Short answer: fit the receiver high on the neck to one side of the windpipe, with contact points to suit the coat, touching the skin but loose enough for two fingers under the strap. Let your dog wear it for a while before you use it, and don't leave it on for long periods. Then work at the lowest level your dog just notices, which E-Collar Technologies says is usually between 5 and 20 on its 0–100 scale.
Key points
- Using an e-collar on a dog is banned in Wales.
- Fit the receiver high on the neck, to one side of the windpipe, with the points touching the skin and room for two fingers under the strap.
- Let your dog wear the collar first. E-Collar Technologies suggests “a couple of hours” before you start.
- Start at 0 and raise the level slowly until your dog just notices. E-Collar Technologies says this is usually between 5 and 20 on its 0–100 scale.
- Pair the collar with a command your dog already knows, and reward the right response.
- Follow the stricter wear limit: Educator says no more than 12 hours in 24, and Dogtra says remove it after 8 hours of use.
Before you start: using an e-collar on a dog is banned in Wales, and Northern Ireland consulted in 2026 on banning handheld e-collars.
Read are e-collars legal in the UK? first. Our team includes World and National Champion trainers, and we would always suggest working with an experienced trainer the first time you introduce a remote collar.
On this page
- Step 1: fit the receiver
- Step 2: choose contact points for the coat
- Step 3: limit wear time and check the skin
- Step 4: let your dog wear it first
- Step 5: find the lowest working level
- Step 6: pair it with something your dog already knows
- When not to use one
- Shop the kit
- FAQs
Step 1: fit the receiver
Educator and Dogtra give almost the same fitting instructions:
- Position: high on the neck, with the receiver on either side of the windpipe, not on it.
- Tightness: the contact points must touch the skin. You should be able to fit two fingers between the strap and the neck.
- Too loose means inconsistent contact, so the dog feels the stimulation one moment and not the next. Too tight can cause irritation.
Trainer guidance: check the fit with the dog standing and sitting, and again after it has been running. A strap that was right in the kitchen often slides down the neck on the field.
Step 2: choose contact points for the coat
| Coat | Educator (Mini Educator ET-300/302) | Dogtra |
|---|---|---|
| Short, smooth | CPAD-010 Soft Wing comfort pad (short to medium single coats) | Ask us which point length suits your model |
| Most dogs | 5/8″ points, which Educator says are used for most dogs (supplied with the ET-300) | The male points supplied with X-Series collars (640X, 1200X) |
| Thick or double coat | 3/4″ points (also supplied with the ET-300); or CPAD-011 Ultra Wing comfort pad (long, dense double coats) | Longer points, such as the 25 mm (1″) female pair we sell (not for X-Series); Dogtra says to trim the hair if the longest points still don't reach |
Check the thread type before you buy Dogtra points. X-Series collars (640X, 1200X) use male contact points. The 25 mm Dogtra pair we sell is the female surgical-steel type, which Dogtra says is not compatible with X-Series. Check which type your receiver takes.
Comfort pads: E-Collar Technologies' CPAD-010 and CPAD-011 fit the Mini Educator receiver and most Educator models, but not the Micro Educator ME-300. The Soft Wing is the gentler design for short to medium single coats, and the Ultra Wing has more aggressive wings to reach through dense fur.
Shop: CPAD-010 Soft Wing Comfort Pad · Dogtra Contact Points 25mm (female)
Step 3: limit wear time and check the skin
| Educator ET-300/302 manual | Dogtra manual | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum wear | Not more than 12 hours in any 24 | Remove after 8 hours of use |
| Repositioning | Rotate slightly side to side each day | Move it every few hours on long wear |
| Skin checks | Inspect regularly for redness, irritation or sores; stop until fully healed | Check for irritation each time you use it |
The safe rule is to follow the stricter of the two: put the collar on for training, take it off afterwards, and look at the neck every time.
