How to Train Your Older Dog to Stay in the Yard

How to Train Your Older Dog to Stay in the Yard
Hard difficulty iconHard
Time icon3-6 Months
Behavior training category iconBehavior

Introduction

Just because you have an older dog, doesn’t mean he can't still learn new skills. You may find that some older dogs learn more quickly than younger ones because they tend to be calmer, but others may simply take you a little longer to teach. No matter how you look at it, training your older dog to stay in the yard is a very important and useful skill for your pooch to master. The only other alternative would be to fence in your yard at considerable expense and even then, your dog might climb under or over it.

No matter which form of training you decide to use, the first thing you need is a dog who follows the basic commands. The other thing you need is a yard to work in with distinctively marked boundaries. Keep the boundaries you wish to establish around 3 feet from your property's actual boundary. 

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Defining Tasks

The job at hand is to teach your older dog that just because he now lives in a home where the yard has no fence, doesn’t mean he can go strolling around the neighborhood like he owns the place. In other words, we are going to teach your dog how to respect his boundaries and stay in his yard where he belongs.

The goal is to teach him that unless he is given permission by you or a member of your family to step outside of his yard, he should NEVER attempt to do so. By learning this skill, your dog should be able to resist the temptation that takes him out into the road where he could encounter a nasty accident. This is a vital skill that every dog needs to be taught. 

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Getting Started

While most older dogs have long since learned to obey the basics, before you start training yours to stay in his yard, he must have mastered them. You will be using 'come', 'sit', 'stay', and 'stop' throughout the training sessions. Along with this, you will need a few training supplies, including:

  • Collar and standard leash
  • A long leash
  • Treats
  • Marker flags

Along with these, you need to have plenty of time to work with your dog on a daily basis. This will help the training move along more quickly. Let your dog learn at his own pace, this will make the whole process much easier for both of you. 

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The Basic Training Method

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1

Basic training 101

Take your dog outside on his leash and run him through a series of basic commands. Doing this fully establish who is in command and that your dog is ready to go to work learning his new skill.

2

All by myself

Repeat this training with your dog off his leash. Do this over several days to ensure your dog is ready to listen to your commands outside no matter what else is going on.

3

Back on his leash

After taking a nice break, pop your dog back on his leash and head out into the yard.

4

We walk the line

With your dog still on his leash, start walking your dog around the boundaries. Every time he attempts to cross the boundary, give a gentle tug on his leash. Continue doing this for several laps per session over the course of several weeks.

5

Use the long-leash

Hook your pup on the long leash and give him plenty of slack. Allow him to wander all over the yard. If he looks like he is thinking about crossing the boundary, use the leash to give him a reminder tug. Work with him like this for a couple of weeks and then try him off-leash. If he seems to want to cross, use the 'come' command to bring him back and go back to the long leash for a little while. In time, he will get it and as long as someone is in the yard, you should never have to worry about his trying to "escape."

The Five Step Method

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Establish the boundaries

Using small marker flags, establish your dog's boundaries. These should be close to, but not right on, the edges of your property or a selected area you have chosen.

2

Going for that first walk

Hitch your pooch up to his leash and take him for a nice walk around his "new" boundaries. Take your time and watch his behavior. Each time he starts to wander towards the outside of the boundary, use a gentle tug on his leash to haul him back in.

3

That is your side

After practicing this for a few weeks, place your dog on the inside of the boundary. Next, step on the other side of the boundary while telling your dog to 'stay'. Each time he behaves and stays put, praise him and give him a treat. Repeat this for several days until he is ready to comply with your commands.

4

Make it tougher

So, it looks like your hound has figured out where his boundaries are, let's see just how successful his training has been. This time toss one of his favorite toys or treats outside the boundary. If he stays put, praise and treats are a must. Rinse and repeat until you are sure he knows where is boundaries are, then there is one final test.

5

The final exam

Go ahead and let your dog go out in the yard by himself. Hang back where you can see him, but he can't see you. If he wanders around within his boundaries, mission successful. However, you should never let your dog out unattended.

The Extension Leash Method

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The first walk

Once you have marked the boundaries around your yard, bring your dog out on a standard-length walking-leash. Take him for a walk around the yard so that he can start to get a feel for where his new boundaries lie. When he wanders (and he will) use the leash to pull him back to you using the 'come' command. As you do this, turn and walk away from your dog. When he follows you, stop and give him a treat along with some praise. Repeat until he stops wandering.

2

The run through

Put your dog on the extension leash. Have another member of the family go running through the yard. Use the leash to stop your pup chasing them and to bring him back to you using the "Come" command. Keep working on this until your pup stops trying to chase them, give him plenty of praise and a treat.

3

Next up – distractions

Bring on the toys. With your dog on his extension leash, toss one or two of his favorite toys outside the boundary. If he tries to go after the toy, use the leash to bring him back in. If he stays put, be sure to praise him and give him a treat.

4

Work it baby, work it

Keep going over this training with your dog until you feel confident in his ability to remain within his boundaries

5

The proof is in the tasting

Well, in this case, the proof of the hard work the two of you have been putting in. Take your dog out it the yard and play with him every chance you get. Doing so will help to fully reinforce the training and provide you with a dog you can trust to stay in his yard.

