Wireless electric fences: We reviewed so you don’t have to

BY PAWS 4 SAFETY

Have you ever wondered how these work or the key differences in wireless dog fences? I did especially after my 5-year-old Doberman decided the Arkansas possums we worth the risk of a good chase. I had to research options for keeping him at bay while not involving my two little pugs.

Wow, have we come a long way since we dug trenches to bury perimeter lines around our yards? While those are still available, the newer “wireless” versions also referred to as E-Fences, offer additional benefits that we just couldn’t pass up.

First up, the wireless fence options were far less expensive than even remotely considering adding more fencing around the property. What I found to be most appealing is the ability to use this wireless fence anywhere outside. So, if I’m traveling, I can take it with me and set the parameter anywhere I’d like to with just a few easy adjustments to the collar. This particular device I chose for my pet has a range from 65 feet to 3,280 feet and can be adjusted in 10 feet increments. Also, once set, the device has a memory, so it remembers the last settings used without having to reset it each time. These are a few of the features most of the latest devices offer.

There are additional features you might want to consider when choosing the right device for you and your pet such as if it’s waterproof, how long the battery life is, and if the device offers various levels of correction. For me, the latter was key. I have a well-behaved dog that doesn’t need aggressive correction so having the ability to adjust from the sound to vibration to the full correction was a key factor in making my decision.

In addition to that, pay close attention to monthly or yearly subscriptions. Does the device function on its own or do you have to pay an ongoing fee for service? For me, I chose a non-subscription model. I watched several different reviews to see if others were having success with the wireless fences. This also gave me ideas of other uses and things to look for in choosing the perfect device for my dog. Some of these come with several collars for more than one dog and some have the capability to just add more collars. So, this decision would be best made on an individual basis depending on the number of dogs you have that need this type of control.

A note of caution here, make sure the device you’re considering is appropriate for the size of dog you have. I noticed a number of them are designed for medium to large size dogs and are clearly labeled: not for use on small dogs! Looking into it a bit further, I guess because I wear a smart watch to manage my step count, I’ve always wondered just how many steps my big dog gets in an average day. As it turns out, some of these collars also have a step counter, a heart rate monitor and the pet’s temperature. I also see added value in the fact that many of these devices can also take the place of ones that are only designed for training purposes. I see it as a win for myself, the dog and the possums!