December2016 8th Edition/Newsletter (E-Collar part 1/2)

This two part series covers the Electric Collar Device.

There are two common types of electric collar devices used by both police and military canine  handlers:  The Garmin/Tri-Tronics and the Dogtra.

These two particular systems, the Garmin/Tri-Tronics 550 (g2) series and the Dogtra 3500 series, I have personally used extensively as a canine handler overseas and in training environments. Hands down the Garmin/Tri-Tronics is my first choice, however I have adapted to a second preferred model from Garmin since I’ve moved to the trainer position.

The one specific thing I look for in an electric collar device is that I can confidently, without looking, manipulate the device.  Why is this important?  Because when you find yourself in the middle of worst case scenarios, i.e. chaotic situations, you don’t want to be looking at the hand held device to operate it, especially if the situation involves gunfire – or any life threatening situation.

Chaotic is an adjective that comes from the noun “chaos,” meaning complete and total confusion or lack of order.

It is very important to be able to quickly navigate the device without looking. There is no way to manipulate a device through 127 levels to get to the desired level for your canine while multitasking and maneuvering through chaos when seconds count. So I gravitated towards the Garmin/Tri Tronics which has 6 levels and a dial system compared to the digital (Dogtra).  Again, focusing on the no-look manipulation.UnknownGV-11887Hol-10


127 levels of stimulation compared to 6 levels of stimulation


 

As a canine handler operator, I never stored the handheld device inside any special kydex holster or integrated it in my kit. Instead, I put it in my back pocket on my support side. I taped the 550 cord around the hand held device securing it through my belt loop so if it fell out I wouldn’t lose it. Having the device in my back pocket wasn’t an issue and I utilized this method during training and deployments. Most police canine handlers contend that since they often sit in their vehicle for long periods of time it is too uncomfortable to have their device in their back pocket.  I get it, but how can you master its use if during training you store the device in a totally different area than you do in real world deployments?  Ultimately, it takes a dedicated handler to consistently and effectively operate this device to its full capacity.

I am not a fan of the vibration or light modes.  I don’t believe canine’s feel the vibration when they are focused during working conditions and feel the light mode should be directed and not scattered.  However, I do like the tone mode and in the next newsletter I will explain how to implement tone in areas of operation.

I do support the use of the bark collar. I understand the concept that most canines express their excitement to get involved by barking, but there is a time and place for that behavior.  And it is not the time while in the vehicle kennel when sirens are turned on or when trained canines see other trained canines in training.  For this purpose, my choice is the Garmin Sport Pro.

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It allows you to effectively manipulate the bark eliminator on/off from the hand held device instead of turning it on/off at the collar only, as with other models.  But unfortunately, the hand held device is not like the G2 series shown above.  For training purposes, my choice is the Sport Pro series.

 

As an operator, my number one choice is the 550 series:

tri-tronics-exp-pro-500-g2-transmitter-only-57c65033b0467b90ebeecaf8fe635ed7

The reasons for my choice are the following:

*Overall length for placement in left rear pocket

*Placement of buttons are recessed inside circular device for easy storage

*Dial located on top of device for easy manipulation without looking

*Only 6 levels of stimulation

CANINE TACTICAL OF IOWA NEWS UPDATE

  • NEXT PRODUCT BEING DEVELOPED IS THE  50′ RETRACTABLE HIP LEASH

 

  • LATEST HOME PROTECTION CANINE DELIVERED THIS MONTH:

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CANINE DUKE

  • LASTEST CANINE SENT TO HIS NEW HOME FROM THE PETS FOR VETS PROGRAM:

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CANINE DIABLO

 

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