{"id":13429,"date":"2023-02-10T05:23:01","date_gmt":"2023-02-10T05:23:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/?p=13429"},"modified":"2023-03-13T16:25:59","modified_gmt":"2023-03-13T16:25:59","slug":"ways-to-train-your-dog-to-stay-in-the-yard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/ways-to-train-your-dog-to-stay-in-the-yard\/","title":{"rendered":"Ways to Train Your Dog to Stay in the Yard"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An unfenced yard and an active pup can spell trouble.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For one, dogs let out in unfenced yards can easily run away, get lost, or stolen. What\u2019s more, unfenced yards are a safety hazard\u2014your pet might get into a fight with another animal, get injured or killed by oncoming traffic, or eat something dangerous on the street leading to serious illness or even death.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Luckily there are two effective ways you can train your dog to stay in the yard, both of which require some simple accessories and a lot of patience.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check them out here.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='1-boundary-training%c2%a0'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Boundary Training\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is one of the most common ways to train a dog to stay inside the yard. It takes some time, but it is simple to do and incredibly effective.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typically boundary training is practiced indoors by simply walking your pup around the restricted area and giving them a treat when they stay within the boundaries. However, since there are many distractions outside, to successfully implement this method you will need some tools, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A 15 to 20-foot <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">extendable leash\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A clicker\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A couple of flags (depending on the size of the yard, but you should have enough to place on every 8 to 10 feet of the perimeter)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dog treats\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How does boundary training outdoors work?<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id='1-recognize-flags%c2%a0'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Recognize flags\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start inside and show your dog a flag, then use the clicker and treats when the pooch shows interest. The aim is for the dog to touch the flag with its nose and then come back to you for a reward.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try a few times and if your dog responds well, try putting the flag further away from you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.akc.org\/expert-advice\/training\/teach-dog-keep-out-boundary-training\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AKC suggests<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> using the clicker when the dog walks back to you instead of when it targets a flag\u2014this way you are reinforcing the idea that they are rewarded for walking away from the boundary rather than towards it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id='2-try-it-outside'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Try it outside<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Place the flags along the boundary line.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Put your dog on a leash and walk it around the yard. If your indoor training was a success, your pup should touch its nose to all the flags in the yard and come back to you for a treat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Practice for a few weeks or even a few months. Extend the leash as your dog improves, increasing the distance between you and the flag.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id='3-try-it-out-for-real'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Try it out for real<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As mentioned above there are plenty of distractions outside, so add some <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dog toys<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or other forms of excitement in the yard while still keeping your dog on a leash. Watch his reaction\u2014if your pet chases after toys or gets easily distracted, you might need more training.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id='4-off-leash'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Off-leash<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let the dog out in the yard without a leash, but continue to use the flags and the clicker to improve targeting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If all goes well, you could leave your dog in the yard without a fence, although you should still supervise him and not remove the flags for at least 6 months.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your pet does cross the boundary, do not punish them as this can be counter-productive. Bring them back home instead and give them a treat for returning.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='2-using-commands'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Using commands<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is another effective method to try, however, to be successful your dog needs to know basic commands like \u2018stay\u2019, \u2018leave it\u2019, and \u2018come\u2019. If your dog has not been trained, you should take some time and teach him these commands before starting this method.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How does it work?<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id='1-walk-the-dog-along-the-boundaries-of-the-yard'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Walk the dog along the boundaries of the yard<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Walk your dog on a leash along the perimeter of your property.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With a sweeping movement of the arm show him that this is a line that he is not supposed to cross. When he goes over the line, pull him back with a gentle tug of the leash.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id='2-challenge-your-pet'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Challenge your pet<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are several ways you can try and distract your dog to stay within the lines, such as<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have a friend run across the yard. If your dog doesn\u2019t chase after him, offer a treat. If he does, try the \u2018leave it\u2019 command or shorten the leash.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Throw a dog toy or treat across the boundary line and use the \u2018leave it\u2019 common to keep your dog on the correct side. Reward them with a treat if they do not cross the boundary.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-13430\" src=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Positive-Reinforcement-for-Dogs-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"Train Dogs with Positive Reinforcement\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" srcset=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Positive-Reinforcement-for-Dogs-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Positive-Reinforcement-for-Dogs-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Positive-Reinforcement-for-Dogs-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Positive-Reinforcement-for-Dogs-380x253.jpg 380w, https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Positive-Reinforcement-for-Dogs-800x532.jpg 800w, https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Positive-Reinforcement-for-Dogs-1160x771.jpg 1160w, https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Positive-Reinforcement-for-Dogs-140x93.jpg 140w, https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Positive-Reinforcement-for-Dogs.jpg 1432w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 id='what-to-remember'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What to Remember?