Training Your Dog on a Fence System

No matter if you’ve chosen an in-ground wired fence or wireless fence for your yard, training your dog is the key to success. By going through these simple training techniques your dog will understand where his boundaries are in the yard and stay within the perimeter you have set. Before getting started keep the following tips in mind:

• Keep sessions short but frequent (10-15 minutes per session/ 2-3 times per day)
• Be firm and consistent, but also patient
• End sessions with playtime and praise. Have Fun!

While opinions may vary on using static correction to train your dog, many professional dog trainers and professional studies have shown that when used properly it can be very successful.  As a pet owner, it is up to you to ensure that the static correction is being used responsibly. The most responsible use of static correction is to use the lowest level of correction necessary that elicits the results/behavior you desire.  Additionally, most static correction collars have a safety shut-off feature built-in so that over-correction can be prevented.

The steps below will take you through the proper training for an in-ground wired fence or wireless fence, and should take approximately 2 weeks. But remember that each dog is unique and may respond differently.  So be sure to adjust the training to fit to your dog’s temperament.

Days 1-3: Flag Awareness:

This step allows your dog to get familiar and comfortable with the Training Flags.

All fencing options come with flags which are a visual cue for your dog, as to where his Roaming Area or “safe” area ends. Start by walking your dog around the Roaming Area, while he wears his leash. Approach the boundary line, gently shake one of the flags and say “Bad Flag.” Then lead your dog back into the Roaming Area and praise him.  Repeat this in several areas of your yard.

Day 4-6: Positive Training:

This step uses sound to introduce your dog to the boundary line and teaches him to move away from the flags upon hearing the corrective tone.

Set the receiver collar to Tone Only and fit the collar on your dog, in addition to his everyday collar. While your dog is on his leash, walk your dog around the “safe” area or Roaming Area, but this time allow your dog to cross the boundary line and hear the corrective tone. Gently shake a training flag and say “Bad Flag,” then lead your dog back into the Roaming Area and praise him. Repeat this in several areas of your yard.

Day 7-9: Active Training:

During this phase, the low level static correction is used to discourage your dog from crossing the fence boundary.

Set the receiver collar to the lowest static correction and fit the collar on your dog, in addition to his everyday collar. Walk the safe Roaming Area while he wears his leash, and as before allow your dog to cross the boundary line and feel the static correction. Gently shake a training flag and say “Bad Flag,” then lead your dog back into the Roaming Area and praise him. Repeat this in several areas of your yard.

Day 10-12: On-Leash Distraction:

This step teaches your dog to ignore distractions that might tempt him to go outside the fence boundary.

Set the receiver collar to Tone Only or the lowest static correction (whichever you choose) and fit on your dog. Walk the safe Roaming Area and then approach the boundary line.  Create a distraction outside of the boundary line (toss a toy, have another dog walk by).  If your dog does not move toward the distraction, praise him. If he does move toward the distraction, allow him to cross the boundary and hear the tone or feel the static correction. Gently shake a flag and say “Bad Flag,” then return to the safe Roaming Area and praise him. Repeat this in several areas of your yard.

Day 13-15: Off-Leash Supervision:

This step encourages your dog to move freely around the Roaming area and avoid the fence boundary.

As before, set the receiver collar to Tone Only or the lowest static correction (whichever you choose) and fit on your dog. Play with your dog, without his leash, in the Roaming Area. Walk away and focus your attention elsewhere, but monitor your dog’s activity. If he crosses the boundary line and receives a correction, lead him back into the Roaming Area and remind him of the “Bad Flags.”  Repeat until your dog no longer crosses the boundary line.

At this point your dog should be comfortable with the limits of the Roaming Area and reluctant to cross the boundary line. You can begin removing the training flags from your yard.