Do electric dog fences work?
If you train your dog with the fence properly, electric dog fences have a great success rate. The problem is most people do not select or install their fences correctly, or take the time to properly train their pets.
How do electric dog fences work?
For in-ground types of electronic dog fences, there is wire that is connected to a transmitter that resides inside your house or garage. The wire is installed around the area you want to allow your pet access to. The wire emits a signal, 360 degrees around the wire, to the electronic dog collar that beeps if the dog gets too close to the wire. If the dog continues past the beep, he will receive a correction. When a dog is properly trained, he learns to go back towards the house when he hears the beep.
There are also wireless dog fences. These work in a similar fashion to the in-ground type, but the boundary area is established by an energy field emitted from the transmitter rather than a buried wire. This field has a range specified by the product model. When the dog moves to close to the limits of the field, a beep and eventually a correction are given in the same fashion as the in-ground models.
Where can I install the wire?
The great part about an underground fence is that you can fence out flowerbeds, driveways, go around trees, down steep lots, and even run it underwater! Product models contain detailed instructions about how to install the wire in these environments.
What fence system should I buy?
There are both indoor and outdoor fences. Indoor are wireless or Citronella based systems. Outdoor fences are available as either in-ground or wireless systems with many quality brands and models to choose from. We will focus primarily on outdoor in-ground systems as these are the most traditional but the information provide is generally applicable across the other models.
There are a few really important things you should look for in the system you ultimately select. One of the most important features is having an adjustable signal field level and knowing how to properly adjust it. The signal field is what controls the distance from the boundary wire where the collar gives a warning beep. Many of the horror stories you hear about dogs running away is that people have the signal field set at only 3 feet from the wire. That only makes the signal field 6 feet long and 3 feet high (remember the signal is 360 degrees around the wire). Many dogs can jump that and at high speeds it’s really nothing to discourage the dog. It is recommended that you set the signal as far back from the wire as your property allows, minimally set the signal 6-8 feet. If you set the signal field at 8 feet then the correction zone is 8 feet high and 16 feet wide. Most dogs will not test that kind of correction.
The differences between "good, better, and best" electric dog fences are generally related to the:
- size of the area the system can support
- collar size, weight, & durability
- correction strength
- technology used by the collar to address the size, weight, and stubbornness of the dog
These features will vary by brand and by model. Often, electric dog fences are provided as bundled kits with everything you require. You may still need to purchase additional accessories like extra wire, flags, and sod staples if you plan to install in a larger area than what is provided for by the kit; and extra collars if you have multiple pets.
There are even electric cat fence models on the market today designed specifically for cats that use smaller, lightweight collars.
How do I install the fence?
The wire needs to make a complete circle around the area you want to allow the dog to freely roam. Where the wire ends meet, you twist the wires to cancel the signal and then run the twisted part to the transmitter in your house or garage. That allows your dog a free zone all the way around the house. You can also use this twisting wire method to fence out gardens, landscaping, etc. In some places you will need to bury the wire, put the wire through a water hose (such as with underwater installation), and sometimes just attach it to a surface such as an existing fence. Do not use garden hose with a metallic reinforcement or lining as that would block the signal. Most systems include detailed installation information and videos. Adjust the signal field by taking a charged collar and walking toward the wire. Set the boundary flags in the ground when you hear the collar beep. Adjust the button if the beep happens to close or to far from the line. Continue this around the entire containment area setting your flags.
How do I train the system and avoid the common mistakes?
You may have seen people install all those flags every 12-15 feet apart in their yards. This is one of the most common mistakes. Dogs do not sit around connecting the dots and will often attempt to run in between the flags. A good suggestion is to use string or marker tape to go from flag to flag, or grade stakes to show the dog a clear line.
Expect to spend three good weeks training to use the fence. It takes practice to make sure the dog understands the expectation. Spend one week training with the dog on leash; one week on a 20-30 foot line; and then one week off leash. This ensures you set the dog up for success and make him learn that staying within the yard is safe.
Initially walk the dog on leash toward the string with the collar next to his ear. When you hear the collar beep, smack the string or flag, and rush the dog back toward the center of the yard, and then PRAISE. This is a very important step. Picture this, I am walking through my yard and get stung by a bee. Do I automatically think... “Oh! Running towards the house makes me feel better.”? No. I just run away from the pain. That is often why people say their dogs run through the fence boundary...because the dogs have learned RUNNING makes the correction stop, not running back towards the house!
After completing one week of training on leash, start adding distractions such as you walking across the line (toss treats at them when they are in the yard); have kids run by; throw a ball outside the line, etc. Let the dog get himself corrected. If he doesn’t immediately run back toward the house than lead him out with the leash. You want to make sure the dog gets corrected while on leash so you can help him understand how to make the correction stop. It is also very important to spend just as much time in the center of the yard playing so the dog doesn't begin to dislike the yard.
Then spend a week on long line training, adding in distractions, etc. Again if the dog gets corrected and doesn't seem to know how to get out, than use the long line. If you are continually having problems then you are not doing something right.
Finally, spend a week training the dog off leash and with you out of his sight. You should not leave dogs in the fence area when you are not at home. It is important to keep an eye on him as these systems do not keep people or other animals out. Safety should always be your main goal and you should also check with local codes to confirm that underground fencing is considered legal confinement in your neighborhood.
This article was co-authored by America’s Pet Store and Michelle Blount-Jordan and may not be reproduced without permission. It has been written to provide general information on product selection and training. It is not intended to be a substitution for the information that comes with your product. If you have a dog with behavioral problems and particularly with fear or aggression issues, you should contact a reputable and local trainer who can assist you with your dog.
Michelle Blount-Jordan
www.doghuman.com
