Tri-Tronics Training collar User manual

CONGRATULATIONS!
You have just purchased one of the finest
dog training products available.
Before starting to use this unit, carefully read this
Owner’s Manual. It explains how to operate
and maintain your Companion. A thorough
understanding of its contents will help
you use your Companion safely and effectively.
Tri-Tronics takes great pride in the design,
manufacture, service, and safety of its products.
If you have any questions after reading the manual,
please contact our Customer Service Department at
1-800-456-4343.
Thank you for choosing Tri-Tronics.
Product Specifications
Product specifications may change without notice or obligation since
Tri-Tronics is committed to a policy of continuous improvement.
Certain Tri-Tronics products are covered by one or more of these U.S.
patent numbers: 4202293, 4335682, 4794402, 4802482, D298872,
4947795, 5054428, 5099797, 5193484, and patents pending.
Tri-Tronics products are made in the USA. However, certain materials
may be sourced from quality suppliers in other countries.
Owner’s Registration Reply Card
Please take a moment to complete and return the Owner’s
Registration Reply Card. When you do, you’ll be “on file” at
Tri-Tronics. This will help ensure timely, no-questions-asked
warranty work should you need it. You may also register on our
website at www.tritronics.com by clicking on “Online Product
Registration.”
Fifth Edition November, 1999
Published by Tri-Tronics, Inc., Tucson, Arizona.
Copyright © 1999, Tri-Tronics, Inc.
All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Batteries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Transmitter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Collar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Operating the Companion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Working the Dog with the Companion . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Radio Signal Issues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Care and Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Service and Warranty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
FCC Compliance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Product Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Troubleshooting Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

COMPONENTS
STANDARD COMPONENTS
The Companion has been designed and tested to apply
safe, effective electrical stimulation. It includes the
following components:
Collar. A waterproof case containing a radio receiver
and an electrical stimulator is mounted on an adjustable
collar strap. The collar strap fits neck sizes from
approximately 9 inches to 20 inches around.
Transmitter. A battery-powered, hand-held radio
transmitter contains the controls used by the trainer
to cause the collar to apply stimulation.
Contact Points. The contact points deliver electrical
stimulation when the transmitter button is pressed.
The color-coded contact points are “variable intensity
contact points” and affect the strength of electrical
stimulation. The Companion is shipped with the lowest
(blue) contact point installed. See page 14 for more
information about the variable intensity contact points.
Page 1 Companion

Contact Point/Battery
Compartment Wrench.
This plastic tool is used
to unscrew the contact
points from the collar
and to attach other
contact points. Also,
use this wrench to
check the tightness
of the contact points
before each use. The contact points must be more than
finger-tight. Be certain to use only the contact point
wrench to tighten the contact points.
The contact point wrench should also be used to
remove or tighten the battery compartment cap
in the collar.
OPTIONAL COMPONENTS
The following components are not included with the
Companion. Call Tri-Tronics at 1-800-456-4343 for the
dealer nearest you.
Short Contact Points.
The Companion is supplied
with “long” contact points.
This style is appropriate
for most dogs. If your
dog has a short coat or
especially sensitive skin, you may wish to use the
optional “short” contact points. Both the black point and
the color-coded contact point should match in length.
Components Page 2

Books and Videos. Many books and videos about
training with Remote Trainers like the Companion are
available. Call Tri-Tronics at 1-800-456-4343 for more
information on these resources.
Storage Pouch.
This vinyl pouch
may be used to
carry contact points
and the contact
point wrench.
Dummy Collar.
This collar has the
same weight, feel,
and appearance as
the collar that
comes with the
Companion, but has
no electronics.
Carrying Case.
This foam-lined,
molded, plastic
carrying case
holds the collar,
transmitter,
and all of
your accessories.
Holster.
This padded nylon
holster slips right
on your belt, and
the transmitter may
be easily pulled out
of it for use.
Page 3 Companion

BATTERIES
Installing the Transmitter Batteries. To open the
battery compartment door, press down on the molded
ridges on the cover plate and slide it in the direction
of the “open” arrow. Install one 9-volt alkaline
battery as shown in the illustration inside the
battery compartment. Be sure the positive terminal
(the smaller terminal) is on the correct side. Slide
the battery cover plate back on.
Important: The positive and negative terminals of
the transmitter batteries must match the positive
and negative contacts in the battery compartment.
NOTE: Do not use non-alkaline batteries
in the transmitter.
Insert one 9-volt alkaline
battery in the transmitter.
Batteries Page 4
Insert two 2/3A 3-volt lithium
batteries in the collar.
+

