Petsafe Invisible Fence User manual

Owner’s Manual
800-578-DOGS (3647)
www.invisiblefence.com

Perfect Start Pet Training — Owner’s Manual
2
Congratulations
You have just purchased the world’s premier pet
protection system, the Invisible Fence®Brand.
The Invisible Fence Brand solution is backed with
a one-year, money-back performance guarantee.
The support of your Invisible Fence Brand Pet
Expert gives you peace of mind that your pet
remains safe at home. Refer to your warranty
card or the back of your sales contract for
complete details.
Introduction to Perfect Start™
Pet Training
The Invisible Fence Brand is the leader in both
training programs and product technology.
The Perfect Start Pet Training method is a great
way to introduce your pet to their new Invisible
Fence Brand system. The focus of the training is
to teach pets their safe
areas. The Perfect Start Pet
Training method increases
a pet’s comfort level in
learning their new
boundary. This advanced
training method provides
advantages in the following
areas:
For Your Pet
• Pets learn through gentle discovery methods.
• Allows Invisible Fence Brand Pet Experts to
identify pets that have pre-existing sensitivity to
a myriad of factors, most importantly to tones
and/or electronic collars.
• Training can begin with puppies as young as
eight weeks old.
• Increases a pet’s comfort level in small yards or
tight corridors.
For You
• Convenient for pet owners with time
constraints.
• Ease of training during times of year with harsh
weather conditions.
• Beneficial for pet owners who may have
physical limitations in regards to training their
pet.
Why the Invisible Fence
Brand Solution Works
The Invisible Fence Brand solution works for two
key reasons:
1. It is consistent. It works whether you are
present or not, day or night and regardless of
the weather. To be consistent, the Power Cap®
plan must be followed, the collar fit must be
correct, and the transmitter and Computer
Collar®unit must be working.
2. The cost of crossing the Invisible Boundary®
must be higher than the reward on the other
side. This involves setting a proper deterrent
and making sure the pet has a reason to stay
home.
NOTE: Invisible Fence Brand training works
because of consistent reinforcement. If the
reinforcement is removed (Not wearing the Computer
Collar®unit or not renewing a Power Cap plan), the
behavior will
extinguish (pet will
leave the yard).
Therefore, the Power
Cap plan is critical, as
is keeping the
Computer Collar unit
on and fitted correctly.
Not putting the Computer Collar unit on your pet
would be like choosing not to wear a seat belt or not
putting your child in a car safety seat because you
haven’t had an accident in a long time.
NOTE

Perfect Start Pet Training — Owner’s Manual 3
Invisible Fence Brand®
Computer Collar®
To work properly, the posts on the Invisible Fence®
Brand Computer Collar unit must touch your pet’s
skin.
1. Position the Invisible Fence Brand Computer
Collar Receiver
high on your pet’s
neck with the
Computer Collar
unit under the
lower jaw.
2. To avoid pets
having a collar that
is too tight on a
thick-haired pet,
thin some hair away
to make skin contact with the posts. DO
NOT shave your pet’s neck.
3. Tighten the collar strap appropriately. Adjust
the strap so it is snug enough to slide one
finger between the post and your pet’s neck.
4. The fit of the Invisible Fence Brand Computer
Collar should be adjusted as necessary as your
pet’s coat, weight, and age change. Your pet’s
coat may change from season to season.
5. Allow your pet to become accustomed to the
new Invisible Fence Brand Computer Collar
The collar strap should be removed each night
during the first month of training and
regularly thereafter. When possible, the
collar should be removed for some period
of time everyday. This ensures proper fit and
avoids the possibility of skin irritation from
the posts.
If this is not possible given your family’s lifestyle,
work with your Invisible Fence Brand Pet Expert
to set up a plan to regularly check the collar fit.
Perfect Start™Pet Training
Overview
Perfect Start Pet Training focuses on teaching
your pet a new behavior. Most behavior changes
are taught in steps or stages. Your Invisible Fence
Brand Pet Safety Expert will assess the needs of
your home and your pet to determine the number
of lessons required to customize the training.
Each lesson will have its own unique goal or
goals.
Key Objectives
Perfect Start Pet Training has three main
objectives:
1. To teach your pet how the system turns “on
and off.” Pets learn they can turn the system
on and off by backing up or turning their
head. The pet will quickly realize the flags
are visual markers as to the location of the
Invisible Boundary.
2. To teach your pet the exact location of his or
her boundaries. The pet should be
comfortable within inches of the Invisible
Boundary.
3. To having your pet understand there is no
reward worth crossing the Invisible Boundary.
The result is a pet that resists all distractions.
Pet – Owner Relationship
Perfect Start Pet Training has a very positive
effect on the pet-owner relationship. It helps
shorten a process that can sometimes be stressful
for both you and your pet. By reducing stress,
Perfect Start
Pet Training
enhances the
relationship
bond with
your pet.

