Month: May 2021

Invisible Dog Fences – Top Ten Myths Dispelled!

Almost everyone has heard of invisible dog fences, but far fewer folks really know what they are and how they work. Following are the top ten misconceptions I’ve heard from my clients:

MYTH: Invisible dog fences are really expensive. A pro-installed fence will likely cost you anywhere from $1000 to $3000, depending on the size of your yard and how many pets you wish to contain. A DIY fence that you install yourself should cost you less than $500, including all materials. Either way, it’s less expensive than a traditional chain link, wood, or wrought iron fence.

MYTH: Invisible dog fences don’t work. They’re actually a pretty reliable way to keep your dog in your yard, but only if:

You consistently follow the recommended training process. Every brand includes a training program that is designed to teach your pet how to respond when he encounters his invisible boundary.

You purchase a fence that includes a multi-level receiver (the device your dog wears on a collar around his neck). Without multiple training levels, you can’t customize the training to your pet’s size and temperament. That means a large or stubborn pup may not respect the fence and a small or sensitive one may become frightened.

You put the receiver on your pet every time he goes outside. Most dog fences make a high-pitched sound when your pup first encounters the invisible boundary, and then emit a static correction if he continues to move toward the fence rather than back into your yard. Without the receiver, your pet will eventually realize he’s not getting either one of these cues to stay in his yard.

MYTH: All invisible dog fences are just alike. Every model of fence offers different features — this is even true of different models within the same brand. So, make sure you choose the model that’s right for your pet’s size and temperament.

MYTH: You don’t need to train your pooch to understand an invisible dog fence. In reality, if you don’t train your pet to understand how to respond when he encounters the invisible boundary, one of two things will happen: he will run right through the fence or he will become confused and afraid of your yard.

MYTH: An invisible dog fence will hurt my dog. If you purchase a high-quality fence and you patiently teach your pet how it works, it will not hurt your him. What will hurt is getting hit by a car or attacked by another animal as your pet roams outside your property.

MYTH: You don’t need to put the receiver collar on your pet once he learns to avoid the invisible boundary. The only way an invisible dog fence will reliably protect your pet is if you put the collar on him every single time he goes outside.

MYTH: An invisible dog fence is just like an electric fence. An electric fence will indiscriminately zap anyone who encounters it (and that zap is the same whether you’re a 1000 pound cow or a 25 pound toddler), while an invisible dog fence will correct only those pets who wear a receiver. Also, unlike an electric fence, if your fence includes a multi-level receiver, you can customize and control the level of correction your pet receives — that way you never use a higher correction level than is necessary.

MYTH: Some breeds just won’t respect an invisible dog fence. Breed is irrelevant. I’ve seen fences work well for large and stubborn breeds like Pit Bulls, Boxers, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds, as well as small, sensitive breeds like Chihuahuas, Yorkies, and Pugs.

MYTH: My dog is too old to learn how to respond to an invisible dog fence. Unless your pet is so old that his health is failing, he is never too old to learn new tricks!

MYTH: Invisible dog fences only work for dogs. Personally, I’ve trained cats and even goats — that’s right, stubborn ol’ GOATS — to reliably respond to an invisible boundary.

For detailed product reviews, step-by-step installation and training guides, and free articles, visit .…

Sparking Interest in Electric Fencing

The ideas of electric fencing appear to have been around for a considerably long time. In the early nineteenth century, the concept of using electricity in defensive weapons was introduced in novels by Jules Verne and Mark Twain. A patent was actually issued to David A. Wilson in 1886 for experimental of this fencing that combined the use of an alarm, and telephone communications along a distance of 30 miles in Texas.

The Russian army used an improvised version of electric fencing at Port Arthur, during the war with Japan in 1905. The German army was also known to use a form of crudely constructed electric fencing along the Netherlands and Belgium border, during World War I in 1915. Extending for over 300 kilometres and consisting of barbed wire, these early fences were capable of conducting several thousand volts, and were ultimately responsible for the deaths of over 3000 people.

In the early 1930s, electric fencing was introduced in the U.S. and New Zealand mainly to control livestock. In 1936-1937, an inventor from New Zealand, William “Bill” Gallagher, assembled a device using the ignition coil and a magneto set of his car, to prevent his horse from using the car as a scratching post. He later formed a company with the intention of improving the design and marketing his product.

In 1964, Doug Phillips, another inventor from New Zealand patented the short-resistant electric fence, with an extended the range of use, while reducing the cost. The non-shortable fence replaced ceramic insulators with non-conductive plastic, and was later manufactured as the “Waikato Electric Fence.” by Plastic Products of New Zealand.

The use of these fences has become much more diversified. Buried electronic fences can now be designed to emit weak radio signals that can be detected by collars worn by pets. The collar produces a warning noise that is audible only to the animals, when they are in close proximity to this fence. A mild shock is produced if the warning noise is ignored, and your pet is forced to remain with the boundary. The technology has evolved to where it is used, not only for containing livestock, or pets, but some form can be used for detecting intruders.

There are some very important design considerations for efficient operation of electric fencing. If the fence is poorly designed or maintained, problems may be caused by the admittance of electromagnetic radiation that can be responsible for interference of signals for television, radio or even wireless transmissions.

• Short cuts should be avoided, and one of the most important features in almost every situation is to ensure that there is adequate grounding to earth.• Avoid the use of different types of metals, as they can conduct at different rates.• Use only high quality insulation. They should be composed of material that is resistant to degradation by ultraviolet light.• The correct size and type of wire must be chosen to ensure efficient operation of your fence.

Electric fences can be expected to find more expanded uses in the protection of property as the cost of electronics continues to decrease as the technology continues to advance. Physical contact is no longer needed for the deterrent to be issued, and the risks associated with any contact are now greatly minimized.…