Dogtra 280C User manual

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280C
AVAILABLE IN 2-DOG SYSTEM: 282C
Owner's Manual
Please read this manual thoroughly
before operating the 280C training e-collar.

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Optional Accessories
Auto Charger
The auto charger for the 280C has an input of 12-volts to
24-volts and has an output of 5-volts 1000mAh.
European Charger
Dogtra’s European chargers are designed for use with a
220 volt AC electrical outlet.
To purchase accessories, please visit www.dogtra.com or
call customer service at [phone].
AT A GLANCE
ReceiverTransmitter Battery
Charger
Splitter
Cable
Owner's
Manual
Belt Clip

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MAIN FEATURES
• 1/2-mile range
• IPX9K waterproof certified
• 2 stimulation types - Nick & Constant
• Rheostat Dial with stimulation levels 0-127
• HPP (High Performance Pager) vibration
• LCD screen
• Enhanced contact points
• Compact receiver
• Checkered grip on handheld transmitter
• For dogs as small as 10 lbs
• Medium output receiver

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OVERVIEW
On/Off
Button
Belt Clip
Battery
Charging
Receptacle &
Rubber Plug
Pager Nick
LED
Indicator
Light
Constant
On/Off
Magnetic
Red Dot
LCD
Screen
280C
Transmitter
Antenna
Rheostat Dial

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On/Off
Button
Belt Clip
Battery
Charging
Receptacle &
Rubber Plug
2nd Dog
Pager
(Orange
Button)
1st Dog
Pager
(Gray
Button)
1st Dog
Nick &
Constant
(Gray
Button)
LED
Indicator
Light
Nick/
Constant
Toggle
Switch
2nd Dog
Nick &
Constant
(Orange
Button)
On/Off
Magnetic
Red Dot
LCD
Screen
282C
Transmitter
Antenna
Rheostat Dial

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Contact Points
Collar Strap
On/Off
Magnetic
Red Dot
Battery Charging
Receptacle &
Rubber Plug
LED Indicator
Light
280C, 282C
Receiver

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1. Turning the 280C On/Off
To turn the handheld transmitter on, hold down the button
on the right side of the transmitter until the LCD screen
illuminates. To turn the transmitter off, hold down the
same button on the right side of the transmitter until the
LCD screen shuts off.
On/Off
Button
UNDERSTANDING YOUR
TRAINING SYSTEM
To turn on the receiver, place the magnetic red dot on the
back of the transmitter to the red dot on the receiver. Hold
the two red dots together for a moment until the LED light
on the receiver comes on.
To turn off the receiver, repeat the same procedure
holding the two red dots together momentarily. The LED
light will turn red for a brief moment indicating that the
receiver has now shut off.

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2. Transmitter Button Function
280C
The transmitter for the 280C has four buttons (one on the
face of the transmitter, two on the left side, and one on
the right side).
On/Off
Button
Pager
Nick
Constant
Nick Button
The Nick button is located on top on the left side of the
handheld transmitter. When the Nick button is pressed,
the receiver emits a single pulse of electrical stimulation.
Constant Button
The Constant button is located on the bottom of the left
side of the handheld transmitter. Pressing the Constant
button gives continuous stimulation as long as the
button is pressed, for up to 12 seconds. If the button
is not released after 12 seconds, the stimulation will
automatically turn off as a safety feature. The receiver
will be ready to be reactivated once the button has been
released.

