How To Use a Pager Collar

Pager collars are used to train hearing-impaired dogs to respond to their owners when their attention is wanted.  Pager collars are training tools that may also work well with easily-distracted dogs.  Gaining the dog’s attention is done through vibration.  The owner “pages” the dog by using a remote.  When the dog is paged, a silent censor in the pager collar vibrates, alerting the dog to the call.  The vibration signal of the pager collar takes the place of the owner’s voice.  Here are some tips on how to use a pager collar for your dog:

1. To use a pager collar, first place the collar securely on the dog and allow him or her to become accustomed to it. 
2. Then use the remote to give the vibrating signal.  You must be within a three-hundred-foot radius of the dog, depending on the brand of collar you are using.  The vibration will let the dog know that his or her attention is wanted, and he or she will look for where the signal is coming from.  Page the dog once and allow him or her to come to you. 
3. When he or she does come to you after being paged, immediately reward the dog with a treat so that he or she will associate the vibration with something positive, while simultaneously directing attention to you.
4. If the dog does not come to you after the first page, go get him or her so that the dog knows what to do.  Always reward the dog with a treat, even if you had to go get him or her.
5. Repeat this page and reward process several times each day, for at least two days.  However, fully training a dog on a pager collar may take longer depending on each dog. 

Allow your dog as much time as he or she needs to master responding to the pager collar, and begin the training process with as little distraction as possible.  You may even wish to begin the process with the dog on a leash.  Once the dog is trained to direct his or her attention to you, you can use the pager collar to train the dog to do other things, such as sit or lay down.