Custom shape wireless dog fence [Electric Fencing and Electric Barrier Systems]

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INTRODUCTION

With so many different manufacturers and styles of electric shock, fencing and training systems available within the market, it can be a daunting task for pet owners to determine if using one of these systems is the right choice for their pet. And if so, which system is the best one to use.

Within the overall market, there are three main types of electric shock training systems that can be used with pets, which are the following: (1) Wireless Hidden Fencing Systems that are meant to contain and keep pets within a designated area, (2) Wired Hidden Fencing Systems that are also meant to contain and keep pets within a designated area, and (3) Barrier Systems that are meant to keep pets out of a designated area.

In this article, readers will find a review of one system that falls within each of these three categories. Within the first category of wireless hidden fencing systems, the Havahart Custom Shape Dog Fence is reviewed. Within the second category of wired hidden fencing systems, the Sit Boo-Boo Advanced Hidden Fence is reviewed. And within the third category of barrier systems, the PetSafe Pawz Away Pet Barrier System is reviewed.

Following the reviews for each of these three systems, are detailed explanations of how each system works, followed by general installation guidelines for each of the three systems, answers to common questions and must know facts, as well as critical tips and warnings for the use of these kinds of systems.

This article is meant to inform readers about the general categories of electric fencing and electric barrier training methods, review a product that falls within each category, and explain in great detail how each of these kinds of products works and the risks that come with using them, so that the reader is able to make an educated decision regarding whether or not he or she should use any of these types of products with their pets.

PRODUCT 1: Havahart Custom Shape Dog Fence, Wireless System

Product Description: The Havahart Custom Shape Wireless Dog Fence System allows pet owners to create a customizable containment area of up to 25 total acres, for up to two dogs to play within. Unlike most wireless dog fencing systems that create circular boundaries that have a maxima area of 1.2 acres of containment, the Havahart Custom Shape Dog Fence is capable of containing much larger areas, of a variety of shapes and sizes. Users of this system can also create optional exclusion zones within the overall containment area to keep pets from getting into a pool, a hot tub, a garden, children’s play areas, or anything that their owner would like to keep their pet out of. This system features advanced transceiver technology in each of the four fence transmitter bases, as well as the receiver collar, allowing each part of the system to communicate with each of the other components to constantly track the precise location of your pet.

The Havahart Custom Shape Wireless Dog Fence System comes with one master fence transmitter base, three additional fence transmitter bases, four AC adapter power cords – one for each base, removable wall mount adhesive strips, four screws and four wall anchors, one wireless controller, one USB cable, one USB power adapter, one receiver collar, two batteries for the receiver collar, one battery charger, one set of long and one set of short receiver collar contact probes, one receiver collar test light tool, 74 white training flags and one blue training flag, one instructional DVD, one quick setup guide, and one troubleshooting guide. The Havahart Custom Shaped Wireless Dog Fence System was discontinued and out of stock everywhere that dog fencing systems are sold, at the time of this review. Therefore an exact price for this product was not able to be determined. However, from the research that the reviewer completed. While this system features state of the art technology that is quite impressive in theory, the system also has quite a few glitches and technical issues that need to be resolved, largely due to the fact that it is a first-generation system, and the only one of its kind that has been manufactured, at this point in time. Which led, at least in part, to the fact that this system had twice as many negative customer reviews, as positive customer reviews at the time in which this article was written.

Key Features:

Can contain up to 25 acres, total.
Customizable boundary capabilities.

Rechargeable receiver collar batteries.

Five levels of static shock correction plus a tone-only option.

Works with dogs that weigh over 8 pounds, with neck sizes of 7 to 17 inches.

Can contain up to two dogs, with the purchase of an additional receiver collar.

Will not shock dogs for returning to the containment area, after they have left it.

Low Battery Light lets users know when it is time to recharge the receiver collar battery.

Users can create up to four digitally-set exclusion zones within the overall containment area.

Time-Out safety feature on receiver collar will not allow pets to be shocked for more than 30 continuous seconds.

Has a compact, wireless controller with an intuitive touch screen that controls the entire system, and web-based interface for windows-based computers.

Integrated Motion Sensor technology in the receiver collar allows the collar to go to sleep when your dog is not moving, in order to save the collar’s battery life.

Pros:

Will not shock dogs for returning to the containment area, after they have left it.

Users report that the real-time mapping on the touch screen controller is helpful.
Low Battery Light lets users know when it is time to recharge the receiver collar battery.
Has a compact, wireless controller with an intuitive touch screen that controls the entire system, and web-based interface for windows-based computers.

Integrated Motion Sensor technology in the receiver collar allows the collar to go to sleep when your dog is not moving, in order to save the collar’s battery life.

Cons:

Many users report that this system did not work, and all parts of it malfunction, if they ever worked at all.
Users report that the receiver collars are not waterproof and are expensive to replace when they stop working.
Users report that the receiver collars and fence transmitter bases break, and stop working randomly and frequently, without reason.
Several users report that the receiver collar malfunctioned and shocked their dog frequently, when they were well within the containment area boundaries.
Several users report that the receiver collar battery dies within several hours of normal use, causing dog owners to have to closely monitor the collars and replace batteries at least once each day.
Several users report that the receiver collar is much too large, heavy, and cumbersome for even medium size dogs that weigh over 20 to 30 pounds and that both sets of shock prongs are very large.
Terrain of the area that users want to contain must be flat, with no obstacles or any large objects, users report that any slope, as well as bushes, trees, cars, and wooded areas cause this system to not work properly, if at all.
Cannot be used with homes that have metal siding or metal roofing and many other things will negatively impact the wireless signal strength as well (further details about this are provided in another section of this article).
Several users report that this system is extremely difficult to set up, and even after multiple tries with the help of customer service, they got “base error” messages, which cannot be fixed, and resulted in users returning the system.
Some users report that because of the weak 2.3 GHz signal that this system uses (which is approximately the same signal strength that the average cordless telephone uses) that the system was not able to contain more than 1.5 acres, because the signal would not reach beyond 1.5 acres from the fence transmitter bases.
Any metal objects, or large stationary objects located near the fencing system can interfere with the wireless signal and leave large gaps in the containment boundaries that pets are able to escape through, and some users report the boundary lines are very inconsistent even when nothing is interfering with them.
Users report that the hidden fence warning zones fluctuate drastically, and often, without reason, and that even when set to a smaller area of 3 to 6 feet, the warning zones actually end up being 6 to 13 feet on each side of the boundary line, therefore, users must have a large area to contain if they would like to use this system.

