All About Electronic Pet Fences

Futuristic fences for Fido

Electronic fences (sometimes called electronic pet containment systems) keep a pet safe without the installation of a fence. Combined with training, these systems strive to teach a pet the limits of its territory humanely and safely. Training times can take from two weeks to several months, but the goal is to encourage the animal to stay in predetermined areas and discourage it from entering restricted zones.

Notes from the underground

The system consists of a series of underground wires, a collar, and, in some cases, a central control unit. When the pet approaches a user-defined distance from the underground fence, the collar administers a warning tone. If the animal continues towards the underground wire that marks the edges of its territory, it eventually receives a mild electrical shock. The shock aims not to hurt or injure the dog, but to reinforce the training the owner has provided about territorial limits. Eventually, after the dog has learned the training program, it doesn’t receive any shocks or warnings because it respects the boundary.

Best in show

In short, the selection of an electronic pet fence will depend on both the dog and the owner. The size of the collar relative to the size of the dog goes a long way in picking a system. Dogs smaller than ten pounds may need specially adapted collars. In most cases, the collar features a battery unit, so make sure you find something compact enough for your pet.

Owners of dogs that spend a great deal of time outdoors or near water should insist on safety features like waterproofing and chew-resistant finishes. Different systems can accommodate different amounts of terrain, so make sure to find a system large enough for your property. Good systems can be customized to control how close the dog can get to the wire before it receives a warning and how strong a shock the animal receives. These customizations permit the owner to tailor the training program to the temperament of a particular pet. As with any pet training program, some animals learn faster than others.

Final considerations

Other features to consider concern installations and maintenance. These systems can consume a good number of batteries, so units with rechargeable batteries save money over time. Each brand of system includes a different amount of wire, so depending on how large an area you have to contain, a system that includes a greater length of underground material may prove more economical. The wires themselves, the transmitter collar, and any other components should be guaranteed to survive in rugged conditions and certified by a veterinarian or animal-centered organization.

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