SportDOG YardTrainer SD-105S Installation guide

Please read this entire guide before beginning
Please read this entire guide before beginning
Operating and Basic Training Guide

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Thank you for choosing SportDOG Brand®. Used properly, this product will
help you train your dog efficiently and safely.To ensure your satisfaction,
please review this owner’s manual thoroughly. If you have questions
regarding this product’s operation, please see this manual’s Frequently Asked
Questions or Troubleshooting section, contact our Customer Care Center at
1-800-732-0144, or visit our website at www.sportdog.com.
Please register your product within 90 days at www.sportdog.com or by
mailing in the registration card. By registering, you will enjoy the product’s
full warranty and should you ever need to call the Customer Care Center,
we will be able to help you faster. Additionally, you will not have to save your
product receipt as registering serves as proof of purchase. Most importantly,
SportDOG will never give or sell your valuable information to anyone.
________________________________________________________________
Table of Contents
Components .........................................................................................3
How the System Works ..........................................................................3
Key Definitions .....................................................................................4
Prepare the Remote Transmitter.............................................................5
Prepare the Collar Receiver....................................................................6
Fit the Collar Receiver...........................................................................7
Find the Best Intensity Level forYour Dog .............................................8
Reset the Collar Receiver ......................................................................9
Before TrainingYour Dog with this Product ............................................9
Basic Training with Pro Trainer Charlie Jurney .....................................10
Frequently Asked Questions ................................................................19
Troubleshooting..................................................................................20
Test Light Instructions ........................................................................20
Terms of Use and Limitation of Liability ..............................................21

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Components
How the System Works
The SportDOG YardTrainer SD-105S has been proven safe, comfortable and effective
for dogs over 8 pounds. Consistent, correct use of this product allows you to reinforce
commands and correct misbehavior from up to 100 yards.The Remote Transmitter sends a
signal, activating the Collar Receiver to deliver a harmless stimulation.With proper training,
a dog will learn to associate this signal with a command. Like all SportDOG products, this
model features adjustable stimulation levels so you can tailor the stimulation level to your
dog’s temperament, eliminating the risk of over-correction.
Important:The YardTrainer SD-105S Collar Receiver uses
an internal antenna embedded in the Collar Strap to receive
signals from up to 100 yards. Depending on the way you hold
the Remote Transmitter, the maximum range may vary. For
consistent results at longer ranges, hold the Remote Transmitter
in a vertical position away from your body and over your head.
Terrain, weather, vegetation, transmission from other radio
devices, and other factors will affect the maximum range.

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Key Definitions
Remote Transmitter: Transmits the radio signal to the Collar Receiver. It is water resistant and
cannot be submerged in water.
Intensity Dial: Provides multiple levels of stimulation so you can match the correction to your dog’s
temperament.
Transmitter Indicator Light: Indicates that a button is pressed and also serves as a low battery
indicator.
Upper Button: This button is factory-set to deliver Continuous Stimulation.
Lower Button: This button is factory-set to deliver Continuous Stimulation two levels higher than the
setting on the Intensity Dial.
Side Button: This button is factory-set to deliver a tone without stimulation.
Collar Receiver: Receives the radio signal from the Remote Transmitter and delivers the stimulation
for correcting your dog. It is waterproof and can be submerged in water.
Receiver Indicator Light: Indicates when the Collar Receiver has been turned on or off and also
serves as a low-battery indicator.
Contact Points: The contacts through which the Collar Receiver delivers stimulation when the
Remote Transmitter upper or lower button is pressed.
On/Off Button: Pressing and releasing this button turns the Collar Receiver on/off.
Continuous Stimulation:You control both when and how long stimulation is delivered to your dog
through the Collar Receiver’s Contact Points.When a Continuous Stimulation button is pressed for
8 seconds or more, the Remote Transmitter will “time-out.” The button will need to be released and
pressed again before additional stimulation can be delivered.
Correction: Pressing the Upper or Lower Button.
Brief Correction: Pressing and quickly releasing either the Upper or Lower Button.
Contact Points
Collar Receiver
On/Off
Button
Receiver
Indicator
Light
Intensity
Dial
Remote Transmitter
Transmitter
Indicator Light
Transmitter
Antenna
Lower
Button
Side
Button
Upper
Button