PRODUCT 2: Sit Boo-Boo Advanced Hidden Fence, Wired System

PRODUCT 3: PetSafe Pawz Away Pet Barrier with Adjustable Range

Product Description: The PetSafe Pawz Away Pet Barrier with Adjustable Range allows pet owners to place the barrier transmitter, which is disguised as a rock, near anything that they do not want their pet to get into, such as a pool, garden, landscaping or water features, children’s play area, or trash cans. The barrier transmitter emits a circular radio signal in every direction around it, creating a wireless barrier radius that reaches up to 8 feet in every direction around the transmitter, in which the receiver collar that your pet wears will activate, in order to deter your pet from entering the barrier zone. Users of this system also have the option of purchasing boundary wire, separately, to create a custom shaped barrier loop of up to 150 feet. The barrier transmitter does not have to be plugged into a standard outlet, because it runs on 4 D batteries. Additionally, the barrier transmitter is waterproof, so it can be placed outside, in the elements and does not have to be kept inside a dry, climate-controlled area. PLEASE NOTE: This system cannot be used as a containment system, it is meant to keep pets out of the barrier, not within it.

The PetSafe Pawz Away Pet Barrier with Adjustable Range can be purchased online but Prices may vary depending on when and where the product is purchased. This system comes with one barrier transmitter that is disguised as a landscape rock (requires 4 D batteries that are not included with purchase), one receiver collar, two 3-V batteries for the receiver collar, one test light tool, and one operating and training guide. This system had a slightly above average customer review rating at the time in which this article was written.

Key Features:

Can be used with pets that are older than 6 months old.
Fits pets that weigh more than 5 pounds and up with neck sized of 6 to 28 inches.
An unlimited number of PetSafe Pawz Away Pet Barrier receiver collars can be added to the system for users who have multiple pets.
Receiver collar emits a warning tone, then automatically progresses from the lowest level of static shock correction, to the maximum level of static shock correction within three seconds of your pet approaching the barrier area.
From three seconds through 15 seconds the receiver collar will continue to shock your dog at the maximum strength level, then the collar times out due to the over-correction protection safety feature that will not allow pets to be shocked for more than 15 continuous seconds.

Pros:

Lightweight receiver collar.
Will not shock pets for more than 15 continuous seconds.
Has a wireless option that is very quick and easy to setup.
Barrier transmitter is waterproof and can be placed outside.
Barrier transmitter is disguised as a landscaping rock, and blends into surroundings.
Some users report that this system effectively keeps pets out of areas that owners do not want them in.

Cons:

Barrier transmitter cannot be placed near, or on any metal objects.
Many users report that the receiver collars are not made well and break frequently, with normal use.
Many users report that their animals will run right through the barrier and withstand the shock, in order to get to what they want.
Some users report that the area that the barrier transmitter can cover, wirelessly, is smaller than manufacturers claim it is.
Several users report that the batteries in the barrier transmitters explode, and have rendered the barrier transmitters useless, on multiple occasions.
Receiver collar batteries are not rechargeable, and users report that the batteries die quickly, and that replacing the batteries frequently can become expensive and time-consuming.
Users report that the barrier transmitters are unreliable, and often stop working after a short period of time, either due to product malfunction or the batteries dying quickly, and replacing 4 D batteries in the barrier transmitters, frequently, is quite expensive.
Because the receiver collars cannot be worn for longer than 10 to 12 hours in a 24-hour period, and should be taken off of your pet as often as possible to avoid he or she getting sores or open wounds due to the shock probes irritating their skin, the system cannot keep pets out of the things that owners would like to keep them out of, 24/7. And due to the inconsistency, it is difficult for some pets to learn to stay out of the barrier zones.

HOW EACH OF THE THREE SYSTEMS FEATURED IN THIS REVIEW WORK

How Does the Havahart Custom Shape Wireless Containment System Work?

The Havahart Custom Shape Wireless Containment System has several critical parts that must operate together in order to contain your pet, which are the receiver collar that you place on your dog, a wireless fence controller that allows you to control the entire system, and up to four fence transmitter bases. The wireless fence controller must be connected to an online server, and allows you to see the established fence boundaries, and all parts of the system, as well as track where your dog is, within the system, in real-time. Users will use the wireless control to establish the containment area’s boundaries, and to add each fence transmitter base to the system. This allows the bases to communicate with one another and establish their positions in relation to one another, as well. Users of this system can create pretty much any custom boundary shape that they would like, because this system is unique in that it utilizes up to four fence transmitter bases and a wireless controller that all communicate with one another. Up to four exclusion zones can also be set up within the containment area, using this system.

After a Havahart Custom Shape Wireless Fence receiver collar has been added to the system, and fully tested with each boundary using the test light tool, users fit the receiver collar on their dog, and the fence transmitter bases will track (in real-time) the location of the dog as he or she moves around the containment area that users have set up. If the dog approaches that wireless fence boundary, or any of the exclusion zones that users have set up, this system will send a correction command to the receiver collar that the dog is wearing. He or she will hear a warning tone, followed by static shock correction delivered to the dog’s neck via the shock probes on the receiver collar, if your dog not retreat back into their containment area upon hearing the warning tone. Users can see all of this happening, in real-time, on the wireless touch-screen controller that is included with this system.

If your dog escapes the containment area, the green wireless fence boundary line that can be seen on the wireless controller will turn red. Should this happen, your dog will receive a static shock correction (at the predetermined level that users have selected) until they return to their containment area, or for 30 continuous seconds. After 30 continuous seconds of shock, the receiver collar’s safety time-out feature will kick in, and cause the receiver collar to stop shocking your pet, even if he or she has not returned to the safety of the containment area. Your dog will not receive a static shock correction when they pass over the boundary line to re-enter their containment area. This is a good feature for hidden fencing systems to have, because pets are much less likely to return to the safety of their containment area if they are shocked for doing so. The receiver collar will revert back to normal operating mode, and the wireless fence boundary will also turn back to the color green on the wireless controller, once your dog has returned to the containment area.

How Does the Sit Boo-Boo Advanced Hidden Fence Wired Containment System Work?

This system works by way of the fence transmitter emitting a radio signal that runs through the entire length of the boundary wire that users set up, and attach to the fence transmitter at both ends of the containment area loop that the wire creates. After setting up and properly testing the system using the test light tool, users bury the boundary wire in 1- to 3-inch-deep trenches around the entire perimeter of the containment area, and place white boundary flags along the entire perimeter of the containment area as a visual cue for their dogs, to help pets to see the boundary lines that they are supposed to stay within.

