When to stop using the sound
The voice can be used as secondary reinforcement (when the dog is no longer wearing the spray collar). When the dog can execute the commands at a distance, associate all commands to the appropriate gestures, and that you no longer have to use rewards as lures, and that the dog has no bad behavior patterns, you may now gradually stop using the spray collar. The principle resembles that of a child's first bicycle, equipped with training wheels that you remove once the child has acquired balance. Spray Commander@ supports and facilitates the dog's education.
The first thing to do is to condition the dog to a new secondary reinforcement, that is, your voice. You may use a short term, not often heard in conversation, such as "GOOD!". As you do with the sound, the treat may follow the use of "GOOD!", until the dog realizes that "GOOD!" is the verbal equivalent of the SR. As you would do for decreasing rewards, proceed by giving the sound half the time, then once out of three times, until you reach your objective of using only "GOOD!".
