Understanding Why Dogs Escape Gardens and the Benefits of Pet Containment Systems
Why Dog Fences Are Exempt from the UK electric collar ban Ensuring Safe and Happy Pups!
There seems to be a lot of confusion as to whether dog fences are banned in the UK. There is no UK ban on the use or ownership of invisible dog fences. This blog should hopefully help with any confusion over why dog fences are exempt from the UK Electric Collar Ban.
In the United Kingdom, there has been a growing concern about the safety and welfare of pets, particularly dogs. In response to this concern, the government introduced a ban on certain dog training tools and equipment. However, amidst this prohibition, one item remains exempt – dog fences. In this blog, we will explore why dog fences are exempt from the UK ban and the importance of using them responsibly to ensure the well-being of our furry companions.
The UK government’s ban, introduced in 2018 under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations, targeted a range of training aids, including electronic collars, prong collars, and spray collars. The primary objective of this ban was to prevent the potential misuse and abuse of such tools, which could cause harm or distress to dogs.
In August 2018 the Government announced: “We received 7334 responses to this consultation. We’ve analysed the responses and decided to amend the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to ban the use of hand-held remote controlled e-collar devices. We do not intend to ban the use of invisible fencing containment systems”.
Amidst the controversy surrounding the ban, dog fences, often referred to as “invisible” or “electric” fences, were conspicuously absent from the list of prohibited items. This exclusion is rooted in the belief that when used responsibly and with the welfare of the dog in mind, these fences can be effective tools for keeping dogs safe and providing them with the freedom to roam within defined boundaries.
Why Dog Fences Are Exempt
Conclusion
The exemption of dog fences from the UK electric collar ban on certain dog training tools reflects the government’s understanding of the importance of responsible pet ownership. When used properly and with the dog’s welfare in mind, electric fences can provide dogs with the freedom to roam safely within their boundaries. However, it is crucial for dog owners to be educated about the correct usage and installation of these fences, as well as to seek professional advice if necessary.
Ultimately, the exemption of dog fences encourages responsible ownership, ensuring that our furry friends can enjoy the outdoors while staying safe and secure. It is a reminder that, as pet owners, our primary responsibility is to provide for the well-being of our beloved companions.
Pet thefts have been an ongoing problem for a while now, however we have seen a dramatic increase within the past couple of years.
In 2020, when lockdown started for us all, there was a massive increase in demand of people wanting pets to keep them company. Due to this increase in demand for puppies and kittens, it caused the cost of buying these pets go through the roof! However people are desperate and will pay anything for what they want.
After the massive spike in price for pets, this caused the inevitable of dog and cat theft to increase. It was reported that Dog Thefts in 2020 increased by 250%
Dogs can be stolen for many reasons, here are a few:
The theft of a pet is a devastating time for the owners and not a time that anyone would ever want to experience. Here are a few tips on how you can keep your pet safe from theft –
The most important thing you can do is keep an eye on your dog or cat at all times. If you are out in public make sure you know where they are at all times and if they cannot be trusted off the lead then don’t risk it.
When at home ensure to keep your pets on your property and not to let them wander around the neighbourhood.
Dogs that are left in the car with the windows down, are a sitting target for thieves. The windows can be forced open or the thief can reach into the car and grab the pet, it only takes a few seconds!
Before letting your dog or cat out into the garden, ensure that it is all secured. It is worth checking the fences for gaps and even installing gates to ensure they are contained. You do not want them escaping or even worse, someone entering your garden.
Our DogFence Systems allow to keep your pet safely contained within your property while allowing them freedom. We supply systems to secure your garden and to stop your pets escaping, this allows you to keep your pets safe from falling into the wrong hands!
Our website supplies you with all the information you need for our different DogFence Containment Systems.
Seeing dogs outside shops has been common for a long time but now that the numbers of dog thefts have risen it is best to refrain from doing so. If you have to take your dog to the shops, take someone with you so they can wait outside with your dog.
The Control of Dogs Order 1992 mandates that any dog in a public place must wear a collar with the name and address (including postcode) of the owner engraved into a tag. The owners telephone number is optional but advisable. Do not put your dogs name on the tag, as someone attempting to steal your dog can use that to call them over.
