Removing the Flags

Because you have followed every one of the previous training steps, it is time to remove the flags. After all, you don’t want them to decorate your yard forever, do you?

If you have made certain to do everything correctly thus far, your dog should be respecting the boundaries you have set for him or her. In addition to this, your dog will have learned that it is OK to leave the safety zone under your supervision with a leash on, when it is time to go out for a walk.

Flags
Remove flags

Remove every other flag

Now, it is time to get rid of the flags. Here is the right way to do that:

  • Be certain that up to 4 weeks have passed after the last phase of your dog training has been completed, to make sure that your dog has thoroughly internalized what you have taught him or her.
  • Begin removing the flags, starting with every other flag across the perimeter. Let 5 days pass.
  • Remove every other flag again from the ones that are left. Let another 5 days pass.
  • Remove all of the remaining flags.

Congratulations! Your dog now has the freedom to play around your beautiful yard.

What If Your Dog Starts Leaving the Safe Zone After the Flags Are Gone?

If during any phase of removing the flags, your dog stops respecting the boundaries and starts ignoring the correction, put the flags back in place and do another 10 days of training. With that being said, it is very rare for this to occur, so no need to worry about this happening ahead of time.

Can’t I Just Remove All of the Training Flags at Once?

While you could certainly do this if you want to, it is always a better idea to take things slowly when it comes to dog training. Taking the dog fence down all at once might confuse your dog, which could lead to results that are undesirable. You have already spent time training your dog to respect the boundaries, so there is no reason you should need to rush things at this point.