Understanding Why Dogs Escape Gardens and the Benefits of Pet Containment Systems
Dogs love to dig. He’s not doing it to annoy you but it’s a natural instinct. The reasons dogs dig vary but it could be:
Dogs are social animals if they are bored, they may seek friendship outside of the garden. Your dog proof garden may not be quite so dog-proof! Firstly look at the reason he’s digging out. Is he hunting or going after livestock or is he bored? If he’s bored then adding in some toys and making sure he is not left alone for long periods should help solve the issue. If he’s digging out to hunt or chase livestock then looking at your fencing is the way forward.
Obvioulsy, you don’t want to be putting up fences and barricades around the flower borders. If your dog is jumping, eating or even sleeping in the flower beds then the best dog proof solution is an electronic pet fence. Our DogFence range has a number of systems that are suitable for both large and small areas. The beauty of the pet fence is that it is invisible and once installed will protect the flower borders 24/7. Why not have a look at our systems and see if this is a solution for you?
In this situation creating a safe and secure outdoor area is essential. Sadly livestock attacks have been on the increase over the last few years. Farmers, quite rightly need to protect their livestock and livestock have welfare rights as well. Securing your garden equates to responsible dog ownership. In rural areas you may be able to install Deer Fencing which can be effective but very costly. Another alternative is a dog run or kennel but of course, this restricts the dog and can add to boredom and anxiety issues. Again, the most effective method both in monetary and effectiveness is the electronic dog fence. The dog fence will cover the driveways so if a gate is left open the dog is contained and can be run over any terrain. It’s also incredibly cost-effective compared to kennels and stock fences!
DogFence have been keeping dogs and cats safe for nearly 20 years using the electronic dog fence. Our Professional Installation team have trained tens of thousands of pets and we wer invited to meet and consult with DEFRA in 2018 to demonstrate our products and service.
Schedule your FREE estimate today to learn how dog proof fencing solutions can give your pet freedom and you peace of mind.
By: DogFence Ltd on 23-10-2019
Tags: Outdoor Solutions
An Indoor dog fence? Sounds interesting but what is it and how does it work? Actually, it’s not really a fence but a simple electronic aid to create “no go” zones in your home. Using a similar concept to outdoor dog fence our internal units offer flexibility and freedom. Rather than containing your pet to an area, you can exclude pets from certain rooms or places in the home.
Whilst you may be quite happy to share most spaces with your pet there may be some areas that you prefer to exclude him from. Rather than keeping your pet shut in the kitchen or utility room you can give them more freedom internally. For example, you may not want your dog or cat in your baby’s room or even going upstairs. You may want to keep your white sofa free of pet hair or keep exclude your pet from food preparation areas.
All this can be easily achieved by using one of our indoor dog fences. If you are already a dog fence customer then the indoor dog fence is the perfect add on to your outdoor system.
An indoor fence is very similar to the outdoor dog fence. It consists of a radio transmitter, a computer collar but does not necessarily require a boundary wire. At DogFence we offer two types of indoor units:
Portable Indoor dog fence: BOB is our completely portable indoor fence. The BOB is a circular transmitter that is rechargeable and requires no boundary wire. The unit sends out a small zone from the transmitter of up to 8ft in diameter. You can use to exclude pets from sofas or stop them. The size of the zone is adjustable to accommodate different areas for exclusion. The indoor dog fence is fully portable and has 3 settings to give up to 1 month of battery life.
Permanent Indoor dog fence: If you have an area that requires permanent exclusion then the IB200 is the perfect tool. This is unit is closely related to our outdoor dog fences as it requires a mains supply to power the unit. The IB200 needs to be plugged into with 8ft of where you require the transmitter or area to be excluded. The transmitter can run in wireless mode. So, just like the BOB, it can create a zone around the transmitter of up to 8ft or you can wire the transmitter to create larger exclusion areas. If you have not put down the floor coverings or have a cellar you use the wire to exclude pets from entire rooms.
As with our outdoor dog fences the indoor fence sends out a coded radio signal. The signal is either sent through a boundary wire or from the base station itself. The size of the exclusion zone can be tailored to the area that it is covering. For example under a chair, you may only require a 2ft zone but for a staircase, this will need to be 3 – 5ft. The pet wears a computer collar. If you already have a DogFence outdoor dog fence then this will be the same collar. If you do not already use our system you will need to purchase a computer collar.