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Prepare the Remote Transmitter
Inserting 3-Volt Batteries
1. Remove the battery cover from the back
of the Remote Transmitter by using a
coin and turning it counter-clockwise.
2. Insert two 3-volt lithium batteries and
secure the battery cover.
Note: Approximate battery life will be 6
months, depending upon frequency of use.
“+” side
on top
Transmitter Indicator Light
Remote Transmitter Function Indicator Light Response
Continuous Stimulation or Tone Only button
pressed
Solid in color
Low battery – Continuous Stimulation or Tone
Only button pressed
Flashes continuously
Step
1

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Prepare the Collar Receiver
Inserting 3-Volt Batteries
1. Use a small Phillips screwdriver to remove the
two screws on the receiver.
2. Remove the battery door.
3. Insert two, 3-volt lithium batteries per the
diagram on the battery door.
4. Replace the battery door. Check to ensure o-ring
is in place and clean. Press and snap into the
receiver.
5. Tighten the screws, being careful not to
overtighten.
O-Ring
To Turn the Collar Receiver On:
1. Press and hold the On/Off Button until the
Receiver Indicator Light comes on
and the Collar Receiver beeps 5 times.
2. Release the On/Off Button.
The Receiver Indicator Light will flash until the
Collar Receiver is turned off. The flashing light
indicates the Collar Receiver is ready to receive a
radio signal from the Remote Transmitter.
On/Off Button
To Turn the Collar Receiver Off:
1. Press and hold the On/Off Button until the Receiver Indicator Light
comes on and the Collar Receiver beeps 2 times.
2. Release the On/Off Button.
Note: Maximum battery life will be one month. If the Collar Receiver is left on
continuously, the maximum battery life (before replacing batteries) will be 1-2 weeks.
Receiver Indicator Light
Function Indicator Light Response
Collar Receiver on – good battery Flashes once per second
Collar Receiver on - low battery Flashes once every 4 seconds
Continuous Stimulation button pressed Solid in color
Tone Only button pressed No response
Step
2

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3A
3B
3C
3D
Fit the Collar Receiver
Important:The proper fit and placement of the Collar Receiver is important for
effective training.The Contact Points must have direct contact with your dog’s skin.
To ensure a proper fit, follow these steps:
1. With your dog standing (3A), center the Collar Receiver where
the Contact Points are underneath your dog’s neck, touching
the skin (3B). If your dog has a long or thick coat, you have two
options to ensure consistent contact: either trim the hair around
the Contact Points or switch to the longer Contact Points
included with your system.
2. The Collar Receiver should fit snugly, yet loose
enough to allow one finger to fit between the strap
and your dog’s neck (3C).
3. Allow your dog to wear the collar for several
minutes, and then recheck the fit. Check the fit
again as your dog becomes more comfortable
wearing the Collar Receiver.
4. Trim the collar as follows (3D):
a. Mark the desired length of the collar
with a pen. Allow for growth if your dog
is young or grows a thick winter coat.
b. Remove the Collar Receiver from
your dog and cut off the excess.
Important: Do not cut the part of
the collar containing the
Antenna.
c. Before placing the Collar Receiver
back onto your dog, seal the edge of
the cut collar by applying a flame
along the frayed edge.
Care and Cleaning
To ensure the effectiveness of this product
and the comfort and safety of your dog,
check the fit of his collar frequently. This
Guide describes proper collar fitting. If
you notice that your dog is experiencing skin irritation,
discontinue use of the collar for a few days. If the condition
persists beyond 48 hours, see your veterinarian.
To prevent skin irritation from occurring:
• The Collar Receiver should not be worn for more than 8 hours out of every 24-hour
period.
•Your dog’s neck and the Contact Points must be washed weekly with a washcloth and
mild hand soap, then rinsed thoroughly.
Step
3

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To Re-Thread the Collar
Slide Buckle
Ridges
The slide buckle prevents the collar from
becoming loose around your dog’s neck.
The ridges must be facing up; the collar will
slip if it is not properly threaded.
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Find the Best Intensity Level for Your Dog
TheYardTrainer SD-105S has multiple intensity levels.This allows you to choose
the stimulation that is best for your dog.
Note: Always start at the lowest level and work your way up.
For training efficiency, it is important to find the right intensity level for your dog.
This is called the Recognition Level, at which your dog swallows, looks around in
curiosity, or flicks his ears.
Finding Your Dog’s Recognition Level:
Note: Every dog is different and you cannot predict where your dog’s Recognition Level will be.
Watch closely for any slight change in behavior that tells you your dog is feeling the stimulation.
1.With the Collar Receiver turned on and properly fit to your dog, set the Remote
Transmitter’s Intensity Dial at Level 1 and press the Continuous Stimulation Button
for 1 to 2 seconds.
2. If your dog shows no reaction to Level 1, go to Level 2 and repeat the process.
3.YOUR DOG SHOULD NOT VOCALIZE OR PANIC WHEN RECEIVING
STIMULATION. IF THIS HAPPENS,THE STIMULATION LEVEL IS TOO
HIGH ANDYOU NEED TO GO BACK TO THE PREVIOUS LEVEL AND
REPEAT THE PROCESS.
4. Once you find your dog’s Recognition Level, this is the level you should use when you
begin a training exercise.
Step
4

