There are several brands of underground fences on the market: Invisible Fence, Hidden Fence, or Pet Safe Underground Dog Fence, to name a few. Each brand offers different services; some will come to your home for installation and training, while with others you buy the kit and install it yourself.
What Is an Underground Fence? With most underground fences a wire is installed underground or above ground, depending on the system. This wire transmits a radio signal that the wire, acting as an antenna, turns into an electromagnetic wave. A small receiver is attached to the dog's collar; when the dog gets close enough to the wire the receiver can pick up the signal. The dog will first hear a warning tone, if it continues to the boundary it will receive an electric shock. The dog learns through a few week's of training where the boundary lies.
What Kind of Training Is Necessary? After installation brightly colored flags are placed along the fence line. This marks the boundary. When first training the dog, it will only hear the tone and not receive the physical correction (the shock). The first week of training is done on leash, when it hears the signal jerk the dog back to the yard and give praise. When the dog learns to return to the yard after hearing the tone it is time for the dog to experience the physical correction. When it feels the shock pull the dog back to the yard and give praise. Slowly distractions can be added to the outside of the boundary. When the dog ignores the distractions, give praise. After about a week, try off leash training. Slowly, as the dog learns, the flags can be removed; first every other flag and then more, until they are gone.
What Are The Advantages To An Invisible Fence?
- Many of these systems (or ones like them) can be used indoors to keep dogs or cats out of certain rooms of the house.
- Wires can be placed around gardens and swimming pools. No more worrying about the dog tramping through the flower beds.
- Great alternative if you don't want an ugly, physical fence hindering your view of the neighborhood.
- These systems are usually okay with neighborhood associations that do not approve of physical fences.
- They are much less expensive then wood or chain link fences.
- Yes, cats can also be trained with invisible fences. Incredible, but true!
What Are The Disadvantages To An Invisible Fence?
- Your dog is contained but there is nothing preventing strays from entering your yard.
- Neighbors and postal workers will not realize that your dog is contained and may become frightened and/or call animal control.
- Some hard headed dogs will choose to ignore the shock and run past the boundary to chase a cat, rabbit, squirrel, or other dog.
- Your dog should always wear the training collar. Some dogs are smart enough to learn that the correction is not there without the collar.
- The battery in the collar needs to be replaced on a strict schedule.
- Dogs with a thick hair coat need to have a small spot shaved for the collar correction.
- Many times dogs suffer burns or sores from the collar that can become infected and need veterinary treatment.
Sources: Hidden Fences, by Norma Bennett Woolf, Dog Owners Guide Online Magazine.
How Underground Pet Fences Work, by Melissa Russell-Ausley, howstuffworks.com
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