Petsafe Easy Walk Training Manual

EN

HEADCOLLAR

FR

LICOL

™

Training Guide
Manuel de dressage

Please read this entire guide before beginning.
Veuillez lire ce manuel en entier avant de commencer.

ENFR

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Explanation of Attention Words and Symbols used in this guide

This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential
personal injury hazards. Obey all safety messages that follow this
symbol to avoid possible injury or death.

WARNING indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
could result in death or serious injury.

CAUTION, used without the safety alert symbol, indicates a
hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in harm to
your pet.

Not for use with aggressive dogs. Do not use this product if your
dog is aggressive, or if your dog is prone to aggressive behaviour.
Aggressive dogs can cause severe injury and even death to
their owner and others. If you are unsure whether this product is
appropriate for your dog, please consult your veterinarian or a
certifi ed trainer.

• Follow instructions carefully when fi tting and using on bulldogs
and other breeds with genetically limited airways or fl at
noses. It is typical for these dogs to frequently experience
breathing diffi culties when exercising or under stress because
of their physically limited airways. If their usual breathing
diffi culties increase when wearing the headcollar, immediately
discontinue and consult your veterinarian.

• A dog needs to open his mouth to pant/breathe during
physical activity or stress. Do not keep a constant pull on the
lead for more than about 20 - 30 seconds. Your dog will be
able to open his mouth as needed when there is no tension
on the lead.

• If you choose to run or jog with your dog, please be mindful
of the possibility of chafi ng and discontinue use at the fi rst sign
of discomfort.

• Do not leave the headcollar on your dog unattended. Please
be sure to supervise your dog while he wears the headcollar
and store it safely away when not in use.Discard or replace
your collar if it should become damaged or worn. Collars that
have been damaged or worn may fail to restrain your pet.

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Thank you for choosing the PetSafe® brand. You and your pet deserve a companionship that
includes memorable moments and a shared understanding together. Our products and training
tools promote a lifestyle of protection, teaching, and love - essentials that influence memories
for a lifetime. If you have any questions about our products or training your pet,

please visit our website at www.petsafe.net or contact our Customer Care
Centre. For a listing of Customer Care Centre telephone numbers, visit our
website at www.petsafe.net.

To get the most protection out of your warranty, please register your product within 30 days
at www.petsafe.net. By registering and keeping your receipt, you will enjoy the product’s full
warranty and should you ever need to call the Customer Care Centre, we will be able to help
you faster. Most importantly, your valuable information will never be given or sold to anyone.
Complete warranty information is available online at www.petsafe.net.

Table of Contents

How it Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Size Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Identifying the Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Fitting Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Why the Proper Fit is Essential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Fitting the Headcollar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Using the Headcollar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Training Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Positive Motivation andRewards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Teaching Your Dog to Walk Along Your Side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Teaching Your Dog to Sit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Prevent Pulling and Lunging. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Prevent Jumping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

General Tips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Terms of Use and Limitation of Liability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Warranty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

FREN

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How it Works

ENFR

The Easy Walk™ Headcollar allows you to communicate with your dog in a way that he instinctively
understands, translating your requests into “Dog Language,” telling him that you are the leader.

The Nose Loop encircles your dog’s muzzle in the same way a “pack leader” gently but fi rmly grasps
a subordinate’s muzzle in his mouth. This is a clear signal to your dog that YOU are his leader!

The Neck Strap puts pressure on the back of the neck, working with your dog’s “opposition refl ex”
(the natural instinct of dogs to push against pressure rather than move away). Traditional collars put
pressure on the front of the throat, causing dogs to keep pulling even while choking. The Easy Walk™
Headcollar patented design places 80% of the pressure at the back of the neck, taking advantage
of the opposition refl ex. Your dog will instinctively lean back against the pressure, putting an end to
lead pulling forever.

Where the nose goes, the body follows! That’s why halters are used on horses – it takes very little
strength to control a large animal by the head vs. the neck. If your dog tries to pull ahead, simply hold
the lead fi rmly and his nose and head turn back to look at you, making it virtually impossible for him
to drag you down the street.

Dogs feel more secure with the Easy Walk™ Headcollar. Many experts and owners report the
amazing calming effect that the Easy Walk™ Headcollar has in helping shy, nervous or fearful dogs
to relax and gain greater confi dence.

