Remote Dog Training Collars
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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Remote Dog Training Collars Questions

• How do I select the Remote Dog Training Collar that is right for my dog?

• What Remote Dog Training Collar is right for my dog’s temperament?

• What range do I need to get from the Remote Dog Training Collar?

• Can these Remote Dog Training Collars harm my pet?

• What behaviors can I teach and/or discourage with the remote collars?

• What size are the Remote Dog Training Collar receivers?

• How big does my dog have to be to use a Remote Dog Training Collar?

• How old does my dog have to be to use a Remote Dog Training Collar?

• How can I get my dog used to wearing the Remote Dog Training Collar?

• Can I use the Remote Dog Training Collar with a leash?

• What if my dog’s neck is larger than the sizes indicated in your product listings?

• What is continuous or constant stimulation on the Remote Dog Training Collar?

• What is nick stimulation on the Remote Dog Training Collar?

• What does “immediately available” correction levels on the Remote Dog Training Collar mean?

• What is the “hot” button on the Remote for a Remote Dog Training Collar?

• What is the warning tone and 1-second delay on the Remote Dog Training Collar?

Technical Questions

• How long do the batteries last?

• Where can I get more batteries?

• What is the difference between waterproof and weather resistant?

• What are the probes for?

• How strong is the voltage in the static shock correction collars?

• How tight should the collar be?

• What is the difference between Innotek, Petsafe, and D.T. Systems?

• Will these systems work in Europe, i.e. on 240 volt systems?

• Why don’t I seem to get the effective range that you advertise?

Training Questions

• Q. How do I select the collar that is right for my dog?

• A. There are three main considerations in choosing the Remote Dog Training Collar that’s right for your dog and your training needs:

• What range do you need -- is this for use around the home and yard, or for distance control on hikes or in the field?

• Make sure that the collar matches your dog’s size and temperament. Temperament guides are provided in the next question on this page. Size is less important, as most collars work with most sized dogs. Very small dogs probably need one of the systems designed for little dogs. An extremely large dog may require the purchase of an extra large collar. See the individual product listings or the Comparison Charts for specifics. Temperament is a much more important factor in matching your dog to a remote system.

• Training needs -- what is the goal of your training? Basic obedience training can be accomplished with the Basic Obedience Collars. Polishing basic training, teaching tricks, agility training, and more sophisticated goals are best accomplished with one of the Advanced Training Collars. Sportsman will want to choose a Sporting or Hunting Collar that has the ruggedness, long range, and extra features needed in the field. Please see our Basic Training Comparison Chart for more details.

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• Q. What collar is right for my dog’s temperament?

• A. Most remote training collars work with most dogs’ temperaments. Dogs that are unusually docile or unusually aggressive require a broader range of available correction levels. In the product listings and comparison charts, there is a guide to dog personalities:

• Docile -- Behavior generally leans toward apathy (not coming when called, housebreaking issues etc.)

• Mild-Mannered -- Active and Playful, but easily calmed with firm command or reward

• Playfully aggressive -- No signs of violence or malicious biting, but is sometimes tough to control

• Aggressive -- Dog tends to get “over-excited”, bites playfully, and may injure itself or others, breaks items in home, runs into walls etc.

• Violently Aggressive -- Tendencies toward attacking, maiming, very territorial.

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• Q. What range do I need?

• A. The range that you need depends on your circumstances. Around your home and yard, unless you live on a farm or large rural property, the minimal training range will probably be sufficient. 100 yards, the shortest range, is the length of a football field. Keep in mind that trees, hills, and buildings will reduce the effective training range of any collar. If you’re training outdoors, and are a sports enthusiast, longer ranges will be necessary.

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• Q. Can these collars harm my pet?

• A. Absolutely not. The corrections - static shock, citronella spray, and tone signals -- are harmless. They are, however, annoying and startling. These collars are a training aid. They are designed to make your dog training efficient, effective, and humane. YOUR behavior as a trainer is a big factor in the success of using ANY training system.

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• Q. What behaviors can I teach and/or discourage with the remote collars?

• A. The collars work to encourage or discourage most any behavior. Most every dog needs to be taught NOT to jump on people, chew furniture, dig up the yard, or chase cars. Most dogs need to be taught to Come, Stay, Heel, etc. Teaching your dog “tricks” or to hunt are other uses for the remote training collars.

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• Q. What size are the collar receivers?

• A. The size and weight of the receivers vary, as noted in the product descriptions and the Comparison Charts. As a rule, they are the size of a ring-sized jewelry box or a small Post-It note.

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• Q. How big does my dog have to be to use a remote training collar?

• A. Your dog should have at least a 6” neck and weigh at least 8 pounds.

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• Q. How old does my dog have to be to use a remote training collar?

• A. Your dog should be at least 6 months old. However, if you have a very smart dog, and if you are a really good trainer, collars may be used earlier, once the dog has learned basic obedience commands.

