In this video, you will learn how to setup your virtual training paddock and introduce your animals to the eShepherd system.

Introducing Animals to Virtual Fencing

When introducing animals to the eShepherd system, it's important to train them to respond correctly to the virtual fence. After fitting neckbands on the animals and associating them with their identification tags, they are ready for virtual fencing.

Setting Up Training Paddocks

Start by setting up a training paddock. Ideally, divide the paddock so that 2/3 is an inclusion zone and 1/3 is an exclusion zone. This ensures that if an animal enters the exclusion zone, it will still find its way back to the inclusion zone, allowing the training to resume.

A common setup involves overlaying the virtual fence on top of the physical fence, but also placing part of the virtual fence in the middle of the paddock without any physical reference. This helps animals learn how to navigate based on the virtual cues alone.

Accelerating Animal Learning

To help animals learn faster, consider moving the virtual fence inside the physical fence, so they interact with the virtual boundary more often. Animals will hear the audio tone when approaching the virtual fence, and when they turn back, they will avoid receiving a pulse. Over time, you can close off parts of the paddock to reinforce this behavior.

Managing Watering Points

When setting up training paddocks, ensure that watering points remain accessible without virtual fences nearby. Animals should be able to reach water without receiving any stimulus, so plan your paddock layout to avoid fences near watering areas.

Animal Reactions to Virtual Fences

When animals encounter the virtual fence for the first time, they may receive an audio tone followed by a pulse if they don’t turn back. Most animals instinctively return to the herd in the inclusion zone. If an animal crosses into the exclusion zone, it will receive up to three pulses before the neckband stops stimulating and allows the animal to roam freely in the exclusion zone. Eventually, the animal will return to the herd on its own, at which point the neckband resets and the training continues.

Reducing Exclusion Zone Time

If the exclusion zone is too large, consider setting up a temporary electric fence inside the exclusion area. This limits the time animals spend outside the inclusion zone without providing a strong visual barrier, helping them return to the herd faster.

By following these steps, you can effectively train your animals to respond to the eShepherd virtual fencing system and manage their movement within your paddocks.

Updated on: 06/08/2025