Size Chart

Small Up to 11 kg Beagles and Shelties

Medium 11 kg - 27 kg Pointers and Spaniels

Large 27 kg - 59 kg Labradors and Shepherds

Identifying the Parts

Snap Clamp

Control Ring

1.8 m Nylon Lead

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Center Bar Ring

Neck Strap

Nose Loop

Easy Walk™ Headcollar

Fitting Guide

Why the Proper Fit is Essential

The Easy Walk™ Headcollar fi ts differently than other collars or halters you may have used
before! Without a proper fi t, you may experience unnecessary problems – excessive pawing,
rubbing and resistance, or chafi ng of the nose.

The Nose Loop needs to be as loose and comfortable as possible, moving freely from just in
front of the eyes to the beginning of the fl eshy part of the nose – but NOT so loose that it can
come off. The proper fi t of the Nose Loop is totally dependent on the proper fi t of the Neck
Strap, which must be high at the very top of the neck (touching the skull) and very snug (only
one fi nger barely squeezes underneath) so that it cannot rotate. (If the Neck Strap rotates, so
will the Nose Loop – which may cause chafi ng of the skin.)

When properly fi tted and viewed from the side, the Easy Walk
resemble a “V”. The Center Bar will rest above the tracheal area.

The Neck Strap MUST:

• Be positioned as high on the neck as possible, directly behind ears and touching base of

skull in back, and above Adam’s apple in front.

• Not be able to rotate around neck.

• Fit very snuggly at top of neck so that you can barely squeeze only one fi nger underneath,

like a belt, watch band or shoe. This is the MOST important part of the entire fi tting process!
It is different than other collars you may be used to, but does not cause discomfort to your
dog. (To better understand, push against the very top of your throat above your Adam’s
apple; now use the same pressure below your Adam’s apple – notice that pressure above
is not uncomfortable, but pressure below is!) Please resist the temptation to make the Neck
Strap loose – if you loosen it, your dog may be able to paw the Nose Loop off, or you will
wind up making the Nose Loop too tight or the Nose Loop will rotate causing discomfort.

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™

Headcollar will

FREN

The Nose Loop should:

• Be loose and comfortable so that your dog can freely open his mouth (even fetch a ball)!

ENFR

• Be able to move freely from just in front of eyes to beginning of the fl eshy (wet) part of nose.

• Rest behind the corners of mouth.

• Not be so loose that it can be pulled off over the nose (after snap clamp is adjusted).

Fitting the Headcollar

Follow instructions carefully when fi tting and using on bulldogs
and other breeds with genetically limited airways or fl at noses. It is
typical for these dogs to frequently experience breathing diffi culties
when exercising or under stress because of their physically
limited airways. If their usual breathing diffi culties increase when
wearing the headcollar, immediately discontinue and consult your
veterinarian.

Throughout the fi tting process and during initial use of the Easy Walk
encourage your dog with praise and special tasty treats. If your dog is especially wiggly, have
someone help you by feeding treats while you fi t and adjust.

™

Headcollar, motivate and

STEP 1

1. Open Neck Strap and hold one
end in each hand. Nose Loop
should hang down, like the
letter “T” (1A).

1A

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STEP 2

1. Pre-fi t Neck Strap high on the neck touching base of
skull in back, with Center Bar Ring in the niche just above
the Adam’s apple infront.

2. Center Bar Ring should be parallel to the neck, not the
underside of jawbone (2A). Neck Strap must be snug so
that only one fi nger can squeeze under it, and it cannot
rotate around neck.

3. Gently grasp skin at back of neck and pull downward
toward shoulders, while at the same time holding Neck
Strap against base of skull – this pulls any excess skin or
coat from under Neck Strap, improving the fi t.

4. Check again to be sure that only one fi nger can barely
squeeze under Neck Strap, and tighten if
needed (2B). Notice that even though the Neck
Strap fi ts much more snugly than other collars,
your dog is comfortable, able to easily pant
and shows no signs of distress.

FREN

2A

2B

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STEP 3

ENFR

1. Take Neck Strap off your dog.

2. Slide adjustable Snap Clamp down
to Control Ring. To open, lift tab with
thumb, dime or key; to close press tab
until it snaps into locked position. The
snap is designed to lock fi rmly into
place and not slip; therefore, it requires
a bit of pressure to open and close.

