SportDOG BarkCONTROL User manual

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TM
TM
BarkCONTROL
OPERATIONS MANUAL
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INTRODUCTION
The Deluxe Bark Control Collar is a training device that helps reduce
nuisance barking. Please study this manual thoroughly.
There are two key features of the Bark Control Collar. The first is a mild
warning sensation triggered by your dog’s first bark. The second feature
occurs when your dog barks again within 30 seconds of the first bark. The
unit will deliver the level of correction of the current switch setting (LOW,
MED and HIGH), with six levels of progressive correction for each setting.
Each successive bark will increase the correction level by 25% if the bark
is within 30 seconds of the previous bark. If your dog does not bark for at
least 30 seconds, the unit resets itself. As a built-in safety feature, the collar
will automatically shut off for a period of 3 minutes if your dog barks 15
times or more in a 50-second period.
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COMPONENTS
1- Test-light kit
2- Operations Manual
3- Warranty Card
4- Bark Control unit with
adjustable collar
5- Patented Battery
(RFA-67)
EXCLUSIVE FEATURES
6- Mode Switch
7- LED light
8- Sound-Activated Sensor
9- Sensor Probe
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MODES OF OPERATION
1- OFF- Turn to this position when not in use to
conserve battery life and to avoid accidental
correction. Always have the switch in this position
when handling the unit.
2- LOW – Provides lowest level of correction. Always
start training at this level. Watch how your dog
reacts. If necessary, progress to the next correction
level.
3- MED – Adjust to this level only if your dog does not
exhibit the desired reaction to the low correction.
4- HIGH – Adjust to this level only if your dog does
not exhibit the desired reaction to the medium
correction.
5- TEST – this mode helps verify that your unit is
working properly (see “Testing the Collar”).
BATTERY ACTIVATION AND
REPLACEMENT
To activate:
• Make sure the mode switch is turned to the OFF
position.
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• Place battery in unit, aligning arrow on the
battery with the triangle symbol on the unit.
• Turn the battery clockwise, aligning the arrow on
the battery with the padlock symbol on the
unit.
To replace:
• Make sure mode switch is turned to the off
position.
• Using a coin, turn the battery counterclockwise,
aligning the arrow on the battery with the
triangle symbol on the unit.
• Pull battery out.
• Follow “To Activate” instructions above.
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RFA-67
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Low Battery warning:
The Deluxe Bark Control Collar has a Low Battery
warning feature that indicates when you should
replace the battery. The LED will flash once every
2-3 seconds in LOW, MED, HIGH or TEST modes.
Once the Low Battery warning occurs, replace the
battery within 72 hours. Replacement batteries (RFA-
67) are available at the store where you purchased
your Bark Collar.
TESTING THE COLLAR
Make sure the mode switch is in the OFF position.
• See “Neon Lamp Correction Test Instructions” to
prepare collar for testing.
• Turn the mode switch to TEST and hold the unit
about 6-10 inches from your mouth with the LED
facing you.
• Say “TEST” loudly into the sensor. This should
make the test light flash several times.
• If the light does not flash, check all settings and the
battery and test again.
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• When finished testing, remove the test light and re-tighten contact points.
Important Note: To avoid accidental correction on yourself, never touch the
two metal contact points at the same time.
PLACING COLLAR ON YOUR DOG
Put the collar on your dog, making sure the unit is
positioned at your pet’s throat. You should be able to
place one finger between the contact points and your
pet’s skin. The contact points must touch your pet’s
skin for the correction to be effective; you may need
to trim your pet’s hair.
Important Note: A dog’s neck gets wider when they
sit, so fit the collar on your pet when they are standing
comfortably.
Attention: For comfort, safety and effectiveness of product, please ensure
the following:
• During the first 2 days of training, do not use the training device on your
dog without direct supervision.
• Check the fit to prevent excessive pressure by being able to insert one
finger between the metal contact point and your dog’s skin.
