If you have heard about electronic
dog fences, you are likely curious about how in the world they
actually work. Do they create a sort of invisible force field that
dogs are literally unable to cross? No. Are dogs injured if they try
to cross your property lines? No. So, “How is it that these
fences work?”
The answer is not so difficult as you may think. The
two main components of an electronic dog fence are the wiring and
the dog collar. But without proper training, these things are useless.
Basically, radio antennae installed about your yard issue out radio
waves that are picked up by your dog’s collar. As your dog approaches
the boundary (wherever you have placed it), a warning tone sounds.
If your dog crosses the boundary, the collar gives him a small shock.
Pretty simple, right?
Well, if you want this invisible system to truly work with your pet,
you need to be sure that you properly train him!
• Flags – After installing the wire of the fence, set
up flags (which should come with your system) around the boundary
of the fence line. These serve as a visual warning.
• Beep – Tape down one prong of the collar before putting
it on your dog. This way, your dog will hear the warning tones, but
he will not get shocked. This is only temporary.
• Leash – For the first little bit (generally a week or
so, but the time depends on your dog’s performance), keep your
dog on a long leash, and be sure to go out with him every time he
is in your yard. When your dog gets close to the boundary and the
warning beep sounds, jerk back on the leash.
• Praise – Once your dog has been brought back into the
boundary of your yard, give him praise.
Once your dog has been conditioned to run back into your yard whenever
he hears the beeping tone, you can take the tape off his collar. Be
sure to continue to praise him when he comes back into the proper
bounds of your yard. At this time, he should still be on the leash.
He is not completely trained yet!
There are many reasons why your dog may suddenly try to cross out
of your yard – perhaps there is another dog walking by or a
jogger. Once your dog starts to ignore these distractions on the other
side of the electronic fence, give him praise for staying within the
proper boundaries. Play with him.
After your dog has a sense that it is not the leash, but the boundary
that causes the correction, you can take him off the leash. And, if
he continues to do good while off the leash, you can then remove the
flags.
This whole process can take anywhere from just a few weeks to a month.
If it seems to be taking much longer, you may want to try a different
system of training, or you may want to try a different type of fence.
Electronic dog fences are not the best solution for all dogs!
If the invisible fence really does work for your dog, you may want
to consider installing one in your home, as well, thereby keeping
your dog out of your clean living room, etc.
Some owners are not comfortable with the fact that this mild static
shock is what is used to remind their precious pets of their boundaries.
However, it should also be noted that it is not harmful to use this
system on your dog. Also, it can be a great alternative to a cage
– your pet has much more freedom.
If you love your dog, keeping him safe is one of your highest priorities.
Electric dog fences help to keep your dog close to you and away from
danger. It also can help dog owners to make sure that their dogs do
not do not get out and do some damage to another’s property.
If you already have a little yard to begin with, probably the last
thing you want to do is put up a fence and make it smaller. The dog
collar “fences” are invisible and controlled by a signal.
It works just as well, but the space needed for a physical fence won’t
be necessary.
One of the best things about electronic fences is the fact that they
can be programmed and wired to protect your pet from many different
angles. That means if you have a playful or mischievous dog that tends
to make a mess inside your home, having on of these fences could certainly
deter that.