Your pet wears a receiver collar that picks up the radio signal that is being emitted from the fence transmitter, through the boundary lines of the containment area. The receiver collar has shock prongs that sit on your pet’s neck, and as your pet approaches the warning zone for any given boundary line of the containment area, he or she will hear an audible warning tone that is emitted from the receiver collar that they are wearing. If your pet does not immediately retreat back into their containment area upon hearing the warning tone, he or she will receive static shock correction to their neck, via the shock probes on the receiver collar that they are wearing.

Your pet will receive a progressive level of static shocks, ending in the highest level of static shock that is available on his or her receiver collar. The receiver collar will continue to shock your pet at the highest level available, for 10 continuous seconds, if he or she remains in the warning zone, or outside of the containment area boundaries. After the 10 second over-correction protection safety feature kicks in, your pet will no longer receive a static shock correction, even if he or she remains outside of the boundary area. Your pet will also not be shocked when they return to their containment area, which is good because being shocked when they return to the containment area will deter your pet from returning. This system also has a run-through protection feature, that will shock your pet with the highest level of static shock that is available on the receiver collar, should the collar detect that he or she is moving, at a quick pace, towards and over the boundary lines of the containment system.

How Does the PetSafe Pawz Away Pet Barrier System Work?

PLEASE NOTE: The PetSafe Pawz Away Pet Barrier system is NOT a containment system. This system does not keep pets contained within a certain area. It is meant to be used as a barrier system that keeps pets out of areas that are designated by the user. This system does this by way of administering a static shock correction to your pet’s neck, (via the receiver collar that he or she wears), anytime the pet approaches or breeches the barrier that has been established around the predetermined areas that pet owners do not want pets to get into.

The barrier transmitter that comes with this system is disguised as a landscaping rock, that can be set up outdoors or indoors, in order to create a barrier that keeps pets out of certain areas. Once it has been set up, the wireless barrier transmitter emits a radio signal in the shape of a circle, in every direction around the barrier transmitter. The wireless radio signal can reach up to 8 feet in any direction from the barrier transmitter, or up to 16 feet in diameter. Users of this system also have the option of creating a barrier loop of up to 150 feet in diameter, using boundary wire that must be purchased separately, and connected to the barrier transmitter at both ends of the wire, in order to create a full loop that has an electric signal running through it, which will communicate with the receiver collar that you pet wears.

Using the wired or wireless option, this system works to keep your pet out of the barrier areas, in the same way. Your pet wears a receiver collar that has shock probes that sit on his or her neck, and whenever your pet enters the barrier, he or she will hear a series of audible warning tones that are emitted from the receiver collar that they are wearing. If your pet does not leave the barrier area upon hearing the warning tones, the receiver collar delivers a series of progressive-level static shock corrections to your pet’s neck, via the shock probes on the receiver collar. Your pet will receive the static shock corrections until he or she leaves the barrier area, or until the 15 second time-out safety feature kicks in, which will not allow your pet to be shocked for more than 15 continuous seconds. After the 15 second time period, your pet will not continue to be shocked, even if he or she remains within the barrier area.

HOW TO INSTALL EACH OF THE THREE SYSTEMS FEATURED IN THIS REVIEW

Havahart Custom Shape Wireless Fence System Installation Guidelines

Step 1: Set Up the Bases

NOTE: The best place to setup your fence transmitter bases is on your windows or on outer walls, in the furthest corners of your home.
NOTE: Fence transmitter bases MUST be set up in locations that are within a few feet of a standard, 120-V outlet, because they each have to be plugged into an outlet to work.

NOTE: Fence transmitter bases should be installed as far apart from one another as possible, and MUST be at least 20 feet away from one another.

NOTE: Do not place fence transmitter bases within three feet of any metal objects, mirrors, electric power meters, air conditioning units, metal grates or fences, metal screened porches, drainage down spouts, large appliances, large bushes, or any large objects, as each of these things will obstruct and diminish the fence signals.

NOTE: The master fence transmitter base MUST be installed first. To differentiate the master fence transmitter base from all of the other bases, Master Base A is the ONLY base that has a USB port located on the bottom of the base, next to the power port.

NOTE: All fence transmitter bases MUST be installed at least 6 feet off of the ground.

NOTE: You can access the wireless fence tracker ONLY if you have a reliable internet connection and a windows-based computer that is located within 6 feet of the fence transmitter Master Base A.

NOTE: Once all of the fence transmitter bases have been attached to walls, you will proceed by activating each base, and add them to the system, one at a time.

Please see instruction manual for further details and directions.

Step 2: Set Up the Fence Boundary / Trigger Zone

NOTE: The first step in this process is to place the fence boundary training flags all along each border of the containment area that you have designated for your dog(s).
NOTE: Use the blue flag to designate your starting point, then place the remaining white boundary flags in the ground, 6 feet apart from one another along the entire external perimeter of your containment area.

NOTE: The next step is recording the fence boundary and trigger zones.

NOTE: While recording the fence boundary lines, you MUST keep the wireless controller over the boundary flags at all times, as well as keeping the controller between your body and each of the fence transmitter bases, because your body can obstruct the fence transmitter signals, and cause the boundary lines to shift, if your body is located between the lines and the bases.

Please see instruction manual for further details and directions.

Step 3: Set Up the Exclusion Zones (optional)

NOTE: Exclusion zones are specific areas that are located within the overall containment area, that users would like to restrict their dog from accessing. Such as children’s playground equipment, gardens or flower beds, a pool, patio, or any other area that users might wish to keep their dog(s) out of.
NOTE: Up to four separate exclusion zones can be added to this system either during, or after the initial setup process.

NOTE: Each exclusion zone MUST be located more than 20 feet away from any other exclusion zones that have been designated within the containment area, and MUST also be more than 20 feet away from any of the containment area’s perimeter boundaries, as well as more than 20 feet away from any one of the fence transmitter bases.

NOTE: The minimum size of an exclusion zone is 12 feet by 12 feet.

Please see instruction manual for further details and directions.

Step 4: Set Up the Collar(s)

NOTE: You can activate and use up to two collars with this system.
NOTE: Make sure that the receiver collar battery is fully charged before installing it in the receiver collar.

NOTE: Always start with the tone-only option or the lowest level of static shock correction available, when training your dog to use this system.

NOTE: The receiver collar is always turned ON, whenever a battery is installed in it. However, the receiver collar will put itself into sleep mode whenever the receiver collar hasn’t moved for a certain period of time, using Integrated Motion Sensor Technology. The receiver collar light will not flash whenever the collar is in sleep mode. Movement will wake up the receiver collar, and cause the green collar light to flash. The collar light will flash red whenever the receiver collar battery needs to be recharged.

