Dogtra GPS Fence Flag Training Guide
To Get Started, Complete Each Step and Chapter Below
Need Help Navigating the Guide? Watch this Tutorial:
Need Help Navigating the Guide? Watch this Tutorial:
Chapter 1: Placing Flags
Placing Flags
The purpose of the flag is for your dog to have a visual indication to understand where the fence perimeter is located.
Step 1
Make sure you completed creating the virtual fence on the app. Once you have the perimeter set, it’s time to identify the virtual fence area and mark visual indicators, such as flags.
Step 2
Turn on the collar and set it to Tone, and carry the collar in your hand.
Step 3
Zigzag inwards and outwards of your drawn boundary to activate the Tone alert in order to identify the virtual fence perimeter. You won’t hear the Tone when you enter back for dog’s safety.
Step 4
Place flags roughly five feet inside the boundary, space them every eight feet apart along the perimeter. (Due to GPS signal drift, you do not want to place the flags right on the line.)
CONGRATULATIONS!
You have completed Chapter 1 of the training guide! Swipe below to continue and read more about Chapter 2.
Always remove the collar from your dog when you're finished training and entering an indoor space.
Chapter 2: Day 1-3
Introduce Your Dog to the Perimeter and Tone
The goal is for your dog to be able to see the flag in front of them when the warning tone sounds.
Step 1
Set the collar to Tone or Pager/Vibration only.
Step 2
With the dog on a short leash (6 ft long), Do not attach leash to GPS collar. Attach to flat collar.
Step 3
Start in the middle of the yard and walk towards the virtual fence perimeter
Step 4
Allow the dog to wander around the flags placed at various locations to trigger the collar, so it can hear the tone or feel the Pager/Vibration.
Step 5
Once the dog hears the tone, move toward the safe zone in the center of the yard. (away from the flags)
Step 6
Repeat step 5 and reward the dog with praise each time they respond correctly.
*Make sure to remove the collar when you enter the house. Wall and roof will block the GPS signal which can cause inadvertent correction.
CONGRATULATIONS!
You have completed Chapter 2 of the training guide! Swipe below to continue and read more about Chapter 3.
Always remove the collar from your dog when you're finished training and entering an indoor space.
Chapter 3: Day 3-7
Introduce the Correction Function
The goal is to introduce the correction function and have the dog associate the correction with the perimeter.
Step 1
At this stage, you should set the unit to the lowest level your dog can feel. This level can vary depending on your dog’s temperament and threshold for the correction. Level five is a common starting point. The level should be high enough so that your dog reacts, but not high enough that they vocalize or seem scared or nervous (See Training Tips #4 for more guidance on finding the right correction level).
PRO TIP:
Finding the right level for your dog is an important part of the process.
When you introduce the stimulation/correction, your goal is to have it just high enough that your dog notices it. As you
walk your dog towards the virtual fence, watch your dog closely for a sign of a reaction. Some dogs will move their ears
back or slightly cock their head or tense neck muscles when they first feel the stimulation/correction. If they do not
react, check the fit of the collar before increasing the level. If you are sure that the collar is fitted properly increase the
stimulation/correction one level at a time until you see a reaction
Step 2
Repeat the training you did on ‘days 1-3’ with the dog on a short leash. Reward the dog with praise each time they respond correctly
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Step 3
Allow your dog to feel the correction when the dog enters the virtual fence area.
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Step 4
Once the dog feels the correction, guide them back toward the safe zone. Keep them on a short 6-foot leash as you continue teaching them to retreat to the safe area of the yard.
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Step 5
Repeat step 5 and reward the dog with praise each time they respond correctly.
*Make sure to remove the collar when you enter the house. Wall and roof will block the GPS signal which can cause inadvertent correction.
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Chapter 4: Day 7-14
Teaching Avoidance
It is time to create more avoidance by increasing the correction level. The goal is that the correction level is now high enough to become a deterrent for crossing the virtual fence. Increase the level in increments of approximately five as needed.
Step 1
With the dog on a short leash (6 ft long), allow the dog to cross the virtual fence and receive a correction
Step 2
Leave the dog alone for a couple of seconds in an effort to have the dog figure out how to retreat from the correction and head back to the safe zone in the yard.
Step 3
If they do not retreat after a couple of seconds, help them by guiding them with the leash back to the safe zone.
Step 4
Repeat the exercise, and use lots of praise when the dog returns to the safe zone.
*Make sure to remove the collar when you enter the house. Wall and roof will block the GPS signal which can cause inadvertent correction.
CONGRATULATIONS!
You have completed Chapter 4 of the training guide! Swipe below to continue and read more about Chapter 5.
Always remove the collar from your dog when you're finished training and entering an indoor space.
Chapter 5: Day 14-21
Working With Distractions
Once your dog can retreat to the safe zone by itself it is time to incorporate some common distractions they will see throughout their day.
Step 1
If your dog is doing well at this point, switch to longer leash/rope (20ft), let the dog drag the long leash/rope instead of you holding the leash. At this point, your dog should understand the virtual fence boundary and to return to the safe zone on their own when they feel the correction.
Step 2
Practice having a family member leave the yard while your dog is free, or practice tossing one of their toys past the virtual fence. Another good distraction is to have a friend walk their leashed dog past your property while you and your dog are in the virtual fence safe zone.
IMPORTANT
Have the dog drag the training leash/rope while you create distractions at an appropriate correction level for them.
IMPORTANT
Have the end of the rope near you at all time, should you need to guide the dog away from the virtual fence and back to the safe zone.
CONGRATULATIONS
You have completed Chapter 5 of the training guide! Swipe below to continue and read more about Chapter 6.
Always remove the collar from your dog when you're finished training and entering an indoor space.
Chapter 6: Off-Leash Training
Off-Leash Training
This should be an easy transition, but it is important to monitor your dog closely.
Step 1
Should the dog test the virtual fence boundary, you will need to go back to the ‘Distraction training’ on the long leash/rope and potentially increase the correction levels.
*Make sure to remove the collar when you enter the house. Wall and roof will block the GPS signal which can cause inadvertent correction.
CONGRATULATIONS!
You have completed Chapter 6 of the training guide! Swipe below to continue and read more about Chapter 7.
Always remove the collar from your dog when you're finished training and entering an indoor space.
Chapter 7: Flag Removal
Flag Removal
You can start removing flags once you are confident with your dog’s reaction to distractions
Step 1
The key here is to remove the flags slowly. Remove every other flag in the virtual fence and ensure your dog still respects the boundaries. After 2-3 days you can once again remove every other flag. Repeat this process until the flags are gone.
*Make sure to remove the collar when you enter the house. Wall and roof will block the GPS signal which can cause inadvertent correction.
