ET-400/402 FAQS
What's in the box?
- Transmitter
- Collar Receiver with strap (the 402 package includes two receivers and straps)
- Battery charger (the 402 package includes a splitter cable so you can charge both receivers at once)
- Extra contact points (3/4")
- Test light
- Contact point tool
- Lanyard
- Owner's Manual
What's the difference between the 400 and the 402? The 400 is a one-dog system. The 402 is a two-dog system that ships with two collar receivers, so you can train two dogs from a single transmitter. You can also switch a 400 transmitter into 2-dog mode at any time (and back again) — see "Can I switch between 1-dog and 2-dog mode?" below.
How do I turn the transmitter on or off? Press and hold the "L" button on the back of the transmitter for more than 1 second to turn it on. Press and hold for 2 seconds to turn it off. While it's on, a short press of "L" activates the tracking light on the collar receiver.
How do I turn the collar receiver on or off? Hold the small red dot on the transmitter against the small red dot on the collar receiver.
Charging the Batteries
How do I charge my E-Collar? Open the rubber cover on the charging receptacle (on the transmitter, and on each collar receiver) and plug in the included charger. A full charge takes about 1–2 hours.
How do I know when it's done charging? The indicator light blinks green during normal operation, glows solid red while charging, and turns back to green once fully charged.
How long does the battery last between charges?
- Collar receiver standby life: 24–48 hours
- Transmitter standby life: more than 1 week
Any tips for battery care? Don't let the batteries get completely drained or overheated. If you're storing your E-Collar for a while, keep it at room temperature with roughly a 50% charge. If the battery is ever fully discharged, recharge it promptly to avoid permanent damage, and keep the units away from extreme heat or cold.
What charger should I use? Only use the power supply that came with your unit. Using an incorrect adapter/battery type can pose a fire or explosion risk — your charger should be rated PS2 or LPS.
Fitting the Collar
How tight should the collar be? You should be able to fit a couple of fingers between the strap and your dog's skin. Too tight can cause irritation; too loose can let the contact points lose skin contact, which both reduces reliability and can cause chafing. The collar receiver should sit on either side of your dog's windpipe.
How long can my dog wear the collar receiver? No more than 12 hours per day, to help prevent skin irritation. If your dog shows any irritation, remove the receiver immediately and don't resume use until the skin has fully healed (an antibiotic ointment can help with healing).
My dog has thick fur (or very short fur) — will the standard contact points work? The collar ships with 5/8" contact points for most dogs, plus an extra set of 3/4" points for thicker fur. Short-haired breeds (boxers, dachshunds, pit bulls, etc.) may need 3/8" microprobes, which aren't included — contact customer service or visit www.ecollar.com to ask about special contact points for your dog.
Can my dog be allergic to the contact points? Some dogs are sensitive to metal contact points and may show irritation, redness, hair loss, or sores. Rotate the receiver from side to side daily to check the skin underneath. If you notice a reaction, hypoallergenic (titanium) contact points are available at www.ecollar.com.
How do I replace the contact points (e.g., switching to the 3/4" points)? Use the included contact point tool:
- Loosen both contact points by turning them counter-clockwise.
- Install the new points and tighten by turning clockwise.
Stimulation Modes & Buttons
What are the three stimulation modes? Momentary, Continuous, and Combo (Momentary + Continuous available together). Cycle between them by holding the M/C button (on the back of the transmitter) for 2 seconds, then pressing and releasing it to step through modes.
What's the difference between Momentary and Continuous stimulation?
- Momentary: a single pulse each time you press the button.
- Continuous: pulses for as long as you hold the button, automatically timing out after 10 seconds as a safety feature. You can raise or lower the level while holding it.
What's the difference between the black "S" button and the red "S" button? The black button sends stimulation at your set level. The red button sends a boosted stimulation — your set level plus your boost level (e.g., level 10 with a boost of 5 delivers the equivalent of level 15). This is meant for situations where your dog isn't responding to the normal level.
How do I set the boost level?
- Switch to Momentary mode (hold M/C until "M" shows).
- Turn the intensity level down to "0."
- Press and hold the black "S" button for more than 5 seconds.
- The display will change from "0" to a flashing "1."
- Rotate the dial to your desired boost level (1–60).
- Press the black "S" button again to save and exit.
The boost is typically 5–20 levels above your dog's normal "conditioning" level — smaller, more sensitive dogs usually need a boost of 1–20, while larger or more stubborn dogs may need more.
How does "boosting" work in Combo mode?
- Momentary boosting: press the black "S" button, then — without releasing it — also press the red "S" button.
- Continuous boosting: press and hold the red "S" button, then — without releasing it — also press the black "S" button.
What does the Tapping Sensation / Tone button (T) do? It's an alternative to stimulation — a vibration similar to a cell phone, great for deaf dogs or dogs sensitive to stimulation. It can also be set to "Tone Stimulation": a 1.2-second tone, followed by stimulation if you keep holding the button (release before 1.2 seconds for tone only). Over time, this conditions your dog to respond to the tone alone (Pavlovian conditioning). To switch between the two, hold the "L" and "T" buttons together while the level is at "0."
How do I find the right stimulation level for my dog? Let your dog wear the (powered off) receiver for a couple of hours to get used to it first. Then, with the level at "0," press the continuous button and slowly raise the level (about 2–3 levels per second) while watching your dog closely. Note the level where your dog first reacts — usually somewhere between 5 and 20. That's your dog's "conditioning" level. Your boost level is typically 5–20 levels above that.