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Pager Button
The Pager button is located on the face of the transmitter.
Pressing it will give a vibration for as long as the button is
pressed, for up to 12 seconds.
On/Off Button
The on/off button is located on the right side of the
transmitter.
282C
The 282C has five buttons and a toggle switch on the
transmitter (two on the face of the transmitter, two on the
left side, and one on the right side.).
On/Off Button
Nick/Constant
Toggle Switch
2nd Dog Pager
(Orange Button)
1st Dog Pager
(Gray Button)
1st Dog
Nick & Constant
(Gray Button)
2nd Dog
Nick & Constant
(Orange Button)

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Nick & Constant Toggle Switch
Located on the face of the transmitter is a toggle switch.
The toggle switch has a setting for Nick and another for
Constant. The color-coordinated buttons (orange for
the orange receiver and gray for the black receiver) will
implement the desired stimulation based on the toggle
switch setting.
When either the orange or gray stimulation button is
pressed and the toggle is set on Nick, the receiver emits a
single pulse of electrical stimulation.
When you press either the orange or gray stimulation
button and the toggle is set on Constant, the receiver
emits a continuous stimulation as long as the button
is pressed, for up to 12 seconds to the corresponding
receiver. If the button is not released after 12 seconds, the
stimulation will automatically turn off as a safety feature.
The receiver will be ready to be reactivated once the
button has been released.
Pager Button
The Pager buttons are located on the face of the
transmitter. The orange button corresponds with the
orange receiver and the gray with the black receiver.
Pressing it will give a vibration as long as the button is
pressed, for up to 12 seconds.

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3. Receiver Fitting
Proper Fit
The receiver should be fitted so that the medical grade
stainless steel contact points press firmly against
the dog’s skin. You should be able to fit two fingers
underneath the collar strap. The best location is on either
side of the dog’s windpipe.
Improper Fit
A loose fit can allow the receiver to move around on the
dog’s neck. When this happens, the contact points may
rub against the skin and cause irritation. If the receiver is
too loose, the contact will not be consistent and cause the
corrections to be inconsistent. Dogtra uses medical grade
stainless steel contact points and anti-microbial plastic to
protect the dog’s skin.

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4. Finding the Right Stimulation
The 280C has a Rheostat Dial on the top of the transmitter
(0 is the lowest and 127 is the highest). Remember that
you will need to adjust the setting (upward or downward)
depending on your dog’s temperament and threshold for
stimulation. Always start at the lowest level and work your
way up. The appropriate level can be found when the dog
responds to the stimulation with a mild reaction. Also,
as the dog’s attitude changes, especially during times
of increased excitement or distraction, you may need to
adjust the intensity level.
Note: The stimulation intensity can be adjusted even when
the stimulation is in use.
Attention!
Leaving the receiver in the same location on the
dog’s neck for an extended period of time can cause
skin irritation due to the sensitivity from the contact
points. If the dog is to wear the receiver for long
periods, occasionally reposition the receiver every
few hours so that the contact points are moved to a
different location on the dog’s neck and remove the
receiver after 8 hours of usage. Make sure you check
for skin irritation each time you use the unit.

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5. Maximizing the Distance
The 280C has a 1/2-mile range. Depending on the way
you use your transmitter, the transmitter range may vary.
To get the greatest range, hold the transmitter away from
your body and avoid touching the antenna. Keep your unit
properly charged for maximum signal strength.
Typical range
Maximum range Minimum range

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6. LED Indicator
The LED indicator flashes every 4 seconds when the
receiver is on and ready for use. The LED indicator will
blink on both the transmitter and the receiver when the
transmitter buttons are pressed.
The LED indicator color indicates the battery life level.
Green = Full charge
Amber = Medium charge
Red = Needs charge
If the unit is used while the LED indicator is red, it may
shut down automatically.
Receiver Indicator Light
When the Constant button on the transmitter is pressed,
the receiver indicator light will glow steadily (either green,
amber, or red based on the remaining battery life), as
long as you hold the button down, for up to 12 seconds.
When the Nick button is pressed, the light comes on for a
fraction of a second.

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7. Charging the Battery
The Dogtra 280C uses a lithium polymer battery.
Recharge the unit if the indicator light is red or does not
come on, the transmitter LCD shows only 1 bar on the
indicator, or the system will not stay on when any button
is pressed.
NOTE 1: Only use Dogtra-approved chargers and
accessories for your Dogtra e-collars. This will prevent any
damage that can be incurred from attempting to use a
different charger.
NOTE 2: The unit has a partial charge when it leaves the
Dogtra facility. Upon receipt of the system, be sure to give
it a full 2-hour initial charge before the first use away from
any flammable substances.
NOTE 3: When a charger is not in use, disconnect it from
the power source. Fully charge the batteries if the unit is
to be stored without use for a period of 3 months or more.