Perfect Start Pet Training — Owner’s Manual
4
Perfect Start™Pet Training
Method – Starting Indoors
When starting indoors, there are several goals the
Invisible Fence®Brand Pet Expert will try to
accomplish with your pet:
• Identifying the flags as boundary markers.
• Identifying the tone as a warning signal.
• Associating the tone with the deterrent.
• Knowing where the safe area is.
Indoor Training – Tool for Teaching
Outdoor Containment
The first step is to teach your pet how the system
turns “on” and “off.” This can be done either
indoors or outdoors. However, there are several
advantages to starting indoors.
One of the key advantages is the work can be
done off lead and your pet has the opportunity to
train in a safe environment. Distractions are
generally lower and more easily controlled.
Weather and daylight are also not factors in
training when working indoors.
Selecting the Training Area
The first step in the training process is to evaluate
the indoor living space for placement of the
In-Home®transmitter unit (IFA-12 or Shields™).
The In-Home transmitter will be used to generate
an Invisible Boundary near an area you want your
pet to avoid. This should be an area where your
pet is inclined to enter or frequent. It is also
important that this area be easy and comfortable
for your pet to be close to the Invisible Boundary.
Assist your Invisible Fence
Brand Pet Expert in selecting
the training area. Some
examples of good indoor unit
placement are locations that
replace baby gates, keep a dog
away from a cat litter box,
food preparation areas, or
blocking access to the front
door.
Placing Boundary Markers
Training flags will be used to mark the area of the
Invisible Boundary. The flags allow your pet to
see the Invisible Boundary. This helps your pet
quickly learn the flags mark the Invisible
Boundary.
IFA-12
In-Home®Transmitter
Shields™
In-Home®Transmitter
Using a cordless Shields transmitter on the kitchen counter
keeps large dogs from “counter-surfing.”
Keeping the dog from
going upstairs is a
common training area.

Perfect Start Pet Training — Owner’s Manual 5
Introducing the Signal Field
Your Invisible Fence®Brand Pet Expert will
introduce the Invisible Boundary®to your pet.
Remember: This is an exercise that only the
Invisible Fence Brand Pet Expert should
perform. Your focus will be on safe area training.
Focus on the Safe Area
Once your pet is avoiding the Invisible Boundary
regularly, the focus of the training lesson changes
to teaching your pet exactly where it is safe.
Some safe area activities include practicing basic
dog obedience homework (sit, down, stay, etc.)
close to the boundary or playing recall games
near the boundary.
Indoor Training
At the end of this training phase, your Invisible
Fence Brand Pet Safety Expert will assign some
homework to reinforce the behavior. You will be
asked to play with your pet near the Invisible
Boundary.
Placing food dishes
or beds close to the
Invisible Boundary
helps your pet learn
where it is safe.
Door bells, family
traffic patterns, and
your pet’s general
curiosity will
provide the only
distraction training
during this initial training period.
Let “real life” situations provide distractions and
remember the importance of always being
trustworthy to your pet. Your only focus should be
on the safe area. Good leadership and a great
relationship are built by always being trustworthy
to your pet.
Perfect Start™Pet Training
Method – Moving Outdoors
Once your pet has learned the appropriate
behavior indoors, it is time to take the Perfect
Start Pet Training method outdoors. Here, new
behaviors will be taught and reinforced:
• Learning exactly where the boundaries are
outdoors.
• Knowing where the safe area is.
• Learning to remain safely contained within
the Invisible Boundary.
Flagging the Yard
Once again, training flags will be used to mark
the Invisible Boundary. The Invisible Fence
Brand flags should stay up for about four weeks.
After that time, every other flag can be removed
every three to four days. Leave the flags at
primary exit points
and the Invisible
Gate®location until
all other flags are
removed. Your
Invisible Fence
Brand Pet Expert will teach you and your pet the
Invisible Gate ritual during training.
TRAINING TIP: If your puppy or dog is in a
training class, practice your school homework
close to the Invisible Boundary. Complete your
obedience homework at the same time as your Invisible
Fence Brand homework.