The collar is programmed to pick up the radio signal that is being sent out from the indoor dog fence. As with the outdoor dog fence if the pet approaches the “no go zone” the collar jumps into action. Firstly the collar will give out a high pitched warning beep to alert the pet. If the pet continues further the collar then gives out a static impulse (correction). The correction is set to each individual pet’s breed, age, and personality.
To aid the pet you small portable flags are used a visual. Actually, these flags are very similar to the outdoor dog fence training flags but smaller and portable. Once the pet is trained the flags are no longer required. The pet will react to the indoor dog fence is the same way as they do externally, they hear the beep and stop. Internal dog fence training usually only takes a couple of days.
The most popular uses for an indoor dog fence are:
Interestingly, the indoor dog fence is also used as part of our cat training protocol. Consequently, cats that are trained using the indoor fence adjust quickly and easily to the outdoor fence. By training internally is a safe and confined area we can be sure that the cat understands the concept of the warning beep and how to retreat.
Our indoor dog fences are a popular add-on to the outdoor fence. We have some owners that have several units. Both the BOB and the IB200 can be added on to your existing outdoor dog fence at any point in time. If you would like to know more about these units please call us on 01628 476475 or email info@dogfence.co.uk. For existing customers, you can order by phone or through our shop here.
Electric dog fences have recently made the news. Just like Marmite, they are a contentious issue; people are either strongly for or violently against these systems.
Actually, there is no such thing as an electric dog fence. The correct name for a dog fence is a radio dog fence. A dog fence does not have any electricity in the cable and is physically incapable of electrocuting a dog or a cat. Of course, we all know that electric fence is a system used to keep livestock within an area. This type of fencing does have electricity running through the wire or net and is able to deliver an electric shock.
With a dog fence, the boundary wire carries a harmless radio signal. The dog or cat wears a computer collar which is programmed to pick up the radio signal. The size of the radio field can be altered to the size or breed of the pet. When the pet enters the radio signal zone the collar wakes up and gives out a high pitched warning beep. Should the pet continues further into the zone the collar gives out a static impulse; not an electrical shock. The impulse is similar to a Tens machine or abdominal exercise machine and is completely safe and harmless. The impulse is called a “correction” as it is designed to startle the pet and train them to avoid the area. The label “electric dog fence” is usually given as people assume that an electric shock is delivered when nothing could be further from the truth!
An Electric Fence is an electrical circuit that is charged by an electric fence energizer. A high voltage current is sent through the wire, tape or netting. The charge is sent through the fence in 1-2 second intervals. The fence acts as an open circuit. This becomes complete when an animal or person standing on the ground touches it. If an animal touches the wire the circuit closes and the current passes through the animal to deliver an electric shock.
Interestingly, recent research has proved that dog fences are far from cruel, in fact, it has been proved that they save lives. Research carried out via the UK Government in conjunction with containment fence Companies and also a privately funded study through Lincoln University has proved that containment fences save lives.
Professor Daniel Mills an eminent Feline Expert “While some will argue that electronic containment systems can never be justified for pets, others highlight that, in the UK alone, hundreds of thousands of cats are killed and injured on roads each year and these devices can prevent these often fatal injuries and the emotional cost to the cats and their owners. In contrast, housing cats solely indoors to remove such risks is associated with increased prevalence of a range of health problems including obesity, Feline Urologic Syndrome and dental disease. Long-term exposure to common flame retardants widely used in homes may also have toxic side effects for cats.”
Rising dog attacks on sheep also highlight the welfare issue that stray dogs can cause to other livestock. Stray dogs can kill sheep, cats and cause RTA’s. Farmers in many areas support the use of “electric dog fences” to keep their own stock safe. In Scotland, the increasing dog attacks on sheep has led to a public consultation regarding changing the law through a Protection of Livestock bill. Whilst the #takethelead campaign is a good starting point. Many dog attacks on livestock are from dogs that have escaped from the property. Similarly, leads can break and collars can be incorrectly fitted so training your dog not to chase sheep is a must.