CRITICAL WARNING: The receiver collar should NEVER be placed on your dog until you have properly setup and tested every boundary to make sure that they system is working properly. ALWAYS use the test light tool to test the receiver collar, in order to make sure that it is working properly. You need to test every boundary line, and every trigger zone, before each time that you place the receiver collar on your dog, as these boundary lines and trigger zones are subject to change, at any given time, for a number of reasons. You want to test the collar frequently to ensure that your dog will not be shocked unnecessarily.

CRITICAL WARNING: ALWAYS keep at least one finger-width of space between your dog’s neck and the shock collar probes. ALWAYS wash your dog’s neck and wipe of the shock probes, before and after each time you place the receiver collar on your pet in order to help prevent the shock probes from causing painful and potentially dangerous irritation to your dog’s neck.

CRITICAL WARNING: The receiver collar should NEVER be left on your dog for more than 10 to 12 hours in a 24-hour period, and it is recommended that pet owners readjust the collar on their dog’s neck every 1 to 2 hours in order to prevent the dog’s neck getting irritated by the shock probes. If these rules are not carefully followed, your dog could end up with holes in his or her neck, from the shock collar probes, that can become easily infected, and are very painful and dangerous for your pet.

Please see instruction manual for further details and directions.

Step 5: Train Your Dog(s)

NOTE: It is imperative that you take as much time as your pets needs to properly train them to use this system, and you MUST ALWAYS remain patient with your pets throughout the entire training process. Have fun with your pets during this process, as well, and ALWAYS reward them with a lot of positive praise, play time, and special treats at the end of each training session.
NOTE: It is best to keep training sessions with your dog short and frequent, meaning it is best to train your dog in 10- to 15-minute training sessions, 2 to 3 times each day, until they are fully trained, and are staying within the containment area, without incident.

NOTE: The manufacturers of this system recommend 15 consecutive days of training, however, it might take up to 30 consecutive days of training, or more, for your dog(s) to become accustomed to using this system.

NOTE: You MUST carefully monitor your dog for signs of distress or discomfort while using this system, as it administers an electric shock to your pet’s neck. Discontinue use for the day (or permanently), should your pet show any signs of discomfort or distress.

CRITICAL WARNING: Because this system does not create an actual, above-ground, visible barrier to keep your pets within the designated containment area, you MUST ALWAYS use a leash while training your dog(s) to use this system. However, you MUST NEVER ATTACH A LEASH TO THE RECEIVER COLLAR, as doing so will put extra pressure on the shock probes that sit on your dog’s neck and this will result in discomfort and irritation at best, and at worst can lead to holes being punctured into your dog’s neck or cause an injured or broken trachea. You can add a second, regular collar, in order to attach a leash to your pet for training purpose, but you MUST ALWAYS make sure that the second collar is not putting any extra pressure on the receiver collar.

Please see instruction manual for further details and directions.

NOTE: You must dig a trench that is 1 to 3 inches deep, around the entire containment area boundary. There are trench digging machines that can often be rented from your local hardware store, that can help to speed up this step of the installation process. When placing the wire in the trench, always give it some slack so that it can safely expand and contract without breaking, based on the temperature outside.

NOTE: This step should only be done AFTER you have planned your containment design, laid out the boundary wire following all of the instructions included above and in the instruction manual, and have tested the receiver collar (using the test light tool, not while on your dog) in order to ensure that all of the boundary lines are working properly.

NOTE: Be very careful when working with, and burying the boundary wire as any minor nick or cut in the boundary wire can weaken or completely eliminate the signal, leaving gaps in the containment area through which your dog can escape. Further directions for how to splice and repair boundary wire are included in the instruction manual.

Please see instruction manual for further details and directions.

Step 8: Place the Boundary Flags Around Containment Boundaries

- NOTE: The boundary flags are placed around the containment area, on the boundary lines, in order to act as visual cues for your pet as to where they should not venture beyond, and to signal to your pet the boundaries that they should stay within.
- NOTE: The receiver collar will activate in the containment area’s “warning zones” which are located 6 to 8 feet on both sides of the actual containment area boundary lines, depending on how much “warning zone” space you would like the containment area to have. A warning zone of 10 feet on each side is recommended, and 6 to 8 feet on each side of the boundary lines should be the minimum size of the warning zone. Therefore users of this system must make sure that your property is large enough to accommodate approximately 20 feet of warning zones around the entire perimeter of the containment area, and still allow their pet to have a large area to play within.
Please see instruction manual for further details and directions.

Step 9: Fit the Receiver Collar Properly on Pet

- NOTE: Please read and follow all of the steps for this process that are detailed in the instruction and training manual that is included with each Sit Boo-Boo fencing system.
- CEITICAL WARNING: In order for your dog to be effectively trained with a wireless containment system, a proper fit and proper placement of the receiver collar’s shock prongs is imperative. But users MUST NEVER shave the hair on their pet’s neck to make the shock probes contact the pet’s neck, better. Shaving your dog’s neck hair could cause excessive pain, and lead to serious damage and harmful sores on your dog’s neck.
- CRITICAL WARNING: The receiver collars that come with these systems cannot be worn by your pet for more than 10-12 hours at a time, and it is recommended that pet owners readjust the position of the shock probes on their pet’s neck every one to two hours in order to prevent skin irritation. Should this not be done correctly, or if your pet’s skin is extra sensitive to the metal shock probes, his or her skin can very quickly become irritated, which can lead to sores and to the development of holes being pierced in your pet’s neck. This problem has been reported by users of these kinds of receiver collars. Should your pet get holes in their neck from wearing the receiver collar, the open wounds can quickly become infected and lead to serious health problems and even death. If you are using one of these systems with your pet, you need to check their neck frequently for any signs of irritation, and stop use of the product immediately, should irritation occur.
- CRITICAL WARNING: Some pets are too small to safely wear the receiver collars, Users have reported that the receiver collars, even the collars that are made to be used with small dogs are much too heavy and painful for small dogs to wear. These kinds of collars can be dangerous for small pets, to the point of breaking their trachea. It is not recommended to use the receiver collars that require large, 6-volt batteries with pets that weigh less than 40 pounds.
- IMPORTANT WARNING: NEVER connect a leash or any kind of lead to the receiver collar, doing so will put extra pressure on the contact points which will hurt your pet and could cause the shock probes to pierce through their skin. Use a second collar for a lead and make sure to NEVER allow the second collar to put pressure on the receiver collar.
Please see instruction manual for further details and directions.

