Pet Containment - Is An Electric Dog Fence Really A Suitable Way Of Keeping Your Dog Contained?

Whilst instictively a dog likes to be with other dogs (they are pack animals) and most when given freedom to roam will take the oopportunity for a bit of wandering with some effort most dogs can be persuaded that home is where they belong and don't go wandering the neighbourhood.

If you live in a remote area and your dog maybe does wander off occasionally but comes home after a short while then you probably don't need to worry.

But for most dogs some form of pet containment is needed to protect them from doing harm to themselves, being harmed or damaging others property.

In the world we live in mans best friend is vulnerable in a number of ways he might can run over by a car, shot by an angry farmer for worrying his livestock (fortunately not that common) and even attacked by other larger more aggresive animals. In towns the problems differ where cars become a bigger problem and stray dogs are seen as dangerous and worrying to many people.

So where ever you live it makes sense to find a way to keep your dog contained in his own yard. If you have a regular high (depending on your breed of dog) fence then chances are unless your dog burrows under (some will) you have a well contained pet who will stay at home.

But what if you live in a neighbourhood where high (often ugly) fences are banned or you can't afford the high cost of having a traditional fence errected (if you have a large plot it could run in to several thousand dollars.)

Then a viable alternative might be an electronic dog fence but when most people consider this option they immediately ask " Does a electronic dog fence actual work or are they just great in theory but not in practise". Let me answer that question first ...

Yes electronic dog fences do work in practise but you need to consider really carefully a few factors these are the system you are using, how to properly install it and perhaps the most important of all are you prepared to train your dog to make the fence effective?

The Electronic Dog Fence Which System To Choose

If you look online you'll find quite a number of electronic pet containment fences alternatives available.The best known self install options are built by PetSafe, Guardian and Innotek where as the systems used by most professional installers of electronic dog fences are Pet Stop, Dog Watch and Invisble Fence.

Irrespective of which make of electronic dog fence you pick it needs to have several important features be wary that some of the less well known brands you come across might not have these features.

1. Multi-Level Reciever System - Some dog fences only provide a single level of correction for your dog (often in the form of an electric shock a bit like those from stop barking collars) .

The down side to these are you can stress and confuse a sensitive dog or just desensitise a large of confident dog (who just ignores the shock and enjoys his freedom).

A good multi level system gives a audible warning (some times increasing in intensity) when getting close to the fence perimeter and then a shock if the dog breaks the perimeter boundry.

2. Lightning Protection- This is important otherwise you risk either damaging your dog fence system and possibly your entire home electrics system.

Some systems come with this integrated where as others you may need to pay extra for a specialized lighting protection system to prevent your dog fence becoming a fried mess of electronics.

3. Warranty Protection - Most of the better pet containment systems come complete with a life time warranty (provide the unit is installed as per manufacturers guidelines)

The cost of replacing the unit can be costly so it's worth looking carefully at what is covered. Most companies will have at least

some for of lifetime warranty but check details carefully.

Things To Consider During Installing Your Electronic Dog Fence

Here there are two options do the work yourself (but get a friend to help if you can) or hire professional dog fence installers to do the work. Which ever option you choose you will want to be sure of the following...

1. Use Suitable Long Lasting Wire- usually anything from 14-18 burial rated gauge wire is used for electronic dog fence installations. This helps prevent breaks rendering the system totally ineffective.

2. Bury The Dog Fence Wire- Whilst if the ground is very hard you can use "sod clips" to hold your wire don't be tempted to nail it to fences or leave large areas totally exposed.

It is far better to bury the cable at a depth of 1-6 inches below the ground where ever possible . This reduces the risk of damage to the wire or anyone falling over it.

3. Waterproof Your Transmitter- Rarely will you find a dog fence transmitter is fully waterproof where possible install indoors or if this is not practical make sure you buy a waterproof box to put it in and you locate it in a sheltered area.

Training Your Dog With The Electronic Fence The Lynch Pin Of The Whole System.

Although good equipment and correct installment of the system are essentail all that will be for nothing if you do not train your dog to use the electronic pet containment system effectively.

The truth is many people assume that that is the work done but the reason more people fail to succeed with wireless pet fences is down to inadequate training rather than any other issue.

In other words You can not merely put in the fence, put your dog outside in your yard , and eagerly await seeing him when you get home from a day at work happy inside the invisible boundary. A dog isn't programed that way and dog fences just don't work that way.

All leading brands of invisible dog fence come complete with detailed commands on training your dog to understand and abide by the fence. J

ust about all of these initially advocate acquainting your dog to the fence on leash for at least 4 - 5 days, then slowly moving on to off leash work for a period of 6 - 10. Ideally, you will work with your dog for another week or two to ensure your dog is totally trained to the electronic dog fence.

You'll know your dog understands and observes the dog fence when you see him stay within the invisible boundary even when there are lots of different distractions.