Collar Training
Begin training your dog on a leash, without using the Alpha training system. After the dog shows a grasp of the
commands "heel," "sit," and "here," you can begin training with the collar and the leash.
During the initial stage of collar introduction, the dog learns that collar stimulation means the same thing as a
tug on the leash. At first, the dog may be alarmed by the electronic stimulation. The key is to be patient and
consistent and not to start off at too high of an intensity. Be fair and consistent, and use repetition and praise
when using the collar as a training tool.
If the dog does not respond to the stimulation level you have selected, increase the stimulation one level at
a time until you achieve the appropriate response. After you achieve the desired response, you can lower the
stimulation level as long as the dog maintains consistency.
As the dog becomes more proficient with the commands, you can begin to introduce distractions, such as
rolling a ball in front of the dog or walking him in the presence of others.
After the dog begins to respond consistently to the command during collar training, you can remove the leash
and train with just the collar.
NOTE: You should train without a leash only when it is appropriate for your environment and your dog's
temperament. You should follow all laws and regulations for your area regarding the use of dog leashes.
Eventually in most training situations, your commands will not require stimulation to be given with the
command. You should only use stimulation when you need to repeat a command because the dog did not
obey the first one.
As the dog becomes better trained, you can decrease the use of collar training. Continue to have the dog wear
the collar until you feel certain that it is no longer needed to reinforce known commands. Abandoning the collar
too early can lead to problems in the future.
Choosing the Correct Intensity Level
1 Set the intensity to the lowest level.
2 Observe the dog for a reaction, such as a head shake, neck movement, or just a change in expression.
Sometimes dogs will vocalize due to the surprise of the electrical stimulation. If the dog vocalizes more than
once, the intensity level is too high for beginning training.
3 If there is no reaction, increase the intensity level by one level until the dog has a slight but recognizable
reaction to the stimulation.
The intensity level that causes a slight but recognizable reaction is your dog's baseline level for beginning collar
training. You do not need to, and should not, apply this intensity selection test again.
After you begin training, the dog’s performance guides your intensity selection. As the dog advances in training,
you may need to change the level depending upon the training situation.
Training Methods
Momentary stimulation: Applies a brief stimulation when you press the training button, regardless of how long
the button is depressed.
Continuous stimulation: Applies stimulation to the dog the entire time you press the training button, for a
maximum of 8 seconds. Your stimulations should typically be much shorter than 8 seconds.
Tone: Activates an audible tone the entire time you press the training button.
Vibration: Applies vibration to the dog the entire time you press the training button, for a maximum of 8
seconds. The effectiveness of vibration may vary based on the dog's temperament and experience.
Linear and Traditional Stimulation
You can use linear or traditional stimulation to customize your training experience. The default intensity method
is linear, which allows progressive stimulation from level 1 to level 18. Traditional stimulation allows you to
make quick changes using low, medium, and high settings within predetermined stimulation levels (1 through
6).
Dog Tracking and Training
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