Useful Tips on How To Train Your Dog with an Electronic Pet Fence

Keeping your furry family member safe is often a concern. Even if you have a fully fenced backyard, there is still the risk of your dog inadvertently escaping out the front door. Electric dog fences were designed to ensure your dog remains safely within the boundaries of your property, and there are effective methods of training your dog to become accustomed to them.   

Spend some time playing with your dog in the containment area before beginning. Make it fun, provide positive reinforcement and treats, and train in 10–15 minute increments. Be sure to remove the collar between training sessions, and always train with your dog also wearing a regular collar on a leash.

Set up Flags
Set up flags around the perimeter of the property about 10 feet apart and close to the electric dog fence. This becomes your dog’s containment area, and it’s the first thing he needs to learn. 

Show Your Dog Boundaries with Tone Only
Day one of training is simply to get your dog to recognize the containment area and become familiar with the tone of the electric dog collar. Starting with about 3 flags and holding the leash attached to the standard collar, walk your dog up to the flags until the tone is triggered. Pull your dog back after about 2 seconds of hearing the tone, then provide praise and a treat. Do this until your dog resists going near the flags.

Repeat with Several Flags
Repeat the above process until your dog becomes familiar with all the flags in the containment area. Take time out between training to play and have fun in the containment area. It needs to become an area that your dog associates with home and fun, not somewhere to fear.

Add Static Correction
This begins on day two of training. The electric dog collar should be set at a level where he notices the static correction. Watch your dog determine if it’s being detected, for example, movement of the ears or a shift in the direction of his gaze. Follow the same process as with tone only, using a leash on a standard collar. Be sure to take play breaks if your dog is stressed. Repeat on days 3 and 4.

Test Your Dog with Distractions
Once your dog is accustomed to the containment area, and the tone and static corrections, continue the dog training by testing for distractions. There are always distractions outdoors, whether from squirrels or other dogs on their daily walks. Throw a ball outside of the containment area. When he resists going after it, praise him and give him a treat. Use this technique several times in short training sessions over three or four days, and test all the boundaries of the containment area. 

Go Off-Leash
Once your dog consistently ignores distractions and knows the boundaries of his yard, he is ready for more freedom. Allow him to enjoy the yard off-leash but still wearing the electric dog collar as you do something close by. Do not test for distractions during this time. If your dog goes beyond the containment area, take the static correction collar off and lead him back into his safe zone. You will likely need to reinforce the training. 

Begin to Remove Flags
Most dogs take about two weeks to become accustomed to the system. Once you’re confident your dog knows the limits of his territory, you can begin removing the training flags. Remove two flags at a time every three to four days. 

Electric Dog Fence Expertise
Dog Guard of St. Louis has a team of professionals ready to help you keep your dog safe with our top-of-the-line electric dog fence. Reach out for a quote, or call us at 636-397-3321.