E-collar troubleshooting: Educator, Dogtra and Martin System

Short answer: most e-collar problems come down to charge, pairing or contact with the skin, and you can usually sort them at home in a few minutes. This guide works through each symptom in order.

Every step comes from the manufacturer's own manual or support page for that model, and we note where Educator and Dogtra do things differently. If your model's steps don't match what you see, the official manual for your collar is linked at the bottom of the page.

On this page

• 1. It won't turn on, or won't charge
• 2. The collar isn't responding to the remote
• 3. Pairing or re-pairing a collar
• 4. What the lights mean
• 5. The light comes on but your dog doesn't seem to feel it
• 6. Short range, or weaker when the dog is further away
• 7. Water
• 8. Battery care and storage
• 9. Bark collar keeps going off, or the dog keeps barking
• 10. Skin redness or sores
• 11. Martin System collars and remotes
• Shop the kit
• Official manuals
• Still stuck? Contact us

1. It won't turn on, or won't charge

1. Charge both parts fully. Plug in the handset and the collar receiver. On Dogtra units and the Mini Educator the light stays red while charging and turns green when full. Dogtra ARC, iQ, X-series, YS600 and Smart NoBark collars take about 2 hours, the YS300 takes 2 to 3 hours from flat, and the Mini Educator takes about 2 hours. The Dogtra QL1 launcher remote (RR Deluxe) uses Ni-MH batteries and needs about 14 hours, and its light does not turn green when it is done.
2. Turn it back on after charging. Dogtra units switch themselves off while charging, so you need to turn them on again once you unplug the cable.
3. Use the right charger. Both makers say to use only the charger supplied (or an approved replacement). Dogtra's iQ manuals say an unsuitable charger can make the light flash amber or not light at all.
4. Check the charging port. Dogtra says the metal pin in the middle of the port should stand straight and firm. If it is loose, bent or missing, the unit needs to go in for repair. Clean dirt out of the port with a cotton bud and a little rubbing alcohol, and rinse the receiver and port in clean water if your dog has been in salt water.
5. Think about battery age. E-Collar Technologies says its lithium batteries wear after about 1 to 2 years or 200 to 300 charges, and you'll notice shorter run time. Dogtra says units over two years old may need new batteries.
6. Warm it up in the cold. E-Collar Technologies says performance drops below about 10°C and gets noticeably worse below about -7°C, so start the day fully charged and keep the battery warm. Dogtra handsets with a screen can be dim or slow to respond below about -12°C but still work.

2. The collar isn't responding to the remote

1. Check both parts are on.
   • Educator ET-300/302: touch the red dot on the handset to the red dot on the receiver to turn the receiver on, and hold the L button for over a second to turn the handset on.
   • Dogtra iQ Plus, iQ Mini and ARC 800: the receiver turns on and off by holding the two red dots together. The iQ handsets have no on/off switch and wake when you press a button.
   • Dogtra ARC 1200S: hold the receiver's on/off button until the light turns green.
   • Dogtra 640X and 1200X: hold the power button on the handset and the button between the receiver's contact points (the points that touch the dog's skin) for 2 seconds each. You'll get a green light and a tone when the receiver turns on.
2. Look at the receiver light. A ready receiver blinks every few seconds (every 4 seconds on Dogtra). On the Mini Educator the receiver light should turn red when you press a button. If it doesn't, E-Collar Technologies says to re-pair the collar (see section 3).
3. Check the charge. Dogtra receivers can shut down if you keep using them on a red light.
4. Two-dog handsets: make sure the dog selector (switch, toggle or 1D/2D display) is set to the collar you are trying to use.

3. Pairing or re-pairing a collar

Pair with the collar off the dog and the level set to 0.

Educator ET-300/302 (manual p. 19):

1. Turn the handset on and set the dial to 0. Make sure the receiver is off.
2. Hold the handset's red dot against the receiver's red dot for more than 5 seconds, until the receiver's green light flashes quickly.
3. Straight away, press and hold the black S button and then the red S button until the receiver sounds. For a second dog, press red S and then black S.