Installing the Collar Batteries. To install the two
2/3A 3-volt lithium batteries in the collar, unscrew
the battery compartment end cap. Use the contact
point wrench. Slide the batteries into the compartment
as shown in the illustration on page 4. The positive
end of both batteries goes in first, as indicated on
the receiver’s case.
Inspect the
rubber O-ring
on the end cap
every time
you change
batteries. Make
sure it is still
there and is
not cracked.
Then screw
the battery
compartment
end cap back
into the collar, tightening it with the wrench provided.
Tighten the battery cap until
the raised plastic ridge is
approximately “horizontal,”
as shown in the illustration.
NOTE: New lithium batteries
may cause the collar to produce
higher stimulation than normal,
which could startle your dog.
We recommend that immediately
after installing new batteries, you “time-out” the collar
using continuous stimulation four or five times before
putting the collar on the dog. To “time-out” the collar,
press and hold the transmitter button. After about
ten seconds, the red LED in the collar will change
from being on continuously to blinking once per
second. Release the transmitter button. Wait a
moment, then repeat the process.
Check the O-ring that
seals the collar battery
compartment for
signs of wear.
Page 5 Companion

Battery Life. The expected life of the lithium batteries
in the collar varies depending on use. Most users
experience at least six months to a year of battery life.
If your use is very heavy, expect less battery life.
The transmitter batteries should last for about
3000 transmissions (with an assumed length of
1/2second each).
Preventing Battery Drain. The collar draws current
whenever it is active (when the red LED is blinking).
This is because the collar is seeking a signal from the
transmitter even though no stimulation is produced.
You should turn the collar off whenever it is not in use
in order to conserve the life of the collar batteries.
The transmitter uses no battery current except when
the stimulation button is pressed.
Checking the Collar Batteries. When the batteries in
the collar begin to fail, the red LED will blink rapidly
(about eight times a second) when the collar is active.
Depending upon use, the collar may work for several
more hours, but you may begin to experience
inconsistent performance, or the collar may stop
working in the middle of a training session. Plan on
replacing the collar batteries soon after you see the
collar LED begin to blink rapidly.
Storing the Companion. If you won’t be using the
Companion for several months, you should remove the
batteries in both the collar and the transmitter.
Battery Disposal. Tri-Tronics is concerned about
environmental issues, so please dispose of batteries
in accordance with state and local regulations.
Batteries Page 6

THE COMPANION TRANSMITTER
belt clip
(removable)
button guard
stimulation button
rocker switch for
continuous/
momentary (C/M)
rocker switch for
high/low (HI/LO)
(operates in
momentary
mode only)
battery
compartment
cover
green LED
indicator
light
Back Front
Side Side
C M
HI LO
Page 7 Companion

TRANSMITTER
Setting the Rocker Switches. The upper rocker switch
on the back of the transmitter is used to set the collar
to produce either continuous (C) or momentary (M)
stimulation. When the upper switch is set to M, the
lower rocker switch can be used to set the length of the
pulse the dog feels. The HI setting is about four times
as long as the LO setting. The dog will feel both as brief
bursts of stimulation, but HI will feel stronger than LO.
Three combinations are possible by setting the
rocker switches.
•Upper rocker on C – pressing the stimulation button
produces continuous stimulation. The HI/LO rocker
switch has no effect. It may be in either position.
•Upper rocker on M and lower rocker on LO –
pressing the stimulation button produces low-level
momentary stimulation.
•Upper rocker on M and lower rocker on HI –
pressing the stimulation button produces higher-level
momentary stimulation.
See the section “Operating the Companion” on
page 12 for information about continuous and
momentary modes.
Another way to control the strength of stimulation is
to change the variable intensity contact point in the
collar. Doing this will change the strength of both the
continuous and the momentary stimulation.
See the section “Contact Points” on page 14 for a
discussion of this feature. Also see pages 16 and 17
for tips on what intensity levels to use for training.
Transmitter Page 8

Applying Stimulation. The gray button on the side
of the transmitter is the stimulation button. Press this
button to make the collar deliver electrical stimulation.
Transmitter LED. This LED will come on when the
stimulation button is pressed. The time that it takes to
turn off will depend on which mode (C or M) you’re in.
In momentary mode (M) in both HI and LO, the LED
will turn off after approximately one-half of a second.
In continuous mode (C), the LED will turn off when the
button is released, or at “time-out” (about ten seconds),
whichever comes first.
If the LED fails to light, or the light emitted is very
dim, it’s time to replace the transmitter battery.
Belt Clip. The Companion is shipped with a belt clip
already attached. Tighten the screw prior to use. To
remove the belt clip, loosen the small screw holding
it in place.
You can slide the strap of the collar through the
transmitter belt clip and buckle it – a convenient
way to keep the transmitter and receiver together.
Page 9 Companion