Far from being cruel dog fences save lives. Much better a small static impulse and some training than the bullet of a gun or being PTS by on a court order.
There is no law banning the use of electric fencing for dogs or cats. Whilst the voltage on these systems is very high no testing has been carried out to determine the long effects. There are certain safety features found within “electric dog fences” that are not found in electric stock fences.
Sadly the media and social media groups have given dog fences a bad name. Both research and those that use these fences prove that these systems save pets lives. The label electric dog fence naturally conjures up the idea of a dog being electrocuted or wired up to the electricity. Nothing could be further from the truth. We all accept that sometimes we have to deliver a small amount of discomfort to save a life. We vaccinate our pets and we microchip pet, both of which cause moderate discomfort. Yet we hear the cries of cruel and barbaric when we discuss dog fences.
Is this because people do not understand how they work or how they feel? These blogs are designed to be open and honest about how the systems work and if you would like to learn more please call us on 03450 623623 or visit our web site https://dogfence.co.uk/.
Dogs love spending time outdoors, but you may not be able to realistically walk your dog for hours every day. If you live in a home with a fenced-in garden, you can let your dog spend some outside time every day on your property.
In order to keep your dog confined to the garden boundary, you’ll need to ensure that your pet containment system is in place and your dog won’t escape and that you prioritise your dog’s needs being met.
It’s important that you spend time with your dog, so never leave your dog outside for prolonged periods of time without proper supervision and attention.
By giving your dog a safe, fun environment to play in, your dog can have plenty of exercise and outdoor time right outside your door.
Extreme heat or extreme cold can potentially kill dogs left outdoors. Some dog breeds, like pugs, are particularly sensitive to extremes in temperature. You should never leave a dog unattended outdoors for prolonged periods of time, especially if the weather is going to be very hot or very cold.
Humidity and wind chill can also endanger a pet. All dogs are sensitive to humidity because they pant to cool themselves, and if the air is very humid their bodies will overheat very quickly.
Check the weather and the humidity/wind chill levels before leaving your dog outside. Add the air temperature (in Fahrenheit) plus the humidity level, and if that number is higher than 150 your dog is at risk of heat stroke.
If the temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 degrees Celsius), you should keep your dog indoors.
Wind chill can quickly kill dogs left outdoors, regardless of what the air temperature is. Bring your dog indoors if the air temperature or the wind chill drops below freezing in your area.
Short-haired dog breeds are generally more uncomfortable in cold weather, while long-haired dog breeds are generally more uncomfortable in hot weather.
As a general rule, if you’re too warm or cold while exposed to the elements outdoors, your dog will be too.
Dogs need constant access to fresh, clean drinking water. In hot weather, dogs will need to drink even more water. You can help keep your dog cooler in hot weather by adding ice to the water bowl.
Dogs need relief from the elements, and if you don’t let your dog indoors that relief will have to be provided outside. Your dog will also need a place to retreat to if it starts to rain or snow, or if your pet simply wants to feel safe and protected.
Dog houses don’t protect dogs on hot days. If anything, the confining space actually makes your dog even hotter. Shade from overhead trees is ideal.
If you don’t have trees in your garden, you can hang tarps across part to give your dog a breezy, shaded spot. Your dog should also have a covered area to retreat to if it rains.
A small dog house or some other type of shelter would be ideal for this situation. Make sure your dog’s shelter blocks out the wind if you plan on leaving your dog outdoors during the winter. Your dog should have a raised bed so it is not lying on the ground, whether it’s hot out or cold.
You may want to consider an insulated doghouse as well to protect against heat and cold.
Dogs need exercise every day in order to stay physically and mentally fit. If your dog is not getting enough exercise, leaving it outdoors in the garden will lead to bored, restless behaviour.
That behaviour is often destructive and undesirable. You may assume that being outside is its own form of exercise, but to your dog, it may feel like abandonment.
Never leave your dog in the garden without first giving it some type of exercise. Make sure your dog gets at least two long walks each day that leave your pet tired and panting. This will help ensure that your dog isn’t bored or restless.
In addition to exercise, dogs need time to play. It’s good for their minds and bodies, as the physical exhaustion of play is usually mixed with solving puzzles, hunting, or chasing.
