Dog Guard Training Tips

Dog Guard Training Tips

Getting Your Dog Comfortable With the Electric Fence

We always encourage pet owners to be patient and remember that your new electric fence is also new to your dog. If you have tried the recommended training procedure of walking your leashed dog around the perimeter of the fence and using verbal commands to correct them and are still struggling, you may benefit from this additional advice. 


Pet owners experience some common problem behaviors when getting their dog acquainted with the fence.

Home Bodies and Porch Sitters

Perhaps your dog is reluctant to go outside or sticks close when they do go out; patience is key in this case. Eventually, your dog will get more comfortable and start exploring the yard.


In the meanwhile, try not to worry about it too much and be sure not to rush them. 

Encourage them to go outside, play with them in the yard, use treats and water as motivation and they will come around when they are ready. Always keep the receiver collar on to prevent further setbacks.

Dogs That Continually Break Out

If your dog runs through the fence without concern, their desire to get out outweighs the correction they are experiencing. Make sure the receiver collar is not too loose, or that there isn’t excess hair between the probes and skin. These issues could weaken the correction impulses. 


If your dog runs through the fence more than three times, contact us immediately. Adjustments may need to be made to either the receiver or the field. We always recommend leaving these adjustments to our pros for accuracy and safety. 

How to Exit Your Perimeter and Take Your Dog for a Walk

Carry Them

If you have a small dog, picking them up and carrying them through the fence perimeter is the easiest way to start your walk. Place your dog down once you have passed the barrier by an ample distance.

Drive Them

Get your dog in your vehicle and drive them past the perimeter. This often works best for larger dogs.

Train Them

From the day your fence is installed, take your dog out of the yard following the same route. Consistently enter and exit from the same spot for walks, your dog can naturally associate it as a safe route that leads to their favorite activity, the walk! 

All of Your Dog Guard Training Questions Answered

With more than a decade in the business, we have seen and been asked it all.

  • Do you show us how to train our dogs to get them comfortable with the fence?

    At Dog Guard, we pride ourselves on offering a comprehensive service package to our customers. Our technicians come to your house to install the system and teach you how to train your pet. We leave you with strategies and techniques to get your dog settled as quickly as possible.

  • Are there certain things I should avoid doing with my dog while they get used to the fence?

    You should not remove your dog’s receiver collar even if it isn’t close to the perimeter, as this will set back your training substantially. Do not play with your dog near the boundary or coax them towards it. This will confuse them and encourage counterproductive behaviors.

  • The receiver collar doesn’t seem to fit my dog properly. What adjustments can I make?

    In most cases, the collar is too loose to have any impact on your dog. That's why the first step you should take is to tighten the fit. If you feel the collar is not coming in contact with your dog’s skin, you can trim the fur beneath the probes. We also suggest periodically refitting your pet's collar as they grow bigger.

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