SportDOG Field Trainer 400 & 400S - Manual (Page 6)

10 1-800-732-0144 www.sportdog.com 11
• You should expect hundreds of recharge cycles from your batteries. However, all rechargeable
batteries lose capacity over time relative to the number of recharge cycles they experience. This is
normal. If your operating time drops to half of the original life, contact the Customer Care Center to
purchase a new battery.
• The batteries should last for a period of 3-5 years. When a battery needs replacement, you can order
a new pack by calling our Customer Care Center at 1-800-732-0144, or by visiting our website at
www.sportdog.com. Please do not open the Collar Receiver or Remote Transmitter until you have
received the replacement.
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.
CAUTION Please read and follow the instructions in this manual. Proper fit of the collar
is important. A collar worn for too long, or made too tight on the dog’s neck may cause skin
damage. This is called bed sores; it is also called decubitus ulcers or pressure necrosis.
• Avoid leaving the collar on the dog for more than 12 hours per day.
• When possible reposition the collar on the dog’s neck every 1 to 2 hours.
• Check the fit to prevent excessive pressure; follow the instructions in this manual.
• Never connect a lead to the electronic collar; it will cause excessive pressure on the
contacts.
• When using a separate collar for a lead, don’t put pressure on the electronic collar.
• Wash the dog’s neck area and the contacts of the collar weekly with a damp cloth.
• Examine the contact area daily for signs of a rash or a sore.
• If a rash or sore is found, discontinue use of the collar until the skin has healed.
• If the condition persists beyond 48 hours, see your veterinarian.
For additional information on bed sores and pressure necrosis, please visit the FAQ section
for remote trainers at www.sportdog.com.
These steps will help keep your dog safe and comfortable. Millions of dogs are comfortable
while they wear stainless steel contacts. Some dogs are sensitive to contact pressure. you
may find after some time that your dog is very tolerant of the collar. If so, you may relax some
of these precautions. It is important to continue daily checks of the contact area. If redness
or sores are found, discontinue use until the skin has fully healed.
To ensure a proper fit, follow these steps:
1. With your dog standing (3a), center the
Collar Receiver so 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.
CAUTION
• you may need to trim the hair in the area of the Contact Points. Never shave the dog’s neck;
this may lead to a rash or infection.
• you should not make the collar any more tight than is required for good contact. A collar that is
too tight will increase the risk of pressure necrosis in the contact area.
3A 3b
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.
fInD tHe beSt IntenSIty level for your Dog
The FieldTrainer ® 400 & 400S have 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 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 fitted 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 AND yOU 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.
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 in 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.
teSt lIgHt InStruCtIonS
1. Turn the Collar Receiver on.
2. Hold the Test Light Contacts to the Contact Points.
3. Press a Stimulation Button on the Remote Transmitter.
4. The Test Light will flash.
Note: At higher Stimulation Levels, the test Light will flash
brighter.
5. Turn the Collar Receiver off.
Save the Test Light for future testing.
Note: If the test Light does not flash, recharge the battery and re-test. If the test Light still does
not flash, contact the Customer Care Center at 1-800-732-0144.
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