Try leaving chew toys in the yard, as well as toys that can be filled with food. Kong toys, for example, will keep your dog occupied and make your pet feel like it’s working to earn its food.
Leaving a dog unattended is, generally, considered safe if it’s for brief periods of time. However, every dog is different and some dogs may have intense anxiety about being left alone. Anxiety can lead to undesirable behavioural issues like digging, chewing, fighting the fence, and incessant barking whilst outside.
Remember that dogs are pack animals. They need companionship, and if you leave them alone outside all the time they may experience psychological trauma.
If your dog is alone for prolonged periods of time, it will get bored and create destructive “jobs” to relieve that boredom. To ensure your dog is safe and is not engaging in any behavioural problems, keep unsupervised outdoor time to a minimum.
The safest way to keep a dog on your property is by having a fenced-in yard. A fenced-in garden, carries a risk, that your dog has the potential to jump over the fence or dig underneath it to escape.
Make sure your fence is tall enough that your dog won’t be able to jump over it. Ask your vet or a qualified dog trainer how high your dog (based on breed, body size, etc.) can realistically jump.
Check your fence for weaknesses. A strong dog could easily break through a weak fence or squeeze through a small gap.
If you don’t want to fence in your whole yard, consider building a dog run. You can buy and connect chain link fence sections, then put a roof over the run so your dog will have shade and won’t be able to jump out.
Though a tethered line may seem ideal for outdoor time, especially for dogs that dig or jump, it’s actually quite dangerous. A dog can easily sustain an injury by getting tangled up in a rope, leash or chain. This is why it’s so important to supervise your dog at all times.
Accidental strangulation is a significant risk for dogs who are left tied up, alone, for prolonged periods of time. Dogs left tied up or chained outside frequently has built-up energy and aggression. These dogs may take out that aggression on people, including family members.
Some countries actually have laws against tethering dogs. Keeping your dog tied or chained, may result in fines and end with your dog being taken from your home.
People falsely assume that a dog can be safely left outdoors when there is an electronic fence in place. However, electronic fences are actually quite unsafe for dogs and here in the UK many are illegal.
Dogs often run through the fence barrier to chase animals or flee from fireworks and are reluctant to cross back into the garden, leaving them wandering the streets aimlessly.
Make sure you get a wireless pet fence which is legal for use in your country such as the DogWatch system by DogFence who have worked with the government to ensure their product fully conforms to legislation.
If you would like a free in-home consultation for the installation of a wireless pet containment system, please contact Dog Fence today!
Freedom as Spring is just about to arrive, with this comes the pleasure of getting out and letting your pet roam and explore inside the garden fence boundaries once more.
That’s right Easter – a time for chocolate and sweets. Children and adults can accidentally drop these around the house, in the garden and out in public. A dogs trusty nose can sniff out a sweet treat with ease.
But here it is, its not a treat, it’s a danger – Why?
Chocolate – Chocolate, even in the smallest amounts, can cause serious health problems if ingested by a dog. The darker the chocolate, the greater the danger to the dog. Beyond the initial symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea, chocolate toxicity can lead to tremors, increased heart rate, heart failure, seizures, and in some cases, can be fatal.
Xylitol – Sugar-free candies and gum can contain large amounts of the artificial sweetener Xylitol. Xylitol is highly toxic to some dogs and has been found to cause low blood sugar and liver failure.
Your dog may spend longer in the garden now, so check your fencing and gates are secure both to prevent your dog escaping and to prevent your dog being stolen.
Perhaps you would prefer a specialist invisible pet fence so you have peace of mind that your beloved pet won’t escape. They get out through open gates, dig their way out under a fence or even climb or jump over it, thereby having the freedom to roam. Worse still your dog could end up in a road accident.
With a little foresight and planning, spring can be the best time of year for your pet. Go out in the fresh air and enjoy the freedom of spring!
After you have had your dog fence installation one of the most common questions we get asked at DogFence is “how do I take the dog for a walk?”.
It’s actually really simple. The DogFence installer will have trained your dog or cat to stay within the dog fence boundary. This is a reverse training protocol and usually takes the dog approx 7 – 10 days to feel fully comfortable with leaving the property.
