GB2478420A - An animal training device - Google Patents

Abstract

An animal training system comprising a controller 250 and a collar 200 which supports at least one vibrator 240 and a receiver 260 for receiving control signals from the controller. In use and upon receipt of a control signal from the controller, the receiver activates the vibrator. The vibrator is in the form of a pair of rostral vibrators located close to an auditory canal of the animal. The frequency of vibration of the vibrator is in excess of 25 Hz and so mimics the sound of a wasp or a mosquito in the auditory canal of an animal, so causing it to shake its head as a reflect to rid the animal. A harness and helmet (figs 6 and 7) may be provided to ensure that vibrations are transmitted to sensitive structures of the animal and are activated when a control signal is received. In an alternative embodiment further stimuli in the form of a plurality of bristles 230 which can be augmented by a mobile weighted mechanism may be provided. Ideally the frequency is in the range of around 25 — 800 Hz and is most preferably around 300 — 600 Hz.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN ANIMAL TRAINING SYSTEMS AND DEVICES

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to animal training systems and devices, in particular animal training systems which include collars, harnesses and helmets.

Background of the Invention

Many systems have been devised for the training of animals, in particular dogs, to control behaviour. Older systems used the application of static electric shocks, ultrasonic sound and sprays to control and modify behaviour but more recently the use of such punishment techniques has been questioned and there has been a move towards distracting dogs from undesirable behaviour rather than hurting the animal during training.

Thus innately negative stimuli are applied during training. One way of achieving this is to cause a vibration usually in a collar located around the animal's neck close to the ears. Thus although a negative stimulus is still utilised, it is both humane and safe and is designed to distract the animal from the undesirable behaviour.

A problem when using vibration as a training aid is in the mechanics of actually getting a strong enough signal to the animals' coat as fur and damping from the device itself reduce the effectiveness of the vibration. This requires either a stronger signal which in turn necessitates more power or more frequent replacement of a battery or some form of penetration means to get the signal closer to the skin.

Prior Art

US Patent US 5 632 232 (Waters) discloses a device for training an animal to avoid a designated area by application of a shock when the area is approached.

Another system is described in US Patent US 5 046 453 Vinci) discourages barking of a dog by the application of a cold fluid when a sensor attached to the animal's collar detects any barking.

An alternative technique to prevent barking is described in Japanese Patent Application JP-A-2002171860 (Kazumi) where a vibration unit -an unbalanced motor -attached to a collar is vibrated when barking is detected causing discomfort to the animal thereby causing the barking to stop.

International Patent Application WO-A-2009094003 (Mainini et al) describes a vibration stimulus delivery device where a vibration probe is positioned in direct contact with the skin of the animal which reduces the inherent vibration dampening effect caused by the weight and mass of the housing.

European Patent Application EP-A-1 645 182 (Pet Tech) discloses a collar with a vibrating unit including a sound sensor that detects a dog's bark and a controller that activates a vibrator with the intention of stopping the dog barking.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an animal training system comprising: a controller; and a collar which supports at least one vibrator and a receiver for receiving control signals from the controller whereby, in use, upon receipt of a control signal from the controller, the receiver activates the vibrator which, in use, is located close to an auditory canal of the animal; characterised in that the frequency of vibration of the vibrator is in excess of Hz.

Ideally the frequency is in the range of around 25 -100 Hz and preferably the frequency is in the range 100 -200 Hz, more preferably the frequency is in the range of 200 -800 Hz and most preferably the frequency is in the range of around 300 -600 Hz.

Advantageously a means is provided from the vibrator for coupling vibration energy to the region on the animal's auditory canal.

The reason why this frequency range is chosen is that it is the frequency range at which insects' wings vibrate. Typically a bee or wasp beats its wings at around 200 -400 Hz and a mosquito beats its wings around 600 -800 Hz.

A vibrating noise around this frequency is considered to present maximum annoyance to an animal, such as the dog, and if appearing close to the animal's auditory canal gives the impression that a wasp or insect is in the animal's ear. The reflex of the dog is to shake its head and so its balance is temporarily impaired. Practically this means that the dog cannot run and so tends to stand still.

