Most dogs like to roam. Yes, some dogs will stay by the house even when offered unlimited freedom. But, most dogs have a natural curiosity that leads them to stray when the opportunity arises.
In a perfect world, it would not matter if your dog took an occasional stroll around the neighborhood. The unfortunate reality is that a dog left to its own devices faces many dangers – from speeding cars to other animals. So, it's important to find a reliable way to keep your dog in his own yard. If you have a sturdy traditional fence that your dog respects, then your job is done. If you live in a fence-restricted neighborhood, if your dog is an escape artist, or if you simply can not afford an expensive traditional fence, an electronic dog fence may be a good option for you.
The first question most people ask about electronic dog wings is, "Do they really work?" The answer is a qualified yes. Electronic dog wings are a very effective way to contain your dog, but only if you consider these three factors: hardware, installation, and training.
HARDWARE
Take a quick look around the Web and you'll quickly see that there are a lot of electronic dog fence options on the market. The most popular do-it-yourself dog fence brands are PetSafe®, Innotek®, and Guardian®. The most popular professionally-installed dog wings are Invisible Fence®, Pet Stop®, and DogWatch®. No matter what brand you choose, you should look for the following features:
- Multi-level Receiver: Dog wings that provide only a single level of correction just do not get the job done. A single-level receiver will needlessly stress a sensitive dog and may fail to contain a large or confident dog.
- Lightning Protection: Some dog fence products contain integrated lighting protection, while others require you to purchase a separate lighting protection unit. If your product does not include lightning protection as a standard part of the package, you should purchase it separately. You're putting both your dog fence hardware and your home's electrical system at risk if you do not.
- Lifetime Warranty: If you purchase a dog fence product that does not include a lifetime warranty, you risk expensive replacement costs down the road. Most major dog fence brands offer at least a limited lifetime warranty.
INSTALLATION
You can install a do-it-yourself dog fence, or you can hire a professional to install your dog fence for you. Either way, the effectiveness of your dog fence depends on these factors:
- Use Durable Wire: If the wire that creates the perimeter of your dog fence breaks, your entire fence stops working. So, you should make sure your installation includes burial-rated wire that's between 14 and 18 gauge to help prevent wire breaks.
- Bury Your Wire: Unless you have unusual requirements, it's typically a bad idea to staple wire to an existing fence or to the ground. Instead, wire should be buried 1 – 6 inches underground to protect it from damage.
- Protect Your Transmitter: Dog