A hidden fence can keep your dog on your property and out of harm’s way. With a DogWatch fence, you won’t have to worry about your pet sneaking off to play with your neighbor’s dog or chasing a squirrel into the road and getting hit by a car. A hidden fence can set a clearly defined boundary and keep your dog safe without the need for a physical barrier.
Training a pet to use a DogWatch hidden fence generally isn’t too difficult, if you take the right approach. Here are some tips to train your dog.
Clearly Mark the Boundary
Before your dog can learn to stay within the allowed area, it has to know where that area is. Flags are a simple way to teach a dog where it’s permitted to go and which areas are off limits. Once your pet gets used to those visual cues and knows where the boundary is, you’ll be able to remove the flags.
Teach Your Dog to Respond to Sounds or Vibrations
During the initial training phase, your dog will hear a warning sound or feel a vibration if it approaches the boundary. Hold onto a leash, walk your dog around the yard several times, and allow it to hear the sound or feel the vibration so it can learn which areas to avoid.
Distract the Dog
Have another person help you with training. While you walk your dog around the property, have the other individual stand within your dog’s view, beyond the boundary line, and call out your pet’s name. If your dog tries to approach the person, say “no.” Praise your dog if it doesn’t try to cross the boundary.
Use Positive Reinforcement
When teaching your dog any new rule or behavior, positive reinforcement works better than punishment. Reward your dog when it moves away from the boundary and stays in the designated area. Figure out what type of reward your dog prefers. It might be treats, enthusiastic praise, or a favorite toy.
Keep Training Sessions Brief
It’s not necessary to spend several hours at a time teaching your dog to stay in your yard. In fact, that approach can be counterproductive. It’s best to keep training sessions to about 15 or 20 minutes. After that, reward your dog with praise and playtime.
Get an Estimate for a Hidden Fence
Dog owners are often surprised by how easy it is to train a pet to use a hidden fence. A member of the DogWatch team can work with you to decide where to place a boundary and teach your pet to stay within that safe zone. Contact DogWatch of Eastern Connecticut today to get a quote.
