Nowadays, dog fence or invisible dog fence is not a strange term to many dog owners. Since the invention of invisible dog fence, which is used to keep dogs within desired boundary lines without building a physical fence, the idea has quickly wide-spreaded among dog owners’ community. In order to function, this invisible dog fence system pairs with a training collar which receives signals from the transmitter. The transmitter is able to tell if the dog is crossing the boundary lines, and then accordingly sends a signal to the collar to alarm the dog, using a buzzing sound or a mild electric shock. With such mechanism, the collar is extremely important for this system to work. Without the collar, the system is useless.

The dog fence is not the only application of such collar. Training collars appeared a long time ago in the 1960s and were mostly used on military and hunting dogs. Training collars are helpful in training dogs, and they have various applications. In this article, we will learn more about training collars.

Dog fence system

One of the most notorious applications of the training collar is the dog fence system. In areas that the government prohibits physical fences’ constructions, this system is extremely helpful. There are various ways that a transmitter can be installed: wired or wireless. For wired, it can be installed either underground for aesthetic purposes, or on the ground for easier setups. Wireless dog fences are not only used outdoor but also used indoor. The training collar in this system works as a receiver, and is worn on the dog’s neck. As the dog comes closer to the boundary lines marked by the transmitter, the transmitter will send a radio signal to the receiver, the training collar. Then, the training collar will create various types of alarms to warn your dog not to cross the borders. System users can choose and adjust the types and levels of the alarms based on their preference.

Bark control

Another application of training collars is in bark control. Bark control collars are used for dogs with excessive barking. When the dog starts barking, a mild shock is given to the dog through the collar to help shape his behavior. Eventually, the dog is conditioned to stop barking whenever he receives the signal. In this type of bark control, dog owners can remotely monitor the collars using sound or vibration. More advanced collars nowadays are usually activated by both sound and vibration in order to avoid unintended activation by noises.

Other applications

Training collars can be used in various settings, mostly in dog trainings. Most training collars are controlled by a handheld device that allows users to fully utilize all available features to train their dogs. The collars are useful in a way that they help to get the dog’s attention. In addition to sounds and vibrations, new training collars nowadays are capable of emitting various different signals.

Training collars, in fact, should be used simultaneously with other positive reinforcements, because the way that training collars transmit signals to the dogs ceasing their undesired behaviors is a type of punishment, and thus it is a negative reinforcement. Without pairing with any positive reinforcement to balance, dog owners can misuse these training collars and cause negative fallout.

How to use training collars appropriately

As discussed above, using training collars is utilizing a negative reinforcement. Hence, dog owners must be careful when using training collars in dog training so as not to misuse them. It is highly recommended that dog owners consult a dog training professional for advices before using training collars. Dog training professionals are able to provide instructions on how to use a training collar appropriately, as well as on how to choose appropriate training methods for specific types of dogs.

At the beginning, dog owners must be sure that their dogs have been familiar with common and simple commands such as sit, stand, and so on. Otherwise, it will be extremely difficult for them to use training collars on the dogs. To teach a new command, it is suggested that we start as similarly as we normally do. If the dog does not respond appropriately, now start using the training collar to give him a signal. After a few times, your dog will understand the conditions and start to behave as desired.

Keep in mind that not all dogs behave or react similarly to the signals from training collars. In reality, training dogs can be more challenging, and it takes lots of time and effort. It is important that you go step by step, and go slowly so that your dog has time to adapt and learn the new system. Although the shock or the sound emitted by the training collar does not harm your dog, starting from high level can cause anxiety for your dogs. It is always better to start from the lowest level and then move up when your dog has got used to the signals.

Don’t forget the treats!

Giving a reward is always a must in dog training. No matter how well you train your dog, a nice treat after each short period of training is always a great encouragement for your dog to keep up the good work and repeat the conditional behaviors next time. Moreover, giving a reward is also a great way of positive reinforcement. It helps to reduce anxiety and cheer your dog up. Overall, how your dog feels is the only thing we, as dog owners, should be concerned about. Dog training should be a fun experience for both you and your dog, instead of a burden.

In summary, the training collar is a great invention, and it has successfully assisted dog owners in dog trainings. It also has various useful applications, such as invisible dog fence system and bark control. However, training collars should be used with caution and preferably with advices from professionals. Training your dog is a long process, and it requires patience. Therefore, be patient with your dog and go slowly, and you will see the results eventually.

