DogWatch BIGLEASH User manual

REMOTE TRAINER
Owner’s Guide
®

R E M O T E T R A I N E R by DogWatch
Thank You or Purchasing
At DogWatch®, Inc., “It’s all about your dog.”™You can be assured that you
have purchased one of the most technolog cally advanced pet tra n ng
products ava lable. Our extens ve research and test ng has resulted n
products that are safe and effect ve for tra n ng your pet.
Because of our comm tment to excellence and value,
Consumer D gest has awarded our H dden Fence a
“Best Buy” rat ng every year s nce 1998.
DogWatch offers a full range of pet conta nment and
tra n ng solut ons. Our H dden Fences conta n your dog
n your yard and can keep h m out of areas that are “off l m ts”. We also have
ndoor systems that work throughout your home to keep your dog off
couches and countertops, out of the trash, etc.
To make sure that you get the most from your B gLeash Remote Tra ner,
please follow the nstruct ons outl ned n th s manual.
If you have any quest ons, please v s t our webs te or call Customer Serv ce:
1-800-793-3436 x622, M-F, 9am to 5pm EST.
®

1
Table of Contents
Important Safeguards .............................................................................2
Charging the Transmitter and Receiver Collar ....................................3
Turning the Transmitter and Receiver Collar On and Off ....................4
Transmitter Features ..............................................................................5
Switching from Audible to Vibration ......................................................9
Receiver Features ................................................................................10
Using the Remote Trainer ....................................................................11
Training Basics ......................................................................................14
Troubleshooting ....................................................................................20
Warranty & Service................................................................................22
Adding Collar reprogramming the Receiver Collar ............................24

2
Important Safeguards
TO GET THE MOST FROM YOUR BIGLEASH®REMOTE TRAINER,
PLEASE FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES IN THIS MANUAL.
■It is important to un erstan the training process before using the trainer.
■Be consistent with your og. Inconsistent cues (verbal an non-verbal) will
confuse your og. A confuse og will have ifficulty figuring out what you
want him to learn.
■Attempting to service the system yourself may invali ate the warranty.
■Keep the transmitter an receiver collar out of reach of chil ren an others
unfamiliar with proper use of remote trainers.
■Perio ically inspect your og’s neck for irritation ue to rubbing.
■This pro uct is not recommen e for training aggressive ogs. Dog
aggression shoul be han le by a qualifie og training professional.
WARRANTY REGISTRATION
To activate Warranty, register online at either:
www.bigleash.com -or- www.dogwatch.com

3
FULLY CHARGE THE TRANSMITTER AND THE RECEIVER BEFORE USING THE FIRST TIME.
■The batteries take approximately 3-4 hours to charge.
•We recommen charging your transmitter an receiver when not in
use. A protection circuit prevents overcharging.
Battery Status Indicators
■Transmitter screen: Battery icon
•Charged battery: No battery icon.
•Low battery: Battery icon comes on an flashes.
•Charging: Battery icon stays on in a stea y state.
•Charging complete: No battery icon.
When plugge -in: - The LCD screen backlight stays illuminate .
- The transmitter an receiver will not turn on.
■Receiver collar: Battery status light
•Charged battery: Light flashes green (unplugge , turne on.)
•Low battery: Light flashes re (unplugge , turne on.)
•Charging: Light turns stea y re (plugge -in.)
•Charging complete: Light turns stea y green (plugge in.)
Battery Replacement
Battery Icon
No icon = charged
Icon = low ba ery
For battery replacement, please contact Customer Service.
[phone] x622 M-F, 9am-5pm EST - or - Email: bigleash@ ogwatch.com
Using a battery c arger ot er t an t e one provided may damage your battery
and may invalidate your Warranty.
Charging the Transmitter and Receiver Collar

