Buy the Best Invisible Dog Fence and Then Follow These Tips to Train Your Dog

By  //  September 4, 2020

Make Training Fun and Enjoyable for Your Dog

Are you tired of hooking your dog up on a leash and taking him outside every time he has to go potty? Or maybe you wish you had a fence so you could let him outside to play, but installing a traditional chain link or privacy fence is out of your budget? An invisible dog fence might be the right solution for you!

Are you tired of hooking your dog up on a leash and taking him outside every time he has to go potty?

Or maybe you wish you had a fence so you could let him outside to play, but installing a traditional chain link or privacy fence is out of your budget? An invisible dog fence might be the right solution for you!

It’s important to make sure you choose the right invisible dog fence by considering recommended features like, “the range, how gentle and how secure the shock is, options that come with or without a warning tone, the price, and the ability to choose additional collars.”

Once you have settled on the best invisible dog fence for you, it’s time to get to work showing your pup how to use it. Here’s how to do that.

Give Your Dog a Tour of the Yard With His Leash On

It would be really easy if you could just install the fence, open the door, and let your dog loose in the yard. Unfortunately, it’s not so simple. If you don’t take things slow and start by walking around the yard with your dog, he’s likely to blast through the fence and take off.

First, make sure you set up flags in your yard so your dog can see the boundary. Then, use your previous leash training tricks to redirect your dog’s attention every time he gets close to the boundary. Repeat this process in short 10 or 15 minute bursts multiple days in a row.

Let Him Test the Boundary Himself

Once your dog seems to be getting the hang of it, continue going out into the yard with your pet on his leash, but don’t prevent him from testing the boundary himself. Not only will this ensure that your dog isn’t alone the first time he feels the shock of the fence, but it also gives you a chance to adjust it.

A shock collar can be painful for dogs. That’s not what you want! Start with the lowest setting and gauge your dog’s reaction to see if it needs to be turned up. It’s better to use the mildest shock possible and rely on training than it is to rely on a painful zap that can traumatize and injure your dog.

Make Training Fun and Enjoyable for Your Dog

The best way to train a dog is to focus on positive reinforcement and ignore all the rest. If you’re getting frustrated with the way training is going, try including a few treats in the mix.

When your dog turns away from the boundary on his own, provide him with a treat to make training more enjoyable for your pooch. Treats can also be used when exposing your dog to distractions that may encourage him to run outside the boundary.

Make Sure Your Dog Faces a Variety of Distractions

Once your dog starts to get the hang of the invisible fence, you have to make sure he won’t forget all of his training just because he’s faced with a distraction.

Distraction training is helpful on a leash when you’re on a walk, but it’s even more important if you want to keep your dog in the yard. While he’s on a leash, expose him to distractions like:

Throwing a ball outside the boundaries of the fence

A family member walking out of the yard to see if he follows

A friend or family member walking their dog down the sidewalk

If your dog ignores distractions like these, then you’re ready for the last step.

Provide Him With Supervision While He Explores the Yard Without a Leash

When your dog is ready, remove his leash. Just make sure you continue to provide him with supervision. You never know what could trigger your dog and convince him to take off out of the yard.

From discovering you have a new mailman to package deliveries, garbage trucks, and a brave squirrel, it’s important to keep an eye on your dog until you are completely confident that he can be left alone in the yard with nothing but the fence and his collar.

Choosing the right invisible fence is the right first step, but then you have to make sure your dog is trained to ensure the fence actually works! Follow these tips and you will be able to open the door and let your dog out in the yard whenever you want.