Hidden Dog Fence Training For Your Pet Stop® Dog Fence

Day by Day Instructions & Helpful Tips

Once the Pet Stop® electronic dog fence is installed, the initial training session begins. All dogs learn their Hidden Underground Dog Fence Boundaries fastest using Pet Stop’s Unique “Gentle Steps Approach to Containment”.

These instructions, written by Adam Sinteff from the perspective of a trainer, are designed for you as the Pet Stop® trainer for your dog. This process works for all dogs in Pet Stop®, DIY, Underground Dog Fences, Dog Watch® and Invisible Fence® Brands Hidden Fence Systems. If you are having difficulties with containing your dog in an Hidden Dog Fence, give us a call at 404-536-6770. We can help with training for any Brand including DIY.

Be sure one of the posts on the e-collar is covered with electrical tape so the dog is not corrected prematurely. Your dog must only go out with Pet Stop® collar and leash on so that he is not able to bolt out of the yard.
Try not to be timid or protective of the dog during the training process – dogs can sense worry & nervousness from you, which will make your dog nervous and apprehensive.
Your dog must be on leash for the full 10 days, and you should do two training sessions each day for 10 days. Always let your dog out from the same door, put his collar on, and use specific commands, such as: “Lily, watch it you’re in your fence!” or “Lily, watch it!”
Fit the collar just behind the ears, at the top of the neck, so that there is room for one finger space between the collar and the dog’s skin. The collar should be snug but not too tight.

  • Lead the dog toward flags until the collar sounds, say, “Lily, watch it!” then do a recall saying “Lily Come!” or “Lily Watch it!,” directing the dog to the center of the yard for 5-10′ and give verbal praise, petting, treats. Work with only one dog at a time once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
  • You may have a family member stand on the other side of the fence to act as a distraction (they can be rolling a ball, playing with a neighbor’s pet, or doing other distractions).
  • Stress the importance of trying several locations in the fence as well as any of your dog’s “favorite escape routes.”
  • Do 10-15 minutes of training in the front yard in the morning, and 10-15 minutes in the back yard in the afternoon. These sessions teach the dog where he can and cannot go. The other times, take your dog out into his new fence to go potty, do a boundary walk, for 10 minutes or as much as you would like, around your property. These boundary walks teach your dog where he can go; both sessions are equally important and both sessions are a must or your dog may not want to go outside your home.

Be sure to add additional distractions during practice, like other dogs, cars and children on bicycles, people walking when possible. On day three, add recalls away from fence while walking parallel to fence. Pull your dog to you and say, “Watch It” if they approach the flags. Remember to introduce distractions whenever possible.

Take the electrical tape off the Probe and lead dog to flags, so the dog will see the flags, hear tone, and feel the electronic pulse. It is important that you remain calm and confident while the dog is recalled to the safe part of the yard. The dog should react to let you know the pulse is strong enough to get his attention. If he does not give a reaction, call Adam, Matthew, Jason, or Mike right away at 404-536-6770.

* When doing the “test,” make sure the dog is on a static or retractable leash so he does not bolt out of the yard while doing the test. After your dog receives the pulse from his fence, get him and walk him for about ten minutes until he is relaxed and comfortable again.

* Determine the condition/reaction of the dog as to determine whether a second approach is wise (no more than two impulses per session). Be sure to follow this same procedure at any escape route for your dog. Within 7-10 days you must be convinced that your dog knows his boundaries and will stay in the yard no matter the level of distraction. If you are the least bit unsure, call Adam or Mike at (404)536-6770.

* If dog will not go to fence, distract dog with treat, family member, toy or ball…do not force or call him over fence.

  • At this point, dog must experience impulse of collar (while on leash) and be recalled to the center of the yard (the “safe place”), and praised with verbal praise, petting and treats.
  • If the training session on day four is not successful for any reason, please call Adam or Mike 404-536-6770.

Days 5-7 are important – it’s the beginning of “Long Line Training”. Take your dog out on a retractable leash or Long Line through same door as usual. Expose your dog to distractions to lure him into fence boundary just like in day 4.

During the Long Line Training, allow your dog to make their own decision. If they challenge the boundary or not. Expose your dog to different distractions. Rabbits, Squirrels, Deer, balls, sticks, dog walkers etc. If your dog goes toward the boundary, let them. Call out “watch it” but let your pet make their own decision. If they run into the boundary. They will receive the correction. Pull them the correct direction, back towards the house. Praise, pet and give your dog a treat. Continue exposing your dog to different distractions. Until your dog demonstrates that they understand their boundaries and are contained in their yard. Regardless of the distractions you expose them to. DO NOT take your dog of the long line until you are confident that your dog is contained in your yard.

During days 5-7 (long line training) Continue doing casual walking in your yard. It is important that your dog understands that the vast majority of their yard is safe. They just need to respect their boundaries.

  • Have second person standing outside field in case dog bolts under the most extreme distractions, cat, car, child on a bicycle.
  • Feed your dog their breakfast and dinner in different places in their yard. This will help your dog understand that most of their yard is safe!

If the training sessions on days 5-7 are not successful for any reason, please call Adam or Mike at 404-536-6770.

  • Don’t give the dog an opportunity to run through the fence because he is off leash or unattended
  • Children must not train dog, this is the job of an adult, there must be adult supervision of children
  • Dog should not wear the collar all the time, and the owner should inspect collar for proper fit (one finger rule)
  • Let dog wear collar from morning to night only and then remove at sleep time.
  • Do not attach a leash to the impulse collar. This causes pain and discomfort to the dog – impulse posts
  • Watch for neck irritations, and proper fit – collar should be taken off at night while sleeping.
  • While playing with dog keep him on a lead or leash, play with him throughout the seven to ten days of training to show that most of the yard is his to play in confidently.
  • Some dogs, who may be sensitive in temperament, may stay close to the house or porch; this will change over the course of a few weeks. Take him out and play, throw ball, give treats…He will soon acclimate, it just may take a little more time.
  • Days 15 and again on day 30 take flags down every other…leave favorite escape exits up the longest, one month.
  • Let dog out same door every time collar is in use, when going for walks use different door and say, “Lily, want to go for a walk?” in a high excited voice (collar must be off).
  • Do not shorten training to less than 7-10 days, be sure you follow the suggested training program so as to be fair and considerate of your family’s best friend.

The New Pet Stop System

The new Pet Stop system has literally thousands of personalized adjustments, including the ultra-low levels needed for GentleStepsTM training. Whether it’s interference problems, tricky installations like small lots or even lots of dogs, our exclusive programming capability enables Pet Stop professionals to install the fence to teach your pet to respect their new boundaries quickly and most important, happily. We aren’t limited by our equipment’s flexibility. And, we don’t think you should settle for anything less either.

After your pet is safe and comfortable behind her fence, higher levels can be used to help even the most committed escape artist to resist the many natural distractions that might jeopardize their safety such as squirrels, bikes or speeding cars.

More Information on Professional Training Options:

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