May 29th 2020
Tritronics Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are Tri-Tronics® Products Safe?
Clinical studies have been designed and conducted for Tri-Tronics® by veterinarians and physiologists at a major university. The scientific studies tested for possible cardiopulmonary and epidermal effects of Tri-Tronics® electrical stimulation applied to the ventral surface of the neck of healthy dogs.
These studies showed that there are no clinically significant changes in electrocardiograms, blood pressures or properties of the skin underlying the contact points. The clinical investigations involved parameters of electrical stimulation (e.g. maximum output voltage, output impedance, current density, and repetition rate) that are basically the same for all our models.
The safety of these units is supported by strong scientific clinical data. Both the collar and the transmitter have redundant safety cutoff features which shut down the unit and prevent excessive stimulation. These safety features receive special attention in Tri-Tronics® environmental reliability and quality analysis.
Can I Have a Second Transmitter Built for My System?
Yes. For existing units it will be
necessary to send the entire system to our Service Department so that
the remote trainer can be fully tested to ensure proper operation.
You can also get a second transmitter with a new unit at the time of
purchase. These are special orders and may require extra time prior to
shipping.
To determine pricing, shipping options, and to place the necessary order, please contact Customer Service at 1-800-829-7876.
Can I Use A Remote Trainer If My Dog Is Aggressive?
Aggression in dogs has many causes. Social dominance, fearfulness,
learned behavior, and physical problems, as well as other factors can
all be involved. In some cases aggression can be successfully treated
with a Remote Trainer, following the proper procedure. In other cases,
however, correcting the aggressive dog with a Remote Trainer is not
appropriate and will not be successful.
Because the causes of aggression can be so varied and situations so
unique, Tri-Tronics® recommends that you consult a knowledgeable
professional dog trainer or animal behaviorist who has experience with
aggressive dogs. We do not recommend that you use the Remote Trainer to
treat your dog's aggression without first getting professional training
help.
Can I Use My Remote Trainer In The Water?
Tri-Tronics® Field, Pro, and Sport® Series receivers
(collar units) are designed to be waterproof.
In addition our patented contact points are made from
surgical stainless steel and are insulated to provide consistent and reliable
performance in the water. If you have questions regarding the use of
Tri-Tronics® products in or near water you can contact us at 1-800-829-7876.
Except for Tri-Tronics® G2 systems the transmitter of your remote trainer, the handheld part, is not waterproof and care should be taken to avoid submersion or long-term exposure to water. Tri-Tronics® G2 systems have a waterproof transmitter.
Do I Need a Turn-On Plug?
Newer Tri-Tronics® remote trainers do not require the use of a turn-on
plug. Depending on the unit the receivers are turned on remotely from
the transmitter or by a push-button on the receiver.
How Can I 'Condition' the Batteries in My Remote Trainer?
Our system is designed to be charged on a regular basis
(please see your Owner's Manual for charging requirements) and may experience
diminished capacity when stored or not charged on a regular basis. With a
fully functional battery reduced capacity may be restored by conditioning
the battery.
Note that NiMH batteries typically last for 3-5 years
depending on use and care. Replacement batteries can be purchased directly from Tritronics.
To recondition your batteries you should charge the system completely as stated in your Owner's Manual (typically 14 continuous hours for non-G2 systems, 2 hours for G2 systems), discharge or use the unit until the low battery indicator comes on, and repeat the cycle at least 3 times. This may restore your battery pack to its maximum operating capacity.
How Can I Tell If My Remote Training Unit is Delivering Stimulation?
The LED will light during the period of stimulation; for momentary
stimulation this may not be noticeable, therefore it's best if you test
your unit using a continuous setting if available.
How do I charge my unit? (non-G2)
If your model has changeable intensity from the transmitter and is a
Sport® Series, Sport® S Series, Field 70, Field 90, Classic 70, Upland
Special, Flyway Special, Beagler, Pro 100, 200, 500, or 1000, a
Trashbreaker Ultra II, or an XL or XLS version of any of those units
listed, please use the following guidelines:
- Charge the transmitter (except Sport® Series) and receiver (collar unit) for 14-20 hours before using it the
first time and for each subsequent charge.
- When the low battery indicator comes on, charge the unit for 14-20 hours as soon as practical.
- When charging the unit the LED will glow solid red to indicate that the chargers are working. On some
older units the the LED will begin blinking after 14 hours on the charger. Refer to your Owner's Guide for the correct indications for your unit if
you're unsure of what they should be.