Other Educator round handsets follow the same idea: dial at 0, red dot to red dot until the green light flashes rapidly, then the S-button sequence. E-Collar Technologies says you should hear a rising three-note tone, and if you don't, start again.

Dogtra iQ Plus and iQ Mini:

1. Start with the receiver off and the dial at 0. Set the dog switch to I (or II for the second collar).
2. Hold the red dots together for about 5 seconds, until the receiver's green light blinks quickly.
3. Press the Nick and Constant buttons together. The iQ Plus is paired when the collar vibrates on the Pager button. The iQ Mini is paired when its light goes back to blinking every 4 seconds.

Dogtra ARC 800: turn the handset on with the dial at 0, hold the red dots together for about 5 seconds until the green light blinks quickly, then press the two grey buttons together (one-dog) or the two orange buttons together (second collar).

Dogtra 640X and 1200X:

1. Turn the handset on, set the level to 0 and use the toggle to pick dog 1, 2 or 3.
2. With the receiver off, hold its power button for 5 seconds until the light blinks.
3. Press the front button and the side Boost button together until the screen shows "CD" and a code.
4. Check with the Pager (vibration) button. If it doesn't vibrate, pairing timed out, so repeat the steps.

Dogtra Smart NoBark: this pairs with the Dogtra SMART NOBARK phone app, not a remote. Keep your phone within 10 metres, turn the collar on and follow the app.

If it won't connect, check the collar is on and isn't already connected to another phone. The bark collar still works without the app.

4. What the lights mean

• Dogtra (ARC, iQ, 640X, 1200X, bark collars): green means full, amber means medium and red means it needs charging. The light flashes every 4 seconds when the collar is ready, and it shows while a button is pressed.
• Educator (FAQ, all systems): blinking green means fully charged, blinking yellow or orange means the battery is getting low, and blinking red with no button pressed means there isn't much use left. The light turns solid red when you press a button.
• Educator ET-300/302 (manual p. 8): blinking green means it is working normally, solid red means stimulation is being sent and blinking red means it needs a charge. A white light on some receivers is a tracking light for seeing your dog in the dark.
• Dogtra YS600: when you switch it off, a 2-second red light means normal barking. A green light blinking for 10 seconds means there was a lot of barking, which Dogtra says may mean the level is too low. Check the fit first.
• Dogtra bark collars sleep: the YS300 goes to sleep after about 10 seconds without barking and the YS600 after about 30 seconds, and the light goes off. That is normal.

5. The light comes on but your dog doesn't seem to feel it

1. Check the contact points are touching skin. This is the most common cause. Read our guide to fitting an e-collar for snug fit, point length and thick coats.
2. Raise the level gradually. Dogtra says to increase the level until your dog shows a small response, such as a neck movement, a head shake or a look over the shoulder. Educator says a distracted or wet dog may need a different level, so watch your dog rather than the number.
3. Use the test light. Put the supplied test light on the contact points. It should flash on Nick (or a single press) and stay lit on Constant. Educator suggests starting around level 5 on the test light.
4. Testing on yourself: Dogtra says your tolerance may be higher than your dog's. Test with both points on your inner wrist or fingertips. Educator says to use your bare inner forearm rather than your fingers or palm, starting around level 10 to 15.
5. Check the battery. A low battery can mean little or no output.
6. Level won't change (Educator round handsets: ET-300/302, ME-300, ET-800): if "1D" or "2D" is solid, the dial is locked. Press and hold the top of the dial to unlock it until the display flashes. Dogtra 640X and 1200X: a lock icon means the level lock is on, so hold the top of the dial for over 2 seconds to release it.
7. Stimulation stops after a few seconds. This is a safety feature. Constant stops after 12 seconds on Dogtra and 10 seconds on Educator. Let go of the button and press it again.

