So it was unreliable. And I have come to firmly believe that training a dog with electric shocks is inhumane and totally inappropriate. Yes, some dogs do fine with an invisible fence, but I would never again risk it with any of mine. There are way too many serious risks and downsides.
So sorry to hear about your bad experiences! Lots of potential issues. It has to hurt enough to dissuade the dog from approaching the boundary line again in the future, even if they would otherwise be highly motivated to leave the yard. Over the years a number of other fosters and I have discussed the merits of invisible fencing to protect dogs and the predominant conclusion is that it does not.
In short, you have to do your homework! Many dogs do poorly with them, for a variety of reasons. So do your homework, and be aware of the risks. He was an easy-going, unaggressive dog with little to no prey drive. He was never left outside if we were gone, and he never went out alone after dark, because there are coyotes here. It worked like a dream for six or seven years, but eventually he figured out some way to slip through.. But yes, even these guys can eventually learn how to get out of the yard if they want to.
This is a great point, so thanks for bringing it up! Electric fences are illegal in Europe. Agreed that there are significant ethical issues with causing pain or fear to any dog in the name of training. Europe is more advanced than we are here in the US, in many respects.
I have had mixed results with clients who use this method of containment. One client called me after the unit inside the house malfunctioned and never shut off, so the dog was screaming under the car and truly traumatized.
The vet in that case was worried the dog would end up losing the leg the current traveled to the ground through nerve damage , but he came right after about months. In another case, a foster was placed, trained to the fence correctly and still went through it to grab a toy dog on a lead as it passed her property. I have several clients who have used them successfully. As you stated, it really depends on the dogs in the equation….
My personal experience has been with 2 Corgis. The first Corgi was an incorrigible fence climber I have a physical fence , but she learned about the beep zone, and I simply gave up after a few months and managed her by being outside with her or watching her from the house and rapping on a window to remind her that I was watching.
Her daughter on the other hand, associated the lead with the zap since you are to have them on lead when training and began to hide when I got the lead out. Even at the highest settings, the shock collar will not always stop highly motivated dogs from running past the boundary. If your dog loves to chase rabbits or really wants to play with the other dog walking past your yard, a few seconds of pain is a small price to pay.
The collar runs on batteries, which, of course, will eventually wear out, but even if you are meticulous about checking on the functioning of your system, some dogs learn to outsmart it.
An invisible fence collar delivers shocks through two prongs that need to be in close contact with the skin. Manufacturers typically recommend that these collars be removed regularly to prevent skin injury, but even so, dogs have been known to develop nasty wounds and infections. Longhair breeds are at an especially high risk. Wild animals, cats, other dogs or even people especially children can easily wander into your yard, which can result in injuries to everyone involved. Invisible fences also do little to protect dogs from being stolen or harmed by people with bad intentions.
This will give you a more visual representation of where your system will be. Skipping this pre-planning step may require extra digging on your part later should you decide to move the boundary.
You need to bury the wire 1 to 3 inches below the surface of your yard. Spool of gauge, multi-stranded wire. Most basic underground or wireless pet fence kits come with a foot roll of 18 gauge multi-stranded wire, wire nuts and a wire fastener.
If you prefer to fence in a larger area for your pet, you can purchase additional packages of wire and training flags at a minimal cost. This is done by twisting the wires together between the secondary enclosure the pool or garden and the primary enclosure your yard , as seen in the image above. Twisting two wires together cancels the signal, allowing your pet to roam freely between the boundaries of each enclosure. Most basic underground or wireless pet fence kits come with one waterproof, lightweight receiver and a collar.
For each pet that you wish to keep within the boundaries, you must purchase an additional receiver and collar kit. Any other pet or stray animal that does not have a receiver collar will not be affected and is free to come into your yard. Most kits come with the first battery, but you must replace the battery at least every three months for it to remain effective.
HINT : When replacing the receiver batteries, visit your local superstore or drugstore and go to the battery aisle. You'll find 6-volt batteries there for much less than in pet stores or home-improvement centers!
The idea behind all underground pet fences, regardless of the manufacturer, is the same. In all of these systems the transmitter uses the buried loop of wire to broadcast a radio signal. The signal is normally very simple -- just a sine wave, or possibly two sine waves at different powers.
As described in How Electromagnets Work , the buried wire acts as an antenna and turns the signal into electromagnetic waves. The transmitter does not use a lot of power, so the signal around the wire has a very small range -- perhaps 10 or 15 feet. In some systems the wire has two signals running through it -- one at low power and one at a higher power.
In these systems the collar can detect different distances from the wire to provide different levels of correction. When this radio gets close enough to the buried wire, it receives the signal that the wire transmits. The radio triggers a correction so the dog knows it is nearing the boundary. The underground wiring installed around the perimeter of your yard loops back to the transmitter that you have plugged in a safe, dry location it is also recommended that you install a lightening rod near the transmitter to prevent blow-ups.
See the sample layout for an example of this looping. The transmitter controls determine how wide the electric field is from the installed wire. Patent 5,, describes an underground pet fence in a good bit of detail if you would like to learn more of the specifics of an individual system. Many of the patents it references are also good. An underground pet fence is basically a psychological device.
It cannot harm your pet. In fact, underground pet fences often have no deterrent value at all unless combined with training. You need to teach your pet where the boundary is, and inform your pet that going past the boundary is bad. Once you establish the rules, the collar is there to remind your pet about them when you are away.
The collar reminds your pet using different levels of correction , and how the fence system corrects your pet is up to you. Most underground or wireless pet fence companies offer two types of transmitters -- standard and deluxe -- and the correction options vary according to which transmitter you have.
A basic transmitter can cover up to 25 acres of land and offers only a "warning and correction option. With either type of transmitter system, when your pet gets too close to the boundary, its receiver will begin to beep -- this is the "warning.
If your pet ignores the warning and proceeds toward the boundary, the receiver will emit the correction of your choosing -- static electricity or a spray of citronella. The static correction is similar to a static shock you get when you shuffle your feet across carpet and then touch a metal door handle.
Citronella is commonly used in the candles you put on your porch or deck in the summer to keep the mosquitos away. It has a spicy, citrus smell that your pet's sensitive nose will find annoying. So, why should their training be? Our certified trainers take intensive coursework in animal behavior, both in the classroom and in the field, so we can customize Invisible Fence training.
A safer, happier, more independent pet. An easier life for you. All in three simple steps. It all starts when you click or call to schedule an appointment with your neighborhood Invisible Fence dealer.
Every pet and every family is different. Professional installation. Invisible Fence installation experts get your new system up and running in no time — the first time! And, if you ever have questions or need help, your local experts are there for you. Invisible Fence certified pet trainers get to know your pet. The result? A better-behaved pet that truly understands his boundaries. Schedule your appointment today.
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