Training Guide
Some Important Tips Before You Begin:
- Follow the steps closely–they will result in success.
- 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.
- Make sure to check the collar’s adjustment on your pet regularly. Too snug and it can irritate your pet. Too loose and your pet will not feel a correction.
- If training more than 1 pet, train them separately for the first 5 to 6 days.
- Train at least 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 electronic collar corrections per day.
- Only take the pet off the property as directed. If taking your pet out in a vehicle, take the receiver collar off before leaving the property.
- Above all have fun training and keep it happy. Always try to end a training session with some fun time such as throwing a ball around, playing with your pet, or whatever makes him happy.
Phase 1
We will start out by simply teaching your pet the boundaries. You will be border training your pet to the flags and the tone. The Dog Guard collar will be deactivated by putting rubber caps or tape over the posts so that no correction can be delivered. You will manually correct your pet with a short, quick jerk on the leash to get them back away from the line every time they get too close to the flags. As soon as your pet gets turned arouund away from the flags, begin to praise him while running him at least 10 feet away from the flags. Use short jerking motions to get your pet to turn away from the flags. 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 jerking corrections while running back toward the safe area. You may not be able to hear the tone, so use the flags as your cue to give the correction. This phase of training should last 2 to 4 days. By that time your pet should be somewhat avoiding the flagged areas and backing out when he hears the tone. This indicates the training is taking effect. Good Job!
Phase 2
Now it’s time for your pet to experience the correction from the receiver collar while still on leash. You will remove the rubber caps or tape from the posts on the collar and place the collar on the pet. The training will be similar to what you have already been doing, except you do not need to jerk him back as a correction. The Dog Guard receiver collar will do it for you. It is important that your pet experiences 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 he receives the correction. Your pet should immediately come back away from the flags when he gets a correction. If he doesn’t, you are there to get him back with the leash. If your pet becomes hesitant to go back outside after the correction, back off on the training; but still take him out in the safe area. It is important to do whatever is necessary to get your pet outside using and playing in its safe area. 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.
Phase 3
Distractions or Proofing: By day 5 or 6 your pet should be avoiding the flagged area consistently. Now you need 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, let him get the correction. 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, still give lots of praise when he avoids or comes back away from the flags.
You can use sticks, balls, and favorite toys thrown over the boundary. 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; distractions 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. Your pet needs to know what to do when he does get a correction. This phase will last 3 to 6 days.
Phase 4
Off Leash: Supervision is required for the next 3 to 6 days off leash. Bring your pet outside without his leash and allow him to run and play. Do this for 10 to 15 minutes a session, 2 to 3 times a day. Again, begin with the distractions. Start out with light distractions, and move up as you go. After a few days of this you will start to feel confident that your pet will not leave the property. Do not be concerned if your pet stays close to the house at first. This is normal. It may take a couple of days for your pet to become acclimated to your Dog Guard system. If your pet does leave the property more than once, call your Dog Guard of Northern New Jersey Dealer immediately!
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, remove every other flag. Repeat this process every 2 to 3 days until all the flags are gone. If at any point during the training process you are unsure of something, Call your Dog Guard of Northern New Jersey Office! It is much easier on everyone, including your pet, to deal with any problems promptly.
If you do not follow this manual and the instructions from your Dog Guard of Northern New Jersey Dealer/Trainer, you will void any Guarantees of containment. We want this system to work as much as you do. Please follow directions, and you will be successful.
Thank you for choosing Dog Guard of Northern New Jersey. We try to make this training experience as easy as possible for you and your pets. Please feel free to call or email us with any questions or comments you may have. We appreciate your input.