Pet containment systems
Pet
Containment The term "pet containment" refers to a variety of ways that people contain or confine their pets. It covers all sorts of products - fences (traditional wood, metal, or cement wall), crates and cages, electronic fences, gates, kennels, runs, doors, dog runs, pens, and dog houses - all will restrain your pet from straying away from your yard. If you have ever found yourself driving around your neighborhood, calling out the window for the family dog, you've probably thought about pet containment. It is also important to think about your reasons for containing your pet - whether to keep your pet secure at night or while you are away, to provide a safe outdoor space in your yard, for training, or travel. Several choices for outdoor and indoor pet containment are available. This article will help you find the type of pet containment appropriate for your pet while taking into account his personality, and the type of containment specific to your needs. Inside kennels are available in crate or cage form. These are used to housebreak puppies, to secure your pets when you are away, and to help your pet learn to calm down at night. Containment inside a vehicle includes barriers or seat belts that protect your pet from danger while riding in the car. Kennels and travel carriers can be used on airplanes, car trips, or even as a temporary indoor kennel. Be sure that the carrier is large enough for your pet to turn around comfortably. During travel, provide access to water and let pets out as often as possible. Pet containment generally denotes a method or means of containing your pet in a larger area such as the yard, or a room in the house, preventing him from leaving the area, while allowing him freedom of movement within it. There are many reasons why you as a pet owner might want and need to do this - including: - Freedom.
By confining your pet to a specific area, you are actually granting
him more freedom than if he were crated, or tied to a chain. You
are also giving yourself freedom from having your pet underfoot
where and when you don't want him to be. - Exercise.
By using a containment system outside, you are giving your pet a
place where he can move more freely and get the exercise he needs. Once you've decided you're going to get a pet containment system, you'll need to make a decision as to what type, or combination of types will best suit your and your pets' needs. There are several from which to choose, with enough variety that you will likely be able to find something that will meet your specific requirements. Types Indoor
barriers can be made of plastic, wood, fabric or a combination of
all these. They may bar a hallway, the doorway to a room, or even
fence off a portion of a room. Outdoor containment means a fence
or wall, and can be made of anything you'd ordinarily make any fence
out of, such as boards, post and wire, chain link, masonry, pickets,
or slats. It can include your whole yard, or just a run or smaller
area. Things to keep in mind with any fencing material - indoor
or outside - are your pet's size; habits such as chewing, jumping,
digging; your convenience; and your budget. A fence can be a significant
investment, so if you're concerned about cost, and don't need a
physical barrier or fence for other reasons, you might want to consider
one of the other alternatives for pet containment. - Wired or "hidden fences" consist of a wire buried underground around the perimeter of your yard, or any area you wish, such as a garden or swimming pool. Flags are placed in strategic locations to give you and your pet a visual reference to the location of the perimeter. The wire is combined with an electronic "containment collar," which has a receiver that detects when your pet is getting close to the wire, and delivers an audible warning sound. If your pet keeps going toward the wire, the collar then delivers a mild electric shock, enough to get your pet's attention, but not painful - similar to the feeling of static electricity. If he continues, the intensity of the stimulation will increase until he stops and goes back. Pets quickly learn to stay within the boundaries of the wire. - Wireless containment systems consist of a transmitter (or several) together with a collar receiver. In operation they're similar to the wired systems, but easier to install. The main advantage of a wireless system is its ease of installation and flexibility in that you can move the transmitter wherever you like, including in the house or outside, and even taking it with you when you travel. Another good point is that some systems can protect an area as small as one piece of furniture, a room, an area, or your entire yard. However, a drawback is that the area covered is usually smaller, and in a pre-defined shape, i.e. a circular radius around the transmitter. This makes it hard to include all the corners of your yard, put the edge at a particular place, or accommodate oddly shaped areas. Accessories In
addition to the basics, there are a number of accessories or extra
features available for electronic pet containment systems, most
of which are designed to protect the system from various types of
failures. Both wired and wireless systems are electronic, meaning
they operate by electricity. There are several potential problems
that can interfere with electrically powered devices, and that includes
your pet containment system. Consider that if the system fails,
your pet will be free to wander outside the perimeter. Without the
reminder of his collar, this can happen even if he is well-trained
and accustomed to his area. Installation There are several different ways and means of installing and/or using electronic pet containment systems for different needs and preferences. Wired
Systems: Suggested ways to install a wired system include: - Full
installation including front yard and back yard, around the entire
perimeter of your lot. This will give your pet access to the house
and the greatest possible area.
Installing a wireless pet containment system is as easy as putting the transmitter in a room and turning it on, then putting the receiver collar on your pet. Though a wireless system is not as flexible as a wired one in terms of shape or selection of confinement area, there are a couple of different ways to install these systems to maximize what flexibility they do have. Suggested ways to install a wireless system include: - Single
transmitter. These setups create one circular containment area.
For instance, if your home is fairly centered on a square lot, then
you could put the transmitter inside your home, with the containment
area being approximately your whole yard. The size of the area will
vary with the strength of the transmitter, so you'll need to check
the specifications for any specific model you're considering to
make sure the size is appropriate for your needs. Some models are
adjustable, allowing you to customize the area depending on the
situation. Maintaining the system will include periodic monitoring to ensure it's working properly, as well as physically checking the wire for signs of wear. Make sure any backup systems are charged regularly, and be sure to replace or recharge the batteries in the receiver collar on a regular basis. More
on Pet Containment Related
Pages Cages/Crates Dog
Crates Dog
Fence and training combined Pet
Carriers
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