COLLAR
On/Off Switch. To activate the collar, press the on/off
switch until you hear a “click.” To turn off the collar,
press this switch again until you hear the “click.”
When the collar is active, the red LED will blink
slowly (once per second).
Collar LED. The LED on the collar has three functions.
First, it tells you when the collar is active. Second, it
tells you what the stimulation is doing. Third, it tells
you when the collar batteries are beginning to get low.
•Light blinks once per second – collar is active.
•Light glows steadily – stimulation is being delivered.
•Light blinks eight times per second – batteries are
getting low.
When the transmitter is set for continuous stimulation
(C), the light will stay on as long as the stimulation
button is held down, or until time-out occurs.
When the transmitter is set for momentary stimulation
(M), the light will stay on very briefly for LO and
slightly longer for HI, no matter how long the
stimulation button is held down.
Note that in the momentary mode, it is normal for the
LED to continue to glow steadily for a few moments
after the button is released.
Collar Page 10

THE COMPANION COLLAR
D-ring
collar strap
collar keeper
battery
compartment
end cap with
O-ring underneath
on/off switch
LED
waterproof case
colored
variable
intensity
contact
point
black
contact
point
Page 11 Companion

OPERATING THE COMPANION
Before putting the collar on the dog for the first time,
take a few moments to practice your timing by pressing
the stimulation button as you watch the collar LED.
Activating the Collar. Make sure there are batteries
in the transmitter and collar. Activate the collar by
pressing the on/off switch. The LED will begin to
blink slowly.
Continuous and Momentary Modes. In continuous
mode (C), stimulation starts when you press the button
and stops when you release it. If you hold the button
down for longer than ten seconds, the stimulation will
time out at about ten seconds.
In momentary mode (M), stimulation starts when you
press the button, and stays on only briefly, regardless
of when you release it.
Operating the Continuous Mode. Set the upper
rocker switch on the transmitter to C. Press and hold
the stimulation button. Both the collar and transmitter
LEDs will glow steadily.
After the button has been held down for about ten
seconds, the transmitter LED turns off and the collar
LED returns to blinking once per second. This change
means that time-out has occurred and the collar has
stopped stimulating.
Release the stimulation button, wait a few moments,
and press it again. The collar and transmitter LEDs
will glow steadily again.
Operating the Momentary Mode. Set the upper
rocker switch of the transmitter to M, and the lower
rocker switch to LO. Press and hold the stimulation
button. The collar LED will glow briefly and then
return to blinking once per second. The transmitter
LED will stay on for about 1/2 second.
Operating the Companion Page 12

Now set the lower rocker switch to HI. Press and hold
the stimulation button. The collar LED will glow slightly
longer, then return to blinking once per second. The
transmitter LED will stay on for about 1/2second.
Note that in the momentary mode, it is normal for the
LED to continue to glow steadily for a few moments
after the button is released.
It is not necessary to tap the button for a brief pulse
of stimulation. The momentary mode does this for
you automatically. Press and release the button in a
natural fashion.
Deactivating the Collar. When you are through
practicing, press the on/off switch on the collar to
deactivate the collar. The LED will stop blinking. This
prevents unnecessary drain on the batteries.
Storing the Companion Between Training Sessions.
When you put your transmitter away, be sure the
stimulation button is not accidentally in the “on”
position, or you will drain your battery.
Understanding the Time-Out Feature.
The Companion is designed so that continuous
stimulation cannot stay on longer than about ten
seconds at a time. If the stimulation button is held
down for a longer period, the transmitter will
automatically “time-out” and turn off the stimulation.
When this happens, you can reactivate the transmitter
by releasing the button and then pressing it again.
IMPORTANT: If you press the button several times in
quick succession, you can time out the collar. If this
happens, you must reset the collar by turning it off
and then on again with the on/off switch. Always
wait one-half second or more after releasing the
button before pressing it again.
Range. The range of the Companion is approximately
200 yards in flat, open terrain. The range you achieve in
actual use depends on many factors – terrain, foliage,
humidity, metal fences, screen doors, antennas, and
Page 13 Companion

their orientation to one another. Also, if you operate the
transmitter while it’s clipped to your belt or in your
pocket, the range will be significantly reduced.
NOTE: Keep your thumb and fingers away from the top
area of the transmitter. Any obstruction in this area will
drastically reduce the range.
Contact Points.
The collar has two
contact points installed.
They deliver electrical
stimulation to the
dog’s neck when the
transmitter button is
pressed. The black point
should remain on the
collar except during
cleaning. The other colored points are “variable
intensity contact points” that affect the strength
of electrical stimulation. One of these points
is used with the black one.
The black point has female threads and the colored
points have male threads, so they can’t be installed in
the wrong location.
The variable intensity contact points are color-coded,
and numbered 1/2- 5 to indicate increasing strength
of intensity.
#1/2blue (lowest) # 1 – brown # 2 – red
# 3 – orange # 4 – yellow # 5 – green (highest)
The contact points must be more than finger-tight,
but use only the plastic tool that comes with the
Companion to tighten the contact points.
There is no need to remove the contact points when
the collar is not in use.
IMPORTANT: Check both contact points for tightness
every time you put the collar on the dog.
Operating the Companion Page 14