6. Short range, or weaker when the dog is further away

1. Keep your fingers and body off the antenna. Both makers say touching it can cut range a lot.
2. Hold the handset upright and away from your body, or above your head, and move to higher ground if you can.
3. Charge the handset. Educator and Dogtra both say a low handset battery reduces range.
4. Remember the rated range is for flat, open ground. Trees, hills, buildings, wet weather, vehicles, metal fencing and power lines all shorten it.
5. Check the antenna for damage. Dogtra says a damaged antenna can cause poor range and can be replaced.

Rated ranges from the manuals: Educator ET-300/302 ½ mile; Dogtra iQ Plus and iQ Mini 400 m; 640X 600 m; ARC 800 800 m; ARC 1200S and 1200X 1,200 m; RR Deluxe launcher remote 1,500 m.

7. Water

• Educator ET-300/302: sold as fully waterproof and rated IPX8 for continuous immersion. If it is in water regularly, check the receiver screws once or twice a month and keep them snug but not over-tight. E-Collar Technologies says its 900-series (EZ-900/902) and FOB (FE-560) handsets are water-resistant and may not float.
• Dogtra 640X, 1200X and Smart NoBark: rated IPX9K waterproof. On all Dogtra collars, keep the rubber charging plug in place, rinse after use and check the case for cracks, because a damaged case affects the waterproofing. The iQ Plus handset and the RR Deluxe launcher receiver are only water-resistant, and Dogtra Europe's warranty does not cover water damage to them.
• A dog in water may need a higher level, and a dog fresh out of the water may feel it more (Educator).

8. Battery care and storage

• Give a new unit a full charge before first use.
• Dogtra: charge fully before storing, then give a full charge once a month and again before use. Store it at room temperature, away from extreme heat or cold.
• Educator ET-300/302: don't let the batteries run completely flat. Store at about half charge at room temperature, out of direct sun. Charge only between 0°C and 40°C.
• Unplug chargers when you aren't using them, and don't charge near anything flammable.

9. Bark collar keeps going off, or the dog keeps barking

1. Take off any other collar. Dogtra says buckles or tags rubbing on the bark collar can set it off.
2. Check it is switched on and charged, and that both contact points touch the skin.
3. Test it. On the YS300, set the dial to TEST and scratch the test area with a coin, and it should vibrate three times. On the YS600, set the dial to T and scratch between the points with a pen cap, and it should vibrate twice. Test mode only vibrates.
4. Start on the lowest level and raise it gradually only if barking continues.
5. Smart NoBark: you can change what counts as a bark and how sensitive it is in the app.

10. Skin redness or sores

Stop using the collar and speak to your vet. Don't refit it until the skin has healed. Wear time, moving the receiver and skin checks are covered in our e-collar fitting guide.

11. Martin System collars and remotes

These steps come from Martin System's own English user guides and FAQ. The guides are linked in the table at the bottom of the page.

Turning a collar on and off (Chameleon III B, Micro B): slide the magnet, either the standalone one or the one built into the remote, past the collar's on/off point.

A rising tone means it is on and a falling tone means it is off. If the tone doesn't come with the first LED flashes, the battery is low.

Don't hold the magnet there too long, or the collar goes into pairing (Chameleon III B guide p. 9; Micro B guide p. 8).

Contact check or pairing? For 2 minutes after switch-on the LEDs flash quickly in turn while the collar checks skin contact. Good contact is one LED blinking twice every 3 seconds, and any remote or Finger Kick button ends the check (Chameleon III B p. 10).

Pairing mode is different: the LEDs blink quickly together. Martin System's FAQ says mixing these two up is the usual reason a collar won't pair.

Pairing a collar to a PT3000, K9 or CTT 4:

1. Hold the magnet on the collar's on/off point until the LEDs blink quickly and together.
2. Move the magnet away. For the Micro B and PT3000, move the remote at least 1 m from the collar.
3. Within 10 seconds, press the stimulation button you want to use, then press it again to confirm and check the collar reacts.

A collar holds up to 4 remotes or button codes, and pairing a fifth replaces the fourth (Chameleon III B pp. 11-12; Micro B pp. 11-12; PT3000 p. 12; K9 p. 9).

