WHAT ARE THEY?

Dog Training Discs are the result of many years of practical research into the control of dog behaviour and are a series of small saucer shaped discs which create a unique sound, entirely different to any other everyday common object. Unlike other sound creating objects, like keys, pebbles in a can, or chains, the Discs are designed to be picked up and carried, or put down again without making a noise. This allows them to be used at exactly the right moment to interrupt unwanted behaviour and are now widely used by many per behaviour counsellors, trainers and pet dog owners.

HOW DO THEY WORK?

First the doq is introduced to the sound away from the problem you want to cure, until an avoidance response has been achieved (as described in the instructions). Once the dog has been 'tuned' in to this specific sound, it can then be used to coincide with unwanted behaviour, This stops the dog doing what it was originally going to do and centres its attention on to the owner, who can then offer it a more rewarding alternative behaviour to perform.

WHY DO THEY WORK?

Contrary to some beliefs, they do not work by startling or surprising the dog. During the early stages of the initial process, most dogs completely ignore the Discs and remain intent upon their original purpose - if the intention was to startle, they would be more effective on the first occasion. By repeating the procedure, the dog quickly learns that its own action creates an unusual reaction and so it learns to avoid that action, This is known as a negative reinforcement and is entirely different to a punishment, where the reaction usually comes after the act and is seen to be directly administered by the owner.

WHAT CAN THEY BE USED FOR?

Dog Training Discs can be used to overcome a variety of behaviour problems from aggressive behaviour, through excessive barking, to over enthusiastic greeting behaviour. To avoid any confusion arising, it is advisable to concentrate their use on the most urgent problem only, before progressing to other things.

DOES THE DOG GET USED TO THEM?

Providing they are used on a step by step basis as advised, the answer is no. The sound that they create is something which the dog can only control by changing its intended course of action, Unlike other similar techniques, they are neither a missile to be thrown at the dog, or an extension of the owners anger, therefore the dog happily returns to the owner for guidance. This reaction effectively increases owner control. Because the sound is consistent in tone, it can be used effectively by any adult member of the family.

N. B. Owners with more than one dog should introduce them to each dog individually. as some dogs are more responsive than others. For this reason. they are not recommended for use within a dog club environment.

 INDOOR TRAINING Introducing the Dog Training Discs

1. Give the dog some tit-bits giving the command "take it" each time you offer one. Without saying anything: go to put one of the tit-bits on the floor. As the dog follows your hand down, chink the "Discs" between your fingers, The sound will be totally ignored by the dog, but as your hands reach the floor, throw the "Discs" firmly alongside where the food would have been placed. You will not be letting go of the food at this stage. Pick up the "Discs", totally ignoring the dog who by this time will be investigating the site to see where the food has gone,

2. Repeat the procedure of take it; food to the floor; chink; discs thrown; food and discs removed; ignore the dog, three or four times, (more with some dogs). Eventually, you should be able to leave the food on the floor and every attempt to approach it will be met with a slight "chink", followed by the arrival of the "Discs" if there is not an immediate reaction to the initial sound

3. The result that you are looking for is that when you offer food with the command take it your dog will accept the food, Sometimes you may have to encourage the dog that it is O.K. to take what is offered after the first few uses of the Discs, this is perfectly normal. But if you put food on the floor without saying anything, then that is your food and it is your floor and if you want to put your food on the floor, your dog has got no right to take it If it tries; there will be a reaction. Once they understand the principal, they will immediately walk away when food is placed on the floor without you having to use the Discs

You will find that the dog will respond quicker if the initial training is carried out on a hard surface.

Further training advice and tips for common problems such as aggression, barking, chasing and general disobedience are included in the free training guide.