Step 10: Train Your Dog

- NOTE: Please read and follow all of the steps for this process that are detailed in the instruction and training manual that is included with each Sit Boo-Boo Hidden Fence system. The instruction manual includes an extensive training section that outlines 14 consecutive days of training your dog on how the hidden fence system works. Users of these systems will need to complete at least three, 10- to 15-minute training sessions per day, for a minimum of 14 days, but 30 days or more is usually recommended.
- NOTE: You must be patient with your pet during the training process. Have fun with your pet, positively reinforce and reward he or she throughout and after the training process, and ALWAYS make sure to pay close attention to your pet’s body language for any sign of pain or distress, and discontinue training for the day should your pet become upset or distressed, in any way.
- NOTE: Some pets will require more training sessions and more time to become accustomed to using a wireless fencing system, and some pets will not be effectively trained on how to stay within their invisible containment boundaries, no matter how hard you try. If your pet cannot be properly trained to stay within an invisible fence, your best option is to install a traditional, above-ground fence in order to ensure their safety.
Please see instruction manual for further details and directions.

Petsafe Pawz Away Barrier System – Wireless Option Installation Guidelines

Step 1: Power Up the Barrier Transmitter

NOTE: You will need to use a Phillips head screwdriver to open the battery door on the barrier transmitter, in order to complete this step.
NOTE: You will need 4 alkaline D-batteries to power the barrier transmitter, these batteries are not included with the purchase of this system and must be bought separately.

NOTE: Manufactures of this system claim that the 4 D-batteries should last for one year of normal use of this system, but state that the batteries should be checked at least once each month, in order to ensure that the system is working properly.

Please see instruction manual for further details and directions.

Step 2: Set Up the Barrier Transmitter

NOTE: NEVER perform setup procedures while your pet is wearing the receiver collar.
NOTE: There is an LCD screen, and “+” and “-” buttons that are hidden under a lid that you can open, which is located on the top of the barrier transmitter. Users of this system will use the “+” and “-” buttons to set up the barrier area, which can be up to 16 feet in diameter, with use of the wireless option for this system.

NOTE: Avoid exposing the barrier transmitter to extremely cold or hot temperatures in order to lengthen the transmitter’s battery life.

NOTE: In order to get the strongest and most reliable barrier transmitter signal, place the barrier transmitter on a non-metal / non-conductive surface, such as your lawn or a soil landscape bed, that does not have any large or metal objects located within 3 feet of the barrier transmitter.

NOTE: Many objects can negatively impact the wireless barrier transmitter signal. Do not place the barrier transmitter within three feet of any metal objects, mirrors, electric power meters, air conditioning units, metal grates or fences, metal screened porches, drainage down spouts, large appliances, large bushes, or any large objects, of any kind, as each of these things will obstruct and weaken or diminish the barrier transmitter’s signal.

NOTE: NEVER place the barrier transmitter anywhere that it could possibly become submerged in water. The barrier transmitter is rated as waterproof, but not to the extent that it can be submerged in water.

Please see instruction manual for further details and directions.

Step 3: Test the Barrier Area

NOTE: NEVER test the barrier area with the receiver collar on your pet. ALWAYS use the test light tool that is included with the purchase of this system to test the barrier area, and make sure that your hands are not touching the shock probes while testing.
NOTE: If you place the barrier transmitter too close to your house, your dog will be shocked while safely inside of your home. ALWAYS make sure to test the receiver collar with the barrier boundaries, and anywhere near the boundaries, as well as inside of your home, in order to ensure that your pet will not receive unnecessary shocks.

Please see instruction manual for further details and directions.

Step 4: Fit the Receiver Collar on Your Pet

NOTE: ALWAYS fit the receiver collar on your pet while they are standing upright, on all four of their legs. NEVER fit the receiver collar on your pet while they are laying or sitting down, as the receiver collar will not be fitted to your pet properly if he or she is not standing upright, on all four legs.
NOTE: Allow your pet to wear the receiver collar for several minutes, then recheck the fit. Follow each of these steps, every time you place the receiver collar on your pet.

CRITICAL WARNING: The receiver collar should NEVER be placed on your dog until you have properly setup and tested the boundaries, to ensure that the system is working properly. ALWAYS use the test light tool to test the receiver collar, in order to make sure that it is working properly. You need to test every boundary line before each time that you place the receiver collar on your dog, as these boundary lines are subject to change, at any given time, for a number of reasons. You will want to test the collar frequently to ensure that your dog will not be shocked unnecessarily.

CRITICAL WARNING: ALWAYS keep at least one finger-width of space between your dog’s neck and the shock collar probes. ALWAYS wash your dog’s neck and wipe of the shock probes, before and after each time you place the receiver collar on your pet in order to help prevent the shock probes from causing painful and potentially dangerous irritation to your dog’s neck.

CRITICAL WARNING: The receiver collar should NEVER be left on your dog form more than 10 to 12 hours in a 24 hour period and it is recommended that pet owners readjust the collar on their dog’s neck every 1 to 2 hours in order to prevent the dog’s neck getting irritated by the shock probes, if these rules are not carefully followed, your dog could end up with holes in his or her neck, from the shock collar probes, that can become easily infected, and are very painful and dangerous for your pet.

Please see instruction manual for further details and directions.

Step 5: Train Your Pet

NOTE: It is imperative that you take as much time as your pet needs to properly train he or she to use this system, and you MUST ALWAYS remain patient with your pet throughout the entire training process. Have fun with your pet during this process and ALWAYS reward pets with a lot of positive reinforcement, and play time, as well as special treats at the end of each training session.
NOTE: It is best to keep training sessions with your dog short and frequent, meaning it is best to train your dog in 10- to 15-minute training sessions, 2 to 3 times each day, until they are fully trained and staying within the containment area, without incident.

- CRITICAL WARNING: NEVER force, or entice your pet(s) to enter the barrier area.
CRITICAL WARNING: You MUST carefully monitor your dog for signs of distress or discomfort, while using this system, as it administers an electric shock to your pet’s neck, and discontinue use for the day (or longer), should your pet show any signs of discomfort or distress.
CRITICAL WARNING: NEVER ATTACH A LEASH TO THE RECEIVER COLLAR. Doing so will put extra pressure on the shock probes that sit on your dog’s neck and this will result in discomfort and irritation at best, and at worst can lead to holes being punctured into your dog’s neck, and can even lead to an injured or broken trachea. You can add a second, regular collar, to your pet’s neck in order to attach a leash for training purpose, but you MUST ALWAYS make sure that the second collar is not putting any extra pressure on the receiver collar.

Please see instruction manual for further details and directions.

Petsafe Pawz Away Barrier System – Wired Option Installation Guidelines

Step 1: Determine Placement of the Barrier Transmitter and Wire Layout

NOTE: Once you have laid out your desired barrier area using the boundary wire, you MUST ALWAYS test the entire system with the test light tool and ensure that it is working properly BEFORE you begin to bury and of your boundary wire, as changes to your layout might be necessary for a variety of reasons.
NOTE: You MUST ALWAYS work very carefully and gently with the boundary wire because even a small nick in the boundary wire’s insulation can weaken the signal strength, and create an area in which your pet can enter the barrier without receiving correction via the receiver collar that he or she is wearing.