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5. If you have progressed to Level 8 while searching for your dog’s Recognition Level and
your dog continues to show no response, check to see if Collar Receiver is snug against
your dog’s neck.Then go back to Intensity Level 1 and repeat the process. If your dog
still does not indicate he is feeling the stimulation, you have two options: you may
either have to trim the hair beneath the Contact Points or switch to the longer Contact
Points included with your system.
If after completing all of these steps your dog still does not indicate he is feeling
the stimulation, please contact Customer Care Center at 1-800-732-0144.
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Reset the Collar Receiver
To reset the Collar Receiver to work with a new Remote Transmitter or to reprogram a
new Collar Receiver to work with your existing Remote Transmitter:
A. Turn the Collar Receiver off.
B. Press and hold the On/Off Button.The Receiver Indicator Light will come on, then
turn off after 4-5 seconds. If the On/Off Button is released too early, the Receiver
Indicator Light will begin flashing as normal. If this occurs, start over from A.
C. After the Receiver Indicator Light has turned off, release the On/Off Button.
D. Press and hold the Upper Button on the Remote Transmitter until the Receiver
Indicator Light flashes 5 times.You may need to hold both units 2-3 feet from each
other before this occurs. Once the Receiver Indicator Light has flashed 5 times, the
Collar Receiver has been reset and will begin flashing as normal. If the Receiver
Indicator Light does not flash 5 times, start over and repeat the process.
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Before Training Your Dog with this Product
You will have the most success using this Remote Trainer if you always remember to
teach a command before trying to reinforce the command with a Remote Trainer.We
recommend that you read the following Basic Training instructions before training
with this Remote Trainer.Your training will be easier and proceed faster if you follow
the guidelines in this teaching assistant.
Step
5

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Basic Training with Pro Trainer Charlie Jurney
Training Your Dog to Perform Obedience Commands on a Leash
It is mandatory that you control your dog’s actions during every training session. Initially,
controlling your dog during obedience training sessions is accomplished in two ways:
1) the leash and 2) the tone of your voice. While on the leash, your dog does not have an
opportunity to escape through the instinctive mechanisms all canines possess. Bolting, biting
and quitting are no longer options.Your tone of voice will later take the place of the leash.
Later the e-collar will replace both and you will be able to put the leash away until you train
your next dog.
Your dog should always work for you because you are the most important relationship in
its life, and pleasing you should be at the top of its priority list. The positive reward any
dog appreciates most from a trainer is a thank you in the form of a loving shoulder stroke,
affectionate eye contact and a sincere “good dog.” If your dog does not light up on any of
those three, you need to reevaluate your relationship. Each command should be followed
with a positive reward of some fashion when your dog follows your lead.
The First Command: NO
The first command your dog will learn is “No.” Usually your dog will understand this
command by the end of its first day with you.Your dog hears this command each time it is
doing something wrong and it comprehends the command by the way you say it.Your dog
may have been running around the house with your wife’s pantyhose in its mouth or chewing
on your prized decoy when it hears that dreadful word. Intonation expresses your feelings
to your dog in a language that is universal.The tone of your voice tells your dog that it is in
trouble and through repetitive use, the word “No” comes to mean the same thing. Voila!
Our first conditioned response! (Thank you, Dr. Pavlov).
“No” means stop what you are doing immediately. Put yourself in your dog’s place when
it hears this command and understands it.The dog is thinking it must quickly stop what it
is doing.Your dog would gladly obey you, if it only knew what you desired. For this reason,
when your dog does stop doing whatever it was that bothered you, you must give another
command expressing what will please you. “No” is always followed with something that will
make you happy. When you are happy, your dog will see it through your eyes, feel it by your
touch and hear it in your tone. And, that is your dog’s positive reward. Even when it makes
a mistake and is corrected by the word “No,” it receives a reward by following your next
command. This is a simple and foolproof method.
The Most Important Command: HERE
“Here” is the most important command your dog will ever learn. It is an escape from almost
any trouble. “Here” tells your dog to come to you immediately and without deviation. This
command is very easy for your dog to learn if you will speak its language. Most dogs will

