Tips
- Your pet must not be off leash for the initial 7 to 10 days of training.
- The receiver collar should be worn all day from the first day of training and taken off every night.
- If training more than 1 pet, train them separately, at least for the first 5 to 6 days.
- Train 2 to 3 times a day. More if possible but keep it short - 5 to 15 minutes depending on the size of the property.
- No more than 3 or 4 electronic collar corrections per day.
- Have Fun! Always try to end a training session with some fun time such as throwing a ball around, playing with your pet or whatever makes them happy.
- Check the collar fit especially for a growing puppy. If it is too tight, it will cause skin irritation. If it is too loose, they will not feel the correction.
- Only take your pet off the property as directed. If taking your pet out in a vehicle, be sure to take the receiver collar off before leaving the property.
Call with ANY questions – 336-993-8900
Day 1 - 2
Training begins by teaching your pet the boundaries. The DogWatch® Receiver collar will be set to TONE ONLY (one long beep) for the first training. You will manually correct your pet with short, quick tugs on the leash to get them back away from the line every time they get too close to the flags. If you cannot hear the tone, use the flags as your guide. Use short tugging motions to get your pet to turn away from the flags. As soon as your pet gets turned around away from the flags, begin to praise them while running away from the flags (at least 10 feet).
Do not let your pet walk in and out of the flagged area without getting a correction. Anytime your pet willingly goes into the flagged area, let him; then give him the short tugging corrections with the leash while running back toward the safe area. This phase of training should last about 2 days. By that time your pet should be somewhat avoiding the flagged areas and backing out or stopping when he hears the tone. This indicates the training is taking effect. Good Job!
Day 2 - 4
Now it’s time for your pet to experience the correction from the receiver collar while still on leash . You will activate the collar with your multi tool to level 1 or 2. The training will be similar to what you have already been doing except you should not need to tug them back as a correction. The receiver collar will do it for you. LOTS OF PRAISE! It is important that your pets experience at least 3 to 5 corrections from the collar ( while still on leash ) in the next 3 to 5 days. This will ensure your pet knows what to do when they receive the correction. Your pet should immediately come back away from the flags when they get a correction at this point. If they don’t, you are there to get them back with the leash.
Make sure to have a balance with training and take them out often to just play. It’s important to help them understand the safe area as much as the boundaries with the flags. Remember to always incorporate praise and play into the training sessions. At this point, your pet should be avoiding the flagged areas, but still be willing to run and play in the safe area of the yard. Now you can move to the next phase.
Day 5 – 6
Your pet should be avoiding the flagged area consistently now. It is important to test him in situations that will tempt him to want to leave the property. With your pet on leash, you can give him distractions, such as family members walking out of the boundaries. If he attempts to cross the boundary, allow him to get the correction from the DogWatch® system and he should come back away from the boundaries. If he does not immediately come away, you are there to get him back with the leash - remember, give lots of praise when he avoids or comes back away from the flags.
You can also use sticks, balls and favorite toys thrown over the boundary line. Your pet should not be willing to cross the boundary for any reason after a few days of this training. You can use any distraction you think would cause him to want to cross the boundary such as other animals, joggers, food, bicyclists and neighbors. Keep him on leash until you’re sure he will not cross the boundary. Any time your pet willingly goes into the flagged area let him- it’s part of the learning process. This is the time to practice and practice makes perfect. Your pet needs to know what to do when he does get a correction.
Day 7 – 9
It should be getting very difficult to get your pet anywhere near the boundary. Now you can use a long leash, or drop your leash in order to transition to Off Leash ! Supervision is required for the next 3 to 5 days off leash. Continue your training sessions, progressively making it more challenging for the dog. Do not be concerned if your pet stays back from the flags quite a bit. This is normal. It may take a few days for your pet to become acclimated to your DogWatch® system. Leave the flags up for at least 4 to 5 weeks. When you do decide to remove them (providing you have had no issues with your pet leaving the property,) pick a day and remove every other flag. Repeat this process every 2 to 3 days until all the flags are gone. This fading away avoids an abrupt change and is a smoother transition for the dog.
If you do not follow the instructions from this manual and your Dealer/Trainer, you will void any guarantees of containment. Please give us a call if you have any questions. We are here to help ensure your success!
Taking your Dog for a Walk
The Walk is a great thing! It is easily accomplished by being consistent. Whether you walk the dog from the property or drive somewhere, you need to take the collar off before leaving the property. You must create a “Gate” that will allow you and your pet to leave the property under these specific circumstances only. Failure to follow these steps closely could result in your pet leaving the property unattended and voiding any containment guarantees set by Triad Dog Fence, Inc.
Use a different collar and leash than the one you’ve been border training with. Always leave/enter your property with your dog on leash! Pick one spot on the property, preferably one side of the driveway. This will be the exit/entrance “Gate”. You need to be consistent and use the same spot every time you leave the property with the dog.
An old towel will be placed on the ground over the wire on the designated gate area. This will serve as a Bridge for your pet to cross over. This is a visual aide, just as the flags are a visual aide initially so he knows where the boundary is.
Bring your pet to the gate and give him a safe word such as “Walk” or “Safe”. Be sure you use the same word every time you leave/enter the property. Keep your dog close to you and repeat the word as you walk him out of the property.
Go for a fabulous walk and repeat the procedure coming back into the property. Pick up your “bridge” and do a perimeter training as soon as you come back into the safe zone.
Remember, this is a guide - questions are welcomed and additional training is available!
Give us a call!
Our experienced, friendly staff is here to answer any questions you might have about your DogWatch product. Call or send us an email to request more information or set up an appointment.