STL SI398 Dog Training Device User Manual SI398
STL International Ltd. Dog Training Device SI398
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Users Manual
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SI398
“Treat and Train” Dog Training Device
MANUAL
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. General
The Treat and Train is a device that assists a dog owner in training their dog to
improve its behavior using positive reinforcement. Its primary intent is to
decrease barking, jumping or other unruly behavior at the front door. The device
consists of a remote controlled food dispenser that the dog owner can activate at
will, and there are automatic modes that will dispense the dog food automatically
at set intervals. A DVD video will be included for the user to understand how to
use the training device effectively.
1.2 Material
1.2.1. ABS or polycarbonate construction. Materials should be resistant to UV
light because it could be used outdoors. It should also be water resistant
or rain/sprinkler proof.
1.3 Features
1.3.1. Easy set up and operation.
1.3.2. Rugged and stable design that will accept abuse from large dogs and
weather. It won’t be easily pushed around or knocked over by the dog.
Non marring rubber feet on base to resist sliding. The food should be
well contained inside the device.
1.3.3. The food should only be visible from the outside of the device through
the transparent top cover.
1.3.4. Other than the audible cues, the mechanical operation of the device
should be quiet. Some dogs will be afraid of the machine if it is too
noisy.
1.3.5. All controls should be located on the device where the dog will not be
able to easily paw at the buttons. The timer LED should be visible from
20 feet away in all directions.
1.3.6. Easy to load with food. Should hold 2-3 cups of dog food. It should
reliably dispense kibble down to the last few remaining pieces.
1.3.7. Easy to disassemble for cleaning.
1.3.8. Dispenser must accommodate and be capable of being adjusted to
dispense dog kibble only one at a time. The kibble will range in size
from 4 to 18 mm. This might be accomplished by the customer easily
exchanging parts in the device. The device must work with semi-moist
dog food to be used as a higher motivation for the dog.
1.3.9. The dispensing of the food is synchronized with an audible (to humans
and dogs) cue that is easily distinguished from normal ambient. The
volume of the cue is adjustable. The cue should be distinct, but not
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irritating to people. It should also be immediate and reliable with the
push of the dispense button on the remote.
1.3.10. The device can be set for manual operation or interval operation. The
interval mode is used for working on a dog’s down stay.
1.3.11. The interval mode has options. One is that it will dispense treats
automatically; the other is that it will audibly prompt the trainer to
dispense the treat using the manual dispense at a certain interval. The
trainer prompt is a different and distinct tone that is only to tell the
trainer it is time to dispense. This allows the trainer to decide if the dog
is behaving properly before dispensing the treat.
1.3.12. In the automatic interval mode, the device will have a sensor that
automatically determines if the dog is sitting within 2 feet of the front of
the machine before dispensing a treat. The machine will dispense treats
at a regular or variable interval ranging from 3 seconds to 5 minutes.
The sensor will have different sensitivity settings and the sensor can even
be defeated so it will dispense treats automatically no matter what the
dog is doing. A small LED on the dispenser will indicate that the sensor
is sensing the dog or some object in front. This will be used to set the
sensitivity level.
1.3.13. The intervals are set using a 12 position dial. The intervals are either
regular or variable over an increasing range.
1.3.14. Starting an interval session in the regular interval mode also starts a
session timer in the dispenser. 3-60 second intervals starts a 1 minute
timer, 2 min and 5 min intervals starts a 2 min timer or a 5 minute timer
respectively. During the interval session a bright LED should turn ON
on the dispenser. When the timer finishes the LED should turn off and
the Auto mode should stop because that interval session is complete. In
the variable mode, there is no timer to start and stop the session. The
trainer must stop the session manually by pressing the button again on
the remote.
1.3.15. The mechanism should unclog any of the dispensing holes mechanically
with each rotation.
1.3.16. There should be an IR interrupt or some other mechanism to assure that a
kibble is actually dispensed. If the IR interrupt does not sense a kibble
dropping, the feeder should continue to attempt to dispense several more
times (without any additional audio cue) until it senses that the kibble has
dropped. Or it will stop because there is a fault or there is no more
kibble in the machine.
1.3.17. The remote has a “jackpot” feature where it will have the dispenser give
the audible cue once, but then dispense treats rapidly. This is used for
when the dog has performed especially well. This is accomplished by
pressing and holding the manual dispense button on the remote. As long
as the button is held, the device should continue to dispense treats.
1.3.18. The radio frequency remote should have at least a 100 feet range line of
site.
1.3.19. The dispenser electronics should “go to sleep” after 30 minutes of
inactivity if operating on batteries. After waking the unit up with remote
input, it will respond immediately to any commands. If an adapter is
being used, there should be no sleep mode. (Check power draw to see if
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sleep mode is necessary.) The batteries should last at least 6 weeks of
regular training.
1.3.20. The manual is very comprehensive giving many tasks to achieve certain
behaviors, but primarily to reduce or eliminate barking, jumping or other
unruly behaviors at the front door. There should be an overview listing
of the steps in the manual with a short description of each step.
1.3.21. A separate “target” will be included for the dog to recognize as
something to touch for training purposes.
1.3.22. The target should be mounted on a telescoping stick. The stick can also
be placed into a heavy base that will self right the target.
2. CONTROLS
2.1 Dispenser
- ON/OFF power button or switch
- Volume dial (controls prompt cue and dispense cue)
- Switch---Trainer prompt only/Auto dispense)
- Sensor Sensitivity OFF, LO, MED, HI (Auto mode only)
- Intervals adjustment dial 12 positions (3,5,7,10,15,20,25,30,45,60 sec,
2 min, 5 min)
- Intervals Switch---Regular Intervals/Variable Intervals
Interval Settings (10 trials should average to the setting value)
Setting Setting
(n)
Variable
Lower Limit
Variable Upper
Limit (2n-3)
1 3 sec 3 sec 3 sec
2 5 sec 3 sec 7 sec
3 7 sec 3 sec 11 sec
4 10 sec 3 sec 17 sec
5 15 sec 3 sec 27 sec
6 20 sec 3 sec 37 sec
7 25 sec 3 sec 47 sec
8 30 sec 3 sec 57 sec
9 45 sec 3 sec 87 sec
10 60 sec 3 sec 1 min 57 sec
11 2 min 3 sec 3 min 57 sec
12 5 min 3 sec 9 min 57 sec
2.2 Remote Control (Note that the buttons should be distinctly separate from each
other so there is little chance that the wrong button will be pressed)
- Manual dispense button (Jackpot if you press and hold)
- Intervals ON/OFF (Down stay practice) (timer start)
3. FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
3.1. Install batteries into dispenser or connect power adapter.
3.2. Open food hopper cover and fill with food.
3.3. Set operation mode.
3.4. Use as instructed.
4. POWER
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- Dispenser – 4 D batteries or AC adapter
- Remote control – CR2032 battery
5. CIRCUIT DESIGN
- Collaborative effort of SI Design and contract manufacturer.
6. ACCESSORIES
- Instructional video DVD (included)
- AC adapter (included)
7. PACKAGING
- 4-color chipboard box, end flap style, corrugated inserts, polybag over unit,
shrink-wrap over box.
- Enclosures: User Manual, DVD, Owner Response Card
- Quantity per Master Carton: 3pcs
8. APPROVALS
- None required
NOTE:
THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY RADIO OR TV
INTERFERENCE CAUSED BY UNAUTHORIZED MODIFICATIONS TO THIS
EQUIPMENT. SUCH MODIFICATIONS COULD VOID THE USER AUTHORITY
TO OPERATE THE EQUIPMENT.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.