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make a beeline to any person who kneels down and opens up their arms. In this position
you are using postural language to welcome your dog. While you are kneeling and your dog
is running to you, add the verbal command “Here.” Shower your dog with positive verbal
rewards while stroking its shoulder.
Let’s take a second again and discuss how much positive reward to give a dog when it follows
your commands. Do you remember how your dog communicates to you that it understands
and accepts your actions? When your dog swallows, it says, “I understand.” So, back off
the positive rewards when your dog says it understands and accepts your thank you by
swallowing. Continually stroking your dog’s shoulder and praising it will eventually lessen the
sincerity of your reward and that could be a huge mistake.Training your dog to come to you
with the “Here” command is done along with the postural position of kneeling and opening
up your arms.
The leash (or lead) should be used in training your dog on the command “Here” as soon
as it is comfortable with the leash. Give the command “Here” and apply a slight tug on the
leash. Be sure to release the leash pressure the instant the dog starts coming toward you.
Many people try to maintain leash pressure until the dog is at their side. While this works, it
can be too much pressure and your dog does not get the reward of turning the pressure off
while it is coming to you. If your dog hesitates or fails to come directly to you, give another
tug with the lead and repeat “Here.” When your dog arrives at your side, stroke its shoulder
until it gives you a swallow response.Your dog has learned what you want and now it is time
to condition the response with repetition.
A Positional Command: HEEL
“Heel” is a positional command that instructs your dog to assume a position beside your leg
whether you are walking, standing, running or riding a horse. People seek professional help
in teaching their dog to heel properly more than for any other command.These folks always
explain that their puppy is a great dog but it will not walk on its leash.This means the dog
feels like it is alpha and should lead its owner where it pleases. Every dog will learn proper
heel position on its first day of training with proper leash usage. Place the leash in its proper
position behind your dog’s ears and begin walking forward. If your dog attempts to lead you
by moving ahead, simply change direction. The leash will tighten around its neck and it will
follow your new direction. It is imperative that no leash pressure be present when your dog’s
head is beside your knee. It will learn this position is safe and causes no discomfort through
repetition. Add the verbal command “Heel” after the dog assumes the correct position and
repeat “Heel” each time its head is beside your knee.
We have discussed how to correct your dog if it attempts to lead you, but what should you
do if it tries to lag behind or flop around like a fish instead of following your lead? Keep
moving forward and allow the leash to do its job.The important point is for you not to stop
moving. If you stop walking to check on your dog or coax it forward, the leash will relax and
its pressure will stop.Your dog must learn that the only way the pressure around its neck
will disappear is by assuming the correct “Heel” position.With repetition, this position will
become a comfort zone.

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Another Positional Command: SIT
The next command to teach is “Sit.”With this command, you tell your dog to sit and remain
seated until it receives another command.The leash applies pressure to the underside of the
dog’s neck when you are training it to sit.You are now working on a different pressure point.
Pull straight up on the lead with your right hand and push down on your dog’s butt with
your left hand until its bottom hits the ground. Add a verbal “Sit” and release the pressure
on the leash. Pressure from the leash can be omitted when your dog is consistently sitting
on verbal commands. Later you will get into corrections and the steps you should follow to
make things clear for your dog. Repeat the “Sit” drill until your dog is happily driving nails
with its rear.
Have you ever seen a dog sit sideways? It flops down and comes to rest on one hip. This is
a common occurrence for lazy dogs and needs to be corrected. Pull up on the leash until
your dog sits in a proper fashion. It may become necessary to step forward if your dog
will not align itself properly at first. Fight for the proper sit position now and you won’t
have to address this in the future when you are asking it to sit in the face of overwhelming
distractions.
Now your dog has learned to come to you, walk comfortably beside you and sit on
command. It must concentrate and use its brain as it learns these skills. Pay close attention to
your dog’s focus, making sure that the training sessions are not too long. Even though your
dog’s brain is a sponge at this point, it can become oversaturated and unable to receive any
more constructive information.
A Follow-Up to “Sit”: STAY
When you give your dog the sit command, you’ve told it to sit and remain seated until it
receives another command. Many obedience programs no longer use the “Stay” command,
believing it is redundant and not necessary. However, it would be good for you to know how
to condition for this command if your dog struggles with remaining sitting. To reinforce
sitting, apply a light amount of upward leash pressure to its collar and command “Stay” as
you start to move away and toward the end of the leash.Your dog will likely get up and try to
move with you. If this occurs, stop it with “No,” reseat the dog with “Sit” and repeat “Stay”
with another upward tug on the leash. It should not take too many corrections before your
dog figures this puzzle out. Should it continually refuse to stay, add increasing amounts of
leash pressure and stronger “No” commands until it obeys.You may need to be more patient
here than any other place.You have already conditioned your dog to move with you at heel as
you move away and many dogs think this is what you want now instead of remaining seated.
Correction for mistakes, rewards for positive responses, and repetition will quickly condition
your dog to this command.

