You can program a Dish remote with the 811 if it is set up for remote position 2. I have a MX-500 which is a IR remote with learning capability.....On your Dish remote you click menu, 6, 3 and enter teach remote. Aim your learning remote just to the right of the center buttons on the 811 receiver. The 811 transmitts any comand you push on the Dish 811 remote from the receiver in IR so your learning remote can learn the commands. I just did this with my upstairs 811 which was set to remote positon 2. I have a DishDVR receiver downstairs and it doesn't have this teach remote feature.