Many times, I meet people who ask a lot of questions about using shock collars. I am going to talk about it one of the questions. Does Invisible Fence use shock collars?
Let us follow it sequentially.
I know this has generated hot debates among many dog owners and dog trainers. Some strongly agree while others strongly disagree. Such debate is normal. There is nothing wrong if we have different opinions.
With the number of shock collars on the market, I have to use a number of shock collars and learned about how they work.
Meanwhile, I am not a great fan of invisible fences, but that does not mean that I cannot use them.
How Invisible Fence Works
We will start this discussion by first making you understand what we mean by an invisible fence so that all of us will flow together.
“Invisible Fence” is a particular gadget system that is buried underground for the contentment of dogs. To install an invisible fence, a set of wires is buried underground, around your yard, or anywhere you choose.
This set of wires sends signals that are picked by a neck collar worn by your dog. Anytime your dog gets near the boundary line, where this wire was buried, the collar will beep a warning signal.
If the dog should continue to go closer to the boundary line, this beep will be followed by a shock. After receiving this unpleasant shock for sometimes, the dog will learn where the boundary is.
As the world continues to advance in technology, there are now different versions of this same system. There are now wireless systems with which you can cover an area up to a certain distance from where you keep the transmitter.
There are other versions that run on GPS. With this version, you will be able to cover much larger and even irregularly shaped land space. Your dog will understand that these systems work the same way since they all give a warning signal followed by a shock to keep her away from the boundary area.
At what age can a dog use an invisible fence?
Your dog can commence training on the use of an invisible fence from the age of 12 weeks but, the most ideal age is 16 weeks. Some organizations suggest that an 8-week-old dog can start training on how to use an invisible fence but, we at DogFence feel it is too early an age to start.
It is important that your puppy understand why you are training it for the invisible fence. If you want your dog to start training on the use of invisible electric dog fences early in life, pay attention to and follow these simple institutions.
These instructions are going to help her ability to learn how to use the fence.
- Make walking on a lead fun for your dog. A lot of secessions in invisible fence training are done on a lead.
- Train her to understand some basic verbal instructions like “sit” and “come”.
- Teach her to interact with strangers. It will be easier for your dog to learn when she is more confident.
- Do not introduce the training flags yet. The fence installer will install it the day he will visit.
Meanwhile, many dog owners use invisible fences with good intentions. All they have in mind is to give their dog the freedom to run and play around the yard or give the dog access to the house when they are not at home for potty breaks. All these are good intentions that are aimed at giving the dog a better life.
The Real Fence Debate
Why not use a real fence someone may ask? The truth is that it is not possible at all times. People are not allowed to erect fences in some subdivisions. You may not know this until you have moved into your new house and bought a dog.
Anyone who has estimated the cost of a physical fence will agree with me that it is quite expensive to erect. Erecting a chain-link or wooden fence for your dog is not a better option for most families, especially those that have big yard space, because of its expensive cost.
I have an understanding of this and I feel sorry for those in this situation. We have to do the best we can because there is not always a perfect solution.
Potential Downsides
Invisible fence systems may look convenient at first but they have some significant faults. I have said it before that I am not a fan of the invisible fence systems and I may not recommend them to my clients that are scared.
However, many people still use this type of security measure on their dogs. Here are some of a few questions many pet owners ask.
FAQs
Do invisible fences shock dogs?
I will tell you why it is not a good idea to use invisible fences to contend your dogs. The electric fence seems to be invisible but its adverse effects are clearly visible.
These negative effects increase bad behaviors in your dog after a long while. The shocks they give your dog can make her become fearful or aggressive.
What kind of collar does Invisible Fence use?
The smallest size and most advanced invisible fence collar available in the market is Micro Computer Collar Receiver. It is weighed just an ounce.
It can be worn by all dog breeds, no matter how small the breed is, be it Yorkshire Terriers, Pekingese, Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, or Pomeranians. Even cats can wear this collar.
Do all collars work with Invisible Fence?
Yes! All ages, sizes, breeds, and temperaments of dogs and cats have been successfully trained using an invisible fence.
Does Invisible Fence use shock collars?
You have a set of wires installed around your yard or anywhere you intend to contain your dog. This wire emits a signal and this signal is received by a collar you wore around the neck of your dog.
This collar will give your dog a warning beep anytime she goes near the boundary line. If the dog continues to move towards the boundary line she will receive a shock from the collar.