Preferably, there is provided a further stimulator which, in use, is located under ear openings of the animal. In the case of a collar, rostral extensions are provided which extend from the collar towards the ears of the animal and in the case of a helmet the stimuli is positioned on the helmet below ear openings provided thereon.

In the case of a harness it comprises a material collar and a nose band linked by two horizontal material or plastic "cheek straps" that traverse under the ear flaps close to the ear canal opening. The vibratory mechanisms are attached to the cheek straps with bristles on the inside directed towards the ear canal opening. This embodiment enables very effective application of certain frequencies of vibration to sensitive structures of the animal. 3.

Preferably there is a device for transmitting vibrational energy to a position close to the ear entrance region or within the space within the entrance of the ear.

Alternatively the vibrators are formed integrally with a helmet or head cover so that the vibrator, which is the source of the stimuli, is located close to the animal's ear.

The stimulus effects are preferably potentiated using a system of bristles which deliver the stimuli through the animals' coat to the skin. Alternatively a raised portion, which is presented on an inner surface of the collar, helmet or on a halter, is urged into close contact of the skin of the animal. Thus, it is preferred that the stimuli include a plurality of bristles.

It is preferred that the plurality of bristles are located, in use, on a coat side surface of the at least one of the collar and helmet. This provides the most effective method of introducing the stimuli to the animals' skin.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the bristles are angled with respect to the plane of the coat side surface of the least one of the collar and helmet.

Preferably, the activator comprises a vibratable mechanism which, when activated causes the plurality of bristles to vibrate. A battery, which is ideally rechargeable, is preferably the source of energy that operates the vibrator.

During training, if the animal engages in unacceptable behaviour, the controller sends a control signal which causes the vibrator to vibrate, so creating the impression to the animal that a wasp or mosquito is in its ear. As this is a potential threat to the animal it causes a reflexive head shaking by the animal which is its natural defence against this. The fact that the animal is shaking its head means that it has to stop (as it cannot move whilst shaking its head) so as to avoid going off balance) Optionally bristles are also raised on an inner surface of the collar which irritate the animal or cause a sensation to the animal which it associates with the wasp or mosquito. The vibrations pass to the sensitive structures of the animal causing discomfort which distracts the animal from its behaviour.

Preferably, the plurality of bristles are actuatable between two positions, a first position where the bristles lie substantially in the plane of the coat side surface of the collar or helmet and a second position where the bristles lie substantially out of the plane of the coat side surface of the collar or helmet.

In a preferred embodiment the bristles lie, in an unrelaxed state) at an angle of around 30 to 600 to the plane of the coat side surface of the collar or helmet when they are angled or in the second position. More preferably, the bristles lie at around 45 to 500 to the plane of the coat side surface of the collar or helmet when they are angled or in the second position.

In one arrangement where the system comprises: a collar, the plurality of bristles is arranged in two groups about a central point of the collar and each group is angled in opposite directions. In this configuration, activation of the vibratable mechanism, may in addition to the noise sensation of an insect in its ear, the vibration causes a ratcheting effect on the collar, causing a tightening effect which is not dissimilar to that produced by the tugging on a lead or leash.

The central point of the collar is preferably located such that the buckle of the collar is orientated dorsally and the collar is weighted ventrally.

In a further arrangement where the system comprises a collar, a mobile weighted mechanism is provided as an additional stimulus.

In a further alternative embodiment the collar is tubular and the mobile weighted mechanism is provided on an internal surface of the tubular collar.

Alternatively, the collar is a modified standard collar and the mobile weighted mechanism is provided on the inner (animal's coat side) surface of the collar when in use.

In an alternative embodiment a mobile weighted mechanism is provided on a track system comprising both running and cog tracks. Alternatively, when the collar is tubular, the mobile weighted mechanism is provided on corrugations of the internal surface of the tubular collar.

Preferably, the mobile weighted mechanism includes a tractor and optionally at least one trailer connected to the tractor. This enables the weight to be tailored both in mass and length depending on the size of the animal.

