Electric Dog Fence Training
The most important part of installing an electric dog fence is training your dog to use the fence. The reason the professionals like Invisible Fence have so much more success than DIYers is in the training. Every time you hear someone say that their dog fence doesn’t work, ask them how they trained their dog and they will give you a confused look. We cannot empasize enought how important the training is. If you don’t train the dog, the system you installed is completely useless.
The good news is that training is easy, all you need to do is commit to three fifteen minute session each day for two weeks. This simple training will keep your dog happy and safe for a lifetime.
Here is a quick overview of the training. The most important principle is to teach the dog that when they hear the tone, they need to retreat (and not run through the fence). You will find more detailed steps on the following pages.
Step 1. – Introducing the Dog to the Boundary (one week)
We teach the dog that when they come to the boundary flags and hear the beep, they need to retreat. For more details click here.
Step 2. – Introducing the Correction (one week)
We teach the dog that the consequence for ignoring the beep is a shock.
Step 3. – Introducing Distractions (one day)
We check to see if the dog has truly learned the importance of the boundary by introducing distractions like a tennis ball or a playmate.
Step 4. Supervised Play (one week)
We start letting the dog play off leash.
During the training period, you should avoid your dog crossing the boundary lines at all times. This means you should not leave them unsupervised in the yard. And if you need to take them for a walk, put them in the back of your car and drive them over the boundary or if you have a little dog, carry them over the boundary (with the collar off)
Once your dog has mastered the training (a couple of months), you can teach them to walk through the boundary when they are on a walk. For information on creating a walking your dog through the fence, seehere .
Training Calendar
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I moved to step 2 after a week. My dog had started turning away from the flags on his own after about 1 week of twice a day 10 minute training sessions. So, I moved to step 2. I took him out on his leash and he went right for the boundary and got shocked. He was so upset he runs to the front door of the house or cowers by the house. When he goes in the house he runs to the bedroom or his crate and will not come out. He also shows reluctance to go outside. Will this eventually pass? Do I need to go back to Step 1? Do I continue w/ Step 2?
Thanks,
Kelly
ADMIN – Hi Kelly, Just keep on going with step 2, but turn down the correction to the lowest setting and make sure they never get more than one correction a session or iff you want switch it off completely for the next couple of days (but keep the warning beep on).
Take him out on the leash and spend lots of time creating good associations with the safe zones. Play with him, give him treats, etc. Do this, a couple of times a day in addition to the training sessions. Most importantly when he gets the correction, don’t validate his fears by trying to comfort or console. Just keep leading him confidently on the leash where you want him to go. Remember to end the session with play.
The overreaction will pass. You will often see dogs staying very close to the house for the first few days but you will notice that with the coming weeks they get more and more adventurous. Just keep playing outside with him and don’t reward him for being fearful. I know it is hard, but he will be glad you provided this leadership.
Keep us updated.
At what age can you start to train a puppy? We have a 3 mo. old husky and a 4 mo. old boxer.
ADMIN – Hi Oleta,
Two puppies at the same time! We would wait until they are 6 months old. Some people start younger, but we suggest wait until they are mentally developed a little and don’t have that goofy puppy attention span.