Dog owners with yards need to consider some method of preventing their hound from breaching the boundaries.
There are many different solutions to this problem, and one of the most cost-effective and efficient of these is an in-ground dog fence.
Also known as underground dog fences or invisible dog fences, this type of barrier will leave your home in its original state, unlike a physical fence which may be effective but unattractive.
If you are concerned that installing a fence is a complex process, it needn’t be that way. You’ll require some basic tools, an accurate layout plan of your property, and a few hours of spare time for this DIY project.
There are many variables involved when installing a dog fence, especially the size and layout of your property. Installing an in-ground fence could take as little as two or three hours, or it may take an entire day.
Before we give you some simple pointers about burying an in-ground fence, a few basics about this type of fence to further your understanding.
What is an In-Ground Dog Fence and How Does it Work?
In-ground dog fences are containment systems designed to form a customized and invisible perimeter around your yard.
These fences are reasonably affordable, and they are easy enough to set up, as long as you have some basic tools and an aptitude for DIY.
The fence uses a transmitter that you plug into a regular electrical outlet. The transmitter is then hooked up to wires that you spread around your property. You can use a customized layout that best suits the configuration of your home and yard.
You will fit your furball with a collar. This collar is capable of communicating with the wires you will bury. If your dog approaches the line of the boundary, the collar will emit an audible alert, a vibration, or a mild static shock.
As long as you don’t expect an in-ground fence to be a magic containment cure, and as long as you are prepared to invest some time and effort into training your dog with the fence, you might find this puts an end to his escape acts.
So, if you don’t like the idea of installing a physical fence, or if you feel that your Houdini Hound will dig under a fence, here is how you can get to grips with the burying the wires of an in-ground dog fence.
How to Bury an In-Ground Dog Fence the Easy Way
We will highlight three different approaches to installing an in-ground fence:
- Stapling the wires
- Burying the wires in soil
- Burying the wires in cement
1) Stapling the wires
The quickest way to set up your invisible dog fence is also the least effective. Some pet owners decide to staple the wires of the fence to the ground or to an existing surface rather than burying them as recommended. Some people resort to stapling the wires to an existing fence.
Like many shortcuts in life, this method comes with many drawbacks. Although the wires are not likely to be highly visible, there is much more chance of exposed wire breaking. If this occurs, the fence will stop working, leaving your dog to his own devices and unsecured.
Instead, you should bury the wire between two and six inches below the surface of the ground. How you achieve this depends on the type of surface in question.
2) Burying the wires in soil
If the layout of your yard means that you can bury the wire of an in-ground fence beneath soil, this a fairly straightforward process.
You will need a shovel with a flat edge. First, puncture the soil and then start wiggling the shovel from side to side so you can create a narrow trench.
Continue with this until you have marked out the perimeter of the entire fence.
Alternatively, you could buy or hire a trench digger. The main drawback of this option is that the trench may be too narrow for the machinery.
When you have marked out the perimeter, tuck the wire inside. Tamp the soil down and then seal the wire into place.
Remember: the deeper you bury the fence wire, the less chance it will become damaged or displaced by landscaping.
3) Burying the wires in cement
If you need to cross a sidewalk or a driveway when installing an in-ground dog fence, this makes the job of burying the wires more challenging.
First, you’ll need to cut through the cement or asphalt using a circular saw. You can either use a defined joint in the concrete or you can cut where required.
When you are doing this, you will need to utilize a saw blade that is sufficiently wide to allow you to insert the fence wire once you finish cutting.
Insert the wire and ensure that it is deeply embedded on both sides of the concrete. Seal the cut using some self-leveling mortar.
Remember: Training Your Dog Is Essential
As long as you follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer and you pack plenty of patience, it really isn’t that hard to install in in-ground dog fence.
The biggest mistake many pet owners make, though, is to imagine that the fence will do the job on all its own.
You should be prepared to spend some time training your furball to respect the boundaries rather than relying on negative correction to achieve this.
Always start by using the training flags provided so that your dog is given visual cues of the boundary line. This alone can accelerate training significantly.
Interval train your pup for 15 minutes twice daily. You don’t need to go over the top and spend hours at a time on training. As with any kind of dog training, use positive reinforcement to encourage your dog every time he respects the boundary. In no time, you can forget all about the invisible fence and your dog can play unattended.
Conclusion
If you are lucky enough to have a yard at home and you want your pooch to play outside unattended, you will need to secure the perimeter of your property. You can achieve this with a physical fence, an in-ground fence, or a wireless fence.
For those who feel that the in-ground approach is the most appropriate for their property, all fences should come with detailed instructions. Many also come with videos to give you a clearer understanding of installation.
The most important advice we can give you is not to skimp by failing to bury the wire of the fence. While this might be the quickest and easiest solution, it is liable to cause the wire to become damaged, impairing functionality of the fence.
Before you head off today, take a few moments to bookmark our blog and pop back very soon. Here at GO Boxer Rescue, we’re pet lovers just like you here to share our love of all things canine. We’ll see you very soon!