Training your dog is the most important part of electric dog fence. And training requires immense patience, dedication and perseverance from your side. So here are a few training tips for invisible fences to help expedite the training process and achieve success.
Good fences make good neighbors. This line in Robert Frost’s famous poem “Mending Wall” gets me thinking whether we really need a wall to make good neighbors. When you own a dog who runs out the moment you open the door, digs your neighbor’s garden, chases your neighbor’s cat, you have limited options and you are in a dire need of a fence.
Here we are not talking of a stone, brick, barbed wire fencing, but an invisible dog fencing. Invisible fence are nothing but ‘hidden fences’ made of electric wires that are buried underground covering an area to confine the dog. A collar with a receiver is worn by the dog.
The collar beeps when the dog approaches anywhere near the wire and gives a mild shock if it tries to cross the invisible fence. This is highly effective among various fencing ideas which comes handy both outdoors and indoors.
Dog Training Tips for Invisible Fence
When you own a pet dog, caring for him becomes an important part of your daily schedule. You do not want your dog to be confined inside the house throughout the day, but fear for his safety when he plays outside, landing you in a situation that tempts you more towards the invisible fence.
But we are often reluctant and consider it inhumane to let our beloved dogs experience shock. One must remember that proper training of your dog is vital for the success of this tool.
The whole training of 20 minutes each day usually takes about a month and though the actual training gets over by a week, tracking your dog’s progress takes the rest of the month. Apart from the training, these are three useful training tips to condition your dog to run back from the boundary on hearing the beep and avoid getting a shock.
➤ When you start the training, place small bright flags in the boundary created by buried electric wires. This gives a visual clue to the dog to avoid the boundary without a shock or a beep.
➤ Train your dog and let your dog follow your actions. Hold on to your dog’s leash and approach the boundary.
As soon as the invisible fence training collar beeps, run away from the boundary, and let your dog follow you. Pat your dog or give a piece of his favorite biscuit every time he does it right. Repeating this several times for few days conditions your dog to run away on hearing the beep.
➤ On successful completion of the second tip, remove the flags and see if your dog stops on hearing the beep. If it does not, then place the flags again and repeat the second tip for few more days. Then remove the flags. Most of the dogs follow the beep within 10 days of training.
Invisible Fence Cost
The cost of invisible dog fences depends on the type of installation you choose. Self installation costs less, but comes with the risks of faulty installation.
Self Installation Cost
Invisible fence kits are available within the price range of $100-$400 and comes with a manual with installation guide and free dog training tips. One kit can be used for several dogs in the area, so additional collar costs between $55-$130. Always the required amount of wire would not be available in the kit, so additional wire costs about $25 for 500 feet.
A standard collar battery lasts around three months, and costs between $5 to $19. If you live in an area where there are frequent thunderstorms, it is always advisable to buy a lightning protector that costs around $100. So the total self installation of these fence costs anything between $250 to $500.
Professional Installation Cost
You get an all-inclusive package with the kit, additional dog collars, additional wires, lightning protector for a price range between $800 to $2000. Some packages are inclusive of dog training by professional dog trainers and providing owner with training tips necessary for invisible fence.
Some companies provide customized collars generating shocks as per the size, age and temperament of the dog, making them expensive. Despite having many advantages, there are also several disadvantages of invisible fence leading to many unfavorable reviews.
So it is extremely important to follow proper training tips, in order to avoid any harm to your beloved pet as well as to a passerby. One must remember that there might be some distractions tempting enough for your pet to break through the invisible barrier.
So keeping your pet unattended inside an invisible fence is not always a good idea. Providing proper care and safety for your pet should be the first criteria, so keep a regular check on the batteries and consult a professional for any additional dog training advice you need.
