Starmark Pro-Training Collar Training Manual

Streaming-video of training available on

starmarkacademy.com

Pro-Training Collar™

Training Guide

Congratulations on choosing the Pro-Training Collar™! The Pro-Training Collar™ is the collar of choice for dog
owners who want the most effective and fun Obedience Training Process available on the market today.

The Pro-Training Collar™ actually enhances communication between you and your dog. It allows you to guide
your dog through the training process in a safe, and enjoyable manner. A trained dog is a happier, safer, more
enjoyable companion. The Pro-Training Collar™ comes with a two-part support system for you. This step-by­step guide, and our instructive video at starmarkacademy.com, guide you through the training process. This two­part system is designed to:

• Answer your training and behavior needs

• Clarify the way our Obedience Training Process works

• Show you how to make the obedience exercises both fun and effective

• Enable you to recognize the source of your dog’s behavior problems

Although you may think of your dog as your best friend, it is important to remember that dogs are pack animals.
Pack animals seek leadership. Good leadership begins with communication, and the most effective way to
communicate with your dog is through Obedience Training. In just a short time, by integrating a few simple
commands into your dog’s daily routine and by using the Pro-Training Collar™, you can become a good leader
for your dog and provide him with the right guidance and direction. (Remember: good leadership does not
involve threats or bribes. It comes from mutual respect between you and your dog.)

One way a mother dog provides direction, correction, and order to her litter is by giving a nip on a puppy’s
neck when needed. The Pro-Training Collar™ simulates that communication between the mother dog and
her puppy. When the need for direction, control, or correction arises, the Pro-Training Collar’s scientifically
engineered elements compress on your dog’s neck, creating a mild pinching effect. This mild pinch is a safe,
familiar, and reliable form of communication with your dog. The correction and guidance from the Pro-Training
Collar™ is clear to your dog because he will associate the correction with the behavior he is engaged in the
moment the correction occurs. (You will learn more about reinforcement and correction in “The Foundations of
Training” section of this guide.) Remember, it is unfair to correct your dog when he is confused, so make sure
he understands the commands by first practicing the exercises in the “Teaching Phase” sections of this guide.
Doing so will minimize miscommunication and make training with the Pro-Training Collar™ easier and more
enjoyable.

FITTING THE PRO-TRAINING COLLAR™

Fitting the Pro-Training Collar™ is easy. Using your thumb and forefinger, snap the
links together (note the angle of the links in the photos) ensuring that both hooks
are set firmly on the bars. (You may snap or unsnap the collar at any link.) Then
position the collar so the cord rests at the top of your dog’s neck. To remove the
collar, use your thumb and forefinger to unsnap the links. Do not attempt to slip
the collar over your dog’s head.

The collar should be snug, but not tight, around your dog’s neck. Add or remove
links as needed to ensure proper fit. Additional links may be purchased separately,
which allows the Pro-Training Collar™ to be used on the largest of dogs.

Add-A-Link™ links are available in Large and Small.

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Streaming-video of training available on starmarkacademy.com

Unsnap the links using a firm
left-to-right rocking motion

GETTING STARTED

The following items are recommended in addition to your Pro-Training Collar™:

• 6-foot leash

• 4–6 inch tab leash (for use indoors and in intermediate training)

• Soft, bite-sized treats (for those who wish to use food rewards in training)

• Treat pouch (for quick access to rewards)

Leash and Collar Guidelines: Unless otherwise noted, your dog should wear his Pro-Training Collar™ with the
6-foot leash (or tab leash when in the home) attached whenever he is actively supervised. Never leave a leash
and collar on an unsupervised dog. He should wear the Pro-Training Collar™ not just during training sessions,
but whenever he is with you. Incorporating obedience exercises into your dog’s daily routine permits consistent
communication and accelerated learning. In time, it will not be necessary to keep a leash and collar on your
dog when at home, or you will only use it as needed. Put the Pro-Training Collar™ on your dog at least five (5)
minutes before the actual training session to give your dog some quiet time with the collar on prior to training. It
is best not to put the Pro-Training Collar™ on your dog immediately before beginning training.

Never leave a leash and collar on an unsupervised dog. Daily use of the Pro-Training Collar™ is encouraged.
Avoid possible skin irritation by having your dog wear the Pro-Training Collar™ for no more than 12 consecutive
hours.

Training Area: When beginning any new obedience exercise, choose a quiet location that is free from
distractions, yet familiar to your dog (your backyard or a spacious room in your home will work). Locations

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4. To remove the Pro­Training Collar™, use your
thumb and forefinger to
unsnap the links. *Do not
slip the Pro-Training
Collar™ over your dog’s
head

1. Unsnap the Pro­Training Collar™ at
any link

2. Using your thumb
and forefinger, snap
the links together.
Then position the
collar so the cord
rests at the top of
your dog’s neck

3. The collar should
be snug, but not tight
around your dog’s neck.
Add or remove links
as needed to ensure
proper fit. Snap the
end of your leash to the
O-ring

Streaming-video of training available on starmarkacademy.com

like these allow your dog to focus on what you are asking him to do, and maximize the learning potential of
each training session. As you and your dog become more proficient at obedience commands, gradually add
distractions to the training environment (additional people, increased activity, or other dogs).