There are 2 main points to observe:
To cross the boundary:
The best way to see how it works is to watch the lovely Lionel demonstrating how it’s done:
When we install a dog fence for you we will run through how to take your dog for a walk after. As with any new training, it may take your dog a few days to adjust to going out for a walk. If you would like to learn more about how we can give your dog freedom in the garden check why not call us today on 01628 476475?
What is the best fencing for dogs for owners with very large properties? It goes without saying that most large property owners tend to own dogs or cats for both! Often these dogs are working dogs and need to have access to all the land. The cats may be there to hunt mice and rats as well as being pets. Containing pets in large spaces and be an issue for a number of reasons:-
Securing a very large estate can be a logistical nightmare. Gates may have to left open for farm traffic and heavy goods vehicles. In addition, there may be areas where the dogs need to be excluded from rather than contained within an area. If the terrain is very steep or wooded it may not be possible to install a traditional fence. The cost may also be an issue when looking at dog fencing ideas on a large scale.
A dog containment fence is an innovative solution for large areas or areas that are difficult to fence. When looking at dog fencing ideas this is often an option people have not come across before. Despite this type of fencing for dogs being available for over 40 years, it is still a relatively new concept in the UK.
In a nutshell, an electronic containment fence is a transmitter, boundary wire, and computer collar. A transmitter is attached to the boundary wire which surrounds the property. Acting as an antenna the wire conducts a radio signal which interacts with the collar worn by the pet. If the pet approaches the wire the collar will activate with a high pitched warning beep. Following the warning beep, the collar emits a static impulse set to the pet’s personality. Through the training, the pet quickly learns to avoid the area and warning beep.
Naturally, people have concerns about how effective this type of fencing for dogs really is. DogFence Ltd pioneered a full installation and training service across the UK. Interestingly, when installed correctly with full training this type of fencing is more effective than traditional fencing. By using our own employees and the latest hydraulic burial equipment we are able to offer a superior service. Furthermore, our Installers are all qualified to train your pets and give advice on placement and use of the fencing systems.
To date our largest electronic fencing for dogs covers 6.5km. This installation is installed in Devon and runs up and down valleys, through streams and wooded areas. As with most rural terrains, it is rough and ready. The owner was having issues with his dogs chasing neighbouring livestock. Since the fence was installed the dogs have remained safe and at home.
Interestingly the next largest electronic fence system that we have installed is for cats. Covering over 350 acres this system is installed on a stud farm. The cats were drawn across a road to a stable area where they were hunting. Sadly the owners had lost several cats on this fast B road. Since installing the electronic fence over 10 years ago all the cats have been safe. The cats are safe to roam the entire estate and the owners have peace of mind.
Absolutely, this type of fencing has been used across the world for over 40 years. In 2016 the results of a long study into the use of the containment fence for cats was released. The tests were carried out by Lincoln University’s Feline Experts. Not only were the tests conclusive that there are no adverse welfare effects but they also proved that the systems save cats lives. Interestingly it was also noted that the owners of cats using the electronic dog fencing solution as against no fence had a closer bond with their pets. The UK Government has also agreed that containment fences save lives and will issue new regulations to ensure that all dogs and cats are offered training with these fences.
If you would like to learn more about fencing for dogs using an electronic dog fence please visit our web site or contact us for a quick no obligation quote. Using the latest mapping tools we don’t need to visit your property to give you an estimate. If you have a difficult boundary we offer a screen share service where we can “draw” your requirements in realtime.
To learn more visit www.dogfence.co.uk and for a quick, free no obligation quote click here or call 01628 476475.
Dogs will be dogs so exploring different dog fencing ideas is a must for any canine owner. Having spent 17 years fencing dogs we have come across many different ideas. As with people no two dogs are the same and of course they all live in different locations.
Many rural locations are difficult to fence. Understandably this could be because of the terrain being very hilly, wooded or prohibitively large. Furthermore most rural properties are surrounded by hedgerows. Hedgerows may be a deterrent for a dog with a low prey drive but for many it’s an open avenue of escape.
Stock fencing is a traditional dog fencing idea for rural properties. Used to contain livestock it is adaptable for use in rural gardens. For many dogs this will give enough of barrier to prevent the dog jumping out of the property. The downside is that this type of fencing is it is costly, unsightly and can be damaged by wildlife. Badgers and foxes will often make holes in this type of fencing and thus some rural owners find this dog fencing idea a temporary fix. Also the cost of such fencing can work out extremely expensive; starting around £6.00 p/m + gates etc it can a costly exercise.
