Pet Containment: Do Electronic Dog Fences Really Work?
Christie Lenneville
Pet Containment: Do Electronic Dog Fences Really Work?
By Christie Lenneville
Most dogs like to roam. Yes, some dogs will stay by the house even when offered unlimited freedom. But, most dogs have a natural curiosity that leads them to stray when the opportunity arises.
In a perfect world, it wouldn't matter if your took an occasional stroll around the neighborhood. The unfortunate reality is that a left to its own devices faces many dangers -- from speeding cars to other animals. So, it's important to find a reliable way to keep your in his own yard. If you have a sturdy traditional fence that your respects, then your job is done. If you live in a fence-restricted neighborhood, if your is an escape artist, or if you simply can't afford an expensive traditional fence, an electronic fence may be a good option for you.
The first question most people ask about electronic fences is, "Do they really work?" The answer is a qualified yes. Electronic fences are a very effective way to contain your dog, but only if you consider these three factors: hardware, installation, and training.
HARDWARE
Take a quick look around the Web and you'll quickly see that there are a lot of electronic fence options on the market. The most popular do-it-yourself fence brands are PetSafe®, Innotek®, and Guardian®. The most popular professionally-installed fences are Invisible Fence®, Pet Stop®, and DogWatch®. No matter what brand you choose, you should look for the following features:
* Multi-level Receiver: fences that provide only a single level of correction just don't get the job done. A single-level receiver will needlessly stress a sensitive and may fail to contain a large or confident dog.
* Lightning Protection: Some fence products contain integrated lightning protection, while others require you to purchase a separate lightning protection unit. If your product does not include lightning protection as a standard part of the package, you should purchase it separately. You're putting both your fence hardware and your home's electrical system at risk
Appropriation
I enjoyed Will engaging me in yesterday's entry regarding new media literacy. Since I'm rewriting Chapter Three of my manuscript, I'll extend those thoughts briefly ...
literacy?
Nice little post at Weblogg-ed about weblogs, wikis, and literacy. What I like about the post is the point regarding the openness of online writing. ...
Tiger Stadium
Detroit has spent about $2 million just to do nothing with Tiger Stadium. Tiger Stadium sits on a crumbling cobbled road across from Corktown, flanked ...
What I'm Doing
What I'm Doing Reading The Wind Up Bird Chronicle. Ooooh. A novel I like. Reading Nedra Reynolds' Geographies of Writing. Hmmm. I'm interested ...
fun with google
This site reveals some of Google's untapped power. Here, he shows how Google can dig up passwords and authentication if you know the right words ...
Basketball Jones
Got to settle my basketball jones: Trying to understand the Orlando/Houston trade. I can somewhat get the McGrady/Francis swap, but when you throw in all ...
if you don't.
* Lifetime Warranty: If you purchase a fence product that does not include a lifetime warranty, you risk expensive replacement costs down the road. Most major fence brands offer at least a limited lifetime warranty.
INSTALLATION
You can install a do-it-yourself fence, or you can hire a professional to install your fence for you. Either way, the effectiveness of your fence depends on these factors:
* Use Durable Wire: If the wire that creates the perimeter of your fence breaks, your entire fence stops working. So, you should make sure your installation includes burial-rated wire that's between 14 and 18 gauge to help prevent wire breaks.
* Bury Your Wire: Unless you have unusual requirements, it's usually a bad idea to staple wire to an existing fence or to the ground. Instead, wire should be buried 1 - 6 inches underground to protect it from damage.
* Protect Your Transmitter: fence transmitters generally are not water resistant. Make sure your transmitter is installed indoors or in a waterproof box to protect it from the elements.
TRAINING
While high-quality hardware and installation are important, training is really the most critical component to the effectiveness of your fence. In fact, most electronic fence failures are a result of inadequate training. You can't just install the fence, stick your outside, and expect him to stay within the invisible boundary. fences simply don't work that way.
Every major brand of fence includes instructions on training your to understand and respect the fence. Most recommend introducing your to the fence on leash for at least 4 - 5 days, then transitioning to off leash work during days 6 - 10. Ideally, you will supervise your for another 4 - 10 days to ensure your is completely trained to the electronic fence. You'll know your understands and respects the fence when you see him stay within the boundary even under very high levels of distraction.
Visit www.Dog-Fence-Guide.com for more information, including a free article on how to install your own dog fence.
|
MEMBERS AREA [
HOW TO:
SITE NEWS
Puppy Bud's Articles Home Page