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• The dog must be carefully examined daily for any signs of a rash or sore.
• If a rash or sore is observed, discontinue the use of the collar for a few days.
• If the condition persists beyond 48 hours, see your veterinarian.
• The dog’s neck area and the contact points must be washed weekly with a
wash cloth and mild hand soap, then rinsed thoroughly.
A condition called Pressure Necrosis, which is a devitalization of the skin
due to excessive and prolonged contact against the collar, may occur if the
steps above are not followed.
TRIMMING COLLAR
If you have excess collar, you will need to trim it. Fit the collar around the
dog’s neck and mark the appropriate length. Be sure to allow room for your
dog’s growth. Cut the collar and seal the cut edge by using a match or a
lighter.
REGULAR MAINTENANCE
• Check your dog’s neck for irritation and wash neck (daily).
• Check fit of collar on dog (daily).
• Check battery battery for proper fit in unit (weekly).
• Check contact points for tightness (weekly).
• Clean contact points (weekly).
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TRAINING
Before beginning training with the Bark Control System
Bark control training systems were created to help dog owners deter
unwanted barking. They can be used to control barking when the owner is
not present or in other specific situations; however, success is dependent on
proper use.
Why your dog barks
Barking is a natural behavior for all dogs. But sometimes, a barking dog
becomes a problem for his owner. A responsible dog owner cannot let his
or her dog become a nuisance to others. Chronic barking put both the dog
and the owner at risk of complaints from disturbed neighbors. It can also
create unnecessary duties for animal control or police officers charged with
upholding anti-barking ordinances. In some cases, it can even lead to the
relinquishment of the dog by an owner who cannot solve the problem.
Before a barking problem can be solved, a dog’s owner must first understand
why the dog is barking. For many dogs, chronic barking or howling is a
cry for help. A dog who does not receive enough care or attention from
his owner often becomes a barker. Dogs are social animals, and they need
exercise and interaction with their human companions – and sometimes
other dogs. Some dogs are simply bored when left alone in the home or the
yard while the owner is away, and will bark at passersby or at neighborhood
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disturbances. Owners of these dogs may not understand that a dog cannot
be expected to sit quietly and entertain himself while his owner is away.
Once a dog owner has determined that the dog’s social needs are being met,
he or she must look for appropriate and effective ways to control the barking
and prevent it from becoming a nuisance to family and neighbors.
Eliminating problem barking
If your dog barks at passersby, try closing him out of rooms or outside areas
that border streets and sidewalks when he must be home alone. For dogs
kept exclusively indoors, simply putting the dog outside does not usually
solve the problem. However, allowing a dog who barks when left outdoors
to remain inside can be effective.
For some dogs, barking is simply an entertaining way to spend a long or
boring day. Safe chew or play toys may help provide entertainment. A
midday visit and a game of fetch with a professional pet-sitter or a trusted
adult neighbor can also help to pass the time and prevent barking.
Introducing your dog to the Bark Control system
Before you begin training with an activated system, you should first
accustom your dog to a deactivated system. By spending just a few days on
this, you can avoid negative reactions from your dog such as cowering at the
sight of the collar.
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Day One
• Choose a small food reward (about the size of a pencil eraser) that your
dog finds desirable and will accept every time.
• Make sure the mode switch is turned to the OFF position.
• Place the bark collar around your dog’s neck for 2-3 hours. Be sure the
collar is fitted in the same manner that it will be during training with
correction.
• After the collar has been on your dog’s neck for a short period of time, give
him a food reward. Repeat this reward several times.
Day Two
Repeat the above procedure, keeping the bark collar on your dog for 5-6
hours.
Day Three
This is the first day your dog should receive correction.
Training with the Bark Control System
Before placing an activated system on your dog, carefully choose the first
situation in which it will be used. The situation should be one with few
distractions. If you do train in a situation with distractions, your dog may
not associate the correction with something other than his barking. For
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example, if your dog first barks when he is looking at a visitor to your home,
he may perceive the visitor as the cause of correction instead of his barking.
