Which Is Better? Traditional or Invisible Fencing?

You want to provide your dog with exercise and freedom to play outside, so you’re going to need a fence. You’ll need to decide what type of fence will work best for you. A traditional physical fence or an invisible fence. We think, the best way to help with this decision is to make a list of pros and cons. So, here are a few things to consider when deciding if an invisible fence or a traditional fence is best for your family.

TRADITIONAL DOG FENCES

Whether you choose an invisible or traditional dog fence, make sure it's the right choice for your family. Traditional fences are physical barriers made of wood, chain link, PVC, or composite that surrounds your yard. In addition to the material options, there are a variety of style options for traditional fences, including paneled privacy, semi-privacy, picket, and ornamental. It’s really important to make sure the style you choose does not allow your dog to escape, whether because your dog can jump over the fence, slip under it, or squeeze between posts. Let’s review the pros and cons of a traditional fence.

Traditional Fence PROS:

Property value: A traditional fence may increase the value of your home.

Endless choices: There are many styles and materials to choose from to match the style of your home.

Visually defines your yard: Traditional fencing creates a sense of space.

No training required. Your pets do not have to complete a training program.

Helps to keep other pets out: Other pets cannot get into your yard when it is fenced in. Unless they climb over or dig under it.

Keeps kids inside: You can safely protect your kids, too (as long as you have a good gate latch)!

Traditional Fence CONS:

Neighbors may not like it: A traditional fence may cause neighborly issues if you cannot agree on a style. To be a good neighbor, you should ask before starting fence installation.

Materials cost more: Traditional wood, vinyl, or aluminum fencing is much more costly than invisible fencing.

High maintenance: Physical fencing needs to be maintained regularly. Painting, staining and repairs to fence panels and gates to keep them functioning properly. Also, mother nature can damage above ground fencing.

Dogs might escape: Your dog may be able to climb or jump over the fence. If your dog begins to dig, you’ll need to look for other ways to block the digging. Such as brick or blocks, landscape timbers or chicken wire attached to the bottom. Another solution, is to have an invisible fence installed along the inside of the physical fence, to keep your pets away from the fence.

Limited to the backyard only: Most neighborhood and city restrictions limit physical fencing to only the backyard. This limits the amount of room your pet can enjoy and opens the possibility of your pet escaping out the front door or garage.

Local restrictions: There may also be neighborhood restrictions on the fence styles and heights you can install, so your options may be limited.

INVISIBLE DOG FENCES

Invisible fences keep your pets in your yard without a physical barrier. Instead, as the name suggests , they are invisible. Your pets will go through a training process that teaches them their new boundaries. Let's discuss the pros and cons of invisible fences.

Invisible Fence PROS:

No physical obstruction: One of the most obvious pros of an invisible fence is that it does not obstruct views on the property. This is clearly a good thing if you have beautiful views in your backyard or simply don’t like the idea of an unsightly physical barrier.

Won't violate building codes: Invisible fences don’t need to meet any neighborhood codes, which can win the battle of traditional fence vs invisible fence if your neighborhood or the area you live in has strict requirements.

360° Protection: Electronic fences can be installed all the way around your home and property. This provides a barrier on all sides, preventing your pets from escaping the front yard or out the side door or garage.

Customization: Electric dog fences can be easily customized to protect other areas of your yard. Such as gardens, flower beds or pools. Even inside your home. Special transmitters that work with your fence collar can be placed near the garbage can or certain furniture that you don’t want your pets on.

Won’t disturb neighbors: Your neighbors won’t mind if you have an invisible fence, because, well it's invisible!

There’s no escape: Your pet won't be able to dig under, climb over or push through gates.

Lower cost: Invisible fences are far less expensive than traditional fences.

Zero maintenance: Underground dog fencing is virtually maintenance free. Once installed, if left undisturbed, the buried cable will last a lifetime.

Invisible Fence CONS:

Requires training: Invisible fences are not a simple, set it and forget it type of fencing solution. Your pets will go through a training process that lasts about a week, before they are able to run freely in the yard. 

