013. Invisible and Electric Containment Fences
Description
This article is from the rec.pets.dogs: Assorted Topics, posted to rec.pets.dogs newsgroup. Maintained by Cindy Tittle Moore with numerous contributions by others.
013. Invisible and Electric Containment Fences
A great article on fencing in general can be found at CanisMajor. There are a variety of fences that do not use a physical fence. These are detailed below.
Invisible containment
Brand names include Invisible Enclosure, Pet-Alert, DogWatch, Pet Guardian, DogMaster, Radio Fence, and Freedom Fence. Suppliers include Innotek and others.
This is an arrangement where wire is buried around the property and the dog wears a collar that shocks it if it gets too close to the boundary. There is often a warning tone emitted by the collar if the dog gets near the boundary; if the dog continues closer, then the shock is administered. Some newer brands use only a "sonic" (sound) warning. This kind of a "fence" does not depend on the presence of a physical fence, although it could certainly augment one. Points to consider:
* You must _train_ the dog to understand what is going on, you can't just expect to put it on and have it work. If the fence does not come with extensive and detailed instructions for training the dog, be wary. The training typically takes from one to three weeks.
* _This does not prevent other dogs (or people) from coming in and bothering your dog, unless it is supplemented by a physical fence._ For example, dog thiefs have been known to come in, remove the collar, and take the dog with them!
* If your dog somehow gets outside the perimeter of the fence with its collar on, it will be shocked when attempting to _re-enter_! (The collar will not shock the dog beyond a given distance regardless of which side the dog is on.)
* If you experience a power failure, you must check the boundaries -- take the collar off the dog and walk along the perimeter and listen for the warning tone. Several brands have lifetime warranties and will fix these problems.
In my opinion, these "fences" work very well to augment inadequate fences, divide a fenced yard (for example, to keep the dog out of the vegetable garden), or even block off parts of the house inside. Under no circumstances would I recommend it for use in unfenced properties without supervision. However, many individuals have reported success with their use; you will have to evaluate your particular situation.
Electric containment
Most electic fencing systems are "do it yourself" or done by contractors. Some kits are available.
Many owners, when faced with a dog that persistently digs out or scales the backyard fence, will run a "hot" wire along the bottom of the fence or along the top of the fence. This often works quite well, to the point where the presence of the wire, whether hot or not, will deter escape. Points to consider:
* You should _not_ shock puppies. Wait until the dog is fully grown.
* For digging, bury the wire under the fence. The depth will depend on how deep your dog is willing to dig. WARNING: Not all wire can be buried for this purpose. To avoid shorts, blown fuses and high electric bills, not to mention risk of fire, be sure the wire you use CAN in fact be buried. When in doubt, check with a professional.
* For dogs that scale the fence, run it along the top of the fence. If the dog is jumping the fence, you will either need to make the fence taller, or try an invisible containment method.
* This is not foolproof, dogs have been known to get around these, too.
* Do not make electric fences solely of electrified wires. They should be put up on wooden fences. WARNING: The hot wires should also pass through insulators so they do not come in contact with their supports unless those supports are totally non-conductive: e.g., fiberglass. Even a wooden post can become conductive when it rains and the wood gets wet. Again, read all instructions completely or consult with a professional to avoid problems.
Fences in general:
* A three to four foot fence is in general not adequate for most dogs. Toy breeds and specific individual dogs may be alright with this height, but it is not a general assumption that you can make.
* Some inexpensive ways to fortify a fence before resorting to the more expensive solutions of a higher fence, electrified fence, or installing invisible containment systems:
+ String up aluminum cans on six foot string lengths, and hang on the inside of your fence. The racket discourages some dogs from climbing over.
+ In a similar vein, putting PVC pipe up on a string so that they spin freely will make the fence more difficult to climb.
+ Installing 9" eyebolts along the inside of the fence and then threading heavy guage wire through the eyes makes another barrier.
+ Lining the inside of your fence with corrugated fiberglass can prevent both climbing and chewing on the fence. The fiberglass comes in several colors and you can choose a non-obtrusive brown shade.
+ For a digger, try putting down paving stones as a border around your fence.
+ Some dogs hate digging in gravel; a gravel border along the fence can work to keep dogs from digging.
+ A concrete border (more expensive) can also be put down.
Note that none of these suggestions will work on a dog that can sail over the fence. A taller fence may be needed, or a non visible fencing system to augment the existing fence will work.
Continue to:
My Books