<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 id='1-put-in-the-time%c2%a0'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Put in the time\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Boundary training takes a lot of time and patience. Consistency is one of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/dog-care\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">basics of dog care <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and training so you need to practice every day in short sessions. If you don\u2019t have the time<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, hire a professional trainer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='2-get-the-right-accessories'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Get the right accessories<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You will need a training leash and a harness or collar, depending on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/harness-vs-collar-for-dogs\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">which leash accessory is right for your dog<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='3-understand-your-dog'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Understand your dog<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Training is much easier once you understand why your dog acts in a certain way. For instance, your dog may run away from the yard even with boundary training if it is bored. They could also run off if something in the yard scares them or try to mate (if your pet is not spayed or neutered). Once you know the why you can address the issue and make the entire training process run more smoothly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='4-keep-your-pet-entrained-in-the-yard'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Keep your pet entrained in the yard<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mix it up with different toys and activities that will keep your pet engaged.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='alternatives-to-boundary-training%c2%a0'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alternatives to Boundary Training\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you can\u2019t train your dog to stay in the yard, try some of the following alternatives.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='invest-in-a-gps-collar%c2%a0'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Invest in a GPS collar\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">best GPS collars<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> track your dog&#8217;s movements and let you know where it is in real-time, making it easier to find your pet even if it crosses the boundary. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='try-invisible-fences'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try invisible fences<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are electric fences placed underground that connect to a collar. If your dog tries to go over the boundary it will receive a mild stimulation from the collar, although in most cases dogs are trained to retreat when they hear the warning noise. According to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vcahospitals.com\/know-your-pet\/the-pros-and-cons-of-invisible-fences-for-dogs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">VCA Animal Hospitals<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, invisible fences require additional training and can cause some discomfort for your pet.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='use-tie-outs-or-long-lines'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use tie-outs or long lines<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tie-outs are a stake and chain\/cable designed to keep dogs in place. However, experts recommend trying other methods first\u2014a tied-up dog can become aggressive, plus even well-designed tie-outs can cause some discomfort for your dog.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A long line, on the other hand, is similar to an extendable leash\u2014it\u2019s basically a long rope with a clip at the end. Long lines can offer more freedom, but they still keep your pooch tied up in the yard.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='faqs%c2%a0'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAQs\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<h4 id='can-i-have-a-dog-without-having-a-fence'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can I have a dog without having a fence?<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, you can. There are a few ways to train a dog to stay in the yard, but keep in mind that certain <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/most-popular-dog-breeds\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dog breeds<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are keener on exploring, which means they might wander off more easily. So if you have a dachshund, a Dalmatian, a greyhound, a basset hound, a beagle, or a husky, you might want to keep a closer eye on them when they are in the yard alone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id='should-i-leave-my-dog-alone-in-my-unfenced-yard'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Should I leave my dog alone in my unfenced yard?<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No, it is not advisable to leave a dog unattended in the yard. You can try out different training methods or alternatives, but since none of them are 100% effective, you should supervise your pup when they are in the yard. Also, training will not stop other people or animals from coming into the yard.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id='can-i-use-shock-collars-for-boundary-training'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can I use shock collars for boundary training?<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No, shock or prong collars should not be used on canines as they can make the animal aggressive, scared, and stressed, says <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.humanesociety.org\/resources\/dog-collars#:\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the Humane Society<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you want to train your dog to respect boundaries, use a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">standard, comfortable collar<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and a clicker.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>An unfenced yard and an active pup can spell trouble.\u00a0 For one, dogs let out in unfenced yards can easily run away, get lost, or stolen. What\u2019s more, unfenced yards are a safety hazard\u2014your pet might get into a fight with another animal, get injured or killed by oncoming traffic, or eat something dangerous on [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/ways-to-train-your-dog-to-stay-in-the-yard\/\">Read More&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> from Ways to Train Your Dog to Stay in the Yard<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":13431,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13429","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-guides"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13429","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/33"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13429"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13429\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13431"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13429"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13429"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13429"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}