Keeps your dog in, but doesn’t keep other pets out: People and other animals can still get into your yard with an invisible fence. Unless you plan to buy additional collars for your neighbor's loose dogs! Or you can simply refer them to us, we'll help them out.

A power source is needed. Usually an outlet inside your garage or home is used to power the system transmitter.

CONCLUSION

No matter which fence you decide on, it’s ultimately all about the safety and happiness for your pet and both options can provide just that. If you decide that an invisible fence is best for you and your family, Outdoor Pet Solutions is here to help.

If you’re still unsure, consider this. If you have a physical fence installed and your pet begins to escape by digging out or climbing over, the company that installed your fence does not guarantee it will keep your pets in. Unfortunately, you will then have to invest in an invisible fence to prevent your pets from getting out by keeping them away from the physical fence, you have already invested in.

A better option might be, to first have the more affordable invisible fence installed. If, in the rare case the invisible fence does not keep your pets safely contained, Outdoor Pet Solutions will REFUND your money on the equipment, which you can then reinvest in the more expensive physical fence. This will ultimately save you a lot of money in the long run.

What kind of dog fence do you use, invisible or traditional? Are you happy with it? Still have questions? We’re happy to help! Comment below!

Confused About Electronic Pet Fencing?

OK, so you're searching for containment solutions for your pet. It doesn't take much searching on the internet to learn that there are tons of different options available when it comes to electronic pet containment. It can become very confusing because of all the different systems, brands and features that are available. They quickly begin to all look and sound the same. So how on earth can you make a sound decision? As a professional installer of these types of fence systems, I have been asked a lot of questions over the years. "Whats the difference between invisible fencing and wireless fencing?" "Whats the difference from one fence brand and another?" "What about features?" "Should I install it myself or hire a company?"

I will try and clear up some of your questions, like the ones above, plus explain the advantages and disadvantages of installing a fence system yourself vs hiring a professional.

Where did electronic pet containment come from?

In 1971, Richard Peck, a traveling salesman from Trexlertown, PA, invented what we now know as an electronic dog fence. Peck was troubled by all the stray dogs and looked for ways that owners could keep their dog inside their property without an expensive and visually obtrusive fence. Working with an electrical engineer, Peck came up with the idea of using boundary wires in conjunction with a receiver collar to keep a dog contained. Peck patented his invention and called it "Stay-Put."

Fast forward to today, Peck's original patent has expired and tons of other brands and products have since hit the market. So, where do we begin?

Let's start with the terms used to describe electronic fencing. "Invisible Fence" is a registered trademark of Radio Systems Corp. and is a protected name brand. Much like "Kleenex" is to tissue paper. But, most folks describe this type of fencing using this term, Invisible Fence. But, to make sure we respect this companies trade name, we will use the term underground fencing instead.

Underground fencing is pretty simplistic. It consists of a radio transmitter that produces a radio signal through a wire, much like the antenna on your car. From the transmitter, this wire is buried in the ground along the edge of your property, with the other end of the wire coming back to the transmitter, completing a loop. Then your pet wears what is called a receiver collar. This collar responds to the radio signal that is produced by the transmitter through the buried wire. The collar, when approaching the buried wire, will begin to "sound" or "beep" which acts as a warning for your pet. If the collar comes too close to the boundary wire it will deliver a harmless static correction. Most folks refer to this correction as a "shock." However, the correction is not really a "shock." Instead, it acts as an irritant. Much like what you feel, when you rub your sock-covered feet across the carpet in your home and then reach for a light switch. Most of us have experienced the "pop" that is created from the static when touching the light switch. This is what is felt by your dog. The pop repeats continuously until your dog retreats from the buried wire back into the safety of your yard.

Long before your dog feels this correction, they are put through a training process that teaches the dog to avoid the boundary. This lets them know that approaching the boundary is an undesirable behavior. When the dog experiences the correction, they will soon put together that the boundary is something to stay clear of, resulting in successful containment.