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A Directional Command: KENNEL
You will often require your dog to enter different areas and objects: airline crates, vehicles,
buildings, boats, duck blinds and fenced areas are just a few examples.You will use the
command “Kennel” to tell your dog to enter what is in front of it. Always use the command
“Sit” before you ask a dog to enter. If you give your dog a chance to sit and look into the area
it is being asked to enter, it will be far more likely to perform this skill without a fight. By
looking into this area, your dog can see that the boogie man is not waiting inside.
What should you do if your dog decides it does not want to enter? You know it will give to
the pressure of a leash, so lead it into the proper area and command “Kennel.” Once in the
correct place, stroke pup on the shoulder until you see acceptance via the swallow response.
Repeat this routine until you start to develop a conditioned response to your command.
Some dogs fight this entry with a great deal of vigor. If your dog chooses this option, be sure
to maintain leash pressure until you get the desired response. Once it understands that there
is no danger in these areas, it will be glad to enter upon command.
Think about your individual training situation and see if you can create opportunities to
work on the “Kennel” command. This can be accomplished by having an airline crate with
you while doing your dog’s obedience routine or working in an area close to the entrance of
your home where the doorway becomes the area in which your dog is commanded to enter.
Or, you could use your vehicle, and this will be very handy when you take your dog to other
training areas.
A Final Obedience Command: DOWN
The next command in your obedience program will be “Down,” which tells your dog to
lie down and remain in this position until it receives another command. This command is
most often used around the home. For this reason, the easiest time to work on “Down” is at
night while watching television. Command your dog to “Sit” and stroke its shoulder when
it obeys. Face the dog, grab its front paws and pull them toward you. When your dog’s chest
hits the floor, command “Down” and stroke a shoulder again. Most dogs will immediately
rise, assuming a sit position. If this occurs, correct your dog with “No” and repeat the
“Down” process again. It generally takes around three evenings before your dog will become
comfortable with this routine. But, do not be worried if it takes your dog three weeks.
Understanding Correction
We have spoken very little about correcting your dog for making a mistake up until this
time. No dog is perfect and many mistakes are going to occur while training. In reality you
want your dog to make mistakes so you can clearly show the difference between right and
wrong. It is important that you have a correction method that your dog understands and
comfortably accepts. Here is the correction system you should use from Day One.The same
correction system will be used for the rest of your dog’s life whether you are using a leash or
e-collar to correct improper responses.

