PetStyle

"Electronic" fencing may be the answer.

Here's How It Works

There are several companies that manufacture pet containment systems. Most of these systems work similar to the Invisible Fencing® Brand system described here.

• A thin antenna wire is buried about six centimeters (two inches) underground along the boundaries of your property or parallel to an existing fence.

• Additional wiring can be installed within your property to keep pets away from flowerbeds, fishponds, and gardens.

• The product can also be used inside your home, to keep pets off furniture or out of specific areas. Inside the home the wire is simply placed under your carpet.

• Your pet wears a small receiver collar that picks up the radio signal that is sent through the wire. (The product will NOT work if your pet is not wearing the collar!)

• With a combination of conditioning and technology, your pet is quickly trained to respect his boundaries.

• Initially, a set of small white flags are placed on the boundary to remind the pet and give the pet a visible means of remembering the off-limit areas. As the pet approaches the boundary, the collar emits a series of high frequency beeps. If the pet ignores the sound and continues, it will receive a light shock.

• The electronic "shock" can be compared to the static charge you sometimes get when you shuffle your feet on the carpet, and then touch a light switch.

• While some pet owners do not like the concept of electronic fencing, bear in mind that it is a viable alternative to traditional fencing and is far more humane than euthanasia of a pet afflicted with wanderlust.

Words of Caution!

• Electronic fencing cannot keep other people's pets or wild animals out of your yard. It will not stop a coyote or an owl from coming and making a midnight snack out of your Miniature Schnauzer.

• No type of fence protects your pets from thieves who might take a fancy to your particular breed of dog or cat, nor does it protect them from diseases easily transmitted from one animal to another.

• Electronic fencing cannot be used to control vicious animals. In fact, Invisible Fencing® has a company policy that dealers cannot sell the product to owners of vicious dogs who see the product as an easy means of controlling their pets.

• Electronic fencing is an ideal option, provided it is used sensibly by responsible pet owners, not someone who is looking for an easy and more economical option than installing a wooden or chain-link fence. (The approximate cost of an average-size yard installation would be about
$1,000.)

• Whether your pets are contained by traditional or electronic fencing, they should never be left unsupervised in the yard while you are away.

Article submitted by: © Terri Perrin (Biography & Additional Information)