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three poodle cross breeds wearing electric dog fences collars

Electric dog fences – Weighing up the pros and cons

November 15, 2018/in dog advice, dog running away, Keeping dogs safe /by Sam Chapman

Electric Dog Fences: Pros and Cons

Electric dog fences are both a safe and affordable solution to keep your dog safe at home whilst allowing them the freedom to roam and play within your properties boundary. In recent years due to their flexibility and effectiveness electric dog fencing has become increasingly popular for cats as well.

It goes without saying that electric dog fencing is not for everyone. It’s important to fully understand how the fences work and weigh up the pros and cons between electric dog fencing and traditional fencing.

How do electric dog fences work?

There are two types of electric dog fences, wired and wireless. The most popular and effective are wired systems.

Wired Fences

The fence consists of a transmitter box, a boundary wire and a small computer collar which is worn by the dog or cat.

The transmitter box is installed on-site and the boundary wire is connected to the transmitter box. The is buried around the perimeter of the property and wire carries the harmless low-level radio signal around the boundary. The pet wears a computer collar that emits a warning beep followed by a mild stimulation (similar to a carpet shock) when he gets too close to the designated area. The no go area for the electric dog fence is marked with some temporary training flags to assist the pet with a visual. The dog fence Installer trains the pet to understand the avoidance area.

Wireless Fences

With the wireless dog fence, there is no boundary wire. The transmitter is located centrally around the area to be fenced. The transmitter sends out a circle of signal from the base station. Unfortunately, wireless dog fences are prone to false activation and are only effective for flat properties with no obstructions for the signal.

When it comes to the electric dog fence there are two types — wireless and in-ground. Even though they work in different ways, both systems consist of some sort of base unit that creates a hidden boundary around whatever area you want to contain your dog in. Read more about wireless dog fences here.

PROS OF ELECTRIC DOG FENCES

Price – an electric dog fence is far cheaper than a traditional fence and gate.
Dogs and cats can be allowed to roam freely – not kenneled or caged and exhibit natural behaviour.
Dog or cat cannot jump over or under and the signal is 360 degrees.
The driveway is protected so no worries about an open gate or slow electric gates.
Can be installed on terrains that are not suitable for traditional fencing. Can be used through streams, along towpaths, woodland, steep slopes and areas with planning restrictions.
Quicker to install than a traditional fence. Up to 10 acres installed in 1 day.
Electric dog fencing does not restrict views.
Can be used to keep pets out of areas – pools, play areas, flower beds.
Easier to maintain than a traditional fence.
Can be moved from house to house.
Electric dog Fence collar also works indoors to keep pets out of rooms or off furniture.

CONS:

Does not keep other dogs, cats or wildlife out of your garden.
Not recommended for aggressive dogs as with wireless or electric dog fencing there is no physical barrier.
Batteries in the dog’s collar must be changed every 3, 6 or 24 months (reputable Companies should offer an automatic renewal program).
If the power goes down the electric dog fence can go down – look for a system with a battery backup.
Not suitable for dogs in whelp or very old dogs.
Customer must assist with training so can take dogs up to 10 days to fully learn the fence.
Must make contractors aware of buried boundary wire if digging or landscaping to avoid damage.

Electric dog fences have been available in one form or another for over 40 years. Recent advances in technology have now brought these fences to another level and items listed in the “cons” list are now easily avoided with the higher specification systems.

The latest electric dog fences

In 2018 DogFence launched their new enabled fence. This new generation of electrical dog fencing gives the owner real-time information and notifications regarding the status of their system. The fence offers a new 2-way communication between the electric dog fence collar and the base station through an app.

Take a peek at our video which explains all the amazing features in the Smart Fence here.

Sends out an email alert for a wire break
The new Smart Fence
Sends out an email alert of a challenge to the fence by the pet
Send out an email alert regarding the battery level.
Activity tracker for each pet through the app.

