All good dog owners want to give their dog the freedom to exercise and play, but they worry about their dog’s safety. If a dog is allowed to freely roam the outdoors, he can be struck by a car, get lost, or otherwise be injured. With a pet door and an underground dog fence, you can give your dog the exercise and play he needs, while still keeping him safe. Read on to learn more about the advantages of having a pet door and underground dog fence installed in your home.
Pet Door
Pet doors are flaps of metal or plastic that your pet can push against with his head or paw in order to go inside or out. It can be locked for times when you want to keep your animal indoors or outdoors. Pet doors can be installed in almost any kind of door, including wooden and sliding glass doors. With a pet door, you won’t have to get up every time your dog scratches at the door, and you won’t have to worry about leaving your dog cooped up in the house while you are away at work.
Before you buy a pet door, make sure it is the right size for your animal. Most pet doors list the sizes and weights of animals that can fit through each size of door. Pay more attention to the width of the door than the height. A dog can crouch down to get through a door that is too short, but a door that is too narrow will not work. If you get a pet door when your dog is a puppy, be sure and get a door large enough for the largest size your puppy will be.
The perfect location for a dog door is where your animal can take cover from bad weather but will not be in an area of the house where he can make a mess while unsupervised. If the door opens into the laundry room or garage, or even to an area of the kitchen, that is usually ideal.
Underground Dog Fence
To ensure that your pet is safe outside, you will need to provide him with a fenced yard. An underground dog fence is the least expensive way to keep your pet contained, especially if you have a large property. A wire is buried a few inches below the ground and an electronic collar is placed on your dog, which he will wear whenever he is outside. Little white flags or other visual signals are usually placed around the wire to provide the dog with a visual cue of the boundaries. When the dog approaches the boundary, a warning beep or vibration from the collar alerts him that he is getting too close. If he ignores the warning and attempts to go past the boundary, he receives a mild but effective shock through the collar.
After installing the system, you should take the time to train your pet properly so that he knows where the boundary lines are and understands the system. The installation kit should include detailed instructions on how to do this.
Many dog owners choose underground fencing because they do not like what barrier fencing looks like around a property. Another advantage of an underground dog fence is that you can create a boundary in almost any shape in any part of your yard. The underground wire, which is buried just a few inches below the surface, can curve around gardens or block off the pool deck. The dog can go outside without digging up flowers or jumping into the pool. Some of these systems can even be used indoors if the dog must be kept away from certain rooms or furniture. Underground fences also make excellent backups for barrier fencing, especially if your pet is a good climber or digger.