Pretty simple right? Then why is it so hard to decide which system to purchase or which company to have install it?

Well for starters, most of the fence systems on the market today, whether they are sold in your local pet store or by a franchised full service provider, are owned by just a couple of very large companies. These companies often offer DIY kits that are sold under various brand names in local pet stores and online as well as offer full service franchises to install it for you. So although you may see several different "brands" on the shelf, they are usually coming from the same place. I discovered this very quickly when I first started to research this industry when I decided to offer this service to my customers.

Now let's look at the advantages of installing a system on your own verses hiring a service provider.

Installing a system on your own can be very rewarding. Knowing that you successfully contained your pet by your own hard work can be satisfying and very cost effective. DIY fence systems on the market today vary in cost. They are usually priced from $99 on up to $400 depending on the features that are included with the system. Features can vary such as how large of a yard the system can handle, systems made for small pets, systems designed for hearing impaired pets, systems with remote trainers, and the list goes on. Keep in mind that the simple warning/correction concept will apply to all of the fences. These DIY kits usually include 500' of lightweight boundary wire along with training flags, a transmitter and a receiver collar. Installing a "wired" system can be somewhat of a task. This process may take a couple of weekends to complete, depending on how large your yard is or how difficult the terrain is. The wire that is included is on the small size. At only 20g this wire will eventually need some attention, as animals, soil changes and regular lawn maintenance can damage this light gauge wire. There are also wireless fences now available that make installation a breeze. With no wire to bury, you simply plug in the wireless transmitter and it sends out a wireless radio signal that is shape like a circle. As long as the receiver collar that is worn by your dog, stays in this circle, your dog will be contained. The limitations to these wireless systems is in the amount of area they are able to cover. Usually the circle can only be adjusted from around 40' to 210' in diameter with the transmitter located in the center. So if you have a large yard and want to take advantage of the whole area, you will need to install a wired system. Instructions on how to install the system and a manual with training tips are included with the DIY kit. These instructions are usually very limited and the training process is explained briefly. So, do your research on how to properly train your dog. Remember, not all dogs are a good fit for an electronic fence. Dogs that are known to be violent or vicious could become increasingly problematic when on an electronic fence system, as this type of containment will make these types of dogs more territorial. Older dogs with known health issues, such as heart defects, should also look for other means for containment. It is best to check with your veterinarian before investing in an electronic dog fence.

If installing it yourself doesn't sound appealing, than you may want to look into a service provider.

Just like the vast variety of systems on the market, it is no different when it comes to service providers. Depending on your area, you probably have a half dozen providers available to you, ranging from national franchises to locally owned providers. All of which will take on the back breaking labor of installing a fence system so you won't have to. Most providers offer training support. This is a huge benefit over the DIY option. Most respectable fence providers will offer a training program as part of the service to you, which should be designed in leaving you feeling confident in conducting the training with your dog. Simply put, you will take the hard work and trouble shooting out of the process and have the advantage of the personal training support when you have your new system installed by a professional.

So how do you choose which company to use?

You could start with inviting each of the providers out to your home to provide an onsite estimate and to discuss features of the system they install and the service they will provide. You will see that most of them offer very similar products and they all usually claim to be "the best." They will explain why they are better by focusing on a particular feature that their system has over the others. Remember, the same correction deterrent applies to all of the systems and the outcome should be the same no matter who you decide to go with. The investment cost to you for a professionally installed system will vary by company but not by a huge margin. One feature to consider are batteries. All of the fence systems require a battery to operate the receiver collar. Some collars take a replacement battery and others are rechargeable. Most service providers prefer the disposable battery option. They often offer a "battery plan" where they will auto charge your account and mail out fresh batteries to you. This makes replacing the battery in your collar easy to remember. Replacement batteries vary in price, but most average $20 each and typically last 3 to 4 months. This reoccurring cost can add up, especially if you have multiple pets. Personally, I enjoy the rechargeable collars. The rechargeable battery technology today is extremely reliable and long lasting. Our most popular rechargeable system takes about an hour to charge and lasts up to 3 months on a single charge. This is really convenient and economical.