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1. Give your dog a command. If it obeys, use a positive reward. If it fails to obey, proceed
to Step 2.
2. Stop your dog’s incorrect action with the command “No.” Repeat the command
after you get the incorrect actions stopped. If your dog obeys, use a positive reward. If it
fails to obey, proceed to Step 3.
3. Stop your dog’s incorrect action with the command “No” and use the physical
pressure of your leash until the correct response occurs. Immediately release the
pressure when your dog obeys, repeat the command and praise with a positive reward.
If you are consistent in this correction process, the verbal correction of “No” will become
much more powerful.Your dog will learn through daily usage that if it does not follow
your lead after the command “No,” there will be some form of physical pressure (leash or
electronic).Your dog does not like being corrected any more than you do. Correction will be
a part of its life and it will accept this correction as long as you give it in a comfortable and
systematic fashion. This means you must be consistent and you cannot hurt your dog by
hitting, kicking, overstimulating when you become frustrated.
Application of the Electronic Collar
E-collar use has come a long way. The equipment is better and the many available programs
for training with e-collars are better. Some people don’t believe e-collars are reliable enough
and therefore they shouldn’t be used, but successful results are dependent on the skills of
the operator, not the product. It is very rare for a dog to not accept and happily work while
on a leash, but you can hurt your dog’s attitude if it is used improperly. It is the same with
e-collars.You can do an unbelievable amount of damage to your dog’s attitude by over
correcting with an e-collar if you do not know what you are doing or if you don’t control
your actions. This program will show you how to use an e-collar, but you must never
lose control of your emotions. So, make a promise to yourself and your dog that you will
always remain focused and in control when training.
In the beginning, e-collars were simple metal boxes with an on/off switch and no way to
adjust the stimulation levels. And they were often unreliable. SportDOG Brand®remote
training systems are an example of how advanced e-training products have become.
SportDOG offers several excellent models that work at great distances over land or in water.
The Right Way to Begin
Your dog needs to start wearing an e-collar as soon as it can comfortably support the collar’s
weight.The collar should be worn from that point forward during all training sessions.
Initially, you should attach the collar and do something fun such as retrieving exercises with a
bumper or ball. Continue this until your pup’s tail is wagging uncontrollably. Soon, your dog
will be doing airplane spins each time it sees the collar and think, “Oh boy, we are getting
ready to have some fun!” That is a pretty nice first impression. This is an important first
step in collar conditioning: your dog’s acceptance of the e-collar in a fun fashion.
You shouldn’t be pressing any of the remote transmitter’s buttons until your dog is 100

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percent reliable on obedience drills. When you have to deliver a correction you do not
want your dog trying to guess what you expect.Your dog should be performing these skills
masterfully in the face of distractions. If you did your homework, your dog will have an
excellent understanding of what you are asking while being able to process pressure at the
same time. Before, pressure was in the form of a leash. Now, it will be an electronic,
brief correction from the collar.Your dog already knows what to do in the face of
pressure; you are simply changing the type of pressure. Previously the pressure of the leash
was on your dog’s neck and that is where the e-collar also applies pressure, but in a different
form. The e-collar will now become an infinitely long leash to your dog. A brief correction
with the collar will take the place of a tug on the lead. This sounds pretty simple doesn’t it?
Keep it that simple and you and your dog will be happy.
Always remember:You are not going to teach your dog anything with an e-collar.
You are only adding electronic pressure to a skill your dog already knows and can
routinely perform. Also, do not use the e-collar to correct responses in an area where your
dog may have not performed these skills until the training process is finished.
Finding the Correct Stimulation Level
The hardest thing about using an e-collar is finding the proper level of stimulation and
sticking with it. Some folks are of the opinion that you should use continuous high-level
stimulation until the dog complies. Others think you should use low-level continuous
stimulation. Both programs can work and create a dog that performs great, but either of
these methods could lead to trouble for a novice trainer.
Your long-term goal is to have your dog remain under total control while receiving correction
from the e-collar and understand why the correction occurred. Remain under total
control is the key phrase in that sentence. If your dog is jumping around or cannot focus on
you because it is vocalizing, it is not under control. If your dog reacts in either of these ways,
back off. Either you are progressing too fast or the stimulation intensity is too high.
You should shop for the correct level of stimulation by starting with the lowest intensity
and continuing up until you see the acceptance mechanisms appear. This is first introduced
during obedience drills.With your dog on-leash, call it to you. After a few successful “Here”
routines, apply leash pressure and stimulate with the e-collar at the same time. Look for
the swallow response, head drop or neck twitch. Sometimes you can see a change in the
breathing pattern. Progress up in intensity until you see your dog say, “I accept” with one of
these responses.When you see your dog drop its head or swallow, you are there and this will
be your most-often used correction level.
Collar Conditioning Within Each Obedience Command
Never correct your dog with the e-collar without first conditioning it to accept and
understand the collar. This will take a short period of time but without the conditioning
process, your dog will be dazed and confused about the discomfort around its neck. It is
easy to confuse your dog and undo a couple of months of good training in just a few minutes

