Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is an underground dog fence better than a physical fence?
A: A dog has a significantly lesser chance of breaking through an underground fence than a physical fence. Reason being, a dog could dig/crawl under the physical fence, jump over the
fence, break the fence, or push through a gate in order to leave the property. A physical fence does not provide the protection for your dog if it were to run out the front door or garage door to
the street. With an underground fence, however, your dog cannot manipulate or maneuver its way through in any way to leave the property.
Q: Why does it cost less for you to install a dog fence?
A: After the financial meltdown in 2008, we had to reinvent ourselves. We needed to trim the fat and get away from the costly ways of doing business. We recognized what was costing us and our customers the most and made the proper modifications. Some of which were:
1. Scale down advertising and only use what we know works. This has been our biggest savings.
2. Become an Independent Dog Fencing Contractor so that we now can negotiate special pricing with various vendors, not just one manufacturer. We're so much different than an Independent Dealer for any certain brand name manufacturer.
3. Open up our territory to be able to go wherever we want, and not where a manufacturer dictates to us.
4. We opened an online store to give our customers access to the products they need to maintain their dog fence.
5. Lastly, we revolutionized the estimation process and streamlined it. We make estimating quick and easy with flat pricing.
Q: Isn't a Dealer Installed system better?
A: No. The Dealer installed systems aren't giving you anything special. The technology is basically the same from brand to brand. They would like you to believe what they're selling you is special, but careful of the buzzwords! Usually they're meaningless. Also, always know what things will cost after the sale (additional receivers, batteries, service, etc), because those are the sort of things that aren't brought up until after the installation and months down the road. Save yourself the sticker shock.
Ask yourself this question. If you were to hire a painter, are you hiring the brand of paint he uses or the experience and expertise that he has to share? Dog fencing is no different.
Q: Invisible Fence Brand is the biggest name in the business, why shouldn't I just go with them?
A: Wow! Several reasons.
1. Expense. They are the most expensive brand on the market and offer the least in technology to their customers.
2. Batteries. Their batteries are expensive. They last half as long and cost twice as much as other brands we offer.
3. We have first-hand experience doing service work on Invisible Fence Systems. We have determined, and it is our own opinion, that everything they do is to maintain a constant revenue stream. We've seen fences chopped up so that they need to be replaced. We've seen wires just twisted together so that they fail from corrosion later on. We've seen poorly trained dogs, etc...
4. Lastly, Contracts and Deposits. Urghhh!
Q: What type of system are you installing?
A: That depends a lot on which system package you choose. We have access to many different brands that do different things.
Q: Can I make adjustments to the system if I need to?
A: Absolutely! Plus, we will show you how to do so and give you phone support if you forget. The biggest name in the dog fencing business still doesn't allow their customers to make adjustments. This would hurt their constant revenue stream.
Q: Will you assist us in training our dogs?
A: We guide the initial training and put together an easy to follow conditioning program that you would follow. Since dogs learn through repetitions and consistency, it has to be done. However, if you encounter any bumps in the road, we are here to help and make sure you have a contained pup.
Q: Explain your training and how are you different?
A: We utilize a training method called "Gentle LiteTouch Training". We were one of the pioneers of this training method. We were safely containing dogs at much lower correction levels than ever thought possible. This training technique was recognized and endorsed by IACP (International Association of Canine Professionals). So while other companies were lighting dogs up at the fence line and striking fear into them, we were devising an alternate, more gentle approach that makes the process of fence training less stressful for your pet. Unfortunately, some companies are still using the old school of thought on training.
Q: What is your success rate with dogs?
A: We have never had to refund a customer for a fence because we couldn't contain their dog. This isn't to say we haven't had our share of difficult dogs, but we will do whatever it takes to find a containment solution.
Q: Why should I get an underground dog fence vs a wireless dog fence?
A: An underground dog fence is the best choice, as it can be installed to satisfy any size/shape property. An underground fence can be customized to meet the customer's needs. Although wireless dog fences are easier to install, there are many drawbacks, as shown in the following video...
Q: How old must my puppy be in order to be ready for a dog fence?
A: Puppies are generally ready for an underground pet containment system when they are between the ages of 12 and 16 weeks old. However, maturity plays a large role. When your puppy no longer feels the need to be by your side and finds things more interesting off property, it's probably time.
Q: Can I put my senior dog on a dog fence?
A: There is some truth about teaching old dogs new tricks. We would recommend asking your Vet for their opinion on whether or not to fence your senior dog.
Q: Can you install around physical fencing?
A: In most cases, we try to encompass the property for the safety of the dog because of any accidental escapes. So, we will have to either install inside, outside, or attach to any physical fencing. Whether it's your fence or a neighboring fence, it's the way dog fencing usually works. Dog fences are typically installed in a completed, enclosed loop. Basically, you cannot start and stop the wire unless we do a 3-sided "Traditional" style system. With a three-sided system, we can just do just the backyard, but it does leave your front open for possible escapes from the front door or garage. To trench the wire, we can get within 18" of any physical fencing with our machine.
Q: Can I just do the backyard only? Will this lower the cost?
A: We can do that and give you exactly what you'd like, but unfortunately we have to, in most cases, encompass the property. It's the way dog fencing usually works. Depending on the way we may install your fence, it may result in trenching more wire (double loop method) to achieve just the backyard than if we were to just fence the front and back. Therefore, there is usually no cost savings.
Q: Can you install in wooded properties?
A: With wooded properties, we typically need a cleared 36" path in which to trench the wire into the ground. If the wooded area is un-trenchable, we may need to top lay the wire and secure it to the ground and let Mother Nature cover it naturally over the years. The wire we have has no issues in the ground or above the ground if installed properly. Otherwise there may be additional costs involved hand burying the wire.
Q: How close can the dog fence be to a neighbor's dog fence?
A: We typically will place your fence approximately 3-4 feet away from any neighboring dog fences. The reason is because we don't want any interference or cancellation between your fence and your neighbors fence.
Q: Do you offer any discounts?
A: The short answer is no. We offer a fair flat pricing structure. What we found is our competitors inflate their pricing to give a potential customer a perceived discount as a negotiation tool. We don't think that's the moral or an ethical way we want to do business.
Q: Is your system AM, FM, DM?
A: The short answer is, honestly, who cares! The pet containment market has surpassed the old days where you did have to be very careful installing certain systems because they would correct a dog at the TV set or something else that would attract the signal. The difference is those systems were analog versus today's digital capabilities. However, even now, in some very rare cases, you will get a receiver that will activate on something completely out of the ordinary. The good news is we can usually remedy the issue fairly quickly. Even over the phone. We haven't seen this problem for at least a decade. It is our belief that every major manufacturer has done its best to minimize the potential of this happening. The bottom line is it's a smoke and mirrors sales tactic to make the consumers believe that they are getting something special, when really, they are not. If you are interested in reading what our competitors are saying, please read the "Great Debate" section of our site. We find it all a bit entertaining to watch them fight over something so silly and meaningless anymore.
Q: Does this work on kids and/or spouses?
A: No, they always figure out how to get the collar off. We have seriously been asked this question hundreds of times during home shows. In case you're wondering, no we have never installed an underground fence for a human being.
Have a question? Call or text 717-542-5663, or email us at dogfenceguy2000@gmail.com