3. Pull Nose Loop up through
Center Bar Ring (3A).

STEP 4

1. With dog at your side or between
your legs, hold Nose Loop open.

2. Reach under dog’s head to slip Nose
Loop onto base of muzzle (4A) and give
a treat to keep him occupied.

3. Snap Neck Strap high on neck at its
prefi tted position (4B).

4. Make fi nal adjustment to Nose Loop. It
should be behind corners of mouth and
loose enough to pull forward to fl eshy
part of nose, but not so loose that it can
be pulled entirely off muzzle.

5. Slide Snap Clamp up or down
to adjust. With thumb and index
fi nger, pinch Nose Loop underneath
Snap Clamp, temporarily holding it
frommoving.

3A

4A

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4B

STEP 5

1. Test size of Nose Loop by pulling it

forward as far as it will go (5A).

2. When it touches beginning of fl eshy
part of nose, but is not so loose that
you can pull it off, close Snap Clamp
by pressing down on tab – you’ll
hear a snap as it locks.

3. Attach the 1.8 m nylon lead to
Control Ring.

Note: When your dog has reached full growth,
you can remove any excess length of Neck
Strap. With the Easy Walk
your dog, cut end of strap with scissors and
use match or lighter fl ame to seal cut edge and
prevent fraying.

™

Headcollar off

Snap
Clamp

Using the Headcollar

It may take your dog several minutes to adjust to the new sensation of the Easy Walk™
Headcollar. As soon as you have completed fi tting, we recommend that you immediately
encourage your dog (with a treat and a happy voice) to walk at your side for 5 or 6 steps, then
sit (reward with treat/praise/stroking), then walk and sit again. (See “Teaching Your Dog to
Walk Along Your Side” and “Teaching Your Dog to Sit.”) Repeat 5 to 10 times or until your dog
walks and sits quietly under control.

Your dog may resist by pawing at the Nose Loop, fl opping on the ground or even standing up
on his hind legs like a young colt wearing a halter for the fi rst time. Generally speaking, the
dogs that resist the most are the ones who need it the most!

Remember that he is not in pain, he is simply resisting the new message telling him he is no
longer in control. Do not try to “comfort” your dog with petting or soothing phrases. If you do
this while he is resisting you’ll be reinforcing unwanted behaviour. Save your praise and stroking
for when he is no longer resisting and is calmly walking, sitting, standing or lying at your side.
Keep dog busy walking and sitting with lots of opportunities to be rewarded. Reactionary
behaviour will fade as your dog acknowledges your leadership.

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5A

5B

FREN

A dog needs to open his mouth to pant/breathe during physical

ENFR

If positive results take longer, it is almost always due to:

• Improper fi t (Neck Strap too loose, Nose Loop too tight. Key - fi x the Neck Strap First!)

• Lack of a strongly motivating reward (food and praise) or

• Failure to release ALL the tension on the lead the instant the dog does what you want.

Tip

Think of your lead as a “yes/no” signal. Total release of the tension on the
lead means “Yes, this is what I want you to do!” Any tension on the lead,
no matter how slight, means “This is NOT what I want you to do, please do
something different.” You can see how important it is that you be very clear
with this signal – if your dog is walking calmly or sitting quietly, be sure to give
him the “yes” signal of TOTAL release on the lead.

activity or stress. Do not keep a constant pull on the lead for more
than about 20 - 30 seconds. Your dog will be able to open his
mouth as needed when there is no tension on the lead.

Training Guide

Positive Motivation andRewards

Use positive motivation and rewards to help your dog learn quickly and have fun!

Rewards:

• Use small pieces of a very tasty treat – it helps if your dog is hungry!

• Praise your dog with soft, high-pitched “happy talk” – never yell or harshly scold as this
will frighten your dog and slow his learning.

• Release ALL tension on the lead the instant your dog does what you want (walks calmly,
sits quietly, etc.) – this is very important!

Tip

Your reward (especially the release of tension in the lead!) MUST be given
during the desired behaviour or within 0.5 seconds of it ending...otherwise
he won’t know what he’s being rewarded for! Keep treats in a pouch or your
pocket for quick access.

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