We all love our furry friends, and ensuring their safety is a top priority. But sometimes, keeping our beloved dogs safe and secure in our yards can be challenging and stressful. That's where wired electric and wireless dog fences come into play!
In this article, we'll look into what electric dog fence containment systems are, how they stop your dog from escaping and their benefits for pet owners.
What Are Electric Dog Fences?
Electric dog fences, often referred to as hidden, invisible, or underground dog fences, are innovative systems designed to keep your dog within a defined area without the need for traditional physical barriers like wooden or chain-link fences.
These systems are virtually invisible, making them an attractive option for homeowners who want to maintain their property's aesthetics while ensuring their dogs' safety!
What Are The Types of Electric Dog Containment Systems?
Boundary Wire System: This system allows you to establish a perimeter of any desired shape, and can even be adjusted to accommodate exclusion zones within that boundary. Typically, a wire is buried just beneath the ground and starts and ends from a powered transmitter. For larger or rural properties, additional wire is available, extending the perimeter.
Wireless System: A wireless containment system operates by creating a circular boundary or exclusion zone around the central transmission zone of the unit when activated. The diameter of this circular containment area can be adjustable at varied ranges depending on the model. For more information, check out our Wireless Electric Dog Fence product collection here.
Wired dog containment systems often consist of three main components:
- Transmitter: This device is typically installed indoors, often in a garage or a utility room. The transmitter emits a radio signal that travels through a wire buried around the perimeter of the designated area. It serves as the control centre of the system, allowing you to adjust settings and monitor your dog's activities.
- Receiver Collar: Your dog wears a special collar equipped with a receiver. This collar is essential because it detects the radio signal from the transmitter. The receiver collar emits a warning tone when your dog approaches the boundary. If your dog continues to advance, it may deliver a static correction (often described as a mild static shock) to deter them from crossing the boundary.
- Boundary Wire: A wire is buried around the area you want to set as your dog's containment boundary. This wire acts as an invisible barrier, defining the limits of where your dog can roam.
Wireless electric dog fences often consist of two main components:
- Transmitter: This device is either installed into the receiver collar for proximity GPS positioning, or an independent unit that produces a barrier or 'proximity zone' from the centre of the device that can be used as an inclusion or exclusion zone.
- Receiver Collar: Your dog wears a special collar equipped with a receiver. This collar is essential because it detects the positioning of the wireless transmitting device to locate the dogs position relative to the wireless boundary.
What's the difference between Wired and Wireless Dog Containment Systems?
To determine what system is right for you, it's essential to understand where each containment system shines. Wired systems are excellent for backyards where they will be semi-permanent, without needing constant adjustment. Once the wiring is installed and the training flags are set up, you can train your dog to stay within its boundaries and learn its limits as you've set them.
A wireless system differs in a few ways; they can be used portably, and often set a completely invisible boundary based on the positioning of the device. For example, taking a Wireless GPS Containment system to the park and setting a radius will create a cylinder of space the dog can safely train and play within, and training flags can be used to mark an effective safe zone so they know their limits. This system can be turned on and off easily and is your portable alternative.
How Do Wired Electric Dog Fences Work?
Understanding the basic functions of electric dog fences is crucial for both you and your dog. Here's a basic step-by-step breakdown of how dog containment systems work:
- Installation: A wire is buried around the perimeter of the area you want to enclose. This wire creates an invisible boundary. The ends of the wire are connected to the transmitter.
- Transmitter Setup: The transmitter is installed indoors and connected to the buried wire. It emits a continuous radio signal through the wire, creating an invisible barrier around your property.
- Receiver Collar: Your dog wears a receiver collar that is compatible with the system. This collar detects the radio signal emitted by the transmitter and interprets it.
- Warning Zone: As your dog approaches the boundary, the receiver collar emits a warning tone, alerting them that they are nearing the edge of the designated area. This tone serves as a pre-correction signal, giving your dog a chance to turn back.
- Correction Zone: If your dog continues to approach the boundary, the receiver collar may deliver a mild static correction. This correction is designed to discourage your dog from crossing the boundary and is typically considered safe and humane.
- Training: Effective training is essential to help your dog understand the boundaries established by the electric dog fence. Training often involves using flags to mark the boundary visually and reinforcing positive behaviour when your dog responds to the warning tone and avoids crossing the boundary.
- Freedom and Safety: Once your dog has been trained and understands the system's boundaries, they can enjoy the freedom to roam within the designated area while staying safely contained.
Why Choose an Electric Dog Fence?
Now that we've covered what electric dog fences are and how they operate, let's explore the benefits that make them a popular choice for dog owners:
- Safety: The primary benefit of electric dog fences is safety. These systems prevent your dog from wandering into potentially dangerous situations, such as busy streets, neighbouring properties, or hazardous areas within your own yard.
- Aesthetics: Electric dog fences are invisible, preserving the visual appeal of your property without obstructing your view or altering your landscaping.
- Cost-Effective: Compared to traditional fencing, electric dog fences are often more cost-effective. Installation costs are typically lower, and there is minimal maintenance required.
- Customisation: These systems allow you to customise the boundaries to suit your specific needs, ensuring that your dog stays out of restricted areas while still having room to play.
- Compatibility with Multiple Pets: Electric dog fences are suitable for households with multiple pets. They enable dogs to stay within their designated area while allowing other pets, such as cats, to come and go freely.
Check out our recent blog 5 Benefits of Dog Containment Fences: Keeping Your Dog Safe and Happy! for an in-depth look into the benefits. And if you've got at a dog who likes to dig under fencing, we've got tips for that too!
When should you NOT use an Electric Dog Fence?
There are times when a dog containment system using electronic collars that deliver static stimulation should not be used. Here are a few instances:
- If the dog is under 6 months of age.
- Dogs with health problems (especially heart disease).
- Dogs that are unable to respond appropriately due to injury, illness, age or senility.
- Pregnant or nursing dogs.
- Where dogs have aggressive tendencies.
In conclusion, electric dog fences are a valuable tool for keeping your dog safe and secure while bringing you peace of mind. By understanding how these systems work and the benefits they offer, you can make an informed decision about whether an electric dog fence is the right choice for your dog.
At eDog Australia, we offer a wide range of dog containment systems, including the popular Wireless Dog Electric Fence and the bestseller Advanced Hidden Fence Dog Training System.
Still need assistance? Chat with our friendly and knowledgeable customer support team and we'll help you discover the perfect dog containment solution for you and your furry companion.