Deer Fencing; again another great rural solution but sadly it is extremely obtrusive more expensive than stock fencing. Again, the downside with this fencing is that badgers and small mammals will make holes that then become an escape avenue for your dog!
Electronic dog fencing; you may not be familiar with this product even though this type of dog fencing idea has been around for over 40 years. Using a boundary wire, transmitter and a computer collar worn by the pet this type of fencing can be used on any terrain. Electronic dog fences do need to be professionally installed. This is because the pets need training but they a more cost effective solution than traditional methods. As a guide price an rural installation of approx 2 acres for 2 dogs would be circa £1300.00.
The advantage of this type of dog fencing idea is that it can be used cost effectively on very large properties (up to 350 acres) and can be removed if the owner moves house. It is also invisible so will not affect any planning restrictions or spoil the view!
Kennels and dog runs are full proof method for dog containment. The downside of installing a run is that many dogs become bored and exercise is limited. The cost of installing Kennels can be high but equally these can be relocated to a new property.
Most urban gardens are fenced in some way but these may not all be dog proof! Some new sites have planning restrictions on fence heights and even open plan. Many properties use Picket or Rail type fencing which dogs can easily jump over or squeeze through.
Planning permission is not usually required in urban areas. Fences must be no more than 2m high or 1m high near roads. The most popular type of fencing is for urban houses is Close Board fencing.
Close board fencing is a great dog fencing idea for many urban owners. It is generally tall enough to stop jumping dogs and quick to install. This type of fencing comes in varying heights and can be installed by most handymen. The downside is that some dogs will dig under and there may be restrictions to installing this type of fencing on some new estates. As a rough cost to install on a small rear garden it would be approx £1200.00.
As with the rural properties this type of fencing is a very cost effective solution. This type of dog fencing idea also gives the owner the possibility of protecting the drive within the price. It is true that the larger the property for more cost effective the electronic dog fence becomes but small properties can also be fenced with this product.
Many owners may already have a Close Board or Picket fence installed and need additional backup. The electronic dog fence can be run around the existing fence if the traditional method is not working. Our Installers can place the cable to prevent the dog jumping over or digging under the existing fence. The cable can even be run under the drive to protect this area. Most owners are concerned that this means digging up the drive but the installation is both neat and discreet. A typical urban property would cost less £1000 to fence and this would include a driveway loop.
Interestingly cat runs can be used to keep both dogs and cats safe. These type of structures can prove expensive if they are professionally installed and may not be aesthetically pleasing. A cat run suitable for a dog would usually cost from £750.00 upwards depending on the size.
A DogFence Ltd we have been Professionally installing electronic dog fences for over 17 years. The dog fencing ideas that some owners come up with to keep their pets at home can often be amusing. Over the years we have seen:
If you would like to learn more about how we can keep your dog safe at home please call us or visit our web site. We offer bespoke Quotes using our online measuring tool – simple, accurate and effective. 01628 476475 or info@dogfence.co.uk
It is important the dog fully understands the warning beep and how to retreat when he is in a high drive moment. By carrying out the distraction training your dog will learn the electronic dog fence so that it becomes second nature. This will ensure that even when he is in a high drive state he stops at the warning beep. The distraction training will require 2 people.
Repeat this process over a couple of days.
Keep the flags in a safe place as if you wish to add on another pet you will need to re-flag the boundary and if you change the layout this will need to be re-flagged to give the dog a visual.
Training your dog to the electronic dog fence should be fun!
Never throw a stick or ball into the avoidance zone.
Small bit size sessions are often better.
Always remove the dog fence collar at night or for a period of 8 hours in every 24 hour period.
Check the fit for your electronic dog fence collar regularly.
Check the battery status on your collar monthly (using the tester supplied).
DogFence Ltd are the largest installers of electronic dog fences in the UK. Our professional installer/trainers can set up your dog fence for you and will train your pet to the system. We also offer a post installation service to train new pets to the system. If you would like more information please call us on 01628 476475 or email info@dogfence.co.uk.