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Follow the steps below to charge your system:
1. Open the rubber plugs on the battery charging
receptacles and plug in the charging cable.
2. Plug the charger into a 120-volt wall outlet or, if using
the auto charger, plug into a cigarette lighter only for
lithium polymer batteries (use a 220 volt European
charger for Europe). All indicator lights should glow red
when properly plugged in and the unit will automatically
shut off during the charging process. You will need to
turn the unit on again before use once the unit is fully
charged and unplugged from the battery cable.
3. The lithium polymer battery is fully charged within
2 hours. The lights will stay red during the charging
process and turn green once the unit is fully charged.
4. After charging, cover the battery charging receptacles
with the rubber plugs.

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8. Handheld Transmitter LCD
The LCD screen indicates the stimulation level on the
screen ranging from (0-127). The battery life indicator
shows:
3 bars = full charge
2 bars = medium charge
1 bar = needs charge
The battery life indicator only shows the remaining charge
of your transmitter. To find the remaining charge for your
receiver, observe the LED indicator light on the receiver.
Care for LCD Transmitters in Cold Temperature
In cold temperatures (10°F or below), the Liquid Crystal
Display (LCD) on your transmitter may be dim or slow to
respond. Wait until the display becomes visible before
selecting any training level. Even though the LCD screen
might be dim or slow to respond when you press the
Nick or Constant button, the transmitter will still function
properly. In the occurrence of extremely cold weather, the
LCD screen might take a moment to respond causing the
intensity level to freeze at that current level. If you turn
the Rheostat Dial, the level on the screen may not change
but the actual intensity from the receiver will change

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in agreement with the dial. In this situation, it is ideal to
either wait until your transmitter is back in working order
before emitting a correction or while holding the Constant
button down, slowly turn the Rheostat Dial while watching
your dog’s reaction. Do not turn the Rheostat Dial rapidly,
because the receiver will emit a static correction based
on the level of the Rheostat Dial, which might not be
correctly reflected on the LCD screen.
Attention!
When using the unit in cold temperatures, it is
recommended that the transmitter is placed under
your jacket next to your body. The warmth of your
body will greatly improve the battery life and usage.

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9. Attaching the Belt Clip
Follow the instructions below to attach the included belt
clip to the transmitter.
1. Align the belt clip to the grooves on the back of the
transmitter.
2. With a firm grip, screw on the belt clip's Phillips head
screws with a screwdriver.
Caution
Tighten until firmly in place. Be careful not to over
tighten.

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Your dog must know some basic obedience commands
before beginning training with the 280C. A dog learns
by first being shown a command, followed by lots of
repetition over an extended period. As the dog becomes
proficient at these commands, the trainer can introduce
distractions and different locations to strengthen them.
Obedience Training on the Leash
Your dog must fully understand the obedience commands
(sit, stay, here, heel, and kennel) before using the e-collar
for reinforcement of these commands. A leash attached
to a standard collar is used to "teach" the dog the basic
obedience commands (here, heel, sit, and stay). A tug
on the leash/collar is used to reinforce the command.
When the dog complies with the command, use positive
reinforcement/praise. Once the dog understands these
commands, the e-collar can be used to reinforce them.
Beginning E-Collar Training
When you feel your dog understands the obedience
commands on the leash we can now start with the
e-collar training. With the dog on the leash and wearing
the e-collar, continue with your obedience drills. Apply
light stimulation (Nick or Constant) when a command
is given; the stimulation can be removed as the dog
complies. Through repetition, the dog learns to perform
the command.
The final step is the avoidance phase in which the dog
learns that he can avoid the stimulation altogether
by performing your commands. When these training
procedures are complete, the e-collar is used as a
GENERAL TRAINING TIPS