Training Duration: Although the ideal duration of a training session varies from dog to dog, as a rule, it is best to
keep your sessions under 15 minutes. This ensures that training will be the highlight of your dog’s day, and his
enthusiasm will remain high throughout each session. Finish each session with brief play, fetch, or any game
you like to play with your dog. We recommend that you perform two (2) training sessions per day, but if time is
limited, one (1) daily session will suffice. (Never “double-up” sessions. It doesn’t help your dog learn any faster,
and too long of a session may decrease your dog’s enthusiasm.)

Is the Pro-Training Collar™ right for your dog?
If your dog is having severe behavioral problems, such as dominance or fear-induced aggression, consult with a
qualified Training and Behavior Specialist or Veterinarian before beginning this or any training program. You can
begin training puppies as early as eight weeks old. For puppies that are eight to sixteen weeks old, follow the
“Teaching Phase” section of this guide.

THE FOUNDATIONS OF TRAINING

Motivation and Correction: Proper reinforcement, through a balance of motivation and correction, is essential
to the learning process. Positive Reinforcement through motivation shows your dog that he has done something
right, while a correction helps him understand what is wrong. Positive Reinforcement is the motivation
used in this guide and comes in the form of food (treats), petting, praise, and play. Positive Reinforcement
helps build your dog’s confidence, while motivating him to repeat good behaviors. A correction helps your
dog immediately understand when he has made a mistake and minimizes the reoccurrence of inappropriate
behaviors. Throughout this guide, a correction will also be referred to as a “Pop.” A Pop is a quick and firm
snap of the leash. The snap comes from the wrist and is designed to get your dog’s attention. By working with
the scientifically engineered elements in the Pro-Training Collar™, the Pop redirects the behavior your dog is

engaged in when administered.

The Pro-Training Collar™ is your primary tool for guidance and corrections. It is safe and understandable to your
dog. By using a combination of rewards (for a job well done) and corrections (for guidance or disobedience),
you become a good leader that your dog trusts and enjoys. Through clear and consistent communication your
dog will choose to do things that result in reward versus correction. Positive Reinforcement such as praise
and petting should be genuine and heartfelt, while corrections should be given without emotion. Following any
correction, your dog should receive an appropriate reward for engaging in the right behavior.

A note on treats: Treats are recommended throughout this guide. They are a very important part of training,
especially during the teaching phases (when your dog is beginning to learn a new exercise or becoming more
proficient at one he has already learned). It will not be necessary to use treats forever and you can omit them
from the training process as you and your dog master commands in a variety of situations. Praise, play, and

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petting will then become sufficient motivation. The treats you choose should be bite-sized, soft and appetizing
to your dog. (Treats the size of a navy bean will work well.) Should you decide not to use any treats while
training, it is important that you reward your dog in some way, especially after he performs an appropriate
behavior as a result of a correction. Choose a form of Positive Reinforcement that you feel comfortable with and
that your dog enjoys, such as praise, petting, etc.

About Clicker Training: For those who wish to optimize training with the Pro-Training Collar™, ask your retailer
for the Pro-Training Clicker™. Visit our website, starmarkacademy.com for a FREE “Complete Clicker Training
Guide” to use in conjunction with the Pro-Training Collar™. Using a clicker will help accelerate the learning
process by marking training events for your dog with an auditory marker. It is a very useful tool for many aspects
of training and behavior shaping.

Timing: To maximize learning potential, give all reinforcements and corrections within 1.5 seconds of a dog’s
behavior. Waiting longer than 1.5 seconds makes it more difficult for your dog to associate the cause (behavior)
with the effect (praise, reward, or correction). If you miss the 1.5-second window, it is best not to follow
through with any reinforcement. Instead, repeat the command or situation.

Consistency: Dogs thrive on rules and routine. The familiarity of patterns puts them at ease. When you keep
your actions consistent, your dog will begin to do what is expected of him without being asked. Consider the
parallels in the following examples:

1. If you know that promptness at work is expected, and each time you show up late your boss corrects you by
docking your pay, you will be less likely to show up late for work. If you teach your dog that sitting for
greetings is expected, and that jumping-up results in a correction, your dog is less likely to jump-up.

2. However, if your boss docks your pay on some days when you arrive late, but greets you warmly on others,
it is likely that you will feel anxious whenever you arrive late. But, it is also likely that you will continue to
chance that behavior, as the benefit of a leisurely morning outweighs your anxiety about possible correction.
If you sometimes reward your dog (by praise and petting for example) when he jumps-up, but correct him
(by scolding for example) at other times, he too will be confused and anxious about how he should greet
you, but will likely chance jumping-up to enjoy the benefit of your attention.

3. Finally, if you consistently show up to work early, and your boss rewards you for this, it is likely that you will
continue to arrive at work early. If you consistently reward your dog for sitting politely when he greets you,
he will continue to do so.

A boss that sends clear signals in a simple manner is more enjoyable to work for than one that sends mixed
signals. The same is true of your relationship with your dog. Think of common situations in which your dog
performed undesirable behaviors. Can you recall times when you sent mixed signals to him? Chances are you
found that you or members of your family actually rewarded some of your dog’s nuisance behaviors on some
occasions, yet reprimanded your dog for those same behaviors on others. Keep your rules simple and realistic,
and it will be easy to communicate with your dog consistently. Consistency allows you to communicate more
effectively and to become a better friend and leader to your dog.

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