- For units other than the XLS, Classic 70 S, Field 90, and Sport® S Series units the maximum recommended charging time is 20 hours as the product is not intended to be left on the charger indefinitely. For XLS, Classic 70 S, Field 90 and Sport® S series units your unit may remain on the charger longer and it will automatically switch to trickle charge.
If you're planning to leave your unit unused for an extended period please review our instructions for the proper charging of your unit while in storage.
How Long Before the Rechargeable Batteries Need Replacing?
Battery life varies greatly depending on how you use and maintain the
batteries, as well as the temperature conditions where you store your
remote trainer.
How Long Before the Rechargeable Batteries Need Replacing?
Battery life varies greatly depending on how you use and maintain the
batteries, as well as the temperature conditions where you store your
remote trainer.
How Tight Should the Remote Training Collar Be Around My Dog's Neck?
All remote trainers are designed to be worn snug on the dog's neck or
the stimulation will not be consistent. If it seems that your dog isn't
feeling the stimulation, try tightening the collar strap a notch and
wiggle the contact points firmly against his neck to ensure that
they've reached through his undercoat. Also, if your dog has a dense
undercoat, the long contact points will make better contact than the
short ones. If your dog's breathing sounds hoarse, loosen the strap.
I Can't Hear the Tone On My Dog's Collar, Is It Working Properly?
Generally you should be able to hear the tone if you hold the receiver
(collar unit) near your ear, however for some people they cannot hear
the tone. Even if you cannot hear the tone, dogs can hear it because of
their range of hearing. When testing the tone be sure the intensity
dial is set on a number other than zero. The tone will not work when
the transmitter is set to zero.
I Just Received My Remote Trainer from Repair and the LED Stays Solid Red
If your system is an XLS, XL or earlier system it is normal for the LED on the transmitter and collar to stay solid
red when plugged into the charger if the system is new or has been repaired. When the system was repaired the
receiver LED was upgraded to the XL configuration. The LED for the XL series is only red; it is no longer red
and green. In addition the indications for on/off, etc., are slightly different.
- Double Blink Red = Collar is turned on
- Glows Red Steadily = Collar is receiving signal from transmitter
- Single Long Red Flash = Collar has been turned off
- Rapid Red Blink = Low batteries, recharge the collar soon. This may occur more quickly in the temperatures
near or below freezing.
- Glows Red Steadily While On Charger = Indicates collar is charging. The light will not flash when
the charging cycle is complete. The collar should always be charged for 14 - 20 hours.
Is It Okay to Cut the Collar Strap?
If after finding the appropriate length of collar for your dog you have
an excess of collar strap it is okay to trim off the left-over part
with a pair of scissors. Be sure to leave extra length, if necessary,
to accommodate the future growth of the dog.
If you have a Bark Limiter it's important to be careful that you do not damage the portion of the collar with the sensor and small wires. (not required for Bark Limiter XS).
Is It Safe To Use A Remote Trainer With A Pacemaker?
If you have a pacemaker Tri-Tronics™ recommends that you consult your
cardiologist or physician before using a remote training device or
testing the output of a remote training receiver. For comparison
purposes the output of a Remote Trainer is like using a CB radio or
similar product at 27 MHz and with a power output of 5 watts.
My Collar LED Doesn't Come On When I Plug in the Charger, What Do I Do?
Debris may have accumulated in the charging jack. You can clean the
charging jack using clean tap water and a toothpick or pin to loosen
the debris. Be careful not to bend the contacts inside the jack.
Important: Be sure to allow the jack to dry thoroughly after washing it before you connect a charger or proper charging may not occur.
Also note that if your batteries are deeply discharged, it can take up to a minute for the red light to come on after the charger is connected.
My Receiver Has No Stimulation or Tone
If you have an XLS, Classic S, or Sport® S Series unit and the receiver (collar unit) does not
respond when you try to use the stimulation or tone, please check to see if the receiver (collar unit) is receiving a
signal. To do this select a stimulation level number 1-5 and press the continuous button or tone button and hold for a
few seconds.
- If the receiver LED continues to flash twice approximately every five seconds, however it did not light steady while
a button was pressed, please contact Customer Service for
assistance.
- If the receiver LED lights and stays on steady while a button is being pressed please ensure that the transmitter
and receiver are fully charged. In the case of a Sport® S Series unit please ensure that the transmitter
light did not flash rapidly while holding the button. If it did the transmitter battery requires replacement. If your
receiver still does not appear to respond to the transmitter please contact Customer Service for assistance.