4
Turning the Transmitter and Receiver On and Off
ON/OFF
Alignment Markers
{
{
Hold he
Alignmen
Markers
Toge her
▲ ▲▲
▲ ▲▲
■When the transmitter an receiver collar turn on, you hear a low-to-hi
“beep” tone an the LCD screen turns on.
■Follow the same proce ure to turn off the receiver an the transmitter.
You will hear a hi-to-low “beep” tone an the screen will turn off. Turning
your system off when not in use will help preserve the battery life.
Using the Test Light to confirm the system is working properly.
A Test Light is inclu e with your BigLeash system.
■Turn both the transmitter an the receiver collar on.
Insert the contact posts on the receiver into the test light an hol .
■While hol ing the test light on the receiver, press the “B” or the “C” button
on the transmitter. The light on the testing evice shoul turn on.
- The higher the training level, the brighter the light.
- If the training level is set too low, the light may be ifficult to see.
- The light oes not illuminate at level 0 (zero).
Both the transmitter and receiver must be turned on to operate.
To turn the transmitter an receiver on or off,hold the transmitter and receiver
next to one another so the alignment markers (in icate below) on the transmitter
match the alignment markers on the receiver.
The ransmi er
and receiver will
no urn on or off
while charging.

Transmitter Features
5
4
1
2
2
Collar 1/Collar 2
7On/Off Alignment Markers
Lanyard Loop
Antenna
3Training Level
Adjustment
0 No signal
1-5 Mild
6-10 Moderate
11-15 Strong
LCD Display
▲ ▲▲
5
BigLeash®uses exclusive digital FM technology with two-way communication between
the transmitter and the receiver collar.
■Switches signal rom
Collar 1 to Collar 2
■Activates the Firefly®
nightlight eature.
Collar 1
Collar 2
Charging Port
8
1
Training Buttons
A = Audible/Vibration
B = Brie
C = Continuous
Location where the
battery icon appears
when the battery is
low.
6

6
Hold t e transmitter wit t e antenna up.
0(zero) = Safety Mode (no training signal, no audible, no vibration)
1. Lanyard Loop
A lanyar is supplie with each transmitter.
2. Antenna/Range Information
Your BigLeash Remote Trainer provi es up to a 1/4 mile range in optimal
con itions. Range will vary epen ing on environmental con itions such as
terrain, weather, vegetation, buil ings an other obstructions.
How you hol the transmitter may affect the
range. For maximum range, keep the antenna
pointe towar the sky. Pointing the transmitter
antenna toward yo r pet will red ce the range.
Keep your fingers off the antenna. Touching the antenna uring transmission will
greatly re uce the efficiency an the range of the signal.
3. Training Levels
Start at level 1 an increase the training level until you notice a reaction from
your og; a quick hea shake, looking own, even flicking an ear. You must be
focuse on your og when oing this. When you see the reaction, that is the
level to start training. The appropriate level varies from dog to dog.
✧We recommend using the lowest effective training level. ✧
Use the ▲an ▼buttons to the right of
the LCD screen to a just the training level.

7
■Collar 1/Collar 2Icon
In icates which collar is receiving the signal when working with 2 ogs.
Collar 1
Receiver
Icon (Paw)
Example 1 Example 2
Transmitter Low Battery Icon
Signal
Strengt
Transmitter
Icon
Training Level
Collar 2
4. LCD Display
■Signal Strength
In icate by the lines between the
transmitter an the paw icons.
■Battery Icon
No icon = Charge
Icon = Low Battery
■Receiver Icon (Paw)
In icates that the receiver collar
is ‘on’ an functioning properly.
Paw blinks if signal is lost
( og out of range or collar
battery is eplete .)
■Transmitter Icon
In icates that the transmitter is
‘on’ an functioning properly.
Transmitter icon blinks to in icate
activation when any button is
pushe .
■Training Level
0 No Signal
1 - 5 Mil
6 -10 Mo erate
11 -15 Strong
Example 1: Strong signal, training level 3, collar 1, an low transmitter battery.
Example 2: Weak signal, training level 3, collar 2, an goo battery.
A weak signal usually indicates t e dog is moving out of range of t e transmitter.

