Many people find that an electric dog fence can be a real lifesaver. When you choose to install it yourself, you save yourself big money. Know this. Both training collars and electric dog fences are safe to use. As a dog owner, you are allowed to select the appropriate level of correction for each dog that you have on the system. Have you decided to move forward and purchase an electric dog fence? The following are questions that you might be asking yourself in order to select the best electric dog fence for your dog.
I Already Have a Traditional Fence but My Dog Is Getting Out. Will an Electric Dog Fence Contain My Dog?
Many people have a physical fence, but their dog manages to jump over or dig under it. This may lead to searching frantically for your dog, and having neighbors get upset to find your dog in their yard. In cases such as this, an electric dog fence is great for a second layer of reinforcement. It is great for giving you peace of mind, knowing that your dog will stay inside of your yard, where he or she belongs.
Do I Need to Spend Time Training My Dog?
It is important to understand that you can’t just put the collar on your dog and send them outside, expecting them to understand how the fence works. They will need a couple of weeks of training for them to grasp the concept. In order for it to be an effective containment solution, it must be used as a training tool. The dog fence flags act as a visual cue for the dog. With help from you, the dog associates that with being his boundary.
Will an Underground Dog Fence Work in Every Type of Weather?
The answer is yes, it absolutely will. Whether the weather is extremely hot or extremely cold, your fence’s performance will not be affected. However, keep the following in mind. Should you choose a thin, flimsy and cheap wire for your electric dog fence, it is very likely that it will break on you at some point. Basically, you get what you pay for. Cheaper and thinner wire will degrade due to environmental factors. Choosing a thick, 14 gauge dog fence wire is highly recommended.
Is an Electric Dog Fence Right for My Dog?
Perhaps you have a puppy, or a small dog? Providing that your dog weighs 5 pounds or more, then an electric dog fence is a great solution. Just be certain to choose a dog fence collar that is not too big and heavy for your dog. At the opposite end of the spectrum, perhaps you have a big, strong-willed guardian breed dog. In this case you would need to make sure that the dog fence system you choose is going to have correction levels that are strong enough to contain your dog.
Is an Electric Dog Fence Safe to Have with Children Around?
There is absolutely nothing to worry about when it comes to this. Only a radio signal is running through your dog fence wire, not electricity. So no matter if your children come in contact with the wire, they will NEVER get a shock. Your dog only feels a static shock because he or she is wearing a special dog fence collar. Only a dog that is wearing the collar will feel anything.
How Much Money Can I Save by Installing it Myself?
Why not call and find out? Just give a company like Invisible Fence® a ring and see for yourself. Depending on your property size and the number of dogs you have, you are likely to find out that that doing it yourself will save you $1000 or more. The good news is that you don’t need to be an electrician to install an electric dog fence. You just need to bury the wire 3-6 inches down, around the perimeter of your yard. Now take a section of twisted wire and connect it to your boundary loop. Then just bring it into your transmitter, located inside your house or garage. It’s as easy as that!
Will Power Interruptions Take Down My Dog Fence?
In short, yes. Should your power go out, so will your electric dog fence. Most electric dog fence systems don’t have a backup system available. Because of this, you may choose to attach a battery backup, like the one that is used for a computer system. Another thing you should think about is lightning. Should lightning strike your dog fence wire, it can travel through the wire and fry your transmitter. To remedy this, you need a quality lightning surge protector to guard your system against lightning strikes.
What About Burying the Wire?
Most people choose to bury the wire so that it isn’t a tripping hazard, or so they don’t have to look at it. Burying the wire also gives it added protection from possible damage. Many people wonder how deep down that the wire needs to be buried. The answer is 3-6 inches. With that being said, keep in mind that you don’t need to bury the wire if you don’t want to. This is especially true if you choose to install a thick, 14 gauge dog fence wire. You can simply tack it to the top of the ground with landscaping staples.
What Kind of Maintenance Is Required with an Electric Dog Fence?
Short answer, there is no maintenance involved. Other than having to replace batteries in your dog’s collar, or charge it if it is a rechargeable system, there is nothing else to worry about. However, if you choose a thin, 20-gauge wire with your dog fence, it is only a matter of time before the dog fence wire breaks on you. If that happens, your dog fence will not be functional. A better idea is to make a smart decision up front and go with the better wire. That way you won’t have to worry about a headache down the road.
