A radio pet containment fence cost less than traditional chain link, wooden, or vinyl fences, and installation is easy. Maintenance is as easy as keeping batteries properly charged. Your electronic pet containment system will never need to be painted or stained. You can mow right over a fence as well, which means no more unsightly high grass around fences.

Radio fence pet containment system can be used in large or small areas. If you want to keep your dog away from your flower beds, use an underground to block off that area. Neighbors with dogs can set up one large fence around several yards to make a large area for dogs to explore and exercise in. If you live in a neighborhood that doesn't allow traditional fences, an underground fence is a wonderful alternative.

Each dog using the fence must wear a radio collar. The collars are light-weight and water-resistant or water-proof. Collars are comfortable, even for small dogs, and are adjustable to fit any sized dog.

How does an electronic pet containment system work? Although there are many manufacturers and containment models, they all work basically the same way. Buried wire or a central transmitter creates a magnetic field that a radio receiver on the dog's collar responds to. When the dog runs too close to the boundary of the unit, the collar emits a warning tone. If the dog ignores the tone and continues toward the boundary, it will receive a mild electronic correction. If the dog still keeps running toward the boundary, the correction will increase slightly. When the dog runs back to a safe part of the yard, the correction level will decrease to the low level.

A portable fence works the same way but can be taken anywhere. A portable unit can be plugged into a car cigarette lighter outlet or any DC outlet.

Dogs need to be trained to use the underground fence; this usually takes two to four weeks. The most important part of training is teaching your dog where the boundaries are. You will have to teach your dog not to cross the boundary of the fence for any reason, including squirrels or the mailman. Written instructions or VHS tapes often come with the systems. Representatives are also available to answer questions about your containment fence.

Once your dog has learned the boundaries of the containment systems, you can take down the boundary flags. Take down every other flag every other day until all the flags are gone. You might want to let your neighbors and service people know that you have a fence so they aren't alarmed when they see your dog roaming around "freely".

Veterinarians and professional dog trainers agree that a pet fence is a humane way to contain your dog. Locking a dog indoors or tying it outside creates a very bored dog. With one of these special pet systems, your dog will get physical exercise and mental stimulation.