Pet Containment Training

Pet Containment Training

Nearly all brands and types of electronic pet containment systems include instructions, often with a video, to assist you in training your pet to use the system. If you want them to work correctly as designed, you must take the time to train your pet properly. If you don't, and your pet encounters the electronic stimulus or correction without understanding what it is, he may either refuse to go outdoors (or to the containment area), or may fearfully find one spot and sit there motionless, afraid to go anywhere else. Neither is good, of course. Fortunately, training your pet to use an electronic containment system is usually very easy, and accomplished within a short time. There may be some variation in training techniques, but the basic steps are:

- Make sure your pet is old enough (at least 6 months) and already knows and obeys a few commands; such as "sit," "come," and "stay."
- Let him wear the receiver collar for several days to a week before you try to activate it, so that he gets used to the collar, and doesn't associate the correction with the collar, but with the perimeter of the correction field. Be sure the collar fits snugly without choking your pet. It has to fit closely or it won't work right.
- Don't let your pet wear the collar more than 12 hours at a time, as the corrective prongs can irritate his skin if left on too long.
- Do use the flags included with the system, especially in the beginning, as your pet will both need the visual cues to learn, and they will help you as well in training.
- Keep your pet on the leash the first time he receives corrective stimulation. On leash, walk him toward the edge of the corrective zone. When he crosses the edge, pull him out and give the "sit" and "stay" commands.
- Repeat this at different places around the perimeter of the correction zone.
- Keep training sessions short, maybe 10-15 minutes at a time so your pet doesn't become bored or overwhelmed. The best tip is not to rush your dog, even if your dog is the smartest in the world. Each dog learns differently.

Be calm and consistent, reward your pet with a treat when he gets it right, and he should learn within just a few sessions. However, bear in mind that while a hidden fence, either wired or wireless, has many advantages - it doesn't relieve you of the responsibility to supervise your pet, especially while he is outside. Also, while the containment system may keep him in, it won't keep other animals or unwanted intruders out. So be sure to keep an eye on your pet, especially in the first few months after you install your system, never leave him unattended for long periods of time, and only use the receiver collar when you are using the system.

Remember that all dogs learn to respond to a containment system at different rates depending on age, breed, quality of the training, and the intervals of and between training. Remember too that dogs do not speak English and they must have simple short phrases or words given while showing what is expected of them. As with all dog training, consistency is the key to success. Make it appear as though it's a game and fun for your dog and this will speed the learning process.

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