The electronic fence, an invisible boundary used to keep a dog inside of your yard – or within a certain section – is an alternative to consider if you can’t install a traditional fence. A dog invisible fence works when a transmitter sends a signal to underground wires. When your dog wears a specialized collar and is within a specific area of the perimeter, a noise alert will be sounded to warn the dog it is getting close. As the animal proceeds, a brief static correction will be sent through the collar alerting your dog they are in the danger zone.
Whether you plot the fence to keep your dogs in the perimeter of your yard or keep your dogs away from your gardens and other areas, here are a few things you should consider.
1) Consult With Your Veterinarian
Not all dogs are suitable candidates for invisible yard fencing, and it’s always a good idea to check with your veterinarian before purchasing a system. Your dog’s doctor will be able to offer a recommendation based on age, weight, medical records, and temperament. Some breeds don’t particularly take well to invisible fencing, as their speed increases the likelihood that they will make more attempts to dart from the yard. Other animals might not be physically healthy enough to attempt a training program. Your vet will be best suited to help you make this decision.
2) Research Products, Companies, and Alternatives
Research, research, research. There are many different types of electronic fences available for purchase, but the most important thing to consider is whether or not a fence is the best purchase for your dog and family. If you’ve decided to go ahead with the project, you’ll also need to choose whether to purchase a do-it-yourself system or if you’ll hire a professional to complete the job. If you plan on installing yourself, make sure to familiarize yourself with the process and gather all necessary tools to complete the job. If you’re hiring a professional, make sure to meet with them and check for references before allowing them to complete the project.
3) Plot the Perimeter
As you’ll need a continuous loop of wire to cover your perimeter, plotting before purchasing is the safest way to ensure you’re buying the correct amount. Things you should consider when plotting where your wires will go is if you’ll be laying wire near any other previously buried wires such as power lines, cable wires, and other types of electrical lines. Plotting will also help the person installing the dog invisible fence know what type of additional tools may need to be used for this project. For example, if wires need to be run through concrete or pavement, additional tools will be needed to complete the job.
4) Test Wires Before Installation
There’s nothing worse than putting all the effort into burying your fence than finding out the wires purchased are not functional. The safest thing to do before installing is to test the wires to make sure there is no issues with the cord before digging and completing the project. Once you can be sure that the system is working properly and that the transmitter is in a safe, dry area, it would be advisable to begin the installation process.
5) Train Your Dog
Invest significant time in training your dog on how to behave near the invisible fence. Training should start ideally even before the fence is installed. As the homeowner, you can begin by flagging the perimeter and using verbal and visual commands to teach your dog that they should stay away from the flags. Once your pet begins to be aware of the flags, it would then be time to add the collar into training. The time you invest in the training of your dog yields the highest return on investment. If your dog is not properly trained, they will be more likely to continuously test the system, which will in turn drain the collar’s batteries and confuse your pet. The more time you spend training your dog, the more likely your dog will understand the boundaries are not for exploring.
After installation is complete and your dog is well trained, make sure to keep an eye on your system to ensure it is functioning properly. Check collar batteries often to ensure your system is working. Your system will only be able to protect your dog from leaving if it’s working!
Side note: Do you run a business in the pet industry? Would you like to drive more traffic and sales to your site through a search-optimized pet blog? Get in touch with my office-mates at Lantern Content Marketing!
I really like your suggestion of training my dog to stay in the yard before putting in the electric fence. It is probably the best way to keep him from being really confused when I do put the fence in. I even think there are collars with beepers built in so that I can practice having him come back when he hears the beep.
Your style is very unique compared to other folks I have read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just bookmark this page.