Step 4: let your dog wear it first
E-Collar Technologies suggests letting the dog wear the collar for "a couple of hours" before you start, so it doesn't link the feel of the collar with anything new.
Trainer guidance: put the collar on before things your dog already enjoys, like a walk, a meal or a game. Take it off at random times too, so the collar going on doesn't always mean training is about to start.
Step 5: find the lowest working level
- Set the dial to 0 with the dog calm and in a quiet place.
- Press and hold continuous while you raise the level slowly. Educator suggests about 2–3 levels per second.
- Release at the first sign the dog notices. Dogtra lists neck movement, head shaking or looking over the shoulder. Trainer guidance: many trainers also watch for an ear flick or a change of expression.
- Note that number. That is your starting working level. E-Collar Technologies says it is usually between 5 and 20.
- Repeat on different days. The level can change with excitement, distraction and coat condition. Educator's own principle: "use the lowest level that gains a calm acknowledgment, increasing only as needed."
If you want to feel it yourself, Educator's manual suggests starting around level 10–15 on your forearm, or around 5 with the test light.
Boost: Educator says the boost is typically set 5 to 20 levels above the working level. Trainer guidance: leave it at the factory setting until you understand your dog's normal range.
Step 6: pair it with something your dog already knows
Trainer guidance:
- Start with a command the dog already does reliably, such as a recall on a long line or a sit.
- Give the command, then the stimulation at working level, and release it as the dog responds. Reward as soon as the dog gets it right.
- Keep the lead or long line on so you can help the dog, rather than raising the level.
- Many handlers start with tone or vibration as a cue before using stimulation. Both Educator and Dogtra collars have them.
- Build distractions slowly. If the dog stops responding, go back a step rather than turning the dial up.
When not to use one
- In Wales, where using an e-collar on a dog is an offence.
- With an aggressive dog without professional advice. Dogtra says not to use its products with aggressive dogs, and Educator says to consult a qualified trainer or behaviourist first.
- With airway or breathing problems, unless your vet has said it's suitable. Educator says to remove the collar and see a vet if the dog coughs or breathes with difficulty.
- Left on all day or overnight. Educator's limit is 12 hours in 24, and Dogtra's is 8 hours of use.
Shop the kit
CPAD 010 Soft Wing Comfort Pad E-Collar Contact Points
Dogtra E-Collar Pair of Contact Points 25mm
ET-300 Mini Educator 1/2 Mile Remote Dog Training E-Collar UK Adaptor
Related guides: how to fit an e-collar, e-collar troubleshooting and Mini Educator ET-300 vs ET-302.
FAQs
How tight should an e-collar be?
Snug enough that both contact points touch the skin, with room for two fingers under the strap. That's the same advice from Educator and Dogtra.
Which contact points do I need for a long-coated dog?
Longer points. On the Mini Educator that's the 3/4″ points supplied in the box, or the CPAD-011 Ultra Wing pad. For Dogtra, use longer points (check the thread type for your model), and trim the hair if the longest still don't reach.
How long can my dog wear an e-collar?
Educator says no more than 12 hours in 24, and Dogtra says remove it after 8 hours of use. We'd suggest putting it on for training only.
What level should I start on?
Start at zero and go up slowly until your dog just notices. E-Collar Technologies says that's usually between 5 and 20 on its scale. Every dog is different, so find yours rather than copying a number.
Do Dogtra 25 mm contact points fit the 640X?
No. X-Series collars use male points, and the pair we sell is female. Contact us and we'll check the right part for your model.
Can I use an e-collar on a puppy?
The manuals we used don't set an age, but Educator's models have minimum dog weights (5 lb for the Mini Educator). We'd suggest building foundations with food and toys first, and getting a trainer's advice before you introduce a remote collar to a young dog.
Shop: ET-300 Mini Educator, or browse all e-collars from Educator and Dogtra. Choosing between makes? Read Educator vs Dogtra. Questions about fit or parts? Email info@k9store.co.uk and one of our trainers will help.