How do I lock the dial so the level doesn't accidentally change? Set the level you want, then press down on top of the stimulation dial. A flashing "1D" (or "2D") means unlocked; solid means locked. Press the dial again to unlock.
I can't change the stimulation level — what's wrong? The level is likely locked. Check whether the "1D"/"2D" icon on the display is solid (locked) rather than flashing. Press and hold the dial for 1 second to unlock it.
What does the "L" (light) button do? It cycles the collar receiver's night tracking light: Off → Flashing → Solid → Off — handy for spotting your dog in the dark.
What if I lose my transmitter? Turn on Lost Transmitter Mode by pressing the "L" button and the black "S" button at the same time while the level is at "0" (three short beeps confirm activation). If the transmitter goes unused, it will start beeping after 6 hours (showing "AL" on the display) so you can locate it. Turn it off the same way using "L" + the red "S" button (two beeps confirm). Note: this mode resets whenever the transmitter is turned off, so remember to reactivate it each time — especially before a hike or any activity where you might misplace it.
The 402 Two-Dog System
How do I control two dogs with one transmitter? On a 402 (or a 400 switched into 2-dog mode), the black "S" button controls Dog 1 and the red "S" button controls Dog 2. The "1D" or "2D" icon on the display shows which dog's settings you're currently adjusting.
Can I switch my 400 between 1-dog and 2-dog mode? Yes. With the transmitter on, press the red "S," black "S," and "T" buttons simultaneously for more than 2 seconds until you hear confirmation beeps. Repeat the same combination to switch back.
How do I pair a second collar receiver for Dog 2? Use the same pairing steps as below, but press and hold the red "S" button followed by the black "S" button (instead of black-then-red) until you hear the confirmation sound.
Pairing / Re-Syncing a Receiver
My receiver and transmitter have lost sync — how do I re-pair them?
- Turn on the transmitter and set the intensity dial to "0."
- Make sure the collar receiver is turned off.
- Hold the transmitter's red dot against the receiver's red dot for more than 5 seconds — the receiver's light will flash rapidly green.
- Immediately after, press and hold the black "S" button followed by the red "S" button until you hear a confirmation sound from the receiver.
Testing Your E-Collar
How can I check that the unit is working properly? Hold the included test light against the receiver's contact points and turn the dial up — the light should brighten smoothly as the level increases. Alternatively, hold the receiver against your forearm in Continuous mode; most people start to feel the stimulation somewhere between level 8 and 25 (this varies with skin dryness).
Troubleshooting
My receiver or transmitter won't turn on. Make sure the collar receiver is fully charged — its light should turn green once it's connected to the charger and finishes charging.
My receiver isn't responding to the transmitter. Confirm the receiver's indicator light is blinking green and the transmitter's display is on, and that the receiver's light turns solid red when you press a stimulation button. If it's still unresponsive, try re-pairing the transmitter and receiver (see "Pairing/Re-Syncing" above).
The receiver doesn't seem to be stimulating my dog. Remove the contact points, connect the test light to the receiver, and test it directly. If the test light blinks, the receiver itself is working correctly — double-check the collar fit and contact with the skin.
My range seems shorter than it used to be. Check the transmitter's battery — range drops as the battery gets low. Also avoid touching the antenna, which can significantly cut down your range. For maximum range, hold the transmitter the way the Statue of Liberty holds her torch, keeping your fingers off the antenna. Range can also be affected by terrain, weather, trees, power lines, and interference from other wireless devices. Rated range is up to 3/4 mile in open space.
I can't change the stimulation level. Check whether the "1D"/"2D" icon is solid (locked). Press and hold the stimulation dial for 1 second to unlock it.
Safety
Is this safe to use on an aggressive dog? Have an aggressive dog evaluated by a professional trainer before using an e-collar. Dogs can sometimes associate the stimulation with their handler, and in rare cases a dog experiencing e-collar pressure during a fight may become more aggressive or redirect that aggression. High stimulation levels should be reserved as a last resort, in life-threatening situations only. To avoid accidentally over-stimulating your dog, keep the level under 5 whenever the unit isn't actively in use for training.
Is the collar receiver waterproof? Yes, it's rated IP68 and fully water resistant. If it's regularly exposed to water, tighten the receiver's screws once or twice a month (snug, but not overly tight) to help prevent water damage inside the unit.
Is this safe to be around children? This product isn't intended for use by anyone — including children — with limited physical, sensory, or cognitive ability, or without proper understanding of the device, unless supervised by a responsible adult. This also applies to cleaning and general upkeep of the unit.
Will this interfere with other electronics, or cause problems near medical equipment? The 400/402 operates at 27.095 MHz and complies with FCC Part 15 and operates under Part 95. No FCC license is required to operate it, but modifying the transmitter or its antenna without E-Collar Technologies' written approval can void your authority to use it. As a precaution, turn off both the transmitter and receiver near hospitals or healthcare facilities, or anywhere posted notices instruct you to power down electronics.
How do I prevent water damage to the receiver? If your dog is regularly in or around water, check and tighten the receiver's screws once or twice a month — snug, but not overly tight.
Have Any Questions?
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FAQs
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