After 1,000+ installations across Ontario, we’ve noticed a pattern. The system itself almost never fails—in 16 years, we’ve only had 5 dogs we couldn’t contain. When problems do come up, they’re almost always training mistakes during the first week. Here are the five we see most often, and how to avoid them.
1 Letting the Dog Off-Leash Too Soon
This is the most common mistake and the most consequential. Our GentleSteps™ training plan has four steps, and the dog shouldn’t be off-leash until Step 4 is complete. That usually takes about a week, sometimes longer.
The temptation is understandable—your dog seems to “get it” after a couple of days and you want to let them enjoy the yard. But a dog that understands the boundary on a leash doesn’t necessarily respect it when free and distracted by a squirrel, another dog, or a delivery truck.
The fix: Follow the steps in order. Step 1 and 2 are on a short leash. Step 3 uses a long drag-line. Step 4 is the first supervised off-leash test. Don’t skip ahead.
2 Training Sessions That Are Too Long
More training doesn’t mean better training. We recommend 10 to 20 minute sessions, 2 to 3 times per day, followed by 5 to 10 minutes of play in the safe zone. That’s it.
Long sessions make dogs tired and frustrated. A tired dog doesn’t learn—they shut down or get stressed, which creates negative associations with the yard. Short, upbeat sessions with lots of praise and treats build confidence.
The fix: Set a timer. When it goes off, stop training and play. Your dog should end every session happy and wanting more.
3 Not Calling When the Dog Crosses the Boundary
If your dog runs through the boundary, even once, it’s not a system failure—it’s a settings issue. The correction level may need to go up, the half-second delay may need to be removed, or the training approach may need adjusting. We can diagnose and fix this quickly.
The mistake is trying to figure it out on your own, waiting to see if it happens again, or assuming the system doesn’t work. Every day you wait is a day your dog learns the boundary is optional.
The fix: Call or text us the same day it happens. Don’t guess. We’ll adjust the settings and get training back on track—at no charge.
4 Leaving the Collar on 24/7
The collar should come off daily—at night, during indoor time, or whenever your dog doesn’t need to be contained. Leaving it on continuously can cause pressure sores on the neck, similar to how a watch worn too tight can irritate your wrist.
Our training guide recommends putting the collar on about 15 minutes before going outside and removing it about 15 minutes after coming back in. This prevents the dog from associating “collar on” with “going outside” and learning to test the boundary only when the collar is off.
The fix: Build a simple routine. Collar on before the dog goes out, collar off when they come in. Check the contact points regularly for any redness.
5 Forcing the Dog Toward the Boundary
Never pull, push, or lure your dog toward the flags or boundary zone during training. The goal is for the dog to discover the boundary naturally and learn to turn away on their own. Forcing the encounter builds fear and anxiety instead of calm respect.
During training, you walk near the boundary and let the dog approach naturally. When they hear the warning beep or feel the correction, you guide them back to the safe zone with praise and treats. The dog should always feel like retreating was their choice.
The fix: Walk parallel to the boundary, not toward it. Let your dog investigate at their own pace. Reward every retreat generously—treats, praise, play.
The Common Thread
All five of these mistakes come down to the same thing: rushing the process. The training only takes about a week. Investing those 7 days properly sets your dog up for years of safe, happy yard time.
Want the complete day-by-day training plan? See our GentleSteps training guide.
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