If you see any suspicious behavior or people coming up to you and asking strange questions about your dog, report it. You could prevent an incident happening.
Ensure to keep all your dog’s insurance and important documents somewhere safe. That way you can easily access them in an emergency.
If you are looking for a Dog Walker or a Dog Sitter, ensure you do your research, try to find out if they are registered with any bodies or have any qualifications.
Have alarms or bells installed at your property, to warn you of any intruders. A doorbell with a camera would also be a good investment, both of these can potentially warn off thieves.
Take the time to train your dog to come back to your on command. This will help you if you need to get them to come back to your quickly. It also means they are less likely to run off on walks and in a public place.
Christmas is just around the corner, the excitement is building, not just for us but for our pets too. Decorations to play with and wrapping paper to hide in the opportunities are endless! Here we are to provide you with ways to keep yourselves and your pets safe during the festive period.
Some Christmas foods can be a nice treat for our beloved pets but certain foods can also be quite dangerous to them. Here is a list of what you pets should and shouldn’t eat this Christmas.
Christmas food isn’t the only hazard for pets around the house during the Festive period, most household items can be dangerous too. Holly, Ivy, Mistletoe, Poinsettias and Lilies are toxic so avoid these to keep your pets safe.
Christmas trees are another hazard for our pets as our pets may be tempted to play with the decorations that hang from the tree.
If you tend to buy a real Christmas tree, yes they smell and look lovely but they can be troublesome for our pets. The oils in the fir tree can be mildly toxic, causing stomach upsets. The needles themselves can get stuck in your pets paws or throat so it is best to regularly sweep up the needles and keep the door shut to the room with the Christmas tree, when you are out.
When decorating the Christmas tree, strings of lights are a popular decoration to put onto the tree. However your pets may be tempted to chew these lights if they are dangling or swinging low. A good way to solve this is by placing them out of reach or keeping an eye on your pet when they are in the room and making sure they are not left along with the Christmas tree.
When wrapping Christmas presents, your pets may become over intrigued with what you are doing and they may want to start playing with wrapping paper or the ribbon. Keep your pets away when wrapping to prevent them running off with your wrapping utensils! If swallowed these can cause more problems than just a wrapping headache.
As the snow falls (hopefully) and the temperature drops, we need to ensure our pets all have a warm place to sleep especially if they have been out in the elements exploring for a while.
Antifreeze is also used a lot by us during the colder months but did you know, the smell of antifreeze is extremely alluring to our pets. However it is hugely toxic and can also be fatal, so be careful not to spill any on the ground. Keep bottles out of reach as even the smallest drop can be dangerous.
For more information – please visit:
https://www.heart.co.uk/christmas/unsafe-christmas-foods-for-dogs/
https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/seasonal/christmas/petsafe
By following these Christmas tips you can ensure you have a safe and wonderful festive season with your furry friends.
From all of us here at DogFence – Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
At DogFence we specialize in keeping your dogs (and cats) safe within the garden, however, there may be areas of the house that you want to keep off-limits from your pets? Customers will often ask how can I stop my dog chewing the furniture or going upstairs? Perhaps you want to keep the dog out of a room or away from the rubbish bin. A white sofa and a muddy dog do not always mix well and it’s important to understand what triggers these behaviours to find the right solution to alter the behaviour.
Chewing is a completely normal and natural behaviour in dogs, they will use their mouths to explore the world around them in the same way we use our hands. Chewing will accomplish a number of things for a dog no matter what the age. In young puppies, destructive chewing will generally be a way to relieve pain from any teeth that may be coming through. For older, more mature dogs, it’s nature’s way of keeping jaws strong and teeth clean. Chewing will also combat:
While chewing behaviour is normal, dogs sometimes direct their chewing towards inappropriate items such as your beloved furniture. Dogs need to be taught in a gentle manner what is acceptable to chew and what isn’t.