8
5. Collar 1/ Collar 2Feature
Your transmitter comes set for use with one og but can easily be programme
for two ogs.
■If you are working with two dogs, you will nee two receiver collars. See
page 24 for information about a ing the secon collar.
■The Collar 1 an Collar 2 buttons allow you to change comman s between
the two collars. The transmitter saves the settings for each collar. The
settings change automatically when you switch from Collar 1 to Collar 2.
■The LCD screen in icates if the transmitter is set to Collar 1 or Collar 2.
6. Training Buttons
Button A [Audible / Vibration]
■Pressing the ‘A’ button sen s either an audible
warning or a vibration warning to the og’s receiver
collar. The warning continues as long as you press the
button (up to 8 secon s.)
Button B [Brief]
■Pressing the ‘B’ button sen s a single brief correction (~1 secon ).
Button C [Continuous]
■Pressing the “C’ button sen s a continuous correction as long as you
hol the button own. If the button is not release , the correction will
automatically stop after 8 secon s.
To sen a itional training signals, release the button an press again. Only one
signal can be transmitte at a time.
Brie
Brie
Audible &
Audible &
Vibration
Vibration
Continuou
Continuous s

9
With the BigLeash, you have the option of using the “A” Button for either an
Audible warning or a Vibration warning. The mo e you select will epen
on your og an your personal preference.
When working with 2 dogs, the two collars are set independently.
To Switch Between Audible and Vibration:
■Turn the transmitter an the receiver collar “on”. Set to Collar 1 or Collar 2,
as appropriate.
■Set the training level to “0”.
■Hold the “A” button with the training level at “0”.
Continue hol ing the “A” button. After ~5 secon s, the transmitter will begin
to toggle between Au ible (A) an Vibration (V). The mo e will isplay on
the LCD screen.
➜To set to Audible, release the “A” button while the “A” is isplaye .
➜To set to Vibration, release the “A” button while the“V” is isplaye .
■To test the setting, return the transmitter to any training level (1-15) an
press the “A” button.*
■The “A” button will remain set to either Au ible mo e or Vibration mo e until
you change it. Collar 1 an Collar 2 are set an change in epen ently.
Audible and vibration are always the same intensity regardless
of the training level setting, except when set to “0” (no signal).
Switching from Audible to Vibration Mode

10
Receiver Features
The BigLeash receiver provides a battery status light and the Firefly®nightlight to help
you keep track o your dog at night.
Contact posts and c arging
port are on t e back of
t e receiver collar.
Battery Status Lig t* Firefly Lig t Strips
ON/OFF Alignment Markers
Battery C arging Port
Turn “on” the receiver collar by hol ing the Receiver
an the Transmitter next to each other at the Alignment
Markers.
Battery Status Light
Blinks GREEN Turned on, charged
Blinks RED Turned on, low battery
Steady RED Plugged-in, charging
Steady GREEN Plugged-in, ully charged
•Press the Collar 1 or Collar 2 button briefly, the light strip blinks briefly.
•Press the Collar 1 or Collar 2 button for 5 secon s, the light stays on an continues to
blink. To turn “off”, press button again for 5 secon s until the light stops blinking.
•When switching between Collar 1 an Collar 2, the light strip will blink briefly on the
collar which is receiving the signal from the transmitter.
Firefly Nightlight
■To activate the Firefly light strips on Collar 1,
press the Collar 1 button on the Transmitter.
■To activate the Firefly light strips on Collar 2,
press the Collar 2 button on the Transmitter.
The BigLeash receiver is waterproo or all-weather, year-round use.
}

11
Using the Remote Trainer
Appropriate and Proper Use
Appropriate an proper use is irectly relate to the success of the training. The
remote trainer shoul be use to train your og to avoid unwanted behavior
an to reinforce good behavior.
Setting the Contact Posts
•There are two sets of contact posts. The contact posts on the receiver will
work for most ogs. The extra set is size for ogs with thick coats.
•Correct fit epen s on the og’s size, neck shape, coat an skin sensitivity.
The posts must make contact with the skin to feel the correction. For ogs
with very thick coats, you may nee to use the longer contact posts an /or
trim some hair aroun the contact posts so they make contact with the skin.
Fitting the Receiver Collar
•Before you begin training, be sure the receiver collar fits properly.
•The collar shoul be worn snugly on your og’s neck. This is extremely
important If the collar is too loose, your og will not receive the signal.
Note: The receiver collar is not esigne to be worn for exten e perio s. Removing the
collar when not in use helps prevent irritation of the og’s skin.
You should be able o place no more han your humb be ween
he con ac pos s and he dog’s neck.
When checking snugness of collar, he dog’s head should be
facing down(sniffing posi ion) as his posi ion is where he
dog’s neck is he smalles .

