An invisible dog fence is an effective way to keep your dog from escaping.These fences use underground wire to shock the dog when it goes outside the confines of the system.They can be installed in a few hours, but it takes some time to train your dog to understand its limits.Once you have an underground dog fence in place, you won't have to worry about your dog escaping because it will be within the boundaries.
Step 1: You should plan the exact area you want to keep your dog in.
You can buy the correct amount of wire with this.To mark where you will eventually lay the wire underground, plant marker flags around the yard.Above-ground fences must be built in a straight line in order to be effective because they allow you to plan around oddly shaped yard features.You can use underground dog fences to keep your dog from entering areas you don't want it to, but they can also be used to prevent it from running away.You can place wire around a garden or a hot tub.
Step 2: Measure the area you want to keep the dog out of.
Take note of the area you plan to install the dog fence in by using a large tape measure.If you know how long the wire should be to surround the area you want to keep your dog out of, you don't need to measure the house.When you buy the wire, you don't spend more than you need to, and you can get a precise length.
Step 3: The shock collar, wire, and transmitter can be purchased at a hardware store.
Depending on the strength of the dog fence set, it can be anywhere from 25 to 500 acres.You should buy a set that comes with enough wire to surround the area you want to keep your dog out of.
Step 4: Make sure to ground the transmitter when you find a good place to keep it inside.
The transmitter should be kept away from sources of electrical interference.It's usually a good idea to keep it in a garage, but be careful not to let anything interrupt the system.The user manual for your transmitter tells you how to ground the transmitter to prevent major damage.Surge protectors can be used to make sure the fence stays on.Make sure to bring your dog inside if the power goes out.
Step 5: Place the wire above the ground along the flags you placed earlier.
Make sure you have enough wire to make it back to the starting point, and lay the wire as straight as you can across the boundaries of the confined area.Some transmitters won't recognize a sharp turn, so be sure to round off any 90 degree angles.The wire won't be effective in patches along your boundary if you twist it as best you can, as this can cause issues with the transmitter signal.
Step 6: The system and collar should be tested by connecting the wire to the transmitter.
It's not necessary to lay the wire underground to test the system.Plug both ends of the wire into the transmitter.When the collar is close to the boundary, you should hear a "beep" when you walk over the wire.Don't touch the metal to feel a shock or wear the collar to test it, it's obvious.The shock should make a sound to let you know it's working correctly.
Step 7: You can dig a deep trench along the marking flags.
A thin trench can be created by digging under the surface of the yard with a shovel or gardening trowel.If you want to teach your dog where the boundaries of the yard are, don't remove the flags.When your dog goes over the boundary, the transmitter will have a hard time receiving signals from the wire.If you want to prevent tripping over the wire or accidentally cutting it with a mower, place it just under the surface.
Step 8: If you want to test it again, place the wire underground and cover it with dirt.
Make sure to cover the wire with the dirt you excavated earlier.Don't leave any wire above the ground or you could accidentally sever it when mowing the lawn.Get ready to train your dog by testing the system in multiple places.Try to keep the wire out of sight and tucked as close to the earth as possible if you decide not to bury it.
Step 9: Attach the receiver to the shock collar to get your dog used to it.
The shock collar can be heavy for some dogs, so be sure to get one that fits them.The goal is not to hurt your dog, but to push them in the right direction with warnings and mild shocks.It's a good idea to wear the collar before you start training.If your dog doesn't seem to respond to the shock collar, you should consider buying a stronger one.Purchase a collar that sprays citronella if your dog ignores the shocks.This collar will work better on large dogs than a shock collar.
Step 10: On a tight leash, take your dog to the boundary every hour.
You can show your dog the full area of the yard by taking them to a few different points.When you are not training your dog, keep it inside or on a leash.It will usually take two days or more of continuous training for the dog to understand where the invisible barrier is.You will have to start from the beginning again if you let them go across the boundary once.
Step 11: When the shock collar goes off, pull the leash sharply.
Don't let your dog go any further than the wire boundary, and pull it back to you.This will teach your dog how to turn back when it hears a sound.By keeping your flags in the ground, your dog will be able to see the boundary through visual reinforcement rather than through sound and shock.If you want to reinforce your dog's sense of its limits, don't remove the flags until a few days after you've finished training.
Step 12: On the second day, let your dog figure it out.
Taking your dog out to different points of the underground fence on a leash every hour is the same process as the first day.The shock collar will let off a mild shock if your dog gets too close, instead of pulling its leash back sharply.If they cross the line, pull it back quickly, but your dog should know how to avoid being shocked on their own.
Step 13: Reward your dog for avoiding the boundary.
After pulling your dog away from the underground fence, you can give it a reward.Reward it when they stay away from the boundary on their own.If your dog knows basic commands such as "sit", sit at the edge of the boundary to reinforce its understanding.Give your dog treats and praise for following directions.
Step 14: After you feel your dog knows its boundaries, let it loose.
Your dog should know where the boundary is after a few days of training.Keeping an eye on your dog will ensure it stays within the underground fence's limits.If your dog doesn't seem to know where the boundary is, you may need to repeat the training every day.Turn up the strength of the collar or purchase a citronella spray collar if your dog doesn't react to the shock collar.You should keep an eye on the batteries for your shock collar.The batteries should be changed every 3 to 6 months.