How To Get Your Dog Used To An Invisible Fence
Posted on: 2 March 2017
Installing an invisible fence is a great way to keep your dog in the yard without changing the appearance of your landscaping. The hard part is that there's a bit of a learning curve. During the first few weeks with your invisible fence, you'll need to take steps to get your dog used to the fence and train him not to breach the boundaries it establishes. Here's a good way to do that:
Step 1: Get your dog used to the collar.
Invisible fences come with collars that beep when your dog gets a certain distance from the fence and give or dog a mild shock if he gets even closer to the fence. This collar is sometimes a little bulkier than the collar your dog may be used to wearing, so it's a good idea to let him wear it around the house for a day or two. This gives your dog time to adapt to the collar before you introduce something else new -- the fence.
Step 2: Walk your dog around the yard.
Put the collar on your dog, and leash him. Walk him around the perimeter of the yard, just inside of where the fence lays. Make sure you're far enough away that the collar does not beep. Try not to let your dog pull towards the fence and experience the beeping just yet. This first walk will just show your dog where the boundary is. Walk around once in each direction. Repeat this step for two or three days in a row.
Step 3: Walk your dog around the yard, allowing him to venture towards the fence at will.
On the third or fourth day with the fence, start your routine of walking your dog around the perimeter of the yard. But this time, do it on a bit looser of a leash. If your dog starts pulling towards the fence, let him. Once you hear the collar beep, pull your dog back. He will soon learn that the beep means "go back." and may start doing this on his own. Repeat this looser-leash walk three or four days in a row.
Step 4: Let your dog loose with supervision.
Once your dog is walking around the border of the fence without challenging its boundaries, you can let him loose. But don't leave him alone just yet. Watch him closely. He might try the boundary once or twice, but as long as he backs up when he hears the beep, you can consider it a successful day. If your dog challenges the fence and does not back up, go back to walking him around the property for a few more days, and then let him loose again.
After two or three days of supervising your dog, you can be confident that he understands how the fence works. It's time to leave him alone and enjoy the freedom the fence gives you! For more information, contact companies like Fence Pro.
Share