NOTE: When laying out and installing the boundary wire, never make sharp turns with the wire, as doing so will weaken or completely eliminate the signal, wherever the corner is turned sharply. ALWAYS turn corners with a minimum of a 3-foot radius in order to ensure that there will be adequate signal strength at the corners of the barrier.

CRITICAL WARNING: Underground cables can carry very high and dangerous voltage levels. You MUST ALWAYS have all underground cables that run on or through your property located and marked by professionals before you dig any of the trenches to bury the boundary wire for any wired electric fencing system. And you MUST ALWAYS avoid any underground wires when setting up your wired system.

Please see instruction manual for further details and directions.

Step 2: Connect the Wires to the Barrier Transmitter

NOTE: ALWAYS remove all 4 of the D-batteries form the barrier transmitter before you connect the boundary wires to the transmitter, for your own safety.
NOTE: Find the switch that is located inside the battery cavity, and move the switch to the “External” position in order to ensure that the radio signal is transmitted through the boundary wire (instead of the “Internal” wireless option).

NOTE: Next, you will carefully connect both ends of the boundary wire to the barrier transmitter.

Please see instruction manual for further details and directions.

Step 3: Test the Barrier Area

NOTE: You will follow the same steps that are included in the instruction manual for testing the barrier for the wireless option, WITH THE EXCEPTION that you will walk toward the boundary wire, instead of toward the barrier transmitter, while holding the receiver collar with the test light tool attached to the shock probes, in order to check that the wired option for this barrier system, is working properly.
NOTE: NEVER test the barrier area with the receiver collar on your pet. ALWAYS use the test light tool that is included with the purchase of this system to test the barrier area, and make sure that your hands are not touching the shock probes while you test the system, unless you would like to feel how strong the shock is, for yourself, before administering it to your pet.

NOTE: ALWAYS make sure to test the receiver collar (using the test light tool) anywhere near the barrier boundaries and inside of your home, in order to ensure that your pet will not receive unnecessary shocks, anywhere that they are not supposed to be shocked.

NOTE: Once you have fully checked and confirmed that the barrier system is working correctly, and is only administering shocks where it is supposed to, you can bury the boundary wire.

Please see instruction manual for further details and directions.

Step 4: Install the Boundary Wire

NOTE: For the best and safest results with this system, users should bury the boundary wire in order to protect the wire, protect humans from tripping and falling on the wire, and to protect their pets from getting wrapped up in or chewing through the wire, all of which could be very dangerous.
NOTE: The boundary wire can be placed under mulch, but this is not the best or safest option and should only be done in very low traffic areas, to prevent the boundary wire from getting damage or becoming exposed.

NOTE: The boundary wire should be placed in a trench that is 1 to 3 inches deep. ALWAYS make sure to give the boundary wire some slack when placing it in the trench, in order to allow for the wire to expand and contract based on fluctuating temperatures.

NOTE: The boundary wire can be attached to an existing fence. However, this is not the safest or most reliable option for the boundary wire installation, and users MUST make sure that the boundary range on the barrier transmitter can be set high enough to ensure that the signal will reach the receiver collar from where the boundary wire is placed on any existing fence, but placing the boundary wire in a low area, that is exposed, poses dangers to your pets.

Please see instruction manual for further details and directions.

Step 5: Fit the Receiver Collar on Your Pet

NOTE: ALWAYS fit the receiver collar on your pet while they are standing upright, on all four of their legs, NEVER fit the receiver collar on your pet while they are laying or sitting down, as the receiver collar will not be fitted to your pet properly if they are not standing upright, on all four legs.
NOTE: Allow your pet to wear the receiver collar for several minutes, then recheck the fit. Follow each of these steps each time you place the receiver collar on your pet.

CRITICAL WARNING: The receiver collar should NEVER be placed on your dog until you have properly setup and tested the boundaries, in order to ensure that they system is working properly. ALWAYS use the test light tool to test the receiver collar to make sure that it is working properly. You need to test every boundary line before each time that you place the receiver collar on your dog, as these boundary lines are subject to change, at any given time, for a number of reasons. You will want to test the collar frequently to ensure that your dog will not be shocked unnecessarily.

CRITICAL WARNING: ALWAYS keep at least one finger-width of space between your dog’s neck and the shock collar probes. ALWAYS wash your dog’s neck and wipe of the shock probes, before and after each time you place the receiver collar on your pet in order to help prevent the shock probes from causing painful and potentially dangerous irritation to your dog’s neck.

CRITICAL WARNING: The receiver collar should NEVER be left on your dog form more than 10 to 12 hours in a 24 hour period and it is recommended that pet owners readjust the collar on their dog’s neck every 1 to 2 hours in order to prevent the dog’s neck getting irritated by the shock probes, if these rules are not carefully followed, your dog could end up with holes in his or her neck, from the shock collar probes, that can become easily infected, and are very painful and dangerous for your pet.

Please see instruction manual for further details and directions.

Step 6: Train Your Pet

NOTE: It is imperative that you take as much time as your dog needs to properly train them to use this system and that you ALWAYS remain patient with your canine companion throughout the entire training process. Have fun with your pet during this process and ALWAYS reward he or she with a lot of positive reinforcement, play time, and special treats at the end of each training session.
NOTE: It is best to keep training sessions with your dog short and frequent, meaning it is best to train your dog in 10- to 15-minute training sessions, 2 to 3 times each day, until they are fully trained and staying within the containment area, without incident.

- CRITICAL WARNING: NEVER force, or entice your pet(s) to enter the barrier area.
CRITICAL WARNING: You MUST carefully monitor your dog for signs of distress or discomfort, while using this system, as it administers an electric shock to your pet’s neck, and discontinue use for the day (or longer), should your pet show any signs of discomfort or distress.
CRITICAL WARNING: NEVER ATTACH A LEASH TO THE RECEIVER COLLAR. as doing so will put extra pressure on the shock probes that sit on your dog’s neck and this will result in discomfort and irritation at best, and at worst can lead to holes being punctured into your dog’s neck, and can even lead to an injured or broken trachea. You can add a second, regular collar, to your pet’s neck in order to attach a leash for training purpose, but you MUST ALWAYS make sure that the second collar is not putting any extra pressure on the receiver collar.

Please see instruction manual for further details and directions.