When trying to choose a fence provider, my personal opinion is to focus less on the special features and pay more attention to the "service" part of what they have to offer. Ask about the training process they use, how they conduct the training, what techniques do they use to train your pet, or is it left entirely up to you. If they do offer the training, do they charge extra for it or is it included. Do they seem genuinely concerned for your pet? Do you feel comfortable with leaving your pet in the hands of this provider?

Then ask about the installation. Do they install premium gauge wire with a protective jacket? Do they take their time installing the system properly, taking precautions to prevent issues in the future? What kind of guarantee do they offer on their work? This guarantee is separate from the "warranty." Usually a warranty only applies to the equipment, excluding the wire and the workmanship. So it's good to ask specifically.

After you have interviewed all of the providers in your area and have followed the above mentioned guidelines, you'll be much more qualified to make this important decision. Remember, your pet's safety is what is most important. Go with what your gut tells you and you'll soon have your pets running freely, all the while safe in your yard!

Hopefully I have left you feeling a little more confident in your quest for a pet containment solution. Please feel free to visit my website for more information about the service we offer at www.outdoorpetsolutions.com as well as DIY dog fence kits available on our online store

Good Luck! - Adam Hatela
Owner / Operator of Outdoor Pet Solutions located in Nashville, TN

Is an invisible dog fence maintenance free?

Well, if installed properly yes. Underground dog fencing or "invisible fencing" is the least expensive way to contain your pet. Why? For starters, it is far less expensive then traditional fencing (i.e. privacy wood, chain link etc.) and if installed correctly it is virtually maintenance free. When properly installed, underground fencing will last the test of time and as long as it is left undisturbed will not fail. But there are some things to consider to be sure your fence system remains functioning.

Lawn maintenance can cause damage to your fence system if precautions are not taken. In the fall and spring, lawn aeration is popular but can damage the boundary wire. To prevent this from happening, have your fence system's boundary wire located and flagged. This way the aerator can run up one side and down the other avoiding the buried wire. You can also risk damaging the wire by randomly digging to plant new plants and trees. Be sure to take note of where your fence line is installed, and if you have forgotten, be sure to have it located before digging.

Don't worry. If you happen to cut your boundary wire, which is indicated by your system's break alarm or light indicator, it is repairable. If you know exactly where your system's wire has been cut, simply purchase a repair kit by going to: OutdoorPetSolutions.com

Dig up the damaged line, use the provided repair wire and strip the ends to allow for twisting the copper together with the wire nuts. Then press the wire nuts into the supplied gel capsules and rebury the splices back into the ground.

If you do not know where the line has been broken, you will need to locate the break. This is best left to a professional dog fence service. They have the correct locating equipment to pin point the break location and then repair it. This type of service can typically run around $100. If you live in the Nashville area, and are in need of service. Give us a call at (615) 473-2416. Or visit our website at: OutdoorPetSolutions.com We're here to help.

The key is to be sure the splices are water tight. Moisture is the leading cause for invisible fence failures. When the boundary wire is not properly spliced or installed, moisture can enter the copper line, eating away, causing corrosion. This will cause your fence system to malfunction, resulting in the collars not responding to the boundary wire. This will first appear as a break in the line. However, the line is not really broken. Instead the radio signal cannot push it's way through the corrosion. This type of condition, is impossible to correct, because break locators can only locate breaks, not corrosion. So, as a result the entire line has to be replaced.

So as you can see, underground, invisible pet fencing can be maintenance free. If left undisturbed after a proper
installation. There are just a few rules to follow to prevent damage to the system and when a repair needs to be made. Follow these rules and you will have a cost effective, low maintenance fence solution for your pet.

Want to lose weight? Get a dog...........

