Why shouldn't wireless connectivity extend to our pets? Although wireless dog fences have been around for more than a decade, WiFi fences are the latest thing in safe-pet technology.
Companies that market these systems have a point -- wireless fencing has been a laggard given the rapid advancements in communications technology. Wireless fencing systems now use the 802.15 communications protocol and can provide a circular containment area up to 2.5 acres.
The dominant electronics in wireless fence systems are transceivers that connect a smart base station to the dog's collar. Systems typically include the base station; up to two collars; rechargeable lithium ion batteries; and various probes. Average prices are $400 to $600 per system.
According to Amazon.com, here’s how the systems work: Collars can be preset to one of four fixed static correction levels or a progressive correction setting. (The "correction" setting is a nice way of saying the collar shocks the dog.) When approaching the preset boundary the collar emits a warning tone. If the dog continues to approach the boundary, the preset correction level will be triggered.
Progressive correction starts at the lowest level. If the dog continues toward the boundary the internal microchip will continually increase the correction level based on the speed at which the dog is approaching the boundary and the dog's distance from the boundary. Dog owners (and, presumably, pet cats) can monitor all this from the WiFi base station.
In a multi-dog system, each collar can be independently programmed, allowing you to customize the system for the temperament of each dog. This is a cool feature. My neighbors had an electric fence system and two dogs -- during a power outage, one dog ran for the hills, and the other cowered within the boundary line watching anxiously as her brother ran away. I eventually contained the non-conformist in my basement -- the downside of this system is that once the power comes back on, the collar shocks the dog if it is out of bounds. This was very stressful for me, but the dog seemed OK with the situation.What do you think of this technology? Have you found any other electronics in unconventional places? Let us know on the message boards!
Dogs that are adopted from shelters actually are injected with a small chip that tracks them. (I call them doggie LoJacks). Although they don't transmit live 24/7 like a GPS, if a dog is lost, found, and reported to a shelter or vet, the chip can match the dog back up with its owner.
A GPS would be a great idea for a lost dog--I know owners that roam streets when their canine escapes. When my cat disappeared for two weeks one summer (I'm convinced he was locked in a vacationer's garage) it would have been nice to know where to find him (one way or another).
He came back skinny and really, really needy (unheard-of for cats), but he's back.
This is meant to train your dog not track him. GPS would be good to find a lost dog, if he doesn't get hurt in the meantime. Dogs have a tendency to run across roads and get hit by moving cars if they are small or not well trained.
Well, with what some said, I don,t think its that dad afterall. It might really be a smart way of telling your dog your expectation about it roaming the compound.
It's a good idea with the audio feature. One thing to try is sample the master's voice giving a command. Most dogs are intensely loyal and don't need to be "whacked" once they are adults. The electric shocks are more appropriate for livestock. This is especially so if there are good reasons for a dog to leave an area when its owner has been incapacitated. Abandoning a dog under an electric shock regime, however mild, seems to me somewhat on the cruel side.
Good point, Mary, a dog that wanders into an unsafe area is subject to far greater danger. The wifi dog fences do sound like a highly practical solution for dog owners.
This is hilarious! I know a number of people who would also try this...
From what I can tell from dog owners, the shocks aren't harmful, but they are enough to keep the dog from roaming beyond its set parameters. I think the shocks are surprising and uncomfortable and they can be adjusted for the dog (large or small, or how much tolerance they semt o have...) In the long run, the shocks are better than any of the number of disasters that a free-roaming dog could encounter: cars, other animals (coyotes are a big problem around my area;) cruel people -- I hate to think about it
Many years ago my friend got an "invisible dog fence" as he loved his dog so much he wanted to let it roam the yard but not get into trouble with the neighbors etc. He was concerned about the "shock" hurting the dog so decided to try it himself to make sure it would not constitute dog cruelty. Anyway, it took me several days to recover from the laughter that ensued from watching my friend running around his yard being "zapped" every few seconds by a dog collar.
I think this is a great idea. We have used an invisible fence for years. It works great to keep your dogs trained and in their respective yards. The only drawback to them is the "wired" part. If you are trying to encompass you're entire yard, it is hard to get the wires across your driveway. A wireless system cures that problem.
The way these fences work is that the kit comes with flags, you can buy more if you have a large area. You line the perimeter of the yard with these flags. You then put your dog on a leash with the collar on and you walk them around the yard near all the flags. They start to get a sense of the boundary by hearing the beeps and sometimes getting a minor shock. As the time goes on you just slowly remove the flags until they are gone. The dog won't go to the edges or leave the yard for fear of getting shocked. The dogs are not harmed by these shocks.
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