Collar won't switch on or charge: if it is completely flat, charge it for about an hour before trying again. The collar LED flashes while charging and stays on when full.

A rising tone on the charger means the clips (Chameleon) or the collar (Micro B) are the wrong way round, or the charger has no power.

On the Micro B, switch the collar off and line up the red dots. A charged Chameleon III B lasts up to 5 days on standby (Chameleon III B pp. 14-18; Micro B pp. 14-17).

Light comes on but no stimulation: a Chameleon needs at least one contact point on a red island and one on a black island.

Clip the test lamp to the contact points. It should light with every pulse, brighter at higher levels. If it doesn't light above level 1, contact us.

With a CTT 4, first check in Doggify that stimulation is turned on, because a faint blink during the contact check is normal (Chameleon III B pp. 5, 19; CTT 4 guide p. 31).

Remotes:

• PT3000: any button wakes it, and it switches itself off after 3.5 hours unused. If the screen blinks when you press a stimulation button, or the link to the collar becomes unreliable, replace the CR2 battery. It is water-repellent, not waterproof (PT3000 guide pp. 7, 11, 12).
• K9: any button wakes it, and it switches itself off after 3.5 hours. The green battery icon flashes while charging and stays on when full, and it can get warm on the wireless pad. It is waterproof (K9 guide pp. 7, 11).
• CTT 4: switching it off puts paired collars to sleep and switching it on wakes them, but the wake-up range is shorter than normal range. If the level won't change, the knob is locked. Hold the program button and turn the knob at least 5 clicks to unlock it (CTT 4 guide pp. 16-18, 25). Martin System's FAQ says the Chameleon IV charges and unpairs the same way as the Chameleon III B.
• Range problems: check at different distances, and if it is a range problem, change or charge the remote's battery (Chameleon III B p. 18).

Finger Kick: to pair it, hold the remote's program button and the stimulation button you want until the screen flashes (a flashing Finger Kick icon on the K9 and CTT 4), let go, then press the Finger Kick (PT3000 p. 11; K9 p. 9; CTT 4 p. 28).

The Finger Kick's light should flash when you press it. If it doesn't, its built-in battery (7 to 10 years' life) has probably run out, so contact us.

If it flashes but nothing happens, re-pair it and check the collar is paired to the remote. It has no on/off switch, and after 4 hours unused you press a remote button to wake the system. It is waterproof (Finger Kick guide, PDF pp. 7-8).

DogTrophy: press ON/OFF so the LED blinks fast, then hold a stimulation button on the remote until the blinking slows to once every 5 seconds. Press it again to drop a ball.

You need to do this every time you switch it on. It charges in about 4 hours, with the LED blinking green until it is full. In storage, charge it at least once a month.

It is not waterproof, so keep it out of the rain. Use only Martin System balls, no more than 3, and never oil, hold or push the pins inside the tube (DogTrophy guide pp. 6-9; Martin System FAQ).

Water and wear time: the Chameleon III B, Micro B, K9, CTT 4 and Finger Kick are waterproof. The PT3000 is only water-repellent and the DogTrophy is not waterproof. Martin System says never to leave a collar on for more than 8 hours in a row.

Check the skin under the contact points every day, and disinfect the neck and contact points every week (Chameleon III B pp. 3, 17; Micro B p. 16).

Related guides: how to introduce an e-collar and Mini Educator ET-300 vs ET-302. See also our anti-bark collars.

Shop the kit

Official manuals

These links open the manufacturer's own manual (PDF) or manual page in a new tab. For Dogtra we link the UK/EU edition from Dogtra Europe. Martin System's guides are English PDFs published on martinsystem.com and may download rather than open.

Still stuck? Contact us

If none of this fixes it, contact us with your model, what the lights are doing and what you have already tried, and we'll help.

Under our returns policy, an e-collar fault reported more than 30 days after delivery is handled by the manufacturer under its warranty. We'll point you to the right place.