Adult dogs may engage in destructive chewing for any number of reasons. In order to deal with the behaviour, you must first determine why your dog is chewing—and remember, they are not doing it to spite you. Possible reasons for destructive chewing include:
Separation anxiety is a condition in which the dog will exhibit stress and behavioural problems when separated from their owner. When a dog is experiencing separation anxiety they try and find ways to relieve the stress they are experiencing, such as chewing on many different household items they can get their paws on! They will also display other signs, such as:
Some dogs will tend to lick, suck and chew at certain fabrics. Experts believe that this behaviuoral problem stems from the puppy being weaned too early (before seven or eight weeks). If a dog’s fabric sucking behaviour has been ongoing for a lengthy period of time then it will be difficult to distract him when he attempts to engage in it, this means that the behavioural problem has become compulsive. If you think this behaviour has become compulsive it may be worth contacting a balanced dog trainer for assistance. The IACP have a list of trainers and should be able to put you in touch with a trainer in your area.
A dog on a calorie-restricted diet might chew and destroy objects in an attempt to find additional sources of nutrition. Dogs usually direct this kind of chewing toward objects or furniture which may smell like food.
At DogFence we offer an indoor product (B.O.B – Battery Operated Boundary) to stop your dog from chewing your favourite rug, sofa or even jumping on the beds! Our indoor system can be moved from room to room and is completely wireless and re-chargeable. The B.O.B can be discreetly placed underneath the objects you don’t want your dog near so its virtually impossible to see, the unit can also be used for all breed of dogs and cats and they can be purchased as an addition to your existing outdoor fence or as a complete indoor solution (Dog Fence Collar Required).
Learn more about our indoor solutions here: https://dogfence.co.uk/indoor-dog-wireless-dog-fence/
Also feel free to read our blog all about our indoor dog fence system: https://dogfence.co.uk/posts/
Much like human infants, puppies go through a stage when they lose their baby teeth and experience pain as their adult teeth come through, because of this the intensified chewing phase usually ends by six months of age.
Some solutions for puppies who are teething and tending to chew the furniture, are:
Giving the puppy something cold to chew will help relieve and numb the pain from the teeth that are coming through. Gentle guidance can be given to teach the puppy on appropriate and inappropriate things to chew.
Keep the dog with you on their leash in the house so they can’t make a mistake out of your sight. Confine them when you’re unable to keep an eye on them. Choose a “safe place” that’s dog-proof, and provide fresh water and “safe” toys.
Your dog won’t know how to behave if you don’t teach them alternatives to inappropriate behaviour, and they can’t learn these when they are in the yard by themselves. Be patient with your dog you cant rush them into learning what’s right and wrong as you will confuse them.
If you do catch your dog chewing on something they shouldn’t, such as the sofa, don’t interrupt them with a loud noise, instead offer them an acceptable chew toy instead and then praise them for taking the chew toy in their mouth.
Your dog may be bored if they are not getting enough physical exercise and as a result of this they will try to find something to amuse themselves or fight the boredom, such as chewing your beloved furniture! The amount of exercise should be based on their age, health and breed characteristics.
A spray can be used on items, such as furniture, to prevent your dog from wanting to chew.
Do not chase your dog! If you chase them you are giving the dog what it wants. Instead call them and wait for them to come to you and give them a treat.
At some point your dog will inevitably chew up something you value; this is often part of the transition to a new home. Your dog needs time to learn the house rules and you need to remember to take precautions and keep things out of their reach.
Most people tend to get dog toys and chews confused, so here is a list differencing the different toys and chews.
Dog toys are easily destroyed and are NOT designed to be chewed. The owner should always pick up the toy at the end of a game and put out of the dogs reach, this will therefore save you money because the toys last much longer – you will also avoid the need to take your dog to the vet because of a blockage caused by swallowing toys. Do not leave them for your dog to chew once the game has finished.
Chews should be given when a dog is settling down for a quiet time, either in your presence or alone. Unlike toys, chews are designed for nibbling and gnawing and are essential if you want a dog to chew acceptable items instead of your furniture. Examples of chews include rask, chew stick, dental rawhide, pressed hide, large and medium Kong’s, and activity balls.