These email alerts are also sent out to the DogFence office so we can contact the customer to book a service visit or arrange a replacement battery.

If you would like to know more about our Smart Fence or our other fences please contact us on 01628 476475 or email info@dogfence.co.uk.

dog fence most reliable hidden fence worldwide

So what’s the difference between a freedom fence and a dog fence?

October 9, 2018/in dog advice, dog running away, Keeping dogs safe /by Sam Chapman

So you’ve done a bit of googling and come across a few options for keeping your dog at home. An electronic dog fence, freedom fence or a containment fence. So where do you start.

How do you know what the differences are if you don’t know how a freedom fence works?

How does a freedom fence work?

Well, they are all derived from the same principle. A radio transmitter is installed on the owners property and connected to a boundary wire that carries a radio signal. The signal has to start and finish at the transmitter.

The pet wears a radio receiver which is programmed to pick up the radio signal. When the pet enters the signal area (“no go zone”) the receiver collar emits a warning beep, followed by a static impulse (static shock). With some training the pet quickly learns where the no go area is and stays within the boundary.

Visible boundary for the pet with flags.

The boundary should always be marked with training flags when the dog is in the training phase to give the dog a visual for the “no go zone”.

What are the differences between Freedom Fences and Dog Fences?

Answer: Technology & Speed

A Freedom Fence is actually a product called PetSafe Professional; it uses a technology which is over 25 years old. All PetSafe systems use a digital AM radio frequency.

Why is an old technology an issue? In simple terms the system will work but it could do better! Dogs can cats are precious to owners and most want to ensure that they are using the latest and safest products available.

Why is an AM fence inferior?

The issue with the AM frequency is it is prone to false activation (house electronics other than the freedom fence system can activate the pet’s collar when they are not in the “no go area”).

This is confusing for the pet as consistency is the key when it comes to electronic pet containment. In order to reduce the chances of a false activation the Freedom Fence collar checks for 2 x signals. Naturally, this slows the reaction time down on the collar.

dog fence is faster than freedom fence - dachshund running

Catch that pigeon!

The Dog Fence system is another name for a DogWatch Hidden Fence. It uses a newer digital FM signal (DAB). The FM signal is more secure and cannot be activated by any other signal.

It goes without saying that this guarantees the safety of the pet.

The dog fence system only checks for one x signal. This makes the collar reaction time quicker – 15 times quicker! So when your dog is chasing a squirrel the dog fence is 15 times quicker at stopping him than the freedom fence system.

What does reaction time mean?

The reaction time is crucial for both the start up and shut down on the collar. For example if your dog was running at 10 mph with the Dog Fence system he would only get 0.125ft into the zone before the collar has activated. Whereas if the dog was wearing a freedom fence collar he could potentially go 7ft into the zone before activation.

Conversely, if the dog makes the right decision and retreats back into the garden the shut down on the collar is virtually instant (less than a second) for the Dog Fence whereas it will be between 2 – 5 seconds for the freedom fence collar.

This is called response hang on time. It is important that the dog is not “corrected” when they are in the safe zone – the safe zone should be safe. This could be the difference between the dog staying in or running out.

Quality & Warranty

Originally the Freedom systems were manufactured in the USA but approx 10 years ago the PetSafe manufacturing was moved to China. The Freedom Fence is supplied with a Limited Lifetime Warranty and does not include the following malfunctions:

Lightning strikes/electrical surges – Transmitter not warranted if lightning or power surge damage the transmitter.
Dog chews – if the pet chews the receiver this is not covered by the warranty.
Accidental damage – if the dog damages the receiver this is not covered by the warranty.
Limited life warranty – 3 years.

