Training your dog out in the open can turn out to be a real challenge. If indoors your dog listens to you and obeys all the commands you give, outside things can be completely different. Having its attention grabbed by all sorts of factors, like moving cars, people, and animals, a variety of scents and sounds, and the desire to explore, your dog may not be that willing to listen. However, training your dog to be obedient and well-behaved, regardless of the environment is a must. Not to mention that a dog should be aware of its territory so that it won’t end up wandering.
An invisible fence is just what you need to make this training happen in safe conditions. An invisible fence is something your dog can’t see but will sense with the help of a special collar. Practically, the fence, which is set in the ground, will send signals to a collar that should be on the dog’s neck. This way, when the dog will get too close to the limits of its perimeter, determined by the position of the fence, the collar will emit a warning sound. With proper training, your dog will learn that it must turn around when it hears the warning sound.
What happens if the dog doesn’t respond to the warning sound and continues getting closer to the invisible fence, with the intention to get out of the allowed perimeter? To keep your dog from wandering, most invisible fences will make the collar emit a shock of low intensity, as a way to discourage your dog to continue on its path. If you don’t agree with shocks, it’s good to know that some companies that manufacture invisible dog fences use citronella spray as a repellent, which will be sprayed toward your dog if it gets too close to the fence’s line.
Get started with basic commands
Ideally, your dog should already know basic commands before you start training your dog on invisible fences. It will be very hard to control your dog outdoors if it doesn’t know how to respond to some of the most common commands, like “come”, “sit”, or “stay”. When it comes to basic training, you should start it as soon as possible. Once your puppy got accommodate with its new home and family, you can begin training. At first, everything should look like a fun game and training sessions should be short. Positive reinforcement, like praises and treats, will help you obtain the desired results in no time.
Considering that training a dog with invisible fences will take a while, usually a few weeks, it will be more than useful to have a dog that already knows some commands and managed to reach a certain degree of obedience. So, whether you’re looking for a puppy or you already have a dog, teaching it basic commands should be among your first goals as a dog owner.
Boundaries must be set
Invisible fence training assumes setting an invisible boundary for the dog on your property. This is why invisible fences are extremely useful for those that have a yard or open property that should be guarded effectively and without any risks for your dog. So, you must first determine the desired perimeter and set the boundaries accordingly. Thus, your dog will be able to explore the territory that is found within these boundaries only.
Once the invisible fence is set, it’s advisable to walk your dog on a leash around the perimeter. Give it the change to get used to the changes and notice their presence before you start the training process. Of course, the fence should not be on active mode during the first walk so that the dog can sniff and explore the area in a comfortable, calm, and relaxed manner.
Allow the dog to get accustomed to the invisible fence and collar
After a few walks around the perimeter, it’s time to get the dog used to the active fence and warning sounds of the collar. For this, you will have to activate the invisible fence and allow the dog to explore the area where the warning beep or sound occurs. Do this for several minutes every day, for a week, until you notice that your dog is comfortable with it. At first, it may get startled by the beeping sound.
The next step is to put your dog on a long leash or run, giving it the chance to roam free around the perimeter, without the risk of having it run away. So, make sure to fix the run or leash to something solid, just in case your dog wants to flee. This will give the dog the possibility to explore the area at its own will and pace. Practice this way for a few days in a row.
As the dog gets used to the routine, you should extend the length of the leash, allowing him to go nearer to the fence. The idea is to trigger the beeping sound while the dog is on the leash, so you can call it back once this happens. Thus, in time, the dog will learn to associate the beeping sound with the calling back command you give, and return on its own, without you being there. Of course, dogs don’t usually respond as desired right from the start. In this case, the dog will either sense a mild shock or will be sprayed with a dog repellent spray. Once it gets used to the drill, you can expand its leash even more and continue walking it around the perimeter, so that the dog gets fully accustomed to both the boundaries and warning beeps of the fence. It will get sprayed or shocked during this process, as it will learn to control its desire to explore and get past the boundaries.
How long will it take for a dog to be fully trained with an invisible fence?
Believe it or not, even though it looks simple, it may take up to 6 weeks to fully train an adult dog on an invisible fence. So, make sure you equip yourself with a good dose of patience and calm. This is a process that takes place gradually and it’s recommended to go through one step at a time for best results. If you do this right, your dog should be able to play and round around the boundaries with no leash on.
However, regardless of how effectively invisible fences are, they are not suitable for all dogs. Some dogs may be able to figure them out and still manage to escape. For instance, if your dog realizes that the beeping or shocking stops once he passes over the fence, you won’t be able to retain it on the perimeter this way. Of course, some dogs will immediately turn around as soon as they hear the warning beep. So, it’s a method worth exploring, although you should know the advantages and disadvantages of getting an invisible fence for your dog.
Usually, small dog breeds are easier to train with this method, as they are more scarce and will wish to avoid shocks and anything else that is unpleasant. This is not a rule, but if you want to have a dog indoors and outdoors, small dog breeds are, in most cases, a good option. Pomeranians, for example, are good watchdogs, in spite of their small size. They will warn is strangers approach the property, although they tend to overdo it if you don’t train them sufficiently. If you want to find a Pomeranian puppy for sale, a reliable provider is the best way to go. Premier Pups works with responsible dog breeders only, so you can be sure that you’ll get your puppy from a reliable source only. As proof, your puppy will come accompanied by health and quality certificates. Plus you’ll enjoy all the support you need for taking the best care of your companion.