- If the receiver light was not flashing before or after you pressed the transmitter button your receiver is not on.
If you have not done so already, please press the on/off button. You should hear a beep and the receiver light should
flash twice approximately every five seconds. If you have done so and your unit has not been charged for at least 14
hours, please fully charge your receiver and try this procedure again. If you have done so and the receiver is fully
charged, please contact Customer Service for assistance.
My Remote Trainer Is Supposed To Have Tone, However I Cannot Find A Tone Button
If you have a Sport® 80C, Sport® 80M, Multi-Sport® 2
S, Multi-Sport® 3 S, or the G2 version of the models listed you
have a T on the transmitter dial that is used to select the tone function.
- For the Sport® 80 / Sport® 80 G2 models it works by selecting T on the intensity selection dial and pressing any stimulation button.
- For the Multi-Sport® / Multi Sport® G2 models it works by selecting T on the intensity selection dial and pressing the appropriately colored button for the receiver on which you wish to activate the tone.
If you have a multi-dog Classic 70 XLS, Trashbreaker Ultra XLS, or the G2 version of either model you select the tone feature by selecting T on the intensity selection knob and pressing the appropriately colored button for the receiver on which you wish to activate the tone. For a 4, 5 or 6-dog system the toggle switch must be in the correct position for the receiver as well.
You cannot select T (tone) and a stimulation level at the same time. The T also acts as a safety no-stimulation setting.
My Remote Trainer Will Not Turn On, What Should I Do?
These instructions apply to all of our new models with
stimulation dials or knobs on the transmitter except Sport® S, XLS,
and G2:
- Ensure the remote trainer (both transmitter and receiver) is properly charged for 14-20 hours (see your Owner's Manual).
- Make sure the stimulation setting is set to zero. The transmitter can only turn on and off when it is set to zero.
- Ensure the antenna is on the transmitter, and that the transmitter and receiver (collar) are a few feet apart.
- Press and hold any stimulation button on the transmitter until the light on the receiver (collar) begins flashing.
These instructions apply to all Sport® S, XLS, and G2 systems:
- Ensure the remote trainer (both transmitter and receiver is properly charged (see your Owner's Manual).
- Press and hold the button on the receiver until the LED begins to flash. Pressing the button again will turn the receiver off.
My Transmitter Has Red and Black Buttons, How Do They Work?
The red button
is for continuous stimulation. If the remote trainer has two red
buttons, they deliver continuous stimulation at different levels, with
the bottom being the lowest, the upper the next level (medium), and
both buttons together the third level (high). All continuous settings
have a safety timeout feature, the length of which varies by model.
The black button delivers momentary stimulation. If the remote trainer has one red button and two black buttons, then the two black buttons deliver momentary stimulation at different levels, with the bottom being the lowest, the upper the next level (medium), and both buttons together the third level (high).
Should I Charge My Remote Training Unit After Every Use?
No, you should charge your unit as recommended by your user manual. This will
normally be when the LED indicates a Low Battery condition, during extended storage periods, or when you have
used the unit regularly over a period of approximately 40 hours and know that you will be needing the unit to
be available for an extended period.
What Age Should My Dog Be Before I Can Begin Using an e-collar On Him?
We normally suggest that a dog be at least 4 to 6 months old before
using the collar for two reasons. First, your dog needs to have a basic
understanding of what is expected of him, as well as know the meaning
of basic commands. Secondly, by this age most breeds have reached the
minimum weight required to comfortably support the weight of the collar.
What are the Intensity Levels for the Colored Contact Points
- 1/2 Blue
- 1 Brown
- 2 Red
- 3 Orange
- 4 Yellow
- 5 Green
What Is Covered Under the Warranty of the Product?
All the electronic components on the transmitter, receiver (collar),
and beeper (if applicable), excluding physical damage or abuse. We do
not cover accessory items under warranty. The warranty period is based from the
original date of purchase. Depending on the age of the product a dated
Proof of Purchase may be required to obtain warranty service.
What Is the Average Time Needed to Train a Dog Using the e-collar?
The training time varies from dog to dog and trainer to trainer. It
also depends on what you are trying to train him/her to do, the
trainer's skill and experience, and the type of dog being trained.
What is the Difference Between Continuous and Momentary Stimulation?
Continuous stimulation is a constant period of stimulation received by
the dog for a maximum of approximately nine seconds (safety time-out
varies by remote trainer model) or until the user releases the
transmitter button, whichever comes first.
