How to Easily Train Your Dog With Electric Fence

Keeping your dog within the yard is not always easy. It's not always a good idea to chain your dog and fences can be too expensive to put in. An alternative is to put up an electric fence and train your dog to stay within the boundaries of your yard.

Things You'll Need

  • Wireless or wired underground fence
  • Flags
  • Leash
  • Temptation item
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Instructions

    • 1
      Start the training using a leash.

      Set flags around the fence line and turn the system on. The fencing has a beeping warning system included, that warns your pet when they are too close to the boundary line. Keep your dog on a leash and walk them around the flagged area, training them to move back when they hear the beep. The beeping will then stop; this is positive reinforcement without a punishment. The flags will visually teach them the boundaries.

    • 2

      Show the dog the consequences of ignoring the beeping sound by allowing them to get near the fencing and get shocked. Then adjust the strength of the shock collar, calibrating it to be as strong as needed to get the dog's attention, but not so strong that they yelp. When the dog is corrected, they should move back into the yard on his or her own, but if not, gently steer the dog back into the yard and the unit will shut off. This shows the dog how to turn it off and also keeps them from becoming nervous or fearful.

    • 3
      Reward your dog with a treat if they don't cross over the fence.

      Test your dog by setting something that is tempting to them outside the fence line. Keep the dog on a leash with a lot of leeway. The dog should not run across the boundary after the temptation. Reward them if they stop and repeat the test several times without holding onto the leash. If the dog does cross over, repeat step two.

    • 4

      Begin letting your dog play outside without the leash for short periods while you watch. Continue allowing the non-leash sessions as long as the dog is not crossing or testing the boundaries. Then begin to go indoors while they are out for short periods and supervise through a window. Add to the time they are left alone unsupervised as they pass each interval. If they fail this test, repeat step two. If it is a temptation that causes it, work on step three using the particular trigger.

    • 5

      Remove the flags a little at a time approximately two weeks after the dog has been successfully trained.