All the Dog Fence systems are thoroughly tested before leaving the DogWatch HQ in Boston. Each unit is individually tested and receives a unique identification number. This ensures quality and consistency. People of often suprised to learn that the following items are all covered under the Dog Fence warranty;

Covered by Dog Fence Warranty

Lightning strikes & surges (surge box supplied as standard) – transmitter is fully covered even with the surge fitted – repair or replacement sent.
Dog chews – if the pet chews the receiver this is covered under the warranty – repair or replacement sent.
Accidental damage – because dogs will be dogs so we expect our receivers to be tough and durable – repair or replacement sent.
Lifetime warranty

Battery Life

The freedom fence collars use 2 x 3.0 volt batteries which last approx 3 – 4 months in the collar.

The Dog Fence system collars offer a choice of 2 x collars.

Mini Collar – 1 x 3.0 volt battery every 6 months
Standard Collar – 1 x 3.6 volt battery every 18 – 24 months.

Receiver Collar Size and Weight

cat in bird bath wearing dog fence collar

Lazing on a sunny afternoon

If you have a very small dog or a cat then the Dog Fence system cannot be beaten on either weight or size. Our mini receiver collars are the smallest available worldwide and weigh in at only 30g even with the battery fitted. Our standard collar weighs in at only 48g which compares to 54g on the Freedom Fence model.

Boundary Wire

The boundary wire is important with all containment fences as this is the part that conducts the radio signal. The quality of your boundary wire will depend on which PetSafe system you purchase.

As a general rule the Freedom Fence systems are supplied with a 1.5mm wire. The dog fence systems offer 2 grades of wire either 2.5mm as the heavy grade or 4mm as the premium grade wire. As the wire is buried in the ground the heavier the wire the more durable and less likely the cable is to be damaged.

Professional Installation

Both Freedom Fence and Dog Fence offer professional installation, however, there is a difference to the level of service offered by each Company due to the employment status of the staff.

Dog Fence staff – all trained and employed by Dog Fence – every installer has fully equipped van inc cable burial trencher and wire detection system. – All staff IACP approved.
Dog Fence also have a dedicated cat fence team – www.catfence.co.uk as the training for cats is very different to dogs.
Freedom Fence Staff – trained by Freedom fence but working on a sub-contract basis – not full time employment. Only some installers have trenching equipment.

New Technology comes to Dog Fence

From November 2018 Dog Fence will be the first UK Company to offer a two-way communication on a containment system. Our new smart fence will feed information back to a base station via an app. You will be able to monitor your dog’s movements as well as the technical info for the system. Learn more here….

Containment fences have been used for over 40 years to keep dogs and cats safe. The owners of DogFence Ltd realized many years ago that there was a requirement for a complete all around service and pioneered the concept of full installation and training for dogs and cats. To learn more about our products and services call us for a quick no obligation quote or fill in our quote form. 03450 623623 https://dogfence.co.uk/quote/

8 top tips to stops dogs from escaping!

October 8, 2018/in dog running away /by Sam Chapman

Top tips for stopping your dogs from escaping!

Escaping dogs? Lets look at solutions to stop dogs from escaping. Does your dog’s ability to escape from the garden have you convinced that they are Houdini in a Dog’s body?

Attempting to keep your dog in the safety of the garden can be frustrating and costly. Furthermore in some instances it can end in tragic circumstances for not only the dog, but for the whole family. The dangers of the roads are obvious, but wondering dog’s can propose dangers to other dog’s and people and stopping dogs from escaping is not always that easy.

As Dog owners, you are liable for any damage or injury that your dog causes and you may also be liable to pay a fine! Escaping dogs are becoming more of an issue with the increase in both dog ownership and increased traffic.

But why do dogs escape?

An escaping dog may have one of the issues below:-

Perhaps he’s Lonely
He may be frightened
It maybe he’s bored
Or just anxious

Dogs are pack animals they need Company. If young dogs are left alone for large periods they will seek opportunities to interact with other people or dogs. An escaping dog is looking for something. Of course, young dogs have bounds of energy and want explore and have a bit of fun.

