The Critical Features of a Small Dog Wireless Fence
A wireless dog fence generally consists of two main components – a transmitter and collar. The transmitter is the main unit that communicates to the collar through radio waves. It is usually a unit, which the dog owner can adjust to set the boundaries for their pet. This unit tracks the movement of the canine and sends the signal for the warning sound, or the electric shock to the dog’s neck, whenever the boundaries are approached or reached respectively.
You can get a small dog wireless fence collar or a larger one, depending on the size of your dog. The collar is adjustable, so it will fit well onto your dog’s neck. It is also operated by a battery, which should be recharged as required to enable continuous operation. However, certain specific features differentiate one wireless fence from another.
Perimeter Fences
This is a type of wireless dog fence for small dog that creates a virtual perimeter area without the use of any physical obstacles. It simply involves plugging in the unit and setting its range. If a range of 100 meters is set, then a circular area with a radius of 100 meters will be defined around the unit. The item is very easy to set and use. That is because there is no physical work involved apart from plugging it in, setting the range, and putting the collar on your dog. The only other component is training the canine to understand how the unit works to avoid straying. This will enable easy management of a dog using the fence.
A perimeter fence has several advantages. It is less expensive than putting up most physical fences. It is also unintrusive, and your guests will pass it unnoticed while going to the house. It is quite effective in keeping a dog within its limits. Dogs are well-known for finding a route through wire fences, which will not happen with a wireless fence. There is also some training involved in making a dog get used to the wireless fence. This ensures that your pet is not only trained but disciplined as well. Finally, physical fences can look quite ugly, interfering with the aesthetics of your compound.
On the contrary, the wireless fence simply disappears into the physical ambiance of your home. Its other advantage is that this item is portable, so it can be used when camping or while visiting a remote area with a dog.
The main disadvantage is that its range is circular while the compounds in which most people live are rectangular. So, the area reserved for a dog will be fairly small, to fit into the compound. This can limit the movements of a very playful and adventurous dog. Another disadvantage, which applies to other types of fences as well, is that buildings and other structures can act as barriers to the radio signal. This will require you to set out the unit in an open area with no interference. That can be a challenge, especially if one lives in a congested built-up area. Such wireless fences as JUSTPET Wireless Dog Fence, UTOPB Wireless Dog Fence, WIEZ Wireless Dog Fence, and FunAce Wireless Pet Containment System are the examples of perimeter fences.
Buried Wire Fence
Unlike the perimeter fences, the buried wire type has a wire running around the set boundary. This type of wireless dog fence for small dogs is harder to set up since the wire must be laid down to define the desired boundary. The wire then remains invisible just like it is with the perimeter version. The principle of operation is also the same. When a dog approaches the wire, there is a shock that teaches it to keep off, thus limiting its movements to the desired area. When this action is repeated several times, the dog will instinctively avoid going out of range.
The main advantage of this type of fence is that the dog owner can define the exact size and the shape of the area allowed to the dog. So it doesn`t necessarily have to be round in shape. Another thing is the longevity of the wire, with some models lasting a lifetime while buried.
You can also add the length of the wire later, in case you need a larger playing field for your pet or more dogs. However, the main disadvantage is that, given that the wire is buried, it is not a portable system. Another thing is that digging and burying can make you break a sweat. Examples of the best invisible dog fence include the Extreme Dog Fence Max Grade and the MASBRILL Electric Dog Fence.
The Function of the Fence
The wireless fence you set up can act as a containing fence or a repelling one, depending on your needs. If your intended function is to contain the dog within a given area, then it is fairly easy. All you need to do is set the barriers and put your dog in it. A wireless perimeter fence is very useful in such circumstances since it is simply a matter of laying out the play area.
On the other hand, if you aim to repel the dog from a chicken coop or garden, then you will need to set the barriers more carefully. That is because you do not want the dog`s play area to overlap with the area you are protecting. Laying down a wire can be very helpful in such circumstances since you can leave out the forbidden region while allowing the dog to move into other areas around it.
