ position as doubtful. So we repeat – PACDOG Training collars are wonderful aids to training
Where conventional methods have failed, but they are not intended as a short cut to conventional training or as an excuse for poor or shoddy training (or control).”
In the case of anti-social behaviour, the strength of the instinctive and inherent genes of the dog is often strongly embedded. A fully trained dog, left to his own devices, in some cases, might sooner or later revert to ancestral instincts no matter how well trained, especially if he is continually confronted with unchecked temptation. Guard against this on a continuing basis. If necessary, a regular refresher programme of correction might be required.
Beware of excessive use. A trigger-happy trainer might not only upset his dog with the equivalent of constant ‘nagging’, which would devalue the tool from magic wand to invisible stick. So, If possible, please think twice before giving a correction, treating each time you press any of the triggers – as though you were using a limited supply of golden bullets.
Sheep chasing can be cured with just one or two, timely corrections. A headstrong dog that has always to wear the PACDOG collar as an insurance policy in critical areas of the countryside, should almost certainly start to exhibit a high level of obedience, with the occasional, tone or vibration-only reminder – perhaps only a couple of times a month.
Always be prepared to seek advice from PACDOG (or your PACDOG agent), qualified trainer or behaviourist. Meanwhile, good luck with your training and please let us know how you get on. We are always delighted to receive testimonial letters or emails from our clients.
TIPS
It is utterly pointless attempting to correct a dog some minutes, or even seconds after he has ‘committed an offence’, since he will hardly be able to associate the punishment with the crime. Any late reprimand will not be understood, making the dog believe that the trainer is cruelly dominant, and cause him to be reluctant in future to come back… just to be ‘punished’. Training then takes a giant leap – backwards! Furthermore, corporal punishment can easily result in damage to the dog, both psychologically and physically.
Not all dogs respond to standard “compulsive” or -reward” training methods, and until you encounter a difficult dog, it is hard to imagine the need for a PACDOG Remote Trainer. The use of such a tool as a last resort can be extremely effective in curing a comprehensive range of problems – quickly and usually pain-free. Correct use of the device will inevitably elevate the trainer to surrogate ‘pack-leader’ or ‘top dog’ … Indeed, once the trainer has established his dominant position, there should be no need for him to be the least bit physical with his dog; and, before long, a calm but firm word (or whistle) command should suffice. Indeed, constantly ‘nagging’ a headstrong dog will be a thing of the past. Making walks or training sessions much more pleasurable for both the dog and his trainer.
The enormous power of the PACDOG system, as a training instrument, lies not so much with the strength of correction available, which can be awesome, but more with the timing of the correction, either during or immediately following the deed. It is believed that a dog’s limited ability for logical reasoning will cause him quickly to associate his disobedience or undesirable act, with the correction. The message gets home very quickly and because the timing is so immediate, the level of correction needs most often to be no more than a slight tickling discomfort or a very strong vibration with the PAC Buzz collar. Since it is possible to use such low levels of correction, it will not inhibit the dog’s spirit. Indeed, the correction should be rather like a very long, invisible check-cord that tingles, but does not tangle
Many users have found that their dogs tend to bond more closely when they have been trained with the PACDOG Remote Trainer. This most likely happens because, after a correction, the dog comes back with the view that “There’s something quite scary out there – but at least you’re a friendly face- and you can praise him for being so good!
The use of the tone or Vibration facility in conjunction with, or in place of, electrical stimulation (or Strong Vibration correction on PAC BUZZ Collar), enhances even further the PACDOG Series as the quickest, most effective and most humane training tool available (see Tone or Vibration Function).
WHEN SHOULD YOU NOT USE A PACDOG REMOTE Trainer
If your dog has a medical condition, such as a heart problem. It is essential that you seek the advice from your veterinary specialist, before starting any training with the active collar
If your dog is of a nervous disposition be sure to check the effect of the stimulation (or strong vibration correction on PAC Buzz collar) while the dog is on a secure line or in a safe area.
Training should cease if there are any signs of trauma. Do not use a PACDOG remote trainer on your dog less than six months of age for any reason. Never use it on a dog younger than about ten months old for obedience training, since he must first understand completely the command that you give before you make any attempt to correct him using the stimulus. (See section on Tone or Vibration Function)
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