Tips for choosing a dog containment system

Summer is on its way, and you and your dog will be spending a lot more time outdoors. With warm weather enticing your dog to roam and explore, you might be wondering just how “dog-proof” your yard really is.

You still haven’t gotten around to putting in that fence, like you meant to do over the winter. Or if you do have a fence, you also have cringe-worthy memories of barely staying one step ahead of your dog’s efforts to dig under or jump over the fence.

An electronic dog containment system could be just what you need. These systems offer a way to psychologically train your dog to remain in your yard.

Although most dog containment systems work the same way (you bury a boundary wire around your property, and your dog receives a static correction via a collar receiver when he gets too close to it), many of the systems have features that makes them more suited for specific situations. Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you choose the best dog containment system for you and your dog.

How big is your dog?

Your dog’s size will play a definite part in what system you can get. You may find a dog containment system that meets all your other needs, but the collar itself is too bulky for your dog. If that’s the case, it will be a lot more difficult to train your pet. Comfortable collar receivers are very important.

Some dog containment systems come with collar receivers specifically designed for smaller dogs, such as the PetSafe Little Dog Fence. If you have a pet that weighs less than 15 pounds, a system like that would be the one for you.

Is your dog hard to train?

Dogs that have difficulty learning will need stronger corrections than smaller or more easygoing dogs. Look for a dog containment system that caters specifically to hard-to-train or stubborn dogs to make sure you get the most out of your system.

Also, if you have more than one dog, you may want to look into dog containment systems that allow you to set different levels of correction for each dog. If one dog is difficult to train, but the other is really easygoing, your easygoing pup isn’t going to need as high a level of correction as your other dog.

How big is your yard?

Most dog containment systems are only designed to cover a certain area. If you only have an acre of property when all is said and done, then a system designed to cover a large area, like 100 acres, is an unnecessary expense. Make sure you know the size of the area you need to cover when you start shopping for dog containment systems. That way you’ll avoid buying more of a system than you need.

What is the topography of your yard?

Though usually it doesn’t matter, certain kinds of dog containment systems won’t work well if your yard is uneven or hilly. These are usually wireless systems that don’t require anything by way of installation. They require an even surface to be really effective.

One last tip

Remember: If you’re getting an electronic dog containment system, you’re going to need to train your dog to recognize what it means when he gets a correction. Consistency and patience are the keys to training. All dogs learn differently. Even if you have one dog that catches on in a single training session, it’s no guarantee that your other dogs will pick up that quickly.

With an electronic dog containment system, you’ll be able to ensure your pet’s safety while you’re outside. That peace of mind alone is well worth the cost of a system.

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