The Customizing Function
The area you wish to set aside by the wireless fence for small dog may not necessarily come custom made. You may need to customize it yourself. For instance, the space available may be narrow in some areas and wide in others. It may also have several bends, zigzagging down the stretch. Such customization requires the laid down type of wire. It can be a pretty daunting undertaking laying down, depending on how irregular the ground is. It can also take up a lot of wire, and the length ordered may not be enough. Still, more wire can be added until the area is completely covered. In the end, the dog will learn the entire landscape, knowing where to roam and where not.
The Range Covered
This is a very important feature in determining which fence to choose. Some of the perimeter fences cover a maximum of 2000 feet, while others offer less coverage. If you have a larger area, you should choose the longer-range perimeter fence. However, if the area is even larger, then you will go for the buried wire version since you are the one to determine the length of wire you require. That means more digging and more wire. Still, you may not have a choice but to go for the wire type if your area is really big. It does not help your course to go for a fence with a shorter range when your area of coverage is really big. Conversely, there is no need to go for a longer range when you have only a small area to cover.
Training and Restraining
It is crucial to train the dog on operating within the area defined by the wireless fence for small dog. This helps to instill the discipline that will help you restrict the pet going forward. So, you must have a system that enables you to achieve both training and restraining. The determining factor is the variety of collar you acquire. An e-collar allows both the utilization of a remote gadget, which you will control, and the automatic static shocks, controlled by your unit, will serve the purpose.
Whereas the unit supports restricting the dog to the designated area, your remote will enable you to generate shocks that punish bad behavior. The dog, like a child, will not always take kindly to the training. When it rebels, you administer a little shock to put off the protests. Eventually, you achieve both discipline and restriction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Those who own dogs often wonder about certain things concerning wireless fences for containing their dogs. Below are some of the questions the customers often ask and the answers to them.
What Is a Wireless Dog Fence and How Does It Work?
This kind of fence cannot be seen when it is installed. It is often referred to as an unseen fence. The item operates by emitting static electricity shock to correct the path of the dog once it nears the point where its boundary is set. The boundary can either be virtual, set by a radio frequency range, or an actual one set by a buried wire. The shock is delivered on the dog’s neck, through a collar. The collar is bought as a component of the fence. Where an ordinary fence that is set over the ground is visible and restrains the dog physically or electrically, the wireless version operates without being seen. It relies on radiofrequency to maintain communication of the collar and its controlling unit. The use of radiofrequency, instead of a physical connection, is referred to as “wireless”.
What Is the Difference Between a Wireless Dog Fence and a Hybrid or Semi-Wireless Dog Fence?
A wireless dog fence defines a circular boundary over which it transmits a signal. The boundary is set by changing the circle radius on the transmitting unit. In a semi-wireless type, a wire, buried or laid in the surface, sets the boundaries, thus making it possible to create areas of different sizes and shapes. Therefore, the enclosed area is determined by the laying of the wire as defined by the needs of a user. The fence transmitter unit detects this wire and responds accordingly whenever the dog’s collar closes in. Both types of fences operate similarly. An electric shock is administered on the dog whenever it attempts to breach the boundary.
Are Wireless Dog Fences Effective?
The short response to this is «yes». They are quite effective if used accordingly. The area designated by the fence must be some 30 feet or more away from the road and your neighbor’s property. Metallic surfaces such as aluminum siding and roofs interfere easily with the waves generated. Therefore, such barriers should be avoided. Moreover, you must always charge the transmitting unit batteries and those in the collar, to maintain their operation. When all these factors are covered, the fence will control a dog very well.
Are Wireless Dog Fences Safe?
Yes, these items are ok when properly used, and when used with well-trained dogs. They help to keep a dog from going out of the desired area when left on its own. The dog can be confused at first, and standard collars are configured not to give many shocks, they turn off automatically to avoid harming a dog. It matters that you ensure the dog has a basic mastery of the system before leaving the pet on its own. It is also crucial to maintain the unit well, by charging batteries as often as necessary. With such measures in place, the dog will play safely within the enclosure.
In a Nutshell
Wireless fences configured for dogs are useful and effective in controlling the animals from straying. They are either completely wireless or have an area designated by a perimeter wire underground. These fences use small electric shocks to dissuade the dog from venturing beyond the area you designated for it. They work best when a dog has been given proper orientation to use them. These products are not visible and thus unobtrusive. It is quite important to acquire one if you want to restrain your dog, yet letting it play freely simultaneously.