So its official. You're now 4 months into that new years resolution to get in shape and your momentum is starting to slow. Don't worry, everyone else is starting to slow also. This may partly be due to the monotony of going to the gym, doing the same old routine. Lets face it, staring at that tv screen while jogging on that stationary treadmill going nowhere isn't very appealing.

Running outdoors is another option. But running alone can also be a bit boring. Having a running partner can give you the motivation to get out everyday and knock that workout out. Now if you could only find that perfect running buddy that will always be on time, ready and willing without any excuses and have a huge smile on their face every time you even hint the idea of going for a jog. You guessed it, it's not your neighbor. It's your dog, or your soon to be dog.

Dogs are, with out a doubt, the best running partners on the planet! They will run anywhere, anytime and just about any distance you plan to go. They let you set the pace, choose the route and will hang with you rain or shine. This is probably more then I can say about your buddy next door.

Dogs are built for running. Running gives dogs a sense of purpose. Most breeds want to work on a daily basis and without a daily exercise routine, they will find other ways to stimulate this need. Such as excessive barking, destructive behavior etc. So, not only is this daily routine going to aid you in accomplishing your fitness goals, it is also extremely beneficial for you dog. Both physically and mentally. Sort of a win-win for all those involved.

Now, if you don't already have a running dog, or you're wondering if your dog is a good candidate for daily running. Here is a list of the more suitable breeds for long distance running:

American Pit Bull Terrier
American Stafford-shire Terrier
Australian Cattle Dog
Australian Shepherd
Border Collies
Boxer
Brittany Spaniel
Coon Hounds
Dalmatian
Doberman Pinscher
Fox Terriers
German Shepherds
Jack Russell Terriers
Rhodesian Ridge back
Siberian Huskies
Standard Poodles
Vizslas
Weimaraner

This isn't an absolute list be any means. But, it is s good start to determining a breed to fit
your daily routine. Of course, you need to consider a breed that will fit in well with the rest of your life. Not, just as an exercise partner, so choose wisely.

Does an "invisible gate" really work?

We have had a lot of customers ask us about the "Invisible Gate" method. For those of you who are not familiar with this term, it is used in the invisible fence industry to describe a method in which to get a pet to cross his/her invisible fence line to take them for a walk, etc. It is explained that as long as you exit with your dog at the same point, such as a corner of the yard, every time you want your pet to exit his/her boundary, your dog will  learn that it is safe to exit at this point. We could not disagree with this more! Dogs are very black and white. No I'm not describing a Dalmatian but rather a dog's learning behavior. There is no "gray" area where a dog will understand that "oh it's Tuesday morning, now I can exit the yard" because you want to take them for a walk. Once the underground fence training process is complete and your dog fully understands their new boundaries, the first time you attempt to walk them out of the yard on that Tuesday morning for a walk, your dog will put up an enormous fight. You will be getting strange looks from the neighbors while you try and drag your dog across the line that you have taken the time to teach them to avoid in the first place. I've always been baffled with some of our competitors advising this method to customers. Here is what we advise as an alternative to confusing your dog and causing unnecessary stress. You need to get your dog off of the ground, in order to allow him/her to exit their invisible fence. This way they do not associate the fact that they are exiting the yard. I know this sounds odd, but bare with me. The best way to take your dog for a walk or for any other reason to exit their boundary, is to remove the fence receiver collar from your dog and then say the command "walk" or "lets go for a walk" and then if they are a small/medium size breed, pick them up and exit the yard, place them on the side walk and enjoy your walk. When you return from your walk, reverse this process and place your dog safely back within the boundary and reapply the receiver collar. If your dog is too large to carry out of the yard, have them hop onto the back seat of your car or bed of your truck, back out of the boundary, have them hop back out and then go for your walk. Reverse this process when you return. You can also use an ATV or even a wagon. Just as long as they are off the ground when you cross the boundary. This way your dog will associate either you, your truck, car or wagon with the safe and ONLY way out of the yard. This will eliminate any confusion and stress for your dog and guarantee that they will remain safely contained within your invisible fence boundaries.