All dogs like to play on their own sometimes, so it is important to leave at least one “safe” toy down for them to play with at any time. An excellent choice for this purpose is a chew toy such as a Kong (available from most pet shops). This is a firm rubber toy, hollow on the inside and which can withstand lots of chewing. Kong toys can be filled with biscuits or a special treat to keep the dog occupied for some time. Kong’s are also good at stimulating play and chase behaviour since they bounce unpredictably in different directions when thrown.
These are toys in which you can place small pieces of dry food inside (such as a portion of the dog’s daily food ration or mixer), the dog has to roll the ball around to get the food to drop out of the holes, because of this it keeps the dog occupied for quite some time.
For more information visit the Blue cross’ website and have a look at some of their articles as they can be very helpful https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/how-control-dogs-chewing
Why not check out our web site or give us a call today to talk about our indoor dog fences. 01628 476475 or click here
When people talk about being more “environmentally friendly” they might consider using public transport to get to work, making sure that the lights are turned off or conscientiously splitting rubbish and recycling.
But how many people think about their canine’s carbon pawprint? Humans produce “over 300 million tons of plastic every year” and “the largest market for plastics is as a packaging material with this market accounting for nearly half of all plastic waste that is generated globally.”
With an estimated 9 million dogs in the UK, there are a lot of bowls to fill and a lot of packaging to be binned. Add to that poo bags, dogs toys and treats packaging, and our canine companions can be contributing high volumes to the excess of plastic waste which the world struggles to recycle, inevitably ending up in landfill or in our precious oceans.
So, what can you do, as an eco-conscious dog owner, to help reduce the carbon paw-print of your furry family member?
Dinner time!
Did you know… “Fewer than 1 in 20,000 food pouches are recycled… making them more of a burden than single-use coffee cups”?
Within the pet food industry, there are several food packaging options, some more recyclable than others. Black plastic trays, for example, are more likely to end up incinerated or in landfill as automated recycling facilities find it hard to distinguish black from other colours. Cans and jars have high carbon emissions through their sourcing and production – plus the only elements that can come from a renewable source is their label.
A more environmentally friendly option would be to consider a carton packaging. These innovative packs are more commonly associated with dairy products and chopped tomatoes than with wet dog food and treats, but some manufacturers are persevering with this type of packaging as they are fully recyclable and keep the food fresh and protected without the need for nasty preservatives.
Made primarily from FSCTM cardboard, cartons start from responsibly managed forests and then end up being turned into roof tiles and toilet rolls at the end of their life cycle.
Consider the origin.
There are still a small number of British dog food manufacturers – which are more than just a brand. Some source produce from within the UK, whereas others get their ingredients from the UK and abroad. By being a UK based manufacturer, they will use less fuel miles from the fields to the factory. Other brands have their food manufactured abroad, thus increasing fuel miles dramatically, and raising your canine’s carbon footprint.
Toys
Have you ever thought about making your own dog toys? Be imaginative with fabrics – an old tea towel, t-shirt or blanket makes a sturdy plaything. Add in a knot for interest, or alternatively you can plait or weave some fabric and hide treats for extra brain exercise!
If you don’t want to make your own, consider choosing toys that are biodegradable or from environmentally conscious companies.
Walkies!
Whilst it is lovely to get in the car and drive to a beautiful countryside location or beach, it is more environmentally friendly to walk straight from the front door. Make use of your surroundings, go on an adventure, and see what you can find locally to your home. There may be many undiscovered places that you and your dog can enjoy together without the need to get in the car.
Poop…!
Dog mess is a huge problem – the need to pick it up and the need to not use plastic bags have to be equally balanced. A labrador could potentially use over 10,200 poo bags during their lifetime. There are, however, other options that avoid the use of plastic bags, whilst still cleaning up after your dog.
The easiest solution would be to consider bio-degradable bags. Readily available and easy to purchase as an alternative to plastic, this is a relatively simple switch. You could think about a compost bin at home – although hygiene would need to be a consideration, or a pet poop wormery as more environmentally friendly options.
So, consider making these small steps to make a big difference for all our canine companions to be more environmentally savvy, and begin your journey to a greener world.