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• Q. How can I get my dog used to wearing the remote training collar?

• A. Spend the first few days of remote collar training letting your dog get used to the new system. This means that on the first day, you may want to just let your dog see and smell the receiver and transmitter. Over the next couple of days, put the collar on, but don’t put batteries in it to activate it. Just let your dog get used to the new collar. Reward your dog for wearing the collar. Introduce the batteries and corrections after the first few days.

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• Q. Can I use the remote training collar with a leash?

• A. Definitely. Since you are TRAINING your dog, the leash and basic command-teaching are part of effectively training with a remote collar.

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• Q. What if my dog’s neck is larger than the sizes indicated in your product listings?

• A. It is highly unlikely that you won’t find a collar to match your dog’s size. If that does happen, you can attach the remote receiver to another collar.

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• Q. What is continuous or constant stimulation?

• A. “Continuous” or “constant” stimulation means that the correction lasts as long as you hold the button on the transmitter. There is a safety cut-off on these collars, meaning that the correction shuts off automatically after 8 or 10 seconds, depending on the collar and the brand.

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• Q. What is nick stimulation?

• A. “Nick” stimulation is a quick, pre-measure correction. On the D.T. Systems collars, it is a mere 1/400 of a second. On Innotek collars, it lasts less than a second as well.

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• Q. What does “immediately available” correction levels mean?

• A. Most remote training collars have a number of correction levels. Some have as few as 3 correction levels, others have as many as 60. Of the many correction level settings available, only 1-8 are immediately available. This means that YOU set the buttons on the transmitter for the correction level that is appropriate for YOUR pet. On 2-dog or 3-dog systems, it is possible to have different settings for each dog, since their needs and temperaments may be different. See individual product sheets and comparison charts for the details on the correction levels available in each collar.

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• Q. What is the “hot” button?

• A. The “hot” button is a button that offers a higher correction level than the other settings that you’ve programmed. It’s an “instant correction boost” that is useful in stressful or dangerous situations where your dog MUST RESPOND INSTANTLY.

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• Q. What is the warning tone and 1-second delay?

• A. The warning tones and 1-second delays are features of some of the collars. Just like the term implies, the “warning tone” warns your pet that they are doing something “bad” and will receive a correction if they don’t stop the bad behavior. The correction follows the tone by about 1 second. After being trained, your dogs will often respond to the warning tones, and won’t need the actual correction.

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Technical Questions on Remote Dog Training Collars

• Q. How long do the batteries last?

• A. The effective battery life varies from collar to collar, depending on the type of battery used. The battery life also depends on the “workout” you give the system. The more you use it, the more quickly it will lose its power. Every product listing gives a range of use that you can use as a guide. Here are broad guidelines:

• 6 V alkaline -- 48-72 hours of training
• 9 V alkaline -- in transmitter, lasts about 6 months.
• 3 Volt lithium -- 200 to 500 hours
• Rechargeable NiCad -- 30-90 days before recharging
• Rechargeable NiMH

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• Q. Where can I get more batteries?

• A. Replaceable batteries are widely available in drug stores, convenience stores, and supermarkets, or on our website

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• Q. What is the difference between waterproof and weather resistant?

• A. WATERPROOF means that your dog can swim with the collar on. Being submerged in water won’t damage the receiver or make it less effective. WEATHER RESISTANT means that it’s sturdy enough to use outside, in cold, rain, or snow. Swimming or dunking in water may destroy the receiver unit.

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• Q. What are the probes for?

• A. The metal probes communicate between the receiver and your dog, delivering correction. The long probes are for dogs with longish hair, and the short probes are for dogs with shorter hair.

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• Q. How strong is the voltage in the static shock correction collars?

• A. It varies with collar. But is is not a current that goes through the body but a static shock that is no different than walking on the carpet and touching your friend.

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• Q. How tight should the collar be?

• A. The collars need to be snug enough so that the probes make contact with your dog’s skin. On the other hand, you don’t want to irritate the skin or make your dog uncomfortable. If the system doesn’t seem to be working, it may be because the collar is too loose. If your pet develops skin irritation, it’s clearly too tight.

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• Q. What is the difference between Innotek, Petsafe, and D.T. Systems?

• A. The systems that we carry are all reliable, which is why we offer the 30-Day Money Back Guarantee. The Innotek line is the most extensive, and offers the most discrete differences between the collars. The D.T. Systems collars tend to offer the widest range of intensity levels. The warranty on the Petsafe collars is usually the longest, since it’s a lifetime guarantee.

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• Q. Will these systems work in Europe, i.e. on 240 volt systems?

• A. Yes.

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• Q. Why don’t I seem to get the effective range that you advertise?

• A. The advertised range assumes ideal conditions--boundless open terrain without any interference. The real world has trees, hills, and buildings, which interfere with transmission and reception.

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