Written by PB Getz

Veterinary reviewed by:

Published: 01/12/2018, edited: 01/08/2021

Training Questions

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Training Questions and Answers

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Marco

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Cocker Spaniel

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5 Years

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Question

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I want to train my dog 2 main things. 1) to stay with me at all times and not leave a certain boundary line and 2) to not pee when he gets excited. I don't know what the best method for my dog would be, and I don't want to confuse him in any way because I'm not that great of a trainer lol

Aug. 23, 2020

Marco's Owner

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Darlene Stott - Dog Trainer and Groomer

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102 Dog owners recommended

Hello, this guide has great boundary training that may work with Marco:https://wagwalking.com/training/stay-within-boundaries. All of the methods are good, but you may want to start with the Reinforcing Boundaries Method. As for the peeing when excited, try the Keep Things Low Key Method as shown here: https://wagwalking.com/training/stop-submissive-peeing. When you get home from being away, clip Marco's leash on without making a big deal about being home. Then, you can take him outside, let him pee, and greet him excitedly afterward. Keep up that behavior and after several weeks (or sooner) you may see a difference. Also, take Marco to obedience classes, where he can gain confidence in himself and get used to being in exciting places. He may focus on what he is learning (and what you practice at home), giving him something to think about besides peeing. Alternative behaviors, like sitting when you ask, may replace the peeing. Good luck!

Aug. 26, 2020

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Harley

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Mixed breed

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3 Years

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We live on a road where several times a day people are walking, running, walking their dog. Also many cars driving by. Our yard is not fenced. We can’t seem to get her to stop running up to the person/mail truck and barking at them like she is going to bite them. Harley does not bite bit strangers don’t know that. How do we train her to stay in the yard?

Jan. 13, 2020

Harley's Owner

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Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer

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1128 Dog owners recommended

Hello Marta, I suggest following the "Recruit Help from Friends method" from the article linked below. https://wagwalking.com/training/stay-in-an-unfenced-yard Because pup is so motivated to leave by interesting things and a territorial drive, I would also do some remote collar training in addition to the above method. First, learn how to fit the collars correctly by watching the video below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLxB6gYsliI Figure out pup's "working level" on your e-collar, which is the lowest level that dog responds to at all - indicating they can feel the collar at all. Check out the video linked below on how to find this level and go through this protocol for each dog. Finding their Working Level - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cl3V8vYobM Next, walk pup around your perimeter. Each time they approach the boundary line (which I would use property flags to mark well so pup's can visually remember and you will be consistent), use your leash to reel them back toward you, back inside the property line while at the same time pushing the stimulation button on the remote collar while pup is on the wrong side of the boundary line - as soon as pup gets back on the correct side of the boundary line, the correct stops and pup is praised. When pup begins to avoid going over the boundary line, you can also give treats for staying on the correct side. This will involve a lot of walking. Pup's will need to do this a lot around the entire property line. Once pup has learned the lesson well, you can go for a walk near the boundary line with the dog off-leash and correct with the remote training collar if they cross the boundary during the walk - showing them that they still can't cross while off leash either. While you are still training pup you will need to physically keep them on your property using a leash and such so that they aren't running across the boundary line when you aren't ready - that will ruin your training. They need to be corrected consistently for crossing the boundary lines while you show them what they are supposed to be doing using the long leash (if you just correct and skip the long leash part they will likely run away and not toward you because they won't understand at first why they are being corrected - reeling them in with the leash and stopping the correction as soon as they are on the correct side of the boundary helps them learn to come back over to your side of the line). I would also work on desensitizing them to the mailman. Work on using the Reel In method from the Come article linked below. Practice everyday until pup is good with Come, then consistently practice each time you know the mailman is about to come (if they come at the same time or you can see them up the street - go outside with your long leash and get ready). Each time pup sees the mailman tell them to Come and Reel In if needed, THEN give lots of treats for obedience. You want to practice this as often as you can so that pup begins to associate seeing the mailman with returning to you for rewards - teaching pup not to approach the mailman and to associate the mailman with good things. Reel In method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-whippet-to-recall Another, easier option for boundaries (I would still do the Reel In method with the mailman either way) that will likely be easier to use if it's an option financially will be installing an electric fence around your property. You will still need to walk them around the boundary using a long leash and reel them back to your side of the boundary line when they cross to show them how to stop the correction - but the collars from the electric fence will enforce the correction for you and will be very consistent in correcting pup for crossing the boundary when you aren't around - making the training more effective and probably quicker for you. With electric fences, use flags to mark the boundary also and if your property is large, don't remove the flags later - keep them or something else that's visible for pup along the boundary line (think landscaping) in place as a reminder since you don't have a physical fence to remind pup. Don't skip walking the boundary with pup and teaching pup to avoid the electric fence - many people skip that part and it can ruin training for electric fences because dogs cross, then run and don't know how to stop the correction by returning - pups need to learn to return to make the correction stop so that they understand how to avoid the correction by not crossing the boundary. Reward pups with treats for not crossing. The desensitization with the mailman or other common triggers also needs to be done via the Reel In method too. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Jan. 14, 2020


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