COMMON QUESTIONS AND MUST KNOW FACTS

What Will Impact the Signal Strength of a Wireless Fencing System?

There are many things that can and often will negatively impact the signal strength of a wireless fencing system. The things that can and often will obstruct and greatly reduce, if not completely eliminate the signal strength of any wireless fencing system include but are not limited to the following: mobile phones, mirrors, microwaves, home appliances, electric power meters, air conditioning units, drainage down spouts, metal screened porches, metal or aluminum siding, trees, large bushes, above-ground pools, sheds, cars parked in or near the containment area, concrete walls, metal roofing, wooded areas, heavily landscaped areas, and uneven terrain that slopes up or down. The closer the obstructing object is to a warning zone, or to any one of the fence transmitters, the greater it’s interference with the signal strength will be. And the denser an obstructing object is, the greater its interference with the signal strength will be. You can help to prevent signal strength interference by placing the fence transmitters and containment area boundaries at least three feet away from any of the objects that are listed above, and also by raising all fence transmitters at least 6 to 8 feet off of the ground.

How Deep Do the Boundary Wires Have to Be Buried for the Wired Systems?

In most situations, with most systems, the wires must be buried in a trench that is between one to three inches deep. The reason that the trench containing the wire has to be so shallow is because the buried boundary wires need to be located fairly near the surface of the yard in order for the receiver collar to pick up the signals that the wires are putting out. If the wire is buried too deep, receiver collars will not get a signal from the wires and the containment system will be ineffective. Make sure to give the boundary wires some slack when burying them, in order to allow for the wires to safely expand and contract due to fluctuating temperatures.

Do Electric Fences Work for Large Dogs?

Electric dog fences seem to be a less effective containment method for large dogs. This is due to several factors. A low-level shock is not an effective method of keeping a large dog within the containment area. Whereas a high intensity shock may or may not be able to keep a large dog in the containment area, but regardless, it is not recommended to shock your pet with the highest shock setting, especially not on any kind of regular basis, because doing so can bring harm to the dog, both physically and mentally. Large breeds of dogs have also been known to be intelligent enough to figure out how to escape the boundaries without receiving an electric shock, as well as strong enough to run through the boundary, even with the shock. As a result of being shocked, some dogs, especially large breeds of dogs, have been reported to become aggressive due to the distrust and confusion that they develop when they are shocked.

Do Electric Fences Work for Small Dogs?

On the opposite end of this spectrum, some dogs are too small to use these types of containment systems. Even with the systems that are rated for use with small pets that weigh as little as 5 pounds, many users have reported that the receiver collars are still, much too large and cumbersome for a small animal. Some users even report that their dogs have sustained serious injuries due to wearing the receiver collars. Additionally, the systems that are made to be used with stubborn or large dogs should never be used with dogs that weigh less than 50 pounds. Even if the system’s collar is made to fit dogs that weigh less than 50 pounds, users report that the receiver collars that come with containment systems that are made for large or stubborn dogs are too heavy for a smaller dog to wear, and that the shock that is administered with these kinds of systems can be much too strong and potentially harmful to small dogs.

What Happens if the Power Goes Out?

For systems in which any one, or more of the system’s parts or components must be plugged into a power outlet, the system will not work when the power goes out. Therefore, users of any system that requires any part of the system to be plugged into a power outlet must always have a backup method of containment, for instances in which the power goes out, and their pet is not contained.

How Old Do Pets Need to Be to Use These Kinds of Electric Shock Delivering Systems?

It is recommended that pets are older than 6 months of age and weigh more than 10 pounds, at the very least, in order to safely use any kind of training system that administers an electric shock as the method of training your pet.

Are These Kinds of Shock Administering Systems Safe to Use on Pets?

This is a common and legitimate concern that many pet owners have. Especially seeing how there are many safety concerns and issues that have been reported with the use of shock administering collars. In addition to the fact that there have recently been bans on selling these kinds of collars that have started to spread throughout various markets and areas of the world. Clearly, if shock administering collars are being banned from use, there is a reason why this is happening. And that is because shocking your pet as a method of training he or she is quite risky. Not only due to the physical damage that shocking your pet and having them wear large, cumbersome, and often painful shock (receiver) collar can cause, but also because of the psychological trauma that shocking your pet causes. The trauma that is often caused in pets due to being shocked, commonly results in pets losing their trust in their owners, and in all humans, causing pets to see humans as a threat. When this happens, dogs can become aggressive and attack their owners, or any human that they perceive to be a threat. These kinds of systems should never be used with dogs that have shown any signs of aggression, at any point in their life, or with breeds that are commonly known to become aggressive when threatened. But even if your dog has never shown signs of aggression and is not a well-known aggressive breed, he or she could still become aggressive due to being shocked, and this is a risk that all users of these kinds of systems take. Furthermore, your pet may become so fearful of being shocked that they do not want to venture into their own yard. You might also have a hard time getting your pet to leave the containment area, to go on a walk or on a ride in your vehicle with you, due to their fear of being shocked, as well. Last, but certainly not least, the shock probes on the receiver collars that these systems require your pet to wear have been known to irritate pet’s skin, to the point of puncturing holes in their neck that are not only extremely painful but also very dangerous and prone to infection. Injuries due to the weight and cumbersome nature of the receiver collars have also been reported in users of these systems, especially when they are used with smaller sized dogs. For these reasons, these types of systems are not the safest option, and all of these things must be carefully considered before deciding to use any kind of electric shock collar system for the purpose of training your pet. An above-ground fence and positive reinforcement are always the best containment and training options. PLEASE NOTE: scientific research has proven that dogs that are trained using shock collars are less likely to be effectively trained than dogs that are trained using positive reinforcement methods.

