Step 2: Static Correction Training – Part #1

What’s the goal: we want to introduce static correction to make the dog aware that there is a mild unpleasantness involved in case they attempt to cross the boundary. Before you proceed with the training phase described below, make sure you are familiar with Step #1: Boundary Introduction.

Remember: never deliver more than one static correction in a row; take a few hours break after each one.

Duration Of This Training Phase

The static correction introduction phase should last 1 week, regardless of tthe temperament or size of your dog.

Choosing The Right Static Correction Level

You will obviously need to activate one of the five static correction levels available in your wireless fence collar receiver. As a general rule, follow these tips:

1. If your dog is small, set the static correction level to 1 or 2.
2. If your dog is medium-sized, set the level to 3.
3. If your dog is large, set the level to 4 or 5.

You also need to recognize what the pain threshold of your dog is. If you have a small dog that is nontheless quite resistant to pain and outside physical stimulation, you may want to start with a medium or even a high static correction setting.

It’s usually better to start with a setting that is a little bit too high, than a little bit too low. The reason is that if you were to start with a really low setting, then your dog might build up an immunity to the static correction as you slowly ramp up the correction settings. Whenever in doubt, set the static correction level to 3 out of 5.

However, you don’t want to go way overboard either. Using a level 5 setting for a small and timid dog may cause a little too much discomfort for your pet. In some extreme cases it may cause your dog to develop enough aversion that it won’t be willing to leave the house at all, for fear of having another static correction delivered.

Putting On The Collar

Put the collar around your dog’s neck, making sure that it is not too tight, but while also ensuring the static correction points come in direct contact with your dog’s skin, without digging into it. Please remember that if the probes (points) do not come in contact with the skin, the static correction will not be applied. If your dog has very thick fur or very long hair, you will either need to use the long contact probes that came with your wireless fence package, and if that isn’t enough – you should trim the hair around your dog’s neck a little.

Please remember that the main reason a wireless collar receiver might fail to deliver the static correction is not having the probes get in direct contact with your dog’s skin. So whenever you feel that no correction is being delivered, start by checking the probes, the tightness of the collar, and whether there isn’t too much hair around the dog’s neck area.

Also, remember not to train two or more dogs at once. Always devote your full attention to one pet only during a single training session.

Step By Step Training Guide

After making sure you fully understood the above, you can now proceed to training your dog. Follow these steps:

Step One: as you did in the previous training step, put the wireless receiver collar on your dog’s neck, making sure the probes come in touch with the skin but do not dig into it. Put another extra collar and attach a long leash, then start walking around the Safe Zone with your dog, slowly, relatively close to the boundary, but without pulling your dog or luring it to cross the flags – wait until the dog attempts to cross the boundary on its own.

Step Two: once your dog gets too close to the wireless fence boundary and you hear the beep, don’t react yet. Give it another second or two, as that’s how long it will typically take the receiver collar to start applying the static correction.

Step Three: you will notice the static correction is being applied by observing your dog’s behavior; he will likely flinch slightly, lower his head, or start to gently scratch the area around the receiver collar. At this point, it’s very important that you stay calm and remain a leader; many dog owner’s will feel sorry for their dog having received the correction and they’ll attempt to comfort the dog – this is definitely not what you should be doing. The static correction is no big deal, and it’s closer to an itch than a shock.

Step Four: as soon as the static correction starts being delivered, say “no no no” in a calm but authoritative voice, and use the leash to firmly and quickly pull your dog away from the wireless containment boundary, until you are a good 5 feet away from the flags and the collar tone can no longer be heard. At this point, praise your dog and give it its favorite treat.

Step Five: repeat this same procedure 3 to 4 times a day, remembering to put in some playtime with your dog before and after each training session. Ideally, you want to take a 3 to 4 hour break each time your dog receives a static correction; you don’t want it to be “shocked” twice in a short period of time, as it may cause some stress to build up, especially in more timid dogs.

Important Note: it’s likely your dog will quickly learn to retreat from the flags, even before a static correction is applied, which is of course great! If while approaching the training flags your dog suddenly stops in its tracks or turns its back to the flags and starts walking away, recognize this as a significant step forward and take your time to praise the dog even better than you normally do.

Please continue to Part #2 of Static Correction Training, where you’ll learn about common problems you might face during the process.