With plenty of repetition, consistency, patience, and a lot of praise, the dog should begin to obey these commands after several lessons. Each dog learns at a different rate, and some dogs may take longer to learn these commands. After the dog demonstrates a basic understanding of these commands while on a leash, training with collar stimulations can be introduced, while keeping the dog on the leash.
Preventing Collar-Wise Behavior
If the Alpha training system is not used properly as part of your overall training program, the dog may exhibit
•Begin training the dog without using the Alpha training system to correct the dog (page 6).
•Turn off the dog collar device and put it on the dog during initial training.
This allows the dog to get used to the device before you start using it to correct the dog.
•Turn off the dog collar device and put it on the dog outside of your training sessions.
This allows the dog to get used to the device and helps to prevent the dog from associating the presence of the device with training or obedience.
•Reward the dog with praise whenever the dog obeys a command.
Training to Heel
Before you begin training, put a leash on the dog, and select an area with minimal distractions.
The first command that you will teach the dog is the “heel” command.
1With the dog at your side on a leash, command the dog to “heel,” and begin walking forward while gently pulling on the leash.
2If the dog gets in front of you, repeat the command “heel,” and move in another direction or pull back on the leash.
3If the dog starts to lag behind you, lightly tug on the leash to bring the dog back to your side.
Reward the dog with praise when the dog obeys the command.
Training to Sit and Stay
Before you begin training, put a leash on the dog, and select an area with minimal distractions. Before you train to sit and stay, you should first train to heel.
The actual command is “sit,” and the “stay” command is implied. When you command the dog to sit, the dog should stay until you indicate otherwise.
1Begin training this command walking the dog on a leash in the heel position.
2Stop walking, pull up on the leash, and command the dog to "sit."
3Maintain steady pressure on the leash until the dog obeys the command.
4If the dog does not obey and seems confused, gently push down on the dog's back above the flank, to make the dog sit.
Reward the dog with praise when the dog sits and stays.
Training to Come Here
Before you begin training, put a leash on the dog, and select an area with minimal distractions. Before you begin training the dog to come "here," you should first train the dog to "heel" and "sit."
Also, you may need to use a long leash to effectively train "here."
Teaching your dog to come here is the most important command. The "here" command allows you to maintain control of your dog and can be used to call your dog away from a potentially dangerous situation. This command must be taught properly.
1With the dog in a sitting position, move away to the end of the leash.
2Command the dog to come “here” while gently tugging on the leash.
3Reward the dog with praise as soon as the dog begins to move toward you.
4If the dog begins to veer away, gently tug on the leash, and repeat the command to come "here."
The dog might resist this command. With repetition and patience, the dog will learn to obey the command.
Collar Training
Begin training your dog on a leash, without using the Alpha training system. After the dog shows a grasp of the commands "heel," "sit," and "here," you can begin training with the collar and the leash.
During the initial stage of collar introduction, the dog learns that collar stimulation means the same thing as a tug on the leash. At first, the dog may be alarmed by the electronic stimulation. The key is to be patient and consistent and not to start off at too high of an intensity. Be fair and consistent, and use repetition and praise when using the collar as a training tool.
If the dog does not respond to the stimulation level you have selected (page 8), increase the stimulation one level at a time until you achieve the appropriate response. After you achieve the desired response, you can lower the stimulation level as long as the dog maintains consistency.
As the dog becomes more proficient with the commands, you can begin to introduce distractions, such as rolling a ball in front of the dog or walking him in the presence of others.
After the dog begins to respond consistently to the command during collar training, you can remove the leash and train with just the collar.
NOTE: You should train without a leash only when it is appropriate for your environment and your dog's temperament. You should follow all laws and regulations for your area regarding the use of dog leashes.
Eventually in most training situations, your commands will not require stimulation to be given with the command. You should only use stimulation when you need to repeat a command because the dog did not obey the first one.
As the dog becomes better trained, you can decrease the use of collar training. Continue to have the dog wear the collar until you feel certain that it is no longer needed to reinforce known commands. Abandoning the collar too early can lead to problems in the future.
Training Intensities and Methods
The Alpha system provides two methods of training stimulation intensity levels. The default intensity method, linear, contains 18 stimulation levels. The lowest level of stimulation is 1, and the levels increase sequentially to 18.
The second method, traditional, contains 6 numbered levels that each have a high (HI), medium (MED), and low (LOW) setting. Level 1 on LOW produces a very slight stimulation that is hardly perceived. Level 6 on HI produces a very strong stimulation, equivalent to level 18 in the linear method. You should find the correct training intensity level and use LOW, MED, or HI levels as needed.
The Alpha system uses momentary (M) and continuous (C) types of stimulations. Momentary stimulation applies a brief stimulation when you press the key, regardless of how long the key is held. Continuous stimulation applies stimulation to the
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