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by over-stimulating on a correction or correcting when it is not justified. No corrections
should occur until the conditioning process has been successfully completed. The collar-
conditioning process can be thought of as practice in accepting electronic stimulation.Your
football coach didn’t send you on the field without practicing the plays and likewise, we do
not want to send your dog into the world without an understanding of how to comfortably
accept electronic correction.
Using an E-Collar to Reinforce Obedience Commands
“HERE”
Bolting can become a disastrous side-effect of e-collar conditioning if your dog is allowed
to move away from your control. Therefore, keep using the leash until the conditioning
process is finished. Toss a few bumpers and work on obedience drills in the training area.
Check for that wagging tail that signals a good attitude.Then command “Here,” deliver a
brief correction on the correct level – paying close attention to the dog’s reaction – and then
immediately command “Here” again. Reward your dog with a stroke on the shoulder and
verbal praise. Repeat “Here”-brief correction-“Here” three to five times on the first day at
various places in the work area while making sure that no two brief corrections occur at the
same spot.Your dog will receive at least three brief corrections, but no more than five, during
the first couple of sessions. If things are going well, you can go to five. But, if your dog is
nervous, stop at three. Continue the obedience routine with no stimulation for a little longer.
Make sure rewards follow proper responses. Finish by throwing a bumper or ball to each spot
where your dog received stimulation in an effort to show that the location had nothing to do
with why the correction occurred.
Pay close attention to your dog’s attitude during this routine. If momentum fades, use
fewer brief corrections and more play time. Increase the reward by adding a few extra
shoulder strokes along with a happy tone of voice. Don’t be afraid to skip a day if your dog
shows repeated signs of too much pressure.This is not likely to occur if you are careful, but
understand how to overcome it just in case.
“SIT”
Next, it is time to condition your dog to sit and accept a correction while maintaining control
in the seated position. Have your dog do a quick obedience drill and command “Sit.” While
the dog is seated, give a brief correction with the collar and immediately command “Sit”
again. If it moves around or gets up, return the dog to the seated position by using the leash.
Reward on the shoulder and verbally. Repeat the “Sit”-brief correction-“Sit” three to five
times per session. As before, move around so you do not stimulate your dog at any spot more
than once. Use a positive reward after each successful brief correction.

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“STAY”
When your dog is comfortably accepting e-collar pressure while remaining seated, you can
start to use the e-collar for correction on the “Stay” command. After successfully seating
your dog, command “Stay,” deliver a brief correction and command “Stay” again. Watch
for the acceptance response and do not move ahead until you get it. Call your dog to you
and repeat the process several times without e-collar stimulation. Repeat the “Stay”-brief
correction-“Stay” at other locations and repeat this process until your dog is the picture of
perfection, remaining seated even when distractions tempt it to get up and move.
“HEEL”
Your dog learned to heel beside you earlier in the program, and transferring this command
to e-collar correction is simple. Walk your dog on-leash and change directions. As the leash
tightens, command “Heel,” give a brief correction with the collar and command “Heel”
again. It is important to apply the brief correction at the same time the leash is tight instead
of when the dog is coming to you. Reward with verbal praise and a stroke on the shoulder
until you see the acceptance swallow. Repeat this routine as you walk together in various
locations until your dog is comfortable.
Your dog is now conditioned to accept the e-collar while coming, heeling, or sitting on
command. It is time to mix the commands into a full “Here”-“Heel”-“Sit” drill. Use your
brief correction at varying times as your dog allows and as before, avoid successive brief
corrections or multiple brief corrections in the same area.You can increase the number of
brief corrections as long as you pay close attention to your dog’s attitude. Toss a few bumpers
to chase when necessary to relieve pressure and pour on the positive rewards as needed.
“DOWN”
Your dog understands the “Down” command and can perform it without any trouble by now
if you did your homework. Now you can easily add the e-collar to this routine in the same
fashion as before. Place your dog in the “Down” position with a verbal command. Command
“Down” again, give a brief correction with the e-collar and repeat “Down.” Watch how
your dog reacts looking for the acceptance signals. Praise with a stroke on the shoulder and
verbally. As before, you need to condition this with repetition.

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Keep That Collar On!
At some time, you will get to a point where you feel like your dog no longer needs to wear
the e-collar because it never makes a mistake. Congratulations on a job well done! However,
your dog should always wear the e-collar when in environments that contain distractions.
Would you drive your car across the country without automobile liability insurance?You
should now think of the e-collar as your insurance policy in case you and your dog get into
a wreck. It gives your dog a way out of trouble in an orderly fashion that it understands even
when its instincts are telling it to do something else. What does it hurt for your dog to wear
the e-collar when you go to the park, Grandma comes for a visit, it is time to go to the vet or
a million other unknown distractions?You taught that the e-collar means the two of you are
getting ready to do something fun, so keep the e-collar on.
Enjoy the Trip
You have now learned how to start down the road to a life of enjoyment with your dog. Some
of these steps may need to be covered again if your dog has repeated failures.That is no
problem as long as you take it easy and enjoy the ride together. Arriving is one of our goals
but the trip that takes you there will be filled with memorable times that will cement you and
your dog’s relationship forever.
Good Training!
Charlie Jurney of Terrell, North Carolina, is a professional retriever trainer and owner
of Beaverdam Kennels, producer of more Grand Master Hunting Retrievers and Master
Hunting Retrievers than any other facility. Most recently, Charlie authored the Finished Dog
training manual and CD-ROM.

