sd1515
02-08-2006, 04:45 PM
Can anyone give any advice on how to begin boundary/perimeter training, preferably without using an invisible fence? We have a 9 month old Cattle Dog/Border Collie mix who is generally very good off-leash and will come back when called. The only thing is that he's become quite brave recently and has ventured out into the street. How can you train dogs so they do not go past the property line (or any line) unless you them the permission to do so?
Any advice is appreciated!
Thanks!
Rubylove
02-08-2006, 08:46 PM
You can train them to do this.
Get yourself a long lead, or rope, that is just a little big longer than where you want him to stop. Train him on recall with the rope, letting the distance go further and further each time, and to come back each time. Let the rope be slack, so that he comes on his own, but you still have the ability to stop him if he goes out on the road.
LOTS of praise, praise, and more praise for coming back, EVERY time, and lots of treats for coming back as well. It would be a good idea for you to teach him the `stop' command, as well as recall.
We taught our dogs to do this on their walks. Every time we got to a road we had to cross they were told `stop' and then `sit'. When we start off across the road we say `Go'. Now, when you say `stop' to them, they stop, no matter what they're doing. Then you can introduce `stay' to the stop, and then `come'.
It'll take a little while, but it will work, especially if you reinforce the `stop' `sit' `stay' commands on walks. I would keep him on the rope until he has it down pat, though, you don't want him to be cleaned up by a car.
sd1515
02-10-2006, 12:51 AM
Thank you so much for the helpful advice! We're going to give it a try this weekend!