Electric fencing can be effective to help contain any pet, including dogs. To do so, utilize chain link fencing to provide the primary barrier. From there, a line of electric fencing attached to it will provide the right deterrent to correct the animal and keep it away from the primary fencing.
This specialized electric fence line doesn’t electrify the chain link fence. Instead, special insulators hold the hot wire away from the chain link. As with any animal, the hot wire should be positioned at your pet’s head or nose height. This is the height that the pet will most likely encounter the hot wire.
Creating a Fence for a Dog or Other Pets
Electric fencing is a psychological, not a physical, barrier. The goal is to keep the animal away from the fence at any height. Chain link insulators extend away from a fence so a well-trained animal will not test the fence at that distance. As a result, your pets will not climb the fence or try to dig under it. This is also effective to keep pets away from an old or “weathered” fence.
If you have an animal that’s a regular digger, then a second hot wire should be attached close to the ground (3 to 6 inches above) to correct that behavior. Remember to keep grass and weeds off your hot electric fence lines to ensure most effective shock.
Important Pet & Dog Fence Components
For proper operation, an electric fence requires a few components:
- Energizer – Your fence is powered by an energizer (or charger) that applies current to your hot wire. For a pet fence, a 2-mile AC-powered energizer is ideal. Just understand that the longer your fence, the larger energizer you will need.
- Chain-Link Insulators – Buy enough chain-link insulators to add one for every 10-foot section of fence. Buy an additional set for every hot wire you’re running.
- Fence Line – You have plenty of options for your fence line, but generally, you don’t want your pet to be able to distinguish your hot wire from the rest of the chain link fence. As such, aluminum wire or polywire are you best choices. Both are easy to manage and can be repaired in seconds in case of accidental breakage.
- Grounding – To create a complete circuit, your fence needs to have ground rods, which are buried near your energizer. If you aren’t familiar with grounding please read more here.
- Connector cable – Use this insulated cable to connect your charger to your fence and your charger to your ground wire. Using non-insulated wire could result in accidental shocks to you or your family.
- Fence Tester – Get a fence tester to regularly check that your fence is getting plenty of juice. Without regular testing, your fence could go out of commission and your pet could escape.
Setting Up Your Electric Pet Fence
Once you have your fence components on site, you may still have questions. Feel free to reach out to the Zareba® Customer Care Team at 855-5-ZAREBA.
Also be sure to check out these helpful articles:
- How Electric Fencing Works
- Electric Fencing for Dogs & Cats
- Electric Fence Planning: What to do Before Setting up Your Fence
- Protecting Your Garden from Pets and Wildlife
Finally, remember to subscribe to the Zareba® eNewsletter for a deal on your first order from ZarebaSystems.com, followed by regular emails with money-saving coupon codes on future purchases.
