In-Ground vs. Wireless Dog Fence System - Which One to Choose?
Dogs are amazing creatures, but they are
also quite feisty and restless. Restlessness isn’t an alarming sign by any
means, but most people find it hard to deal with, especially if they are busy
with something else.
In case you have a large yard and are
struggling to hold your pet back from leaving the premises, a pet containment
system would be a good solution. However, finding a proper solution isn’t as easy as one might think
because there are many things one should keep in mind while choosing between
in-ground and wireless systems.
Most owners want only the best for their
pet. These systems primarily offer safety and quite a bit of control. If you’re
struggling to discipline your
pet and keep it within a certain perimeter, don’t hesitate to look into one
of these two methods.
Now, the only remaining question is – Which
one should you choose?
Wireless system
The principle on which these systems
operate is pretty straightforward. Every system consists of a transmitter,
collar, and often a set of boundary flags which are
used for training. The transmitter uses radio frequency to keep your pet
within a particular perimeter. In case your dog steps out it will get a warning
through the collar in the form of a mild shock. The shock levels are usually
adjustable which is good because it allows you to fine-tune the collar
according to your pet’s weight and size.
The
installation is fairly
simple. In fact, all you have to do is
find a good spot for the transmitter
inside your house, mount it, and that’s it. Once
you position the transmitter properly, set up the boundary flags and start
training your pet. It’s important to remember that these things work
best with pets who already know a set of basic commands such as “sit” and “stay.”
The
range of these units is significantly smaller in
comparison to in-ground ones. Typically, a wireless system will have a range of up to 100 feet in all directions.
Speaking of directions, you cannot choose
the shape or size of the signal field meaning there is no adjustability in that
department. On top of that, most WiFi systems emit a circular field instead of a square one.
Interference
is one of the essential issues with every wireless
system including pet containment units. In simpler words, the signal can be
disrupted by the objects that are in the way, like trees or any larger metal
object that could interfere with the signal.
Also, when it comes to trees, make sure you are aware of the
risks related to tree removal if you’re planning on getting rid of some
that might be in the way. Therefore, even if you get the manufacturer’s
guarantee as far as range and signal strength goes, you should take it with a
grain of salt. That doesn’t mean that manufacturers are deliberately deceiving
people, but they tend to stay silent when signal disruption is in question.
The
collar offers high levels of adjustability meaning
you can fine-tune the intensity according to your own preferences. Many people are afraid to train
their pets by using static correction because it seems harmful and
dangerous. However, one can easily start
with the lowest setting and gradually increase the intensity according to their
pet’s behavior. In other words, there is no need to worry about your dog’s
well-being, especially if you start with the lowest intensity.
In-Ground systems
An invisible fence is a piece of wire
buried underground which carries an electrical charge that sends a signal to
the collar if the circuit is broken. In
simpler terms, if your pet decides to step out of the perimeter, it will get a
correction signal through its collar in the form of a tone, vibration, or
static shock.
The important
thing to remember here is that the electric charge is completely harmless. It will emit an unpleasant signal, but it will
not cause any injuries or harm to your pet.
There are plenty of pros
and cons of invisible dog fence, and it’s important
that you cover them all in order to see
whether it’s the right solution to your issue.
The
installation is significantly more complex in comparison to wireless systems.
In fact, many people decide to hire a professional to take care of the installation because it requires some
knowledge, labor, and quite a bit of time. On the other hand, if you have some
spare time and will; doing the installation part by yourself shouldn’t be too
much of an issue. In fact, if you thoroughly study the user manual, you should
be able to set the whole system up without stumbling upon too many issues.
The
range, on the other hand, is much larger and better
in comparison to WiFi units. A high-quality in-ground fence can cover up to 30
acres, and most importantly – it allows you to determine the shape and size of
the signal field yourself. In other words, in-ground units come with much more
versatility and adjustability than wireless ones.
Interference
is non-existent when it comes to these units.
Because hidden systems don’t emit any radio signals but instead work as an
enclosed circuit, things like trees, large objects, and even walls aren’t a
threat to the system whatsoever. As long as you invest in a high-quality wire
and keep it connected to the transmitter, there should not be any signal loss
at all. In case you’re planning to enrich
your yard with trees and green stuff, this is the system you should be
considering.
Portability
is something you shouldn’t be counting on if you
opt to invest in in-ground systems. Once you set
it up, it’s quite a nuisance to re-set it all over again. That doesn’t
mean it’s impossible, but you shouldn’t count on too much portability in the
first place. However, thanks to the massive range, you should have more than
enough coverage around the house.
The
collar system is quite similar to the one used with
WiFi units, but with a notable difference. Collars that are a part of an
in-ground system don’t offer any adjustability. In other words, you cannot set
the shock intensity on it. The good thing about this concept is that if it fails,
it won’t send a continuous signal through the collar which can potentially harm
your pet.
The final verdict – Which one to choose?
As one can assume,
coming up with a verdict is not easy at all. In fact,
there is no “better” option between these two systems; it all comes down to
user’s requirements and expectations. In other words, you should opt for the
solution that brings the most benefits to your situation.
In-ground
units are somewhat hard to set up, but once they are in place, there is no need for further
adjustments. In case you have a massive
yard, it’s probably a good idea to invest in these particular systems instead
of WiFi. When it comes to maintenance, these units don’t require much attention,
but if something goes wrong or a connection gets broken, finding the core of
the problem could be quite complicated due to it being buried underground.
Wireless
systems are quite easy to install and set up, but
they don’t offer as much range. As mentioned, most modern models offer about
100 yards of coverage. If you have a smaller yard, the coverage shouldn’t be an
issue. However, in case you have a large one, it could be a problem, especially
if you’re planning on setting up a specific shape of the signal field because
it’s not possible to do with wireless systems.
It is up to you to see which of these two
makes more sense in your situation. While every owner wants only the best for
their pet, it’s extremely important that you find a unit that makes your pet
feel comfortable and at ease instead of causing anxiety and restlessness.