What is an invisible or electric fence? And how to train a dog with an invisible wall?
Invisible dog fences are a form of barrier that surrounds the perimeter of your property. Usually, they have a wire that runs underground and creates an electromagnetic parameter which collar that dog wear can detect.
When a dog tries to cross the boundary, the collar detects the parameter and starts sending the signal according to the pre-setting.
Electric fences emit a more powerful shock for those who do not bother to warnings. However, trained dogs develop the ability to avoid the shocks while acting on the warning, which is vibration or a sound.
Whether you’re looking for peace of mind or just want to make sure your four-legged friend doesn’t get into any trouble outside while you’re away, invisible electric fences can do wonders in keeping your pup safe and happy!
What’s The Difference Between An Electric Fence, A Wireless Fence, And An Underground Fence?
There are three types of fences, inground fences and wireless fences are more popular nowadays.
Underground Fence
Underground fences are the most popular for a number of reasons. Firstly, they don’t have to be maintained, and you won’t have any unsightly wires running across your yard. Also, underground fences are much less expensive than their wireless counterparts, and they are more durables.
In this system, a wire is buried under the ground exactly where the boundary is required, and both of its nodes connect to the transmitter.
Underground electric fences are best for irregular-shaped properties.
Wireless Fence
These are the most popular shapes of fences; they consist of a transmitter and collar/receiver. The transmitter makes a circular boundary which can be controlled in meters through a panel on the transmitter.
The receiver trigger signals when detecting the maximum range. They are easy to install as no wire burying is required; just plug-in the transmitter and collar charging is needed to get started.
Electric Fence
These are conventional type fences where a dog gets a shock at any part of his body when he touches the fence. In the majority of such fences, electric current is used to make the deterence.
Conventionally these fences were used to keep the intruders away.
How To Train A Dog With A Wireless Fence?
An invisible fence can make life much easier for you and your dog, but it’s only valid when the dog learns to stay inside the boundary. To train your pet, you need to make little effort.
Here is a step-by-step process to follow.
- What you need
- Setup the transmitter inside
- Charge the collar
- Use the right contact points on the collar
- Place the boundary flags
- Don’t stress your dog during training!
- Keep Training Short
- Day 1 – Set the collar to beep or tone
- Reward quickly
- Start close
- Days 2-3
- Set the right shock levels (not too high!)
- Days 4 – 7
- Weeks 2 – 3
- Week 4
What you need
A wireless dog fence with all of the necessary equipment which must include:
- Transmitter
- Receiver/collar
- Charger
- Flags
- A long Leash
- High-Quality Treats
Keep in mind your dog will only get shocked during the learning stage; once he is trained for the wireless fence, he can avoid the shocks.
Setting Up The Transmitter
The first step is to set up the transmitter and make sure it is working properly.
Do not plug in the cord until you have all of your equipment ready.
Place the transmitter inside along with the charger on a flat surface, ideally where you will be training. Check that there are no obstructions, such as furniture or electronic devices, as this can interfere with the signal.
Charge the collar
Charge the collar for at least eight hours, then test it by wearing it yourself and walking towards the boundary line. If you come too close to the fence, it should emit a sound/vibration warning you about its location.
If it does not work, check that nothing is blocking its path and re-plugging them in.
Using the right contact points on the collar
Contact Points are metal probes that touch your dog’s neck when he is wearing the transmitter. They are not painful for him, but they will give a mild electric shock whenever his body comes into contact with an “invisible” or wireless fence.
There are several types of contacts available; make sure you purchase all of them for your training sessions to be successful.
The pack should come with short and long probes for small dogs. Take the time to attach the contacts correctly to make sure they are working effectively.
Place The Boundary Flags
The flags should be placed along where you want your pet to stay within range; generally, tune your wireless transmitter according to that range and test the warning and corrections either it triggering at the same point.
If you notice the “invisible” fence is not working correctly, it might be due to large metal objects blocking the way; make sure you remove all of them.
Don’t Stress Your Dog During Training!
All dogs are different and react differently when they first feel a shock; some dogs may seem disinterested, while others can get stressed out.
Some dogs may shock themselves by running into the collar during training sessions so take extra care by keeping your dog on a long line or leash.