CRITICAL TIPS AND WARNINGS

Manufactures of each of the systems included in this article make it clear to potential users that shock administering collars should NEVER BE USED ON AGGRESSIVE DOGS. And clearly state that their fencing, barrier, and training products should never be used with dogs that are known to be aggressive or could become aggressive. Aggressive dogs are more likely to react negatively to being shocked and can hurt or even kill their owners. If you are unsure of whether or not your dog is aggressive, or could become aggressive due to being shocked it is recommended that you talk to a licensed veterinarian and/or certified dog behaviorist in order to determine if it is safe to shock your pet.
The receiver collars that are used with these systems are not meant to be worn all of the time. It is recommended that you reposition the collar on your dog’s neck every one to two hours in order to avoid the metal shock prongs causing painful sores and open wounds on your dog’s neck that can become infected. NEVER ALLOW your pet to wear the collar for more than 10 to 12 hours in a 24-hour period. Receiver collars need to be taken off of your pet whenever they are safely inside. WARNING: some pets are extra sensitive to the metal shock probes. And pets who have worn receiver collars for too long end up with large, extremely painful, and highly dangerous infected holes in their neck where the shock prongs sit. As a part of your daily routine with your pet, you should be checking their neck for any signs of irritation or discomfort and discontinue use immediately if any sore spots begin to appear on your four-legged friend.
You cannot simply set up these kinds of systems, and let your dog loose. When using wireless pet containment systems, it is imperative that you take the time to train your pet appropriately. There are training instructions included with each of the four containment systems reviewed, and pet owners should be prepared to complete at least three, 10- to 15-minute training sessions with their dogs each day, until their pet has fully adapted to, and understands the containment system. Training can take much longer than this and can be time-consuming and ineffective. Even with the appropriate training, some users of wireless fencing products have reported that their dogs are not effectively contained, either because their dog is stubborn or because of product malfunctioning.
Due to the inconsistencies and malfunctioning that has been reported in hidden fencing systems, it is important to make sure that the containment transmitter and shock receiving collar are working properly at all times, and that the containment boundary wire is intact and working properly. Make sure that you check the receiver collar before each time you put it on your pet in order to make sure that it is working properly, and will not shock your pet when he or she is within the designated containment area. Also make sure that you leave the containment area with the receiver collar and test light tool in your own hand (instead of on your pet), in order to ensure that the collar is working as it should if your pet wanders out of the containment boundaries. Stay outside of the containment area long enough to determine if your dog would be shocked by the collar for longer periods of time, or more frequently than they should be.

CONCLUSION

As readers of this article can see, there are many critical, and potentially harmful aspects of using products that use the method of electric shock to train pets to stay within or outside of certain areas, that must carefully be considered before deciding to use systems of this kind.

One of the major downfalls of all hidden fencing systems, in top of the fact that they shock your beloved pet, is the fact that both wireless and wired hidden fencing options rely on a containment boundary that is invisible to your pet, making it much more difficult for he or she to learn to stay within their boundaries. Especially when the invisibly boundary lines that pets are supposed to stay within have been reported to fluctuate from day to day, with no solution to this boundary line fluctuation problem available.

Furthermore, invisible fencing system’s containment boundaries rely on constant, consistent, and effective communication being made via radio signals that are transmitted through multiple electronic parts, each of which are capable of failing, and are also frequently negatively impacted by surrounding objects, as well as negatively impacting other radio communication equipment in and near the user’s home. Because these types of containment systems are invisible, and your pet does not have any kind of actual, physical, above-ground barrier to keep he or she from leaving the containment area when the system’s signals are interrupted, for any number of reasons, it is a fact that using a hidden fencing system could bring your beloved pet great harm, possibly resulting in their death, should they escape their containment area due to product malfunctions.

Potential users of invisible fencing systems must also be aware of the fact that quite a few users of these kinds of containment systems have reported that their dogs are willing to withstand even a painful and potentially harmful shock, in exchange for their freedom, and will often proceed to walk or run right over the containment boundary, electric shock and all. Additionally, there are pets that are intelligent enough to escape the containment system, shock-free, by making the receiver collar batteries die, by way of sitting in the warning-zone area for long enough that the repeated warning-tone causes the receiver collar batteries to be completely depleted, allowing your pet to walk right through the invisible boundary line, without being shocked. If your pet falls into either one of these categories, this kind offencing will not work as a safe method of containment for he or she.

Another major issue with invisible fencing systems, both wired and wireless, seems to be the inconsistency of the receiver collars and transmitter boxes to work properly. Whether it be due to the system’s signals being interrupted or blocked, the receiver collar battery dying quickly, boundary wires breaking, product malfunction, or any number of parts breaking, there have been quite a few users of each of the hidden fencing systems that are featured in this review, that have reported that the invisible fencing systems malfunctioned, and shocked their dogs when they should not have, or stopped working all together. If either of these things happen, your dog cannot be trained to stay within the designated boundaries, and your wireless fence is rendered useless. Leaving your canine companion at risk.

Potentially the biggest problem of using any fencing or barrier system that trains your dog to stay within their containment area, or out of an area that pet owner’s do not want their pets to get into, by way of shocking them is the fact that being shocked may cause your pet to become fearful and distrustful of their owners, of humans in general, and of their own yard. Some dogs will become aggressive with their owners, as well as strangers, in response to being shocked. This is due to being taught to perceive everything as a threat. And there is no way to know how your dog will react to being shocked.

Many, if not all of these issues can be eliminated by pet owners installing a traditional, above-ground fence for their method of dog containment. An above ground fence will also keep other animals or humans that might bring harm to your furry friend, out of your yard. Unlike an invisible fence that dangerous animals or people can walk right over, in order to get to your pet. Even if your dog tries to dig under, or jump over the above-ground fence, there are many reliable and safe solutions that can be used in order to prevent both of these things from happening.

Equally as important is the fact that when you provide your dog with an actual above-ground fence, he or she will not have to wear a cumbersome, painful, and potentially harmful shock receiving collar that has been reported to irritate a dog’s neck at best, and lead to infected and potentially deadly holes in their neck, at worst. Therefore, installing a proper, above-ground fence is always the safest and best bet for keeping your dog contained, happy, and healthy.

However, if installing a hidden fence is your only option for containing your dog, using an underground, electric wired containment system appears to be a more reliable method of containment than using a wireless hidden fencing system, because there are so many things that can weaken or completely diminish the wireless system’s signal strength. If you are a pet owner that truly cannot install an above-ground fence, due to building restrictions that exist where you live, using an underground-wired hidden fence is certainly a safer option than tying your pet to a stationary object as a method of containment.

Using tie-off lines to keep pets contained results in bodily harm, and even death of dogs much more often that one would think. This is due to pets becoming dangerously wrapped up in the tie-off line, or worse yet, dogs can and have been known to accidentally hang themselves with stationary lines that they are tied to. Therefore, if tying your pet to a stationary object, or using a hidden fencing system are your only two options for containing your pet, I hope that you will always choose the hidden fencing system option. But please, always make sure to carefully monitor your pet for any signs of discomfort and distress. Check your pet’s necks daily for any signs of irritation, making sure to clean their neck and the shock probes before and after each use of the receiver collar. Check that the shock collar is working properly before each time that you place it on your pet and try the shock out on yourself, first, in order to see how strong the shock is, and to determine if you would like your pet to feel that kind of shock, repeatedly. And always keep a close eye on your dog any time that he or she is in their containment area, as these systems have been known to malfunction quite frequently. And even when hidden fencing systems are working properly, they are only able to effectively contain dogs about 70% of the time. Therefore, users must always use these types of products cautiously.