how to get dog to wait in the switching substation
To safely train a dog to **wait in a switching substation** (a high-voltage electrical facility), follow these steps,
prioritizing safety, obedience, and environmental awareness:
I. Preparation Work: Ensure Environmental Safety
1. **Isolate Hazardous Areas**
- Use **fences, warning lines or gates** to demarcate the dog's waiting area, ensuring it is **completely isolated**
from hazardous areas such as high-voltage equipment, live wires, and oil tanks.
- Example: Set up a 1.5-meter-high metal fence in the corner of the switching substation, and lay an insulating mat
on the ground.
2. **Eliminate Temptations and Hazards**
- Remove scattered tools, cable ends and other items to prevent the dog from chewing and causing short circuits or
suffocation.
- Close the drainage ditches and equipment hatches to prevent the dog from falling or getting an electric shock.
II. Basic Training: Establish Obedience
1. Command Reinforcement
- **"Wait" or "Stay" Training**:
- Hold dog food in your hand, let the dog sit in the designated area (such as a mat), give the "Wait" command, and gradually
extend the staying time (from 30 seconds to 5 minutes).
- If the dog tries to leave, gently pull it back with a leash, repeat the command, and reward it when it succeeds.
- **"Leave it" Training**:
- Place toys or food in the waiting area and command the dog "Leave it" to prevent it from coming into contact with
dangerous items.
2. Adapt to Environmental Noise
- The switching substation may have **the humming sound of transformers and the tripping sound of circuit breakers**.
Desensitize the dog in advance with recorded or on-site simulated sounds:
- Start with a low volume and gradually increase it, while rewarding a calm response with snacks.
III. Physical Restraints: Necessary Measures for High-Risk Scenarios
| Tool | Applicable Scenarios | Precautions |
| Heavy-duty Dog Cage | For long working hours (such as more than 2 hours) | Choose a metal cage, lay an insulating mat at the bottom, and lock the cage door. |
| Leash + Fixing Stake | For temporary stays (such as within 30 minutes) | The stake needs to be fixed in the concrete, and the leash length should be ≤ 2 meters to avoid entanglement with equipment. |
| Electronic Fence | For large-scale activities but with restricted areas | Set a safe boundary and avoid approaching live equipment. |
IV. Phased Training: From Familiarization to Actual Operation
1. **Stage 1: Interference-Free Environment**
- On the rest day of the empty switching substation, take the dog into the waiting area, guide it to stay with snacks,
and gradually reduce the frequency of rewards.
2. **Stage 2: Simulated Working Scenario**
- Let a colleague operate the equipment in the distance (such as opening and closing the switchgear door). When the
dog shows signs of nervousness, soothe it with "Good boy" and reward calm behavior.
3. **Stage 3: Actual Operation Test**
- Let the dog stay in the waiting area during work. If it barks or becomes restless, stop it with **gestures + a deep command**
(such as raising your hand + "Quiet").
V. Safety Precautions
1. **Prohibited Behaviors**
- Never allow the dog to **approach areas such as switchgear cabinets, transformers, and cable trenches**, even with a leash.
- Avoid taking the dog in during **rainy days or in a wet environment** to prevent the risk of electric shock.
2. **Emergency Plan**
- Carry **a tourniquet and burn ointment** with you. In case the dog comes into contact with live equipment, immediately
move it away with an insulating rod (such as a dry wooden stick), and do not touch it directly.
VI. Alternative Solutions: Situations Unsuitable for Taking a Dog
- If the switching substation is a **high-risk, high-frequency operation area**, it is recommended to **board the pet** or use *
*a surveillance camera + an automatic feeder** for remote management.
**Example Scenario**:
A power worker is repairing equipment in the switching substation. In advance, the dog is locked in a metal cage in the corner,
with a chew toy and a water bowl placed inside the cage. Strengthen the "Wait" command before starting work, and feed snacks
every 30 minutes. When the dog tries to bark during the repair, stop it with gestures and commands, and reward it when it
successfully becomes quiet.
Through **training + physical restraints + environmental management**, the dog can be effectively and safely made to wait
in the switching substation, while avoiding interfering with work or causing accidents.