Do not expect immediate results during your training session, as it takes multiple sessions or weeks for most dogs to learn their boundaries. However, dogs should never be isolated during these periods so try taking frequent short walks around the area instead of one long training session.
Keep Training Short
The best way to train your dog is by limiting each session to five and ten minutes of active learning.
Do not try and push them too far; ensure you give your pet a break and reward him with treats before moving on to another part of the training regime.
Make sure you move slowly on overtime until he becomes accustomed to the invisible or wireless fence boundaries.
Day 1 – Set The Collar To Beep Or Tone
On your first day, choose either beep or tone as the warning levels (not electric shock). Keep it at a non-intrusive volume for this initial test period and then raise it more once he becomes used to this sound level.
If your dog does not show any interest in the beep or tone, try shocking him just above the minimum levels to see if that will attract his attention.
If all else fails, give him a short sharp burst of static shock at the same time. Again, use only one hand to trigger this, so it is less confusing for your pet.
Day 2 – Move to Lower Level of Shock
Put the collar on your dog’s neck, but do not plug it in yet, letting him wear it during the day while you are still around for supervision and guidance.
Hold off activating any correction signals until he becomes accustomed to wearing his new accessory. If you have a leash, train him as well as using this as a training tool.
Day 3 – Add The Correction
On the third day, after wearing the collar for a few hours, you can begin to introduce the correction. Again, try and keep it as low as possible, just above what he can tolerate without reacting.
Use your remote control only when needed at this stage and avoid using it unless he is within range of an invisible or wireless fence boundary. Give out a warning tone and, if necessary, give him a quick sharp rebuke to show his boundaries.
Day 4 – 7 – Increase Setting Gradually
Increase both the warning beep and shock levels gradually across the next week, so your pet becomes accustomed to them on higher settings before putting him completely off guard with an ever-increasing electric jolt signal level.
Find the Right Level Which is Not Too High
The best way to find the right level for your pet is by starting low and slowly increase it as he becomes used to his boundaries. Of course, you can always reduce the signal strength if you see that it is too high and stressing him out, but never increase it unless he is within range of an invisible or wireless fence boundary.
Repeat this process across the next week until you reach a suitable amount that will not distress your dog while also remaining effective at stopping him from crossing into other undesirable zones such as roads or gardens where he could get hurt.
Day 8 – Test Boundaries
After a week, place your dog on a leash and take him out to test his new boundaries. This will either be done in an open area with some obstacles to run around or surround it with flags indicating his wireless or invisible fence boundary limitations.
Keep him on the leash so you can prevent him from wandering beyond this point, and give him plenty of time to explore his surroundings while coming back to you every so often for affection and praise from the successful exercises he has been performing.
Do not leave your pet alone until he is trained and accustomed to these new boundaries otherwise;, they will not know where their limits are.
Day 9 – 21 Keep observing and Correcting
After two weeks, you can ease up on the amount of training and correction signals, keeping them active, so your dog is not tempted to wander.
At this point, he should have learned his boundaries and will use it as a guide for when to stop before entering any dangerous zones such as traffic or other people walking along the sidewalk outside your home or garden.
How To Train A Dog With An Underground Invisible Fence
A dog’s instinct is to explore and go for walks, but when you live in a busy city like New York City or Houston, the only safe place to allow your pet to roam free is in your backyard.
The best way to keep your dog secure without having to close the door on his tail every time you leave for work or go out shopping is by teaching him his boundaries.
It can be done by using an underground invisible electric fence, which delivers an electric shock whenever he approaches the border of your property, or with one of the underground fences that creates a physical barrier beneath the surface.
Dogs get used to these quickly, just like they get used to wearing collars around their necks, so do not worry about it being too much.
Here are steps to follow:
- 1) Preparation
- 2) Placement Of Collar
- 3) Ease In With Leash
- 4) Introduce Fence Bound
- 5) Let Dog Explore Boundaries
- 6) Practice Exercising With Boundaries
- 7) Test And Enhance Boundaries
- 8) Dog Training Review
How To Train A Dog With An Electric Shock Fence
An electric fence for dogs is a very effective alternative to the invisible or underground fences, which rely on shock and vibration to deter your dog from breaking boundaries.
Rather than relying on pain like with an electric fence for dogs, this training system uses positive reinforcement such as treats and praise when he manages to go in the right area of your property.