WORKING THE DOG
WITH THE COMPANION
Collar Positioning.
The receiver should be
positioned in the center
of the dog’s neck with
the strap about halfway
between his ears and
his shoulders. Be sure
that the LED is facing
forward so you can
see it. This also
properly positions
the internal antenna
for maximum range.
Collar Tightness.
The collar should fit
snugly with the contact
points touching the dog’s
skin at all times. A loose-
fitting collar can cause
inconsistent stimulation,
which interferes with
the dog’s learning.
Tighten the collar by
holding the buckle with
the forefinger and thumb
of one hand while you
draw the strap tight
with the other hand. Don’t put any fingers under the
collar strap as you tighten it. Slip the free end of the
collar strap through both the D-ring and the plastic
keeper to keep it out of the way.
If it seems that the dog is not feeling stimulation every
time you press the button, try tightening the collar
strap one more notch. Also, try wiggling the receiver
on the dog’s neck to better seat the contact points
through his coat.
Page 15 Companion
Position the collar in the center
of the dog’s neck with the LED
facing forward. The collar
should be snug.
When tightening the collar,
keep fingers out from under
the strap.

Finding the Dog’s Sensitivity Level. Before you train
your dog with the Companion, you must find the dog’s
sensitivity level. Dogs are like people in that they all
have individual sensitivity levels.
The correct intensity to begin basic training is one
that will motivate your dog to obey, but that will
not overwhelm him.
To select the right intensity level, start with the lowest
variable intensity contact point (the #1/2blue point) in
the collar. Be sure you have set the upper rocker switch
on the transmitter to C (continuous stimulation).
Press the stimulation button on the transmitter and
hold it down for about a second. Watch the dog’s
expression. You want to see him cock his ears or
quickly move his head. Usually he’ll have a quizzical
expression on his face. This tells you that the dog
has felt the stimulation.
Use the plastic contact
point wrench to
tighten or change
the contact points.
Working the Dog with the Companion Page 16

Some dogs cannot feel the lowest level at all, but you
should start with it just to be sure.
Work your way up through the different levels from
lowest to highest (blue, brown, red, orange, yellow,
green), until you find the level that makes your dog
react as described. If your dog overreacts (vocalizes)
when you press the button, you have selected a level
that’s too high.
NOTE: Be sure you have “timed out” new collar
batteries a few times, as described in the Note on
page 5. This procedure “takes the edge off” new
lithium batteries.
The variable intensity contact point you select using
this method will be the right level for basic training
and most problem solving.
You may wish to increase the level of the contact point
if (1) the dog is not responding to the corrections,
particularly when he is distracted or excited, (2) you
are using the Companion to stop the dog when he
is chasing something, or (3) you use momentary
stimulation for most of your corrections.
You may wish to decrease the the level of the contact
point if (1) the dog appears increasingly concerned or
anxious when corrected, (2) you are correcting the dog
when he is not very far away from you, especially when
he is not distracted or excited, or (3) the dog frequently
overreacts (vocalizes) when he is corrected.
Note: If your dog does not seem to be feeling the
corrections, always check your collar for tightness.
It should be snug.
Training. There are two ways to use your Companion
in dog training. You can use it to reinforce commands,
like “Come” or “Sit,” and you can use it to stop
misbehaviors, like chasing, digging, and jumping up.
Page 17 Companion

If you are unfamiliar with training with Remote
Trainers, our Customer Service Department will be
happy to direct you to some resources. We have several
books, videos, and training booklets covering different
aspects of the use of Remote Trainers. For more
information, contact Tri-Tronics Customer Service
at 1-800-456-4343.
Avoid Making Your Dog “Collar-Wise.” A “collar-wise”
dog is one that has learned that he might be corrected
if he’s wearing the collar, and that he won’t be corrected
if he’s not wearing it. Dogs don’t automatically become
“collar-wise” from being trained with the Companion,
but they can if they learn to compare results. Here
are some tips to follow to prevent this:
First, if you are using the collar for reinforcing
commands, do not work the dog without the collar
on until his habit of obeying your commands is
established. This way you don’t put the dog in a
position where he is likely to disobey a command
and you can’t correct him. In other words, consistency
in reinforcing a command is what keeps your dog
from becoming “collar-wise.”
Second, if you are using the collar to stop misbehaviors,
like chasing, digging, or jumping up, put the collar on
the dog well before you plan to correct him with it
(20 minutes minimum). This way, he will not relate
having the collar put on to the correction he receives.
Be sure that his problem behavior has been eliminated
before you put him in a situation where he could
misbehave and not be corrected because the collar
isn’t on.
Working the Dog with the Companion Page 18