Ask the Expert: Help! My Dog Keeps Running Through Our Wireless Fence

"Dear Experts: Why does my dog breach the GPS fence?"

Mary G. from California recently inquired about a common concern among dog owners when it comes to GPS dog fences: "why does my dog breach the fence."

Luckily, we have experts on our team to help! According to SpotOn Trainer, Rick Alto, dogs will try to breach their SpotOn Fence for a variety of reasons. There’s not one simple answer, as each owner and dog are unique. The main reasons why a dog runs through an virtual fence are training related, as owners are often too anxious to get to the end result, before the dog is ready to advance to the next training step. Like with anything in life, the results that you get are based on the work that you put in.

Need guidance on where to start? Here are tips from our in-house expert!  

5 Expert Dog Training Tips for Escape Prevention

Step 1: Perform Troubleshooting Tips

Each SpotOn users is entitled to a free one-on-one virtual training session to help make sure you're set up for success. You can simply email support@spotonfence.com to schedule a session. However, before you sign up, there are some proactive measures you can explore. While we certainly want each user to take advantage of their free training session, we also want to eliminate the possibility of simple user errors so you can avoid using your free session on something that's solvable without a trainer. 

Here are some basic troubleshooting tips you can explore on your own, or with a member of the SpotOn Support Team.

• Are the correct contact points for your dog's fur type installed? You will need to use the longer contact points for thicker, denser fur; otherwise the shorter, standard contact points will suffice. 
  
  
• Do you need to adjust the warnings? If you are using the optional static correction and your dog is breaching the boundary, then the static correction may not be set to a high enough level. But you must start low and adjust gradually as you train. Each dog is different, so the appropriate level for each dog will also be different. Watch our quick video to learn about setting static correction. The distraction and value that the distraction has with your dog will also impact the "just right" correction setting. Watch this video to learn how to add distractions while training.

Step 2: Establish a Reward System

Who doesn't love a reward for a job well done?! Your dog is no different. When you have a solid understanding of which type of reward will be the most motivating for your dog, reaching a positive outcome will become much easier As Rick explains:

"There are no shortcuts in dog training. Dogs learn through association and with repetition and consistency. Training sessions need to be fun for the dog, because your dog initially sees this training activity as a game where they are being rewarded with treats, praise or toys for playing by the rules."

Not sure which rewards will resonate with your dog? Take our Love Language Quiz!

Step 3: Spend Ample Time Proofing the Boundary

The SpotOn Training Plan works, but you need to put the effort in — with multiple daily training sessions that last no longer than 15 minutes. While every dog and experience is different, here are a few troubleshooting tips for SpotOn.

One area that needs extra time, care, and attention according to Rick is proofing the boundary. He explains: 

"Many people become impatient and don't want to proof (test) the dog sufficiently, prior to moving on to the next training steps. Dogs do not have rational thought and think in pictures or through association (If this, then that) and need repetition and consistency to attain the conditioned response."

Step 4: Use Distraction to Fine Tune Your Correction Settings

When your dog hears the alert tone, they should be moving away from the boundary and returning to the center of the yard 95% of the time, if not more. This conditioned response should be tested, as this is your first line of defense. Next is the Warning Tone and finally, a vibration or static correction (if you are using that feature).

Whichever method you choose as the final warning, you'll want it to be noticeable enough that it will get your dogs attention, even when they are distrct. Rick explains:

"You need to plan for the dog's ultimate distraction and the correction must have a sufficient aversive effect that your dog does not want to experience it again, but not so high that your dog will not ever go near the boundaries. Noticing the static with a head tilt or shake of the neck is not typically a sufficient enough deterrent. It must surprise your dog and your dog should, through training and conditioning, always succeed and move back towards the safe area where the static goes away and thus rewards the dog."

If you are not using the static correction feature and your dog is breaching the boundary, go back into re-training and concentrate on proofing or testing the conditioned response to the Alert & Warning Tones and vibration. If that proves challenging, then it may be time to move to the more traditional static correction as your dog is telling you that the Alert and Warning tones plus vibration alone do not have sufficient meaning or a deterrent effect. The static correction gives the tones more meaning.

Step 5: Increase Distractions to Ensure Long-term Success

Lastly, after your dog fully understands what is expected of them and has succeeded with no distractions, the next step is to increase distraction during training. Practice in an environment that is as realistic as possible - with the anticipated distractions. For example, if a neighbor’s dog is the distraction, train while the dog is outside. Gradually increase your distance from your dog with a long line while training, always ensuring that they succeed in returning to the safe area, as failure is not an option. For success tips, read more on how to Teach your Dog to Ignore Outdoor Distractions.

"In all aspects of training, you must take it in baby steps and crawl, walk and then run."

About Our Expert

His journey with dog training started when he was 10 years old and his mother brought home a standard poodle named Sam, who had been retired from the show ring and needed to learn ALL the basics. Friends and neighbors remarked at Rick’s innate ability with dogs and referred to him as the local “dog whisperer.” 

After a 36-year career as a special agent in federal law enforcement, Rick decided to “retire” and pursue his passion and fulfill his dream by entering the world of dog training full-time. As a dog trainer, Rick is dedicated to positive and effective training solutions that are balanced and fair for the dog. Rick is equally committed to furthering his education, allowing him to offer you the best possible training solutions and methods.

Shop Now for SpotOn Fence

Introducing a virtual fence system to your dog can feel like a leap of faith for some dog owners, but with SpotOn GPS Dog Fence, dog owners can feel confident that they'll be set up for success with comprehensive support, that includes a free one-on-one dog training session that's tailored to the needs of you and your dog.

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