For these reasons dogs will test the boundaries and seek new places. Stopping dogs from escaping can be akin to a battle of wills. A few changes to routine is often enough to stop dogs from escaping.

Tips to stop your dogs from escaping

Walk your dog daily
Play with your dog
Teach you dog a few commands and tricks
Give your dog toys that will interest them
Create a safe place in the garden for them
Install dog proof fencing
Send your dog to a Doggie Day Care centre
Install a dog run

Walking your dog daily

So we all know that exercise is good for us but we also being confined to indoors is unhealthy for both the mind and body. Your dog’s mind will be stimulated by exercise and leave him feeling more content. If your dog escapes on a regular basis exercise may be the answer. Consider using a recommended dog walker if you are short on time. There maybe also be people who don’t have a dog and would like to walk your dog – you can register with a web site to have your dog walked for free.

Playing with dog

a good game will enhance his well-being and again help to stimulate his mind and tire him out. Dog’s are social animals and enjoy company. If he or she is stimulated it will reduce the wanderlust. You can also leave games for him to play with whilst you are away – slide games with treats, Kongs are all good boredom breakers.

stop dogs from escaping by playing with frisbee

Having fun and keeping fit!

Teach your dog a few commands and new tricks

Often your dogs escape route is a puzzle in itself! just 15 mins a day is all that is needed to help your dog to learn a new trick or command.

Create a safe place in the garden for them

install a kennel or dog house where dog feels safe and secure – it’s always good to have a comfy place to retreat to and installing a safe will most certainly help to stop your dog from escaping out of the garden.

Install some dog proof fencing

there are many different types of fencing and it really depends on your budget, plot size and planning restrictions. Containment fences are growing in popularity because of the cost and effectiveness.

Although this type of fencing has been around for over 40 years advances in technology have made dog fences an increasingly popular choice. These are electronic dog or cat fences and offer a good all round solution to keep pets safe. Containment fences, often referred to as dog fences have recently been Government approved.

Stock or close boarded fencing is always another consideration but does not cover gateway areas and can end up being quite costly. Also dogs can climb over or dig under these types of fencing.

Send your dog to a Day Care Centre

Doggie day care first sprang up in the USA but is becoming increasing popular here in the UK. It’s a good way to let your dog have fun, socialize and get some exercise whilst you are out at work. Just make sure that the place you send them is secure as occasionally dogs escape from day care centres!

Install a dog run; this is ideal for working dogs and dogs that live outside but may not be the best solution for family pets as it is rather restrictive. Nevertheless, installing a dog run will keep the dog safe in the enclosed area.

How do dogs escape?

There are a number of ways that dogs can escape from a garden. Some dogs will jump over the fence whilst others will actually climb them. Another popular way dogs escape it to dig under the fence or simply just chew through it. The least talked about escape route will not actually be down to your dog though.Wildlife can dig from the outside in, and you would not know that there is a hole there until the dog has escaped. And then of course, there is the driveway, open gates are an open invitation and dogs will even. squeeze under or through them!

dog proof fencing, electric dog fence, invisible dog fence, dogwatch hidden fence

Dog getting out more than you?

What else can I do to stop my dog from escaping?

Containment Fencing for dogs is becoming more and more popular especially as it can be hidden away. An escaping dog can be easily kept home with this type of fence.

This hidden fence system can be used on any dogs/any size. Containment fences can stop the dogs from digging, climbing or chewing their way out of the garden. With the system being generally cheaper then traditional fence panelling and easier to install, its a must for pet owners wanting to stop dogs from escaping. The other advantage is that containment fencing can be moved from house to house if required.

Where can I get the Containment Fencing for Dogs?

Dogfence Ltd are the only company company in the UK who can supply, Install and train your dogs on the hidden fence system. With over 17 years experience supplying and installing containment fences DogFence Ltd have trained and contained over 20,000 dogs and cats. For more information including pricing please click here and request a quote or call us 03450 623623. We cover the whole of the UK.

Dog Running Away