Momentary stimulation is a quick "attention getter" that lasts only for a fraction of a second, regardless of how long the button is pressed.
What is the life span of the rechargeable batteries?
The newest generations of Tri-Tronics®
remote trainers come with Nickel-Metal-Hydride (NiMH) batteries. With
proper care and charging these batteries typically last approximately
3-5 years before they need to replaced.
The dummy collar is used to get your dog used to the weight and feel of a real collar. |
The following launchers and remote release accessories are compatible with the Pro Control™ RL and the older 150 Remote Release System:
- Dobbs Pro Throw
- Day's End Shur-flyte and Shur-toss
- Etch-Marc, Inc.
- Gunners Up Remote Launchers
- Lucyana Strong Arm
- Malcolm Retiring Bird Boy
- Train-Rite
- Zinger Winger
Also, "Bird Launcher" by Tom Bridges, "Top Gun" by Patrick Lindell, and the "Training Group" by Wahkiakum.
What Should I Do Before I Put My Product In Storage?
Prior to putting a Tri-Tronics® Field, Pro, or Sport® Series product in
storage for an extended period it is important to fully charge the unit
for 14-20 hours. After that you should charge the unit every two months
for 14 hours and again prior to using it.
If your remote trainer is a Sport® Series or Sport® S Series (50, 60,
65 BPR, 80C, 80M, Multi-Sport® 2, or Multi-Sport® 3) unit and you're
planning to store it for more than 6 months you should remove the 9v
battery from the transmitter.
If your unit has a beeper and you're planning to store it for more than 6 months you should also remove the 9v battery from the beeper.
What Stimulation Level Should I Use to Begin Training My Dog?
The size and age of the dog does not play a part in determining the
starting stimulation level. The breed of dog plays only a small part,
because dog's sensitivity thresholds vary more by the individual dog
than they do by breed. Tri-Tronics® recommends that you always start
with the lowest intensity level and work your way up as needed.
Remember that as distractions around the dog change, you may need to
adjust the intensity level used.
Why Should I Use a Bark Limiter Collar Instead of a Remote Trainer for Barking
The all new Bark Limiter XS
comes with a sensor that automatically provides the stimulation for
you. With a barking problem, consistency is the key. If you wanted to
do it manually you would need to be there every time the dog barks to
provide the stimulation. With the Bark Limiter XS this process is automatic.
With the Bark Limiter XS you will experience more effective and more consistent training for a barking problem.
Will My Transmitter or Collar Interfere with Other Communications Devices?
As a general rule, no. Modern microprocessor technology, as used in our
current remote training products, ensures that many thousands of unique
codes are available for use by these type of devices.
Will the Charger from my Older Remote Trainer Work with a New Remote Trainer?
It is important to ensure you are using the right charger with your equipment to prevent any damage and to
charge it properly. Always use the appropriate Tri-Tronics® charger for your unit.
For the Sport® S/Classic S/XLS Series units the charger is a dual-lead 9v charger. This charger has round plugs
that will fit into many older transmitters, however the charge will not be adequate for the unit to work
properly.
For the transmitters of remote trainers with a round charging jack that were manufactured prior to the Classic
S/XLS units the correct charger will have a plug with a right angle bend in it.
Some older receiver chargers used a round plug similar to that used today, and although the plug will fit, this
type of charger will not adequately charge the transmitter for use.
Will The Cold Weather Affect The Performance of My Remote Trainer?
All batteries experience a normal drop in voltage during cold weather. As a battery powered device, your
remote trainer or remote launcher can be affected by normal voltage drops during winter months and experience
such things as:
- Batteries can run down more rapidly
- Unit can stop functioning properly before expected based on when it was last charged
- Stimulation may not be as strong
- Unit can turn itself off (evidence of extremely low batteries)
For best performance during the winter months we recommend the following:
- Keep the unit at room temperature when it is not being used. Do not store the unit overnight or for
extended periods in areas such as vehicles, sheds, or garages. When traveling, transport your remote trainer
in a heated area such as the cab of a truck.
- Charge the unit at room temperature and dry. If the unit is cold, give it at least two hours to reach room
temperature before charging. Ensure the charging jack is free of moisture.
- Charge more frequently and allow a full 14-hour charge whenever possible. Note that the new XLS and Sport
S Series remote trainers may be left on the charger when not in use ("trickle charge"). For other units please
consult your owner's manual.
- Check your unit more frequently for the low battery indicator, and always check just prior to use.