How to Train Dogs With Electric Collars

In some areas, a physical fence can't be installed because of neighborhood zoning or rules of certain development. In this case, you need to use an electric pet fence. While this type of fence can be effective at keeping your dog on your property, it should not be taken lightly. You need to take the time to train your dog properly to make sure your dog is well-protected and not being physically or emotionally harmed by the pet fence and the electric collar that goes with it.

Things You'll Need

  • Marker flags
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place marker flags all along the boundary of your electric dog fence. Keep them just a few feet apart so they are noticeable to your dog.

    • 2

      Put the electric collar on your dog, but turn off the electric shock. Leave the beeping mechanism on. Play with the dog outside for a few minutes. Then put on a leash.

    • 3

      Take your dog for a walk around the electric fence border, staying about a yard away. Allow your dog to go closet to the flags. When the collar beeps, say "no" with urgency and gently pull your dog back toward you.

    • 4

      Give lots of praise when your dog comes back toward you. Keep up this training for about a week.

    • 5

      Turn on the electric shock on the collar, but keep it at a very low level. Repeat the exercises described above. This time, your dog will get a very weak shock, which reinforces the necessity not to go outside the border of the fence. Do this for another week.

    • 6

      Play with your dog. Keep your dog on the leash and turn the electric collar up slightly. At this point, test it on yourself around your neck to make sure the shock is not too high. Bring your dog close to the fence boundary and toss a ball. Watch to make sure the dog does not try to cross the fence. If this happens, go back a step and work on training some more before moving on. Otherwise, stay on this step for at least three days.

    • 7

      Allow your dog out in the yard without the leash. Have the collar on and play with your dog. Watch to make sure the dog does not try to cross the boundary. Continue supervising your dog in the yard for the next three days.

    • 8

      Remove the flags slowly. Over the next two to three months, continue letting your dog outside without a leash but leave the flags in place. Once your dog can be left unsupervised and not try to cross the flags or go near them, take out every other flag. Leave it like this for a full week. Then, remove every other flag again. Wait another week. Continue this process until all the flags are gone.