In an alternative arrangement the device for training an animal may be fitted to at least one of a collar and a helmet so that the stimuli inducing means is located close to sensitive structures of the animal; an activator for activating the stimuli; and a receiver for receiving signals whereby the when the receiver receives a signal, the activator activates the stimuli.

In this embodiment, a dedicated controller within the collar and/or harness and/or helmet or a dedicated transmitter is optional. This enables an owner/trainer to use an existing transmitter to provided control signals to the receiver or, in the case where more than one animal is being trained, a single transmitter having multiple channels can be used to control all the animals.

This single transmitter requires a switch enabling different devices to be selected and/or a number of different frequencies of control signal one allocatable to each device.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of training an animal comprising: providing a signal when the animal engages in unacceptable behaviour; receiving the signal at a receiver; activating stimuli to produce at least a vibratory effect that mimics the sound of a winged insect in or close to the animal's ear.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure Ia is a perspective view of a collar according to the invention; Figure lb shows, schematically a circuit diagram of a sealed unit according to the invention; Figure 2a is a cross section through a collar according to the invention; Figure 2b is an enlarged cross section through a collar showing three alternative embodiments of the invention; Figure 3a is a perspective view of another collar according to the invention; Figure 3b is a perspective view of the collar shown in Figure 3a in use; Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of a collar according to the invention; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of a weighted mechanism according to the invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a helmet according to the invention; and Figure 7 is a perspective view of a helmet and collar according to the invention.

Ptailed Description of the illustrated embodiment

Figure Ia shows a perspective view of a collar 10 having a standard adjustable buckle 12, a sealed unit 20 circumferentially spaced from the buckle, a plurality of bristles 30 and a connection 32 between the sealed unit and the bristles 30.

The collar 10 has an inner surface 14 and an outer surface 16. In use, the inner surface 14 of the collar 10 lies against an animal's coat. In this embodiment, the bristles 30 are fixed in position on the collar 10 and extend approximately 45° to a plane described by the inner surface 14 of the collar in the same direction. The bristles are approximately 2 to 2.5cm long with a blunt end; 1 to 1.5 mm in diameter; and made of a stiff plastic material such as polypropylene. Typically, the bristles 30 are arranged in 3 to 5 rows around the inside of the collar 10 and are spaced 2 to 4cm apart so the action of a bristle is not impeded by its neighbours and so each bristle can easily penetrate the coat of the animal and contact the skin, The sealed unit 20 is circumferentially spaced from the buckle 12 as this balances the collar for the animal. Turning now to Figure lb, the sealed unit includes a controller 22, which may comprise a relay switch, a battery 24, a receiver 26 and a vibratable mechanism 28. There is electrical communication between the battery 24, the controller 22, the receiver 26 and the activator which in this example is a vibratable mechanism 28 and an electrical and/or mechanical connection between the vibratable mechanism and the bristles 30. The controller 22 can control one or more undesirable behaviours exhibited by the animal such as, but not limited to, barking or straying out of or into a designated area. This embodiment comprises an automatic training system.

The sealed unit, is named as such as a collar or harness or helmet according to the invention is subject to external weather conditions during training of the animal thus, it is expedious that the unit containing the battery and electrical connections to the other parts of the circuit is weather proof i.e. sealed to moisture and robust enough to withstand day to day knocks.

The vibrating mechanism could comprise a motor with an unbalanced rotor which is in mechanical communication with the bristles. However, a preferred vibrating mechanism either a high frequency buzzer or a low frequency buzzer for example effected by a vibrating hammer which vibrates against an anvil at the required frequency.

Examples of possible buzzers include an electromagnetic buzzer, a piezoelectric buzzer and a doorbell buzzer amongst others. The person skilled in the art will appreciate the range of suitable buzzers that are widely available on the market and small and light enough to be used in this invention. In this particular embodiment, a low frequency vibration from a hammer and anvil is preferred.

The effect of the stimulation of the bristles is more effective if a patch or group of associated bristles lie both in the same direction and at similar angles. Of course a reduced effect can be achieved by having bristles which are more randomly orientated and/or angled.

