Every dog owner should have a fenced-in yard. You may not think it will happen to you, but any dog could be spooked or chase a squirrel out of your yard. Not only is there the danger of your pup getting lost, but he could also get seriously injured by a car or another animal.
If your yard does not have a fence, you may want to explore the many different fencing options on the market today. Keep in mind that some of these fence types do require a bit of training and some patience. However, it’s most important that you find a safe and reliable option that will keep your pup safe and healthy.
Smart Fences
Dogs that get out of their yard can either get seriously injured or end up getting permanently lost. Smart fences are an effective way to keep your dog from getting out and getting hurt. The main purpose of the smart fence design is to keep your dog away from the street.
Types of Smart Fences
A containment fence can come in different sizes and shapes, which is very important when you are considering your yard and situation. Here is an overview of the most common types of smart fences that are available to you today.
Invisible Dog Fence
An invisible dog fence uses the same technology as an electric fence, only it’s put in the ground. These in-ground dog fences are placed around the perimeter of the yard and send an alert to your dog’s collar when he has crossed over the perimeter. Typically, there is a warning beep before it emits a small shock that teaches your dog where the boundaries are. This is a popular choice for a dog owner that doesn’t like the look or cost of a regular physical fence.
An invisible dog fence is a great choice for an owner that is worried that the gate will be left open and their dog will get out, has an energetic dog that can dig under or jump over physical fences, or doesn’t want a fence to block their view. Keep in mind that larger dogs may ignore the shock if they have enough motivation and the electrical currents can also become interrupted, which will disarm the fence.
Virtual Dog Fence
What exactly is a virtual fence? Instead of an in-ground fence option that requires installation, a virtual dog fence uses a mix of a GPS location device along with training to keep your pet safe in your yard. A virtual dog fence is a good option for a dog owner that would like to track their dog even if he leaves the perimeter put in place, has uneven terrain in their yard, needs a portable fence that can be taken on vacation, and wants to easily set different perimeters and boundaries. Dog owners really like this system for its flexibility.
Benefits of a Smart Fence
Each of these smart dog fences has its benefits. Virtual dog fences allow you to keep track of your dog in the event that he does escape. It connects to your smartphone and will alert you immediately when your pup has escaped the perimeter that you have set. Many of these fences come with a smart collar that is waterproof in case your dog jumps in a pond or it starts to rain.
Depending on your dog, training can be easy thanks to the network of trainers that are provided. You can choose from virtual or in-person training sessions where expert dog trainers help you teach your pup where the perimeter is making it a very effective containment option.
With notifications that go straight to your phone, virtual dog fences allow you to set up several perimeters just walking the length of the containment area. This is also handy to take with you when you go camping allowing you to create a safe area for your dog to roam that also prevents him from getting lost in the wilderness.
An in-ground fence can be a better choice if you have obstructions in your yard that will block the signal to your pup’s collar from the receiver. The in-ground fence is physically placed into the ground around your yard’s perimeter, so you won’t have to worry about the signal getting blocked.
The in-ground fence option is also a good choice for someone whose yard doesn’t fit the circular perimeter of the virtual dog fence. If your yard has an irregular shape, installing the fence to follow your yard perimeter will ensure that your pup has plenty of room to roam during the day. It is also a consistent boundary that your dog will be able to respond to, which will never become fuzzy depending on the transmitter’s signal.
There are a few disadvantages to smart fences that you should also be aware of. A smart fence will not keep people and other animals out of your yard. It will only contain the dog that is wearing the smart collar. Also, if your dog is able to get out of the perimeter, there is the problem that he will get shocked trying to get back in, which could deter him from coming back home safely. Smart collars are not always effective with larger dogs that have thick coats since then it can be hidden by the dense fur, plus larger dogs are not always as affected by the small shock they receive like a smaller dog is.
With both fences, the signal can be interrupted. The in-ground fence can fail due to a lack of electricity while the virtual dog fence can have issues with the signal from the transmitter becoming blocked. If you have frequent power outages or lots of obstructions in your yard, you may want to consider which of the smart dog fences will be more reliable for you.
With the many options out there to keep your dog safe, smart fences are reliable and effective. Make sure you take into consideration the features of each type to ensure that you find the best one for your yard and your pup.