12
Types of Training Signals
Your BigLeash trainer allows you to a just the type, the duration an the level of
the training signal.
•The “A” button provi es either an audible or avibration warning. The
warning continues (up to 8 secon s) while you press the “A” button.
•The “B” button provi es a brief 1 secon correction (regar less of how
long you hol the button own.) Press the “B” button repeate ly for a
series of brief corrections.
•The “C” button provi es a continuous correction (up to 8 secon s.) This
allows you to control the uration of the correction when the situation calls
for it.
The type of training signal you select epen s on the behavior you want to
reinforce an the way your og respon s. The goal is for your og to learn
that he can avoi the training signal by respon ing appropriately.
•In the early stages of training, most ogs learn quickly to respon to the first
or secon brief correction (button ‘B’). Some ogs may nee a few more
brief corrections (or a higher training level) epen ing on the og’s
personality an level of excitement or istraction.
•In many situations, it is recommen e that a brief or contin o s correction
be preceded by a short a dible or vibration warning. This helps your pet learn
to avoi the correction by respon ing to the au ible or vibration warning.
•For some behaviors - such as chasing or barking - a continuous correction
(button ‘C’) of several secon s may initially be nee e .

13
Picking the Right Training Level
There are 15 training levels so you can customize your remote trainer for your
og’s temperament an the type of training you o. Some ogs will learn quickly
with a low training level; others may nee higher levels.
•Start with the lowest level. Before you begin training, test the og’s
response starting at Level 1. Use the Brief (B) button an watch for a
response in icating mil iscomfort (like a quick tug on a leash). The goal is
to get the ogs attention without creating anxiety (which will make it more
ifficult for him to learn.) If your og oes not respon at Level 1, increase
the training level one level at a time until you see the response.
•You may nee to a just the training level while you are using the remote
trainer as the og’s response may change with excitement or istraction.
Creating the Right Environment
•Keep the training “positive”. Use lots of praise. Keep the og’s spirits high.
•Use a high happy voice for praise. Use a eep, low voice for negative
comman s. Use a calm, soothing voice to keep eager, energetic ogs
focuse ; an enthusiastic praise to keep quiet ogs engage in the activity.
•Rewar your og uring training with perio s of free play an praise.
our Dog’s Response to Training
All ogs respon ifferently when they feel the correction from the receiver collar.
With some ogs, the response may be very subtle; with others, it may be more
obvious.
Remember that your og will not automatically un erstan what to o when he
receives a signal from the remote trainer. For training to be effective, yo m st
nderstand how to se the remote trainer appropriately.

14
Training Basics
Your remote trainer can be use to train your og in two ways:
1. To reinforce appropriate behaviors such as “Come”, “Sit”, an “Stay.”
2. To eliminate inappropriate behaviors such as jumping, igging an
excessive barking.
Consistency and Timing
•Consistency is critical for successful training.
•The training signal must occur at the time of the behavior.
If the behavior is not occurring when the training signal occurs, the og will
not associate the signal with the behavior.
Plan our Training for Success
•Begin your training sessions in an open area free from istractions. If the
area is not fence to contain the og, use a long rope to keep him from
leaving the area until he consistently respon s to your comman s.
•When your og has learne the comman s in the first setting, gra ually
increase the level of istractions an continue the training in ifferent
settings. Increase the istractions gra ually so your og continues to
associate the training signal with the behavior, not the istractions.
•In the early stages, limit specific training sessions to 15-20 minutes but
repeat the training regularly and frequently. Dogs learn by repetition an
reinforcement.
•Do not make it obvio s that yo are controlling the training signals or sing
the transmitter. Yo want yo r dog to associate his behavior with the
sensation of the training signal - - not yo or the remote trainer!