Perfect Start Pet Training — Owner’s Manual
6
Introducing the Outdoor Area
Once the entire yard has been flagged, the
outdoor training phase begins. The outdoor
phase is similar to the indoor phase. The main
difference is your pet has a much larger area
to learn where the boundaries are and there are
more intense distractions outside. However, the
same training method applies. Once again, your
Invisible Fence®Brand Pet Expert will introduce
the outdoor Invisible Boundary to your pet.
Focus on Safe Areas
Once your pet is avoiding the outdoor Invisible
Boundary regularly, the focus of the training
phase changes to teaching the pet exactly where it
is safe in the yard. Safe area training lets your pet
know it has an abundance of room to run, play,
and be safe.
One of the main
advantages of
Perfect Start™Pet
Training is that
your pet clearly
knows the exact
location of the
boundaries. He
or she knows the
whole area inside
the boundary is safe.
The focus of safe area training is working close to
the boundaries, so your pet knows the edges of
his or her area.
Homework – Outdoors
Your homework is similar to your indoor
assignment but now includes working close to the
boundary outdoors. Again, allow daily life to
provide most distractions. Remember, your pet is
still learning how the Invisible Fence Brand
system works and is not fully trained. You still
need to supervise your pet during this period.
Work outdoors may just be petting and feeding
your pet near the Invisible Boundary.
Every time your pet is outside, training is
happening. Your pet is either learning where the
safe areas are or where he or she should not go.
Even if your pet is outside for a potty break,
learning in the safe area is taking place.
Remember, every training session should begin
and end with play and praise.
Perfect Start™Pet Training
Method – Final Phase
Based on the progress of the individual pet, the
final phase of training includes learning and
reinforcing the following behavior goals:
• Avoiding distractions.
• Learning to remain safely contained on a
property when the existing fence is failing to
keep the pet in.
• Learning to remain safely contained on a
property when there is no additional fence
barrier.
The Invisible Fence Brand Pet Expert wants to
observe your pet when it is in high drive to verify
that the deterrent level is high enough to
counteract the pets desire to leave the property
under these circumstances. We want your pet to
have a healthy respect and make the decision to
“never do that again.”

Perfect Start Pet Training — Owner’s Manual 7
Homework – Final Assignment
You will be following through with most of the
training sessions. Take time now to review the
training homework with your Invisible Fence®
Brand Pet Expert.
Ninety-five percent of the
time you spend with your pet
outside during the training
phase should be in the safe
areas. This includes potty
areas as well as play areas.
No more than five percent of the time should be
spent showing your pet the boundary, especially
exit points. As your pet makes correct choices,
stopping when strongly tempted to cross the
boundary, direct supervision can be reduced.
This process usually takes about three weeks on
average, but varies with each situation.
The Invisible Fence®Brand
Goal
For over 35 years, the Invisible Fence Brand has
kept millions of dogs and cats safe at home.
Thank you for allowing us to take on this
responsibility for your pet. Our goal is to create a
happy and safe environment for your pet, both
indoors and outdoors. If you have any questions
regarding your pet’s training or your Invisible
Fence Brand system, please contact your local Pet
Expert for assistance. For assistance in locating
your local Pet Expert, please use our locator
service at www.invisiblefence.com or call 800-
578-3647.

© 2006 Invisible Fence, Inc.
Printed in USA. All rights reserved. 2100317-1
www.invisiblefence.com