The bristles may cover substantially the whole inner surface 14 of the collar 10, alternatively a number of discrete groups are provided or a single patch of bristles. In the case of a single patch of bristles, the animal will get a localised effect which may be more effective for training purposes. Although an inclination of bristles to the plane of the inner surface of the collar of around 45 to 50° is described, an angle of 30 to 60° is effective. In fact even if the bristles were perpendicular to the plane of the surface described by the inner surface of the collar, the animal wearing the collar would feel and respond to the effect of the bristles in use however, if further effects of the invention are to be realised, bristles which are angled to both the plane and perpendicular to the plane of the inner surface of the collar are required.

These further effects include but are not limited to a rotation of the collar as a result of the bristle vibration and are described forthwith.

In an embodiment where either a patch, one or more patches or a substantially continuous patch of bristles are provided and are angled to both the plane and the perpendicular of the plane described by the inner surface of the collar, an advantageous effect of vibrating the bristles causing a ratcheting effect which results in the collar rotating about the neck of the animal. This results in both the vibration effect and any auditory sensation rotating around the neck.

This additional effect can mean that either less bristles or a lower amplitude of vibration can be utilised for a similar or enhanced effect versus a similar non-ratcheting effect. This has the advantage of either reduced manufacturing costs or reduced running costs as a battery has a longer working life or facilitating the use of a smaller battery resulting in the weight of the collar being reduce which enables smaller animals to utilise this invention or causes less impact to the animal by reducing the weight of the collar.

An automatic training system is one where certain behaviours of the animal are monitored preferably within the sealed unit (for simplicity of manufacture and comfort to the animal) and acted upon without intervention by an owner/trainer. An example is to either keep an animal in or out of an area. In this case the boundary of the area in question is fitted with sensors and the sealed unit of the collar includes a controller for producing a control signal when the line is crossed, the receiver receives a signal, which is relayed to the vibrating mechanism and one or more stimuli is activated.

In an alternative embodiment the training system has a separate controller (150,250) which is housed within a transmitter unit (not shown in this Figure, see Figures 2a and 3) and the sealed unit includes a battery, a receiver for receiving signals (160,260) from the controller located within the transmitter unit, a vibratable mechanism and a connection to the bristles. The signals being a first signal for turning the vibrating mechanism on and a second signal for turning the vibrating mechanism off. A further or more signals which could increase or decrease the intensity of the vibrating mechanism may be provided as this enables the sensitivity of different animals to be accounted for and additionally enables a reduction in the signal strength to be facilitated as the training of a particular animal progresses.

The use of a collar for a training aid is advantageous as they are easily fitted to an animal. In the case of dogs, they are familiar to both the animal and the owner/trainer. A collar when used in conjunction with a lead or leash is familiar to the dog as a point of communication with the owner/trainer.

Stimulation via the collar even when delivered remotely will be associated with direction, instruction and control even when the stimulation cannot be associated with the owner/trainer i.e. by using an automatic training system or a transmitter when this is not familiar to the animal being trained. In some circumstances, it is beneficial that the delivery of the training is not associated with the owner/trainer.

Figure 2a shows a system comprising a collar 100 and a transmitter 150.

The collar 100 has a standard buckle 112 and an inner surface 114. A sealed unit 120 is provided on the collar 100 approximately 180° from the buckle -this is merely to balance the collar for the animal and is not an essential feature. The sealed unit 120 contains a battery, a vibratable mechanism and a receiver for receiving signals from a controller located in the transmitter 150. Two groups of fixed bristles I 30a, I 30b respectively are provided either side of the sealed unit 120 and inclined at approximately 45° to the plane of the inner surface of the collar. The two groups are bristles 130a, 130b are orientated oppositely. In this embodiment, when the vibrating mechanism is activated via the transmitter and receiver, the two groups of bristles 130a, 130b are vibrated in opposing directions causing a ratcheting effect on the collar 100. This results in the collar tightening at the throat of the animal in a similar manner to a dog being pulled back on a lead or leash.

The vibrating mechanism in this embodiment comprises a low frequency vibrating or oscillating hammer with an anvil located at each side i.e. an anvil associated with each group of bristles.