15
Training Methods
There are many training approaches use by professional og trainers. When
using a remote trainer, some trainers recommen precee ing the training
correction with a voice comman an /or au ible/vibration warning; others
believe that some behaviors are eliminate more effectively if there is no
precee ing verbal comman or au ible/vibration warning. Whichever training
approach you use, the key is to be consistent.
Obedience Training Basics
Make sure your og un erstan s basic comman s such as “come”, “sit” an
“stay”. If he un erstan s the comman but oes not always obey, the remote
trainer can be use to reinforce the appropriate response. I he does not have a
basic understanding o the command, the remote trainer will not be e ective.
•For obe ience training, give your verbal comman at the same time you
sen the correction. Do not wait ntil after yo give the command as the og
may alrea y be trying to comply by the time you press the button.
•Begin this type of training with the Continuous button (‘C’). As your og
begins to un erstan that the correction stops when he responds to the
command, he will respon more quickly. As your og learns to respon
more quickly, you shoul begin shortening the type an uration of the
correction.
•When your og respon s almost imme iately to your comman , begin
using the trainer only if you must repeat the comman . At this point, a quick
vibration or au ible warning may be all that is nee e to reinforce the correct
behavior.

16
Behavior Training Basics
After your og un erstan s the basic obe ience comman s, you are rea y to
begin more specific behavior training. All of the general an obe ience training
basics also apply to behavior training.
General “Avoidance” Training
•“Avoi ance training” is teaching your og to associate the training signal
with the problem behavior an helping him learn that in or er to avoi the
signal he must stop the behavior.
•The use of verbal comman s an /or au ible/vibration alerts varies with the
situation an the training metho . In some situations (such as igging or
jumping up), you may want your og to associate the behavior only with a
training correction with no verbal comman or au ible/vibration warning. In
other situations (such as general obe ience), a verbal comman an /or
au ible/vibation warning before the correction is appropriate.
•When correcting your og’s behavior, you must take into consi eration that
not all activities, such as barking, should be eliminated completely. The
goal of your training shoul be to control problem behavior rather than to
eliminate normal an acceptable aspects of the same behavior.
•Remember that your og will not automatically un erstan what to o when
he receives a signal from the remote trainer.
•Do not comfort your og after sen ing a training signal.
This Owner’s Guide provides only general training examples or common
behaviors. Advice and assistance rom a pro essional dog trainer amiliar with
remote trainers may also be help ul.

17
General Examples of Behavior Training
The following examples offer general approaches for using the remote trainer to
a ress specific behaviors. Remember, consistency an timing are important!
•Barking is a natural part of og behavior an ogs shoul be allowe to bark
as a normal part of what they o. Use the BigLeash trainer only to correct
barking that is excessive or overly aggressive.
•Use a “quiet” or “no barking” comman backe up with a training signal
from your remote trainer.
•Dogs ig for many reasons; they may be looking for a cool place to lie own
or they may just be bore .
•To train your og that igging in certain areas is not acceptable, sen a
training signal the moment he starts to ig.
•The most common chasing behavior is chasing cars.
•Care must be taken when teaching your og not to chase cars. Be sure that
when you sen a training signal your og is away from the moving vehicle.
•Generally ogs are excite an istracte when they are chasing something.
Use of the Continuous signal (C button) an possibly an increase training
level may be necessary, especially in the early stages of training.
Barking
Digging
Chasing

18
•Dogs generally jump up to get attention. To correct jumping, all members of
the family an all guests nee to be consistent when training.
•When your og wants to jump up, instruct him to sit instea an then give
him the praise an attention he is looking for.
•If the remote trainer is nee e to correct jumping up on people, use the Brief
(B) button to sen a training correction whenever he jumps up. Do not praise
the og when he gets off.
•Use the same approach to correct jumping up to steal food from the
counter or the table. If your og usually oes this when you are not in the
room, you may nee to leave foo on the counter or the table then go where
you can observe the og but he cannot see you.
•You can train your og to stay off of ALL furniture; or you can limit your
training to specific furniture. Regar less, it is crucial that you are consistent.
Any f rnit re that is ‘off limits’ sho ld ALWAYS be ‘off limits.’
•Timing is important. Sen a training signal the moment your og starts to
climb on the furniture.
•Your og shoul associate the act of jumping on the furniture with the
training signal so he will avoi the selecte furniture in the future.
•You can also con itionally train your og that jumping on furniture ninvited
results in receiving the training signal, while respon ing to your invitation will
be rewar e with praise. Use a lower training level for con itional training
than you woul for “off limits” training.
Jumping
Jumping on Furniture