You should directly observe your dog’s first few reactions to the collar. Do
not leave your dog alone the first few times he receives a correction. In the
first time, your dog may yelp or yip or jump slightly. Do not be alarmed.
His first reaction will always be his most intense. After the initial correction,
his reactions will gradually lessen. Eventually, he will remain calm and just
stop barking.
Train your dog only in this initial situation until he has learned what the
consequence to barking is. Only then should you move on to the next
situation. This will help ensure that your dog understands that barking is the
behavior he must avoid, no matter what his reason for barking.
Long-term training tips
You should notice an improvement in your dog’s barking within the first
week of training. At this point, some dog owners feel that the problem has
been solved, but in most cases it is still not complete. Most, if not every, dog
will test this new learning experience by increasing their attempts to get away
with barking. This testing period usually occurs during the second week of
training. When it does occur, you must remain consistent – do not alter your
use of the bark control system.
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Even after the testing phase has been passed, you must continue to place the
bark collar on your dog in every situation where you expect him to not bark.
He may see a new dog or a squirrel through a window and bark for the first
time in weeks. If he is not wearing the bark collar, he may get away with
the barking, and his training may suffer a setback. If he is wearing the bark
collar, he will stop barking immediately and any setback will be prevented.
Using the Bark Control system with other devices
You may wish to train your dog to do other things. If you decide to use
another type of training tool, be selective with the type you use while your
dog is wearing the bark collar. Generally, the dog should not wear more
than one electronic collar at a time.
Never use a metal choker collar, or any other metal collar, while your dog is
wearing the Bark Control system, as it may trigger false signals and possibly
false corrections. If you feel you need a second collar on your dog, try a
nylon choker or other non-metallic collar.
If you use a leash, attach it to a second collar as recommended above, and
place the second collar above the bark collar. Attaching a leash to the bark
collar, placing a collar below the bark collar, or pulling on the bark collar
may cause injury to your dog’s throat.
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Important Note: Before playing with your dog, either turn the unit OFF
or remove the collar from your pet. The stimulation may cause your dog
to bark, which could lead to him associating the play with correction. In
addition, clapping hands or loud talking could cause your pet to receive a
false correction through activation of the sensor.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Once I use a Bark Control system, will my dog stop barking altogether?
A: Barking is a natural behavior and a needed outlet for a dog. They are very
good at learning what situations they are allowed to bark in.
Q: Is it possible for my dog to learn not to bark only when the bark collar is
on?
A: Yes. This is best accomplished by placing the bark collar on your dog only
in situations where you never want him to bark, and never placing the bark
collar on your dog in situations where you find it acceptable for him to
bark.
Q: I have more than one dog, but only one dog with a barking problem. Will
it cause problems between the dogs if I keep them together?
A: It should not be a problem, especially if you follow the procedures
described in this manual.
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Q: My pet has a sensitive nature; can I lower the correction level of the collar?
A: An easily replaceable resistor can be obtained by calling our Customer
Care Center at 1-800-732-0144.
PRODUCT WARRANTY
Please register your product in our database by mailing in the warranty card
or registering online at www.sportdog.net.
All parts are covered under warranty for the life of the product. Labor is
covered for the first year of ownership. Thereafter, there is a minimum
service charge for the repair or replacement of the product. Misuse, loss,
or improper handling is not covered. SportDog™ will not pay for loss of
time, inconvenience, loss of use of your product, loss of your product, or any
incidental or consequential damages.
SERVICE
If you need service, please contact the Customer Care Center at
1-800-732-0144 for help in troubleshooting and, if necessary, to arrange
a repair for your product (a service charge may apply). Also, please visit
our website www.sportdog.net. for more Frequently Asked Questions and
Troubleshooting Tips.
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Radio Systems Corporation
10427 Electric Ave.
Knoxville, TN 37932
1-800-732-0144
www.sportdog.net
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