The key to making the underground fencing successful is to begin training your puppy to respect the boundaries the fence represents. This can be done when the puppy is still young, giving it a lifetime in a safe play area.
Things You'll Need
- Leash
Instructions
Set up the underground fencing. After burying it, place flags along the perimeter as a visual cue to both you and your puppy.
Get your puppy used to wearing the electronic collar that goes with the fencing. Remove the batteries and put the collar on your puppy for short periods of time. This allows the puppy to realize that the collar is not a bad thing, and it will keep them from being leery of collars being put around their neck.
Adjust the fencing or the collar to give only a warning noise and not a shock. Check your owner's manual for directions on how to adjust your model fence.
Put the active collar on your puppy, and take it out into the yard on a long leash. When it nears the boundaries of the fence, the collar will begin to make noise. Pull your puppy back into the safe area, and praise it for moving away from the fence. Repeat as you walk the perimeter of the fence. Repeat this step for the first week or two of training, until your puppy shows signs of avoiding the perimeter on their own.
Activate the fence to give a physical corrective shock. The strength of the shock needed can depend on the breed of dog--some require much stronger correction for the same effect. Release your dog into the safe area, but supervise it. Allow it to explore on its own; it should recognize the boundaries, and if it doesn't, it will receive a shock. Praise the dog when it returns to the safe area.