www.sportdog.com 19
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the stimulation safe for
my dog?
While the stimulation is unpleasant, it is harmless to your
dog. Electronic training devices require interaction and
training from the owner to achieve desired results.
How old does a dog have to be
before using the YardTrainer
SD-105S?
Your dog should be able to learn basic obedience
commands such as “Sit” or “Stay.” The Collar Receiver
may be too large for dogs under 8 pounds.
Once my dog is trained
and has been obeying my
commands, will my dog have
to continue to wear the Collar
Receiver?
Your dog may need to wear the Collar Receiver from
time to time for reinforcement.
Is the Collar Receiver
waterproof?
Yes.When the batteries need to be replaced, make sure
the battery door gasket is free from dirt and debris.
Can I use the YardTrainer
SD-105S on aggressive dogs?
We do not recommend any of our products to be used on
aggressive dogs.We recommend you contact your local
veterinarian or professional trainer to determine if your
dog might be aggressive.
Will I get exactly 100 yards of
range with the YardTrainer
SD-105S?
The range you get with yourYardTrainer SD-105S will
vary according to terrain, weather, vegetation, as well
as transmission from other radio devices.To get the
maximum amount of range, please refer to “How the
System Works” section of this guide.
How long can I continuously
deliver stimulation to my dog?
The maximum amount of time you can press the
Continuous Stimulation Button and deliver stimulation
to your dog continuously is 8 seconds. After eight
seconds, the Remote Transmitter will “time-out,” and the
Continuous Stimulation Button must be released and
pressed again.
What do I do if my dog’s neck
becomes red and irritated?
This condition is due to the Contact Points irritating the
skin. Discontinue use of the Collar Receiver for a few
days. If the condition persists beyond 48 hours, see your
veterinarian. Once the skin returns to normal, replace the
Collar Receiver, and monitor the skin condition closely.
How can I get replacement
batteries?
CR2032 batteries can either be purchased through the
Customer Care Center at 1-800-732-0144, or at any
store that sells camera batteries.

20 1-800-732-0144
Troubleshooting
The answers to these questions should help you solve any problem you have with this system. If
they do not, please contact the Customer Care Center at 1-800-732-0144 or visit our website at
www.sportdog.com.
My dog is not responding
when I press a button.
• Check to see if the Collar Receiver has been turned on.
• If your range has reduced from the first time you have used
it, please check to see if the battery is low in either the
Remote Transmitter or Collar Receiver.
• Many factors can impact the range you have with the
YardTrainer SD-105S. For a list of these factors, please refer
to “How the System Works”.
•You can verify the Collar Receiver is delivering stimulation to
your dog by placing the test light, enclosed in your kit, on the
Collar Receiver. Please refer to the “Test Light Instructions”
for details.
• Increase the Intensity Dial. Refer to “Find the Best Intensity
Level ForYour Dog” for more information.
• Make sure the Collar Receiver’s Contact Points are placed
snugly against your dog’s skin. Refer to “Fit the Collar
Receiver” for more information.
The Collar Receiver will not
turn on.
• Make sure the Collar Receiver does not have low batteries -
refer to page 6. If so, replace the batteries with new ones.
The Collar Receiver is not
responding to the Remote
Transmitter.
• Verify the Collar Receiver has been turned on. Refer to
“Turning the Collar Receiver On and Off ”.
• Refer to “Reset the Collar Receiver.”
Test Light Instructions
1. Hold the Test Light Contacts to the Contact Points.
2. Press a Stimulation Button on the Remote Transmitter.
3. The Test Light will flash.
Note: At higher Intensity Levels the Test Light will flash brighter.
Save the Test Light for future testing.
Note: If the Test Light does not flash, replace batteries and re-test. If Test Light still does not flash,
contact the Customer Care Center at 1-800-732-0144.