MuttFence.com Blog

Question:

I have a 10 pound schnauzer and I am looking for a wireless fence ? What would you recommend and the price? PIF 300 and a PIF-275-19 collar ?

Answer:

There are two models of Wireless Dog Fence on the market: 1) PetSafe PIF-300 Wireless Fence, and 2) Perimeter Technolgies PWF-100 Wi-Fi Fence. In short, the Perimeter is a more high-end, but more expensive unit, while the PetSafe is less expensive but has lighter collar.

The PIF-300 Wireless Dog Fence

Because the receiver collar is a little lighter, we recommend the PetSafe PIF-300 Permium Instant Wireless Fence. The price is currently $229.95* and this includes the Fence, Receiver Collar, and Batteries.

*Correct at time of writing but subject to change.

Question:

What dog weight is the IUC-5100 rated for? I have a 6 pound Chihauhua.

Answer:

The Innotek IUC-5100 is a combined fence and 150 yard trainer called “Ultrasmart Contain ‘N’ Train”. The collar that is included with this unit is a model number IUC-5225 Receiver Collar.

The collar is appropriate for dogs 8 lbs and up, although 10 lbs is probably a better benchmark.  It may be worth considering the PetSafe Little Dog Pet Fencing System, which is designed for dogs below 20 lbs.

There is a product that is suitable for training deaf, or hearing impaired dogs. It it the PetSafe PVPP-300 Pet Pager Vibration Controlled Trainer. This collar features a 100 yard range, long battery life, and is designed to gently and humanely “page” your pet.

The Pet Pager has no static shock feature, and gently corrects using a combination of tone and noise.

The PetSafe Pet Pager is a humane, tone and vibration trainer especilly suitable for deaf, or hearing impaired dogs. It is In-Stock, On-Sale, and feature fast, FREE 2-Day Air Shipping from MuttFence.com. Click the image above for more details.

The Dog Electric Fence wire comes in two primary gauges: 20 gauge and 18 gauge. The lower the number, the thicker the wire and the more expensive the roll is. Both gauges are sold in 500 ft rolls. On it’s own, 500 ft of wire will enclose around ½ acre.

Basically the thicker the wire (the lower the gauge) the longer you can make your fence perimeter and still have your fence functioning 100%. We recommend that if you plan to use more than 1,000 ft of wire, you switch to the heavier, 18 gauge spools.

Question:

I have a dog who does not seem to respond well to the standard invisible fence. Is a stubborn dog fence any more effective?

Answer:

Yes, the PetSafe Stubborn Dog Fence is designed for dogs that do not respond well to standard levels of stimulation. The Stubborn Dog Fence has the highest intensity level available, and includes five levels of stimulation, all with a waterproof collar.

Remember – even though you have a product that is designed for a stubborn, or hard-to-train dog, you should follow the training best practices. Always use a positive reinforcement, and never, never a “pain compliance” training technique. Dogs respond to consistent training from a a person who is in an emotionally balanced state. We know he can be naughty, but don’t let your emotions get the better of you. If in doubt, consult a trained behaviorist.

So, the PetSafe Stubborn Dog Fence is a great solution for that dog who needs a little more correction.

Question:

Why is it that you don’t sell, or label your products “Invisible Fence”

Answer:

We sell technology that is identical to Invisible Fence, however, Invisible Fence is a registered trade name for companies that are approved to install and maintain an Electric Dog Fence for you. They supply the fence, installation and labor. So, we kind of sell invisible fences, but we can’t call them that and you install our fences yourself.

If you find the prospect of installing an electric dog fence to be too daunting, why not check out a Wireless Dog Fence? Great containment features and you are up and running in minutes.

Question:

I hear the phrase “stationary bark control”. What does that mean?

Answer:

When a product is marked as stationary bark control, it usually means that it is a product that uses ultrasonic sound to correct a dogs barking. The unit will typically have an enclosure containing a microphone, electronics and an ultrasonic emitter. The microphone detects your dog barking and the control circuitry causes an ultrasonic sound to be emitted.

These sounds can be heard only by your dog, not you, and are unpleasant but not actually painful or damaging to your pet, so it acts as a great barking deterrent. The enclosure can be made for either indoor or outdoor use.

Question:

I hear about Radio Systems Corporation, but you don’t sell any products with this brand. Why is that?

Answer:

Radio Systems Corporation is the parent company of the Innotek and PetSafe brands. You won’t see products sold directly under the Radio Systems name. We stock of full lineup of Innotek and PetSafe products, and we are an authorized retailer for the Innotek, PetSafe and SportDog brands.

Question:

I hear about “Authorized Retailers”, what does that mean.

Answer:

It is important you buy your product from an authorized retailer. This means that the retailer has registered with Radio Systems Corporation, has agreed to abide by certain guidelines, and will represent the products in an ethical and accurate manner. Look for logos like the following:

This is an important thing to look for. This assures you, the purchaser, that you will be properly supported by the manufacturers warranty and can make a product return for example. Note that MuttFence.com is an Innotek, PetSafe and SportDog authorized retailer.

When we say multiple dogs, we mean more than two. I used to joke that the big difference is going from one to two dogs, and any more just turns into a slightly bigger pack. That was until Hurricane Katrina hit, and we spent much of September 2005 rounding up stray dogs and finding homes for them all. We could for the little’uns, but not the big’uns, so we ended up with nine, big dogs! I digress …

If you have multiple dogs and need a trainer, you are confronted with two choices: 1) use a hunting dog trainer, or 2) use a two-dog trainer with multiple remotes. If you are not sure if you need a hunting dog trainer, then you probably don’t. They are more complex, and have a long range – over 1,000 yards – and consequently are more expensive than a regular trainer.

That leaves you with the option of the two dog trainer and multiple remotes. We know how expensive it is to feed the pack and take care of vet bills, so you’re on a budget, right? (How did we guess!) A great trainer for this purpose is the Innotek BT-502A Two Dog Remote Trainer.

Although the remote only controls two dogs, more units can be purchased. The trainer knows which remote to talk to via an ID and it is possible that the ID number of your new trainer will match the ID number of the orginal. In this case it is an easy fix: there is a process for resetting the ID number in the owners manual.

So, there it is. Help could be at hand. We know what it is like when the inmates try to run the assylum!