How to Use an Electronic Dog Collar

Sometimes training your dog can be a difficult task. Some dogs do not respond to normal vocal corrections and others have trouble understanding exactly what you are asking from them. When you find you are struggling to train your dog, you may consider an electronic collar. Using an electronic collar will help you effectively communicate your wants to your dog, making training easier and more efficient. Knowing the correct way to use an electronic collar will help ensure your dog's training success.

Things You'll Need

  • Electronic collar
  • Battery
  • Cotton rag
  • Leash
Show More

Instructions

  1. Collar Basics

    • 1

      Choose the type of collar you want to use for your dog. If you want an electronic collar for barking, you can choose from a spray collar that shoots a mist of citronella when your dog barks, a shock collar that sends a small shock, or an ultrasonic collar that emits a high-pitched noise. If you want a collar for training purposes, choose an electronic training collar with a button-controlled remote.

    • 2

      Take off any other collar your dog is currently wearing. Metal on regular collars could interfere with the performance of your electronic collar. Put your chosen electronic collar on the dog. Adjust the fit of the collar until the collar is snug. You should be able to fit a finger in between your dog's collar and neck. Once the collar has been fitted for your dog, remove it and place the battery in it.

    • 3

      Place the collar on your dog.

    • 4

      Remove the collar every 12 hours or so, regardless of the type of collar you choose, to help ensure that skin sores do not occur from the rubbing of the probes.

    • 5

      Use a damp cotton rag to wipe down the collar's probes and your dog's neck, once a week. This will help ensure best results from the collar.

    Bark Collars

    • 6

      Adjust the sensitivity setting on the collar as necessary. Most collars will be set at the lowest setting. Some will adjust themselves based on the degree of your dog's barking, others will need to be manually adjusted. You want the collar to correct your dog when he barks; however, if the collar is overly sensitive, your dog will not be able to vocalize at all without correction. Vocalization is a normal part of dog communication and some vocalization should be allowed.

    • 7

      Keep an eye on your dog for the first 48 hours. This will ensure your dog does not have a negative reaction to the collar such as aggressive behavior or skin irritation from the collar itself.

    • 8

      Discontinue use of the collar once your dog has learned not to bark in unwarranted situations.

    Training Collars

    • 9

      Adjust the sensitivity on the collar. Depending on the dog, you may need more or less stimulation for your dog. If your dog does not respond to gentle stimulation, you may need to increase it until you find a setting your dog responds to. Do not leave the collar on your dog when you are not around.

    • 10

      Keep your dog leashed and introduce him to the situation you want to correct. Having your dog on a leash keeps him near you and easier to monitor.

    • 11

      Press the button on the collar's remote to send a small corrective shock to your dog when the undesirable behavior occurs. For example, if the behavior you want to eliminate is pulling on the leash, take him for a walk. When he begins to pull the leash, push and hold the button.

    • 12

      Release the button when your dog ceases the undesirable habit. For example, if your dog turns toward you after you press the button and stops pulling on the leash, release the button. This will show your dog that corrective response ends when he does a desirable behavior.

    • 13

      Repeat training until your dog no longer performs the undesirable behavior. This will condition your dog that doing the undesirable behavior results in a mild shock but by doing a desirable behavior, no shock occurs.