Turning now to Figure 2b, as opposed to the bristles l3Oa, 130b being fixed in position with respect to the inner surface 114 of the collar 100, the bristles may be actuatable between two positions and the bristles may be used in Conjunction with the vibrator or separately therefrom. The active position 130 where the bristles are partially erect, are able to penetrate into the coat of the animal and are caused to vibrate by the vibratable mechanism and an inactive position 140 where the bristles lie substantially parallel to the inner surface 114 of the collar 100. This acts to increase the effect of the stimuli when compared to the embodiment when the bristles are fixed at an angle to the inner surface of the collar as the system is either on or off. When the bristles are fixed in position, they are likely to impart a measure of feeling to the animal even when not vibrating. It also means that the bristles are less likely to be damaged when the collar is taken on or off. The motion of retracting and erecting the bristles also increases the ratcheting effect of the two opposing groups or bristles.

As an alternative embodiment, if the bristles described in Figure 2a were both active and lying or orientated in the same direction, on activation of the bristles, the collar would rotate around the animal's head at a rate determined by the frequency of the vibration. This would not only cause discomfort due to the presence of the vibrations per se but also as the location of this vibration would change resulting in the animal not becoming used to the vibration as would occur to some degree if the vibration was continuously located at approximately the same position in the animal. This embodiment is particularly effective when a low frequency vibration is used as this facilitates effective ratcheting round the neck of an animal.

To summarise this embodiment, a vibration movement in the same plane as the collar causes the bristles to alternately bear against the skin and then push off. The action is most effective when used with low frequency large amplitude vibrations. The vibratory mechanism will move around the animals' neck like a ratchet. The effect of any auditory emission and movement through the bristles will be strongest close to the vibratory mechanism. The animal will perceive that the sound and vibration moves round its neck which enhances the stimulatory effect. The fact that the direction of each of the bristles is similar encourages rotation of the collar around the animals' neck.

The ratcheting effect can be augmented by the addition of additional vibratory and auditory mechanisms.

Low frequency in this case is considered to be around 100 Hz for audible sound and 20 Hz for inaudible infrasonic pressure waves, where the animal is a dog.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an alternative collar 200. The collar has an adjustable standard buckle 212 a plurality of fixed bristles 230 located in a coat side surface 214 of the collar, a sealed unit 220 and a pair of rostral extenders 240. The training system includes the collar 200 and a transmitter 250.

This embodiment has fixed bristles 230 as their objective is only to provide a vibrational stimulation to the collar area of an animal. An additional stimuli, the pair of rostral extenders 240 introduces a further training aid. The pair of rostral extenders 240 preferably includes either high frequency vibrators which are in electrical communication with the sealed unit 220 or the ability to transmit a high frequency signal from the sealed unit 220 to the tip 242 of at least one of the rostral extenders.

The rostral extenders are ventolateral projections extending rostrally as far as the ventral external auditory meatus of the animal. They may be thicker than those shown and optionally extend around the animal's ear. A cross piece or brace, extending form one rostral extender to the other (not shown) is optionally provided to prevent the animal from removing the rostral extender.

The rostral extenders are a means to deploy a signal at a sensitive place on an animal namely in the region of the ears. When a high frequency signal is utilised, the animal has the impression that an insect such as a wasp is flying near one or both of its' ears causing the animal to shake its head as a reflex reaction to remove the insect. This distracts the animal from whatever unacceptable or inappropriate behaviour was manifest.

A high frequency signal is around 100 to 250 Hz which is similar to stinging insects. This range can be reduced depending of the propensity of certain stinging insects where the animal resides so around 100 Hz corresponds to hornets whereas 117 to 247 Hz corresponds to wasps.

A further embodiment is described with respect to Figures 4a, 4b and 5 wherein an additional stimulus to a fixed bristle arrangement at around 45° is utilised, namely a rotating or motorised weighted mechanism 500. Two main alternative embodiments are described.

The first (Figure 4a and 5) uses a modified conventional collar 400 which has either two running tracks 460 and one central cog track 470 or two cog tracks 470a and one central running track 460a. These various tracks run on the inner surface 414 of a collar 400, in use.