Adopting a dog, for a number of pet persons, is an important event ever in their life. The dog may become a very close member of their family where experiences and memorial moments are preciously perceived. Nonetheless, to confront complaints from other households within the neighborhood whenever your dog escaped its sweet home and explored its surrounding areas seems never to be great. Dogs’ owners thereafter have had a mission to accomplish: find a method to contain their active canines within range of control. That is how dog fence system was born.

Thinking about the white fence you saw in movies? No we are talking about wireless ones.

When it comes to fences, people mostly think about those wooden white fences originally seen in front of houses. Those fences appear in movies and images, and they cannot be more familiar to us. However, time has proven that those types of fences cannot prevent dogs from jumping out (because obviously they are usually too short for dogs). Therefore, a new wireless dog fence system was created to provide another alternative for dog owners to prevent their dogs from wandering around.

So how does this system work?

The system is not new to some countries since it was first invented in the 1970s (Bob W., The Morning Call, 2015). It is known as a wireless system that comprises of two or more devices. These electronic devices will create a fenceless boundary without any use of physical barrier or fence to contain dogs within. The dog will wear a lightweight collar which emits warning signals whenever it gets close to the boundary. If the first signals are ignored while the dog tries to escape, the pet will receive a strong and more severe signs from the device attached on the collar. The frequency between signal waves may get tighter as the pet approaching closer to the boundary. Upon several times of use, the pet will gradually grow awareness of its invisible allowance territory.

Two main types: Underground based versus GPS coordination.

There are currently several modules or types of commercial dog fences, but they fall into two main varieties. The most popular system employs underground based fences that prevent pets from escaping a specific townhouse yard or a similar area. A wire is buried around the desired land to be code energized connecting to the shock collar that the pet is wearing. As long as the pet stays away from the boundaries within the area, the collar will play nothing but just as a necklace.

Any movement closer to the boundary will cause the collar to emit first signals, then it will release repeating waves of electric shock with near impact. Another type of dog fence works with wireless signals either GPS coordinates or wireless connection between devices. It will benefit wider range of play ground for your dog, saving more cost on underground wires and could advantage tracking.

However, the tracking system has particular inaccuracy since the GPS coordination is tolerant itself. Sometimes, it may get confusion in according to the satellite signal. Wireless system, otherwise, support narrower area than GPS’s but it emits stronger signals within designated range. Therefore, people are preferable to the in-ground fencing system.

What is offered in the market?

It is a little complicated for first time buyers when they look at offers from the current market. In-ground dog fence comes with different prices depending on what kind of the system it is based on and the functions it can support. Quality and brands are also affective. Generally, packages of wired in-ground system tend to be cheaper and they arrive with larger quantity.

The downside of wireless dog fences.

Dog fence, nevertheless, also bears disadvantages. Dogs within a boundary could be possibly limited to interfere strangers or invaders, which is not good for the household in some cases. The disability may further result negatively in unexpected fights with other animals where the habit fears the dog to escape. On the other hand, the electric shock waves emitted by the device on the collar are harmless.

It only plays as a teaching equipment and cannot outperform excitements. Thus, owners of those are more aggressive and/or active could have to pay an additional price for special devices. Another factor that dog owners need to keep in mind is that wireless dog fence is not suitable for all dogs.

Some dogs with low pain tolerance may experience anxiety and shock. Hence, if in the past your dog had bad experience with anxiety, then these types of dog fences are not recommended to be used on them. Moreover, electric dog fence does not prevent intruders from entering your premises. Therefore, other than the purpose of restraining your dog from running out of their area, electric dog fences do nothing in preventing strangers from entering.

It is your call to decide whether you need a dog fence.

Dog fencing systems are beneficial at some points and are worth consideration. Owners should determine thoroughly their needs and conditions beforehand to avoid great affect on their pets’ normal life. Large impacts may cause abnormality to the pets’ behaviours and raise issues to animal welfare. It is also important to understand that not all dog owners have an electric dog fence. It is a technology to assist dog owners, but definitely not a trend, so there is no peer pressure on you as an dog owner to get one. Should you be worried about your dog escaping your house and running around the neighbourhood, a traditional fence can also be an option.