How Does a Wireless Dog Fence Work?
Today, there is no time for complications, and pet owners and their pets search for the easiest and quickest ways to protect their homes and gardens. The wireless dog fence is one of the solutions prevalent in today’s current society. This versatile gadget enables dog owners to set a particular parameter within which their dogs should move around. This article will explore the concept of a wireless dog fence, its operation, advantages, and possible disadvantages, which might help a pet owner conclude if it is suitable or not for their dog.
How Does a Wireless Dog Fence Operate?
A wireless dog fence generally consists of two primary components: a transmitter and a receiver collar. The transmitter is located at a preferred position within the area of your property. It sends a signal that illuminates a particular region. The receiver collar your dog wears simply picks up this signal and helps find out where the boundary is. If the dog gets close to the line, the collar will beep or give a mild shock so the pet can get the message. The collar will provide an electronic shock if your pet crosses the boundary after being issued the warning beep.
Wireless fences come in different models, and even though they all have one basic principle of operation, the setup can differ from one model to another. While some wireless pet fences can cover vast areas of the compound, others are fit for use only in the yard. Some of these devices include adjustable features to allow for different sizes and breeds of dogs and different degrees of correction for the dog.
Is It Dangerous to Use the Wireless Dog Fence?
1. Lack of Physical Barrier
The lack of a physical barrier is one of the reasons a wireless fence for dogs may not work for everyone; it has no physical wall to disallow other animals or people from coming in to the space. Wooden or metallic fences, or the existing chain link variety, offer a physical barrier that sets off your compound or home from others. It is an advantage over a wireless dog fence because it provides security and control. Although these devices establish a boundary, the only thing they depend on is a radio signal, and every time the signal is interrupted, the boundary is not as effective. For instance, the signal can be weak if trees, large metallic structures, or several house floors are between the pet and the boundary.
2. Chance for Incorrect Training
Although the system does give a beep or vibratory signal to alert your dog each time it comes close to the defined area, this may not be the best way through which your dog is trained on knowing the designated areas as boundaries. Positive reinforcement and consistency are much more effective ways of making sure that your dog understands which areas are off-limits to them. Thus, stimuli can confuse dogs, and by constantly making corrections to the collar, they might develop negative feelings towards the yard and may not want to obey commands at all.
3. Limited Mobility
Controlling or eliminating the freedom of movement to areas where the dog wants to play in is another disadvantage of wireless dog fences. These devices give your dog the freedom of movement within the specific area of the wall but also discourage the pet from going out of the area. As mentioned earlier, the receiver collar will shock the dog as soon as it crosses the demarcated line, preventing your dog from stepping further past the set limit.
4. Risk of Injuries and Harm
One of the most significant disadvantages of a wireless dog fence is the risks and dangers associated with the training process for your dog. The receiver collar that produces the static correction causes some dogs a bitter and unpleasant feeling that may produce fear and anxiety. Furthermore, other dogs who have health issues or those who cannot tolerate the collar correction may experience worse injuries. Sometimes, the current that is delivered by the collar may have unwanted effects, such as causing disorientation of the dog leading to further accidents or injuries.
5. Applications, Technology Disruption, and Technology breakdowns
The wireless fence is no different from any other wireless system, which means that its chances of failure or developing a mechanical problem can be expected. The collar batteries in your dog may run out, or the transmission could be cut by interference from other objects. If this happens, the wireless dog fence will not work, and your dog might cross the set perimeter to the other side. This can be tiresome and, at times, dangerous to your pet and also your property as well.