The second alternative (Figure 4b and 5) shows a tubular collar having a rigid continuous surface enclosing an open tube-like space. In this example the cross section of this tube is "D" shaped 450 but, circular, triangular, rectangular and square are all acceptable alternatives. The collar 450 has an internal surface 450a on which a cog and track system is located which either has two running tracks 460' and one central cog track 470' or one central running track 460a' and two cog tracks 470a'. Alternatively, internal corrugations 465 are provided instead of the track system which gives both traction and vibration.

Turning now to Figure 5, a motorised weight mechanism 500 is a tractor 505 which is driven by the cog track(s) or internal corrugations and kept in alignment by the running track(s) or internal walls of the collar. The tractor 505 either includes a power source such as a battery or receives power from a battery in a sealed unit located on the external surface of the collar or that surface distal from the coat of the animal when in use. The tractor 505 has a weight associated with it and this weight can be added to by attaching one of more trailers 515. The tractor 505 and/or any trailers 515 attached thereto are preferably provided with additional auditory stimuli. This provides both a side to side force which is applied to the collar, some rotation of the collar and a moving auditory stimulus.

The use of these trailers has a number of possible effects. First it enables tailoring of the weight to a particular animal or to an animal at a particular stage in its' training as is it useful to reduce any stimuli over time with the eventual outcome of not requiring a training aid for that animal. Second it enables a standardised tractor to be produced which can be tailored for each animal by the addition of trailers.

The mobile weight is used as additional stimuli to the bristles. The weight can either be used independently as a separate stimuli to the bristles or, in a preferred embodiment, the weight is utilised in addition to a rotation action from the bristles to increase the disorientation of the animal. In the modified standard collar arrangement of Figure 4a, the bristles are attached to the tractor and any trailers, thus the action of the bristles ratchets the weight around the neck of the animal.

A preferred use of this additional weight is to provide a sea-sickness effect where the weight moves between two points around the collar and therefore neck of an animal. Preferably this movement is centred on the ventral region of a collar when in use.

A mobile or rotating weight either in moving either to or fro or a circular motion causes involuntary head movement of the animal, disorientation or even nausea due to the centrifugal forces produced.

In the embodiment described in Figure 4a, the tractor of Figure 5 is preferably designed 508 to sweep hair or fur of the coat of an animal off the tracks similar to the effect of a snowplough. Without this feature, this embodiment could become clogged with hair or fur. One suitable design is where the retainer of the tractor which retains the tractor on the retaining tracks of the collar is positioned at the leading edge of the tractor and is angled such that hair is swept away and lifted away from the track as the tractor moves.

In the embodiment described with respect to Figure 4b, the effect of a moving weight can be utilised with the action of vibrating bristles by having the tractor as the actuator of the bristle vibration. Thus as the tractor moves around the collar, different region of bristles are activated enhancing the effect of the tractor weight. Additionally or alternatively, a mobile weighted mechanism or tractor/trailer can carry its' own vibratory and/or auditory stimuli.

In respect of the tubular collar of Figure 4b, fixing the collar to an animal is best achieved by having a slightly conical shape. This enables one end of the collar to be inserted within the other. A continuous loop of the running and cog tracks is achieved by, in the "D" shape example, maintaining the tracks or internal corrugation in the middle of the flat and slightly reducing both the flat and curved sides enabling the tracks to align once the circle is complete. It will be obvious to the person skilled in the art that a similar non-inventive solution is available for other shapes and configuration of the tubular collar.

In the embodiments described with respect to having a rotating weight, the weight can move in a to or fro action causing an effect akin to sea-sickness or, with modification of the collar and in particular the buckle in an manner that would be appreciated by the skilled person, complete rotation of the weight can be achieved.

Figure 6 shows an example of a helmet according to the invention. A helmet 600 is provided having a chin strap 612, which may or may not include a conventional buckle and a sealed unit 620 having at least a battery and a vibratable mechanism. Ear holes 626 are provided to enable the animal's ears to protrude from the helmet. Numerous attachment points 628 are provided at various locations around the helmet for additional stimuli. The helmet can be provided in a number of set sizes, each of which fits a range of animals or a bespoke service can be provided however, this has both major cost and manufacture disadvantages.

