Symptoms

• Your dog may not be responding to feedback.
• Your boundaries may need to be reinforced with your pet.

Resolution

Revisiting the Training Program with Halo Collar

Consistency is key. Training your dog with the Halo Collar is best done in a controlled, indoor environment to minimize distractions. This setting helps your dog clearly understand the feedback from the collar, whether auditory or tactile.

During the initial phase, your dog will learn two essential commands:

1. Keep away from boundaries
2. Come back to safety

Set aside about 30 minutes for this exercise. Use manual feedback for the following exercises.

Setting Up Your Training Space

Prepare the Environment: Place your dog in another room as you prepare the training area.
Create a Focus Point: Use a container to hold enticing food or scent at a height just below your dog’s neck, so they can see but not easily reach the treat.

• Important Note: When setting up your feedback settings, be sure to find the right setting that catches your dog's attention without startling them. It is best to start at a lower setting and work your way up until you find the setting that works best.
• View this article to understand how to manage your feedback settings.

Let your dog into the room on a lead or leash. Allow them to explore without walking them. The scent should draw them towards the food, in which case you would apply your feedback manually through the app.

Responding to Feedback

If your dog ignores the collar’s feedback, gently use the leash to guide them back. Reattempt this exercise and be sure that you are rewarding them with a high-value treat and praise when they behave correctly.

Transitioning Outdoors

After mastering indoor training, gradually move the exercises outdoors to help your dog adjust to more distractions. This transition is crucial for reinforcing the behaviors learned indoors in a more challenging environment.

Here is a fun exercise that can familiarize your dog with the return whistle!

Return Whistle Training

Phase 1: Indoor Familiarization

1) Start inside in a calm, distraction-free area.
2) Go to another room, out of your dog’s sight, and use the manual return whistle from the app. You can layer the whistle with a familiar vocal command.
3) Repeat up to 10 times daily, ensuring at least 15 minutes of training, offering intermittent treats and consistent praise and love when they respond correctly!

Phase 2: Outdoor Introduction

1) Conduct this phase by the back door while your dog is outside.
2) Let your dog explore briefly, then apply the return whistle combined with your command.

Continue this for about 15 minutes daily, testing your dog’s response to the training amid outdoor distractions. Of course, reward with love and praise when they return back to you.

Phase 3: Real-World Testing

1) Ensure your dog is outside and initially out of sight—viewing from a window or door is ideal.
2) After some time, use the return whistle and observe your dog’s response.
3) Consistently reward with praise, and offer treats periodically when they return back to you.

Continuous Support and Reevaluation

Remember, if training becomes frustrating, it's okay to take a break. Reassess your strategies and make necessary adjustments.

Cause

Desensitization: If the feedback (such as vibration or sound) is used too frequently or inconsistently, the dog might become desensitized to it. This means they get used to the sensation or sound and no longer find it motivating or discouraging. You can try different levels of feedback in this case.

Improper Fit or Function: If the collar is not fitted properly, or if it's malfunctioning, the dog might not be receiving the feedback as intended. Regular checks to ensure the collar is in high GPS mode while outside and correctly positioned are crucial.

Lack of Reinforcement: Positive reinforcement is essential in dog training. If the feedback from the collar is not paired with positive reinforcement (like treats or praise), the dog may not see the value in responding.

Additional Notes

If you have any further questions and would like to speak to our live support team, please feel free to reach out using the following article: How to Contact Customer Support and we'll be happy to help!