There are
four steps to training your dog successfully with the Havahart
®
Fence Free
Containment Systems. The first three steps are done using a 6-foot leash. It will take
time to teach your dog and by thoroughly following these instructions most mistakes can
be avoided. A leash will maintain a safe environment during the training period. Only
during the last phase of training will your dog be off the leash.
Each step should take approximately three days to complete. Training will take
10-20 minutes, 2-4 times a day for 12-14 days. Consistency during the training
period is a must!
Flag training without stimulation can begin as early as four months of age. Dogs who
are high spirited and confident can begin the stimulation phase of training immediately.
Dogs who are shy and less confident should begin training around six months of age.
4 Steps to Successful Training
1. Teaching – This phase will make your dog aware of the flags and your
suggestions to avoid them.
2. Training - This phase will make your dog aware of corrections associated with not
obeying what was taught in the first step, that he should avoid the flags.
3. On-Leash Proofing – This phase uses temptations to convince your dog that even
when excited the fence always matters.
4. Off-Leash Proofing – This phase will continue to use temptations without the
leash.
Step 1: Teaching
Goal: Teach your dog to understand that the flagged boundaries should
be avoided.
Start with your dog wearing the receiver collar, a separate collar with a 6-foot leash (the
collar and leash should be non-metal) and the wall mount unit/control box turned off.
Use the leash to keep your dog from passing the boundary flags.
1. Walk your dog around the safe area for 2-4 minutes avoiding contact with
the flags.
2. Approach the flags and shake them. Use a low disapproving tone to say,
“NO, bad flags, bad flags!” Do not yell or overwhelm your dog.
3. Return to the safe zone and praise your dog for a few minutes. Keep your
dog within 6 feet of boundary flags. While praising your dog, reach out and shake
the flag again, reminding your dog with a “NO, bad flags!” that they should be
avoided.
4. Repeat this exercise within a 20-foot area 4-6 times.
5. Finally, take your dog back to the safe zone and praise your dog. The training has
successfully begun.
6. Repeat this exercise 2-4 times a day in different areas of your yard.
7. Spend the next 3-4 days repeating this step 2-4 times a day before moving
on to Step 2.
Proceed to Step 2 when:
• You have practiced for 3 consecutive days as instructed.
• Your dog passes 10 consecutive “flag awareness” tests.
1
Flag Awareness Test – Walk your dog toward the flags. Success is determined by
your dog’s reluctance to approach the flags. Your dog has passed the test when it has
refused to go near the flags, but will walk anywhere within the safe area of the yard.
Step 2: Training
Goal: Allow your dog to feel the correction associated with going near the flags.
Use the leash to return your dog to the safe zone after any correction. This will
reinforce to your dog that the collar/stimulus is designed NOT to harm your dog but
rather to get their attention.
The first time your dog receives a correction, normal reactions may be yelping or
jumping. These reactions will decrease as he becomes accustomed to the collar. If you
ignore your dog’s reaction to the correction, he will accept the correction better.
Note: Use the test light to assure collar is receiving signal before all sessions.
Begin with your dog wearing a fully charged receiver collar, set at the lowest correct
level, a separate collar with a 6-foot leash (the collar and leash should
be non-metal) and the wall mount unit/control box turned on, loop light on, and
a boundary width set.
1. Walk your dog around the safe zone for 2-4 minutes, avoiding contact
with the flags.
2. Approach the flag line and pretend not to be paying attention to the dog. Your dog
should want to avoid the flag line. Continue to give your dog the opportunity to pass
the flag line.
3. If or when your dog approaches the flag line, there will be a tone and/or mild
stimulus depending on where the dog is in the signal field.
4. When your dog reacts, pull your dog back into the safe zone. Reach out and gently
shake the flag, reminding, “No, bad flags, bad flags!” If at any time during training
your pet vocalizes or reacts in some other negative manner to stimulation, it is most
commonly caused by stimulation that is set too high for the comfort level of this pet.
The stimulation level needs to be reduced. (See Section 7 – “Changing the Receiver
Collar Correction Level” in the Instruction Manual.) In addition to reducing the
correction level, you will need to restore the positive nature of the training by
reducing the training for a couple of days and adding a lot of praise, play and treats
when training resumes.
5. Step back a few feet from the flags, then praise and soothe your dog for a few
minutes. Additional flags may help remind your dog.
6. Play with your dog for a few minutes and then repeat the lesson in another area.
Allow no more than three stimulations per day during training.
7. Praise your dog whenever he avoids the flags.
8. Finish the lesson with some fun time in the safe zone. Always finish the session with
successful flag avoidance and then a few minutes of play.
9. The step should be repeated 3-5 times each day in different areas of your yard.
It is normal for dogs to become nervous during this stage of training. The key is to
remain upbeat and positive with your dogs. Try to avoid going inside your house
within five minutes of any correction.
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