In a preferred embodiment the helmet is additionally secured by use of a strap attached to a collar 710 (see Figure 7) which may be an ordinary collar or one according to other aspects of the invention.

Alternatively, as is shown in Figure 7, a segmented helmet 700 -a complex articulating construction -akin to an armadillo's skin can be provided which enables a mass produced helmet to closely fit a wide range of head sizes. In this example the helmet 700 comprises a plurality of segments 704 which are able to slide over each other changing both the size and the shape of the helmet.

Referring now to both Figures 6 and 7, the stimuli comprises one or more of the following, a high frequency vibration located under the ear opening 622 and low frequency vibrations positioned over the cranium at various locations 628 either randomly or in a pattern in one of a number of orientations such as sagittal, parasagittal, cross-sectional and/or diagonal.

The helmet 600, 700 preferably, includes a retaining means other than a chin strap, such as Velcro or another non-permanent fixing system for retaining the helmet about the cranium during use.

The helmet includes bristles (not shown) which can be active or passive and preferably includes further stimuli which are conveniently located at particularly sensitive positions around the cranium of an animal.

When high frequency buzzers are utilised, they are most effective when placed close to the ears or auditory canals of the animal and produce a reflex shaking of the head by the animal. The positioning can either be via a rostral extension on a collar or direct stimulation via a helmet. The reflex shaking is because the animal believes that an insect is present within its ear and such a reflex action distracts the animal from whatever behaviour or activity it was previously engaged in.

When a low frequency hammer is utilised, it is most effective when placed over a region of the cranium where tissue cover is the thinnest as the sound waves are efficiently transmitted through to the structures of the middle and inner ear. Thus a helmet is the most effective way of utilising this embodiment. The low frequency hammer produces a stimulation which reproduces the sensation of thunder to which many animals, including dogs, are phobic. The low frequency vibration may be positioned over the cranium in various orientations such as sagittal, across or diagonal. One factor that must be appreciated when utilising a low frequency signal is that it may elicit a flight response from the animal. This can be mitigated by training.

Elements of the various concepts of this invention are modular and can be combined in various ways to create a device which would prove the most appropriate or effective negative stimuli for an individual animal with certain training requirements.

To summarise the various embodiments, a collar and/or helmet is provided with vibratable bristles which, in use contact and penetrate the animals' coat to contact its' skin. The bristles can remain stationary with respect to the animal or cause either a rotational movement of a collar around the animals' neck or a perception of a tightening of the collar. The bristles can be passive or active wherein they move between lying flat to the collar and an erected position when activated. A mobile weight can be used in addition to these bristles to provide a centrifugal force applied through the collar. The mobile weight is either carried externally on a track system of a collar or a collar with an enclosed or semi-enclosed internal surface is provided.

The mobile weight can be varied by use of a tractor and trailer system. The system can be automatic or manual perhaps being interchangeable between the two modes. In addition to the bristles and weight, the equipment used to provide the vibration to the bristles can also have an auditory effect. In the case of a helmet, the different stimuli used are locatable in a plurality of positions around the helmet thus cranium of the animal to provide both different types of stimulus depending on what is most affective on that position or area and different intensities of stimulation depending on the degree and speed of discouragement required.

Although the only specific description of an animal suitable for use with the training device and system is a dog, this is merely the preferred animal and the invention is applicable to any animal capable of wearing a collar and/or a helmet. The invention has the potential to be used in the training of wild animals for example, to prevent their consumption of livestock. The hunter could be fitted with the apparatus and it could be activated when the hunter comes within a certain distance of a prey animal which is wearing a device that activates the deterrent mechanisms within that distance.

It is to be appreciated that these Figures are for illustration purposes only and other configurations are possible.

The invention has been described by way of several embodiments, with modifications and alternatives, but having read and understood this description further embodiments and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example a rechargeable battery may be provided on the collar so as to enable quick recharging following extensive training periods.

All such embodiments and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention as defined in the accompanying claims.