How to Find a Break in an Invisible Dog Fence
Correction training for a dog is efficient, especially for a dog that has been trained to stay within the compound that you own. Invisible dog fences can help homeowners who wish to give their dogs some independence while simultaneously ensuring their safety. However, similar to any other system, they come with minor drawbacks. There may be a hole in the invisible fence, and this can go unnoticed, which is not a good thing.
Here is the complete guide on how to help you to find and correct a break in your invisible dog fence. Following these procedures, your dog will stay safely within your compound.
1. Monitor your dog's behavior
The first indication of any distraction in an invisible dog fence is usually when your dog will exhibit some form of altered behavior. If your pet is now getting out of line or getting stressed or even looking confused when they are roaming about the periphery of the fencing, then you might have a problem with the system. Constantly monitor your dog's behavior and try to focus on what changes may be happening.
2. Check the wiring
An invisible dog fence uses an underground wiring that has been laid around the outside edge of your yard. In time, this wiring can get damaged or moved around in some manner, and there may be a break in the wiring.
To check the wiring, follow these steps:
a. Use a dog fence wire checker: A wire checker is a piece of equipment created specifically to identify breaks or faults in the wiring. It operates by passing an electrical signal through the wire and determining the resistance. If the reading is low or high, it implies that there is a break in the wire used in the body of the extrusion.
b. Inspect the buried wire: You can also check with just your eyes. Search for any kind of insulation damage that would show that there are now bare wires anywhere. If you find any problems, try to fix the wire properly.
3. Check the dog collar
Besides the wiring, it is crucial to check the dog collar to see that it is in proper working order. Some of the problems a faulty or damaged collar may cause are collar malfunctions, where the dog may fail to understand the warning signals that go with the invisible fence.
Here's what you can do:
a. Inspect the collar for damage: Pay special attention to the collar of the device, including frayed wires, cracked areas, or loose cable connections. If there is any damage, you should replace the collar with a new one.
b. Ensure the collar is set to the correct level: Set the intensity of the stimulus so it alerts your dog, but does not hurt him in anyway. You'll find relevant instructions in your dog fence system's user guide on how to set your collar to the right level.
4. Test the system
Testing the invisible dog fence often to confirm there are no damages is a prudent practice. Be consistent with testing every so often.
You can do this by following these steps:
a. Set up a temporary boundary: Temporary flags or markers can be used as a demarcation to create a small area within the compound to be used in testing.
b. Run a test with your dog: Switch on the invisible fence and take your dog for a walk through the testing zone. Watch how your dog responds, and keep track of any times that the system barks a warning to your dog.
c. Check the warning signals: Be sure the warning signals from the collar tell the dog how to stop and return to the safety area quickly. If the warning signals are not clear enough or are too continuous, you should change the collar’s settings.
5. Conduct a full system test
After doing the initial test to determine the effectiveness of the invisible dog fence, a complete system test ought to be done to make sure that no problem remains unresolved.
Here's what you should do:
a. Clear the entire testing area: If you used any flags or markers in the training, make sure you remove them and keep your dog's environment free of any distractions.
b. Turn on the system: Switch on the invisible fence, and accompany your dog as you allow him/her to move around within your compound.
c. Monitor your dog's behavior: Observe your dog as he/she navigates across the property, paying attention to whether or not they are obeying the signals.
d. Check for any issues: If you get some alerts or your dog is crossing some invisible line without getting a warning, it’s possible the break still exists. In this case, repeat the procedure and look for some problems concerning wiring or collar setting.
Whether you're new to invisible dog fences or have used them around your home before, sooner or later, the wall will have some gaps that you'll need to address, and with this guide you can find where the break is. If you are still not able to find the break, it is best to consult a professional for help and maintenance.