Training is the most important aspect of Hidden Fences. Training is what teaches your dog how to react to the unseen barrier that he is now encountering.  A dog’s instinct will tell him to bolt and keep running when he is unsure of anything.  Training is what teaches him to turn around or back away from that which he cannot see.  Lack of training is the most common reason for the claims that these types of fences do not work.

While training your pet to a DogWatch Hidden Fence it is important to know that your attitude and feelings play a very important role in how he responds. This is because dog and/or cat can sense your moods and they respond to how you are feeling. If you are afraid, he will be afraid too: if you are happy he will be too. Keeping this in mind, it is important for you to have a positive and upbeat attitude while walking your pet around the yard. It is very common to be tentative because no one wants to see their dog receive a correction. You cannot let this deter you. If your dog does receive a correction, praise him immediately and then move on as if nothing happened. Do not linger and do not baby him. If you do, he will believe something bad is happening. Remember, this should be a positive experience for him and you should be happy that your dog is learning to stay safely within his boundaries, away from the dangers outside your yard.

It is also important to let your dog lead the way.  If he is finished walking, stop the training and play for a bit.  Make him comfortable again knowing that the yard is his safe spot.  He doesn’t necessarily understand what is going on yet, so you need to be patient with him.  Let him walk anywhere he wants to in the yard while not going straight for the house. You also don’t need to walk a perfect circle following right next to the flags. He needs to know that it is okay to walk everywhere in your yard with the exception of his boundary.

If he is showing signs of not wanting to walk anywhere at all don’t panic. Get down on the ground and reassure him by rubbing his belly, praising him, and/or give him a treat. Then, get up, move to another area, and repeat the process. If he is afraid to follow you, try holding the leash in your hand while facing your dog and have him walk towards you. While he is walking to you slowly back up still keeping eye contact. Stop at another location get down with him and repeat your reassurance with him. This doesn’t happen often but when it does discontinue training for a couple of days while you are getting your dog used to walking around his yard, staying inside his boundary of course.

Training should only be 10 to 15 minutes per session. No more than twice a day. Any longer is too much and may make your dog nervous to walk around the yard with you. Also, do not go inside immediately after your pet receives a correction. Doing so will make him see the house as the safe area and not your yard. Reassure your dog by going to various safe areas in your yard to let him know it is still safe to be outside. It is also good to praise and do a lot of belly rubbing to put him at ease before going inside.

Another important factor is waiting until your dog is of age to be on a DogWatch Hidden Fence system.  Please never try to train a dog until he is at least four months old.  If he does not know his name or general commands, then you should wait a bit longer.  If you try and train to early, it could harm your dog as they will not understand what you are trying to teach.  Your dog needs to be able to mentally process the point of the training and what you are trying to accomplish.  He will need a certain amount of maturity to do so.

Just remember to have fun and enjoy your dog. In a little over a week he will be able to come outside without a leash and you will be able to enjoy him even more than you already do.

If you'd like our help training on your DogWatch System( or any system for that matter), please give us a call at 614-527-3799 or use our contact form to get in touch with us.  We are more than happy to help.