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Article:
Is it hard to install an electronic
pet containment system?
While
installing a high-tech pet fence system might
seem to be a daunting task, it is actually fairly
straight forward, and leans more toward 'grunt
work' than anything else. You are not handling
any wires that carry electrical current, so there
is no need for an electrical or engineering background.
We will try to outline a basic installation based
on our experiences. Please review the following
steps to see if you would be comfortable installing
your own system.
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Step
1: If you have not
installed a system before, start by viewing the DVD
that is included with every system. This will cover
basic installation techniques, as well as dog training
methods. The PetSafe Corporation provides a free
online video/slideshow (opens in a new
window) that explains how their systems work, and basic
installation procedures. While the video is tailored
for PetSafe brand systems, the basic concepts apply
to all electronic in-ground fence systems.
Step 2: Determine the
best location for the transmitter. The transmitter
needs to be mounted in a area protected from the elements,
and near a standard electrical outlet. Ideal locations
include a garage, shed, carport, or
covered
porch.
Step
3: Sketch out a
rough outline of your containment area on paper, then
lay the boundary wire on the ground according to your
'map'. You will need to start at the transmitter and
eventually work your way back, completing
a
closed loop that begins and ends at the transmitter.
You will need to twist the wires together on the run
from the boundary back to the transmitter to cancel
the signal in this portion of the system. If you
have
the BD-01
pre-twisted
'FasTrac Wire', you will simply run this wire from
the transmitter to the outer portion of your property.
You will then splice the green boundary wire into the
FasTrac wire,
and
complete the loop.
Step 4: After you have
laid out your boundary wire on the ground, complete
any splices (such as at the FasTrac wire), insert
the boundary wire into the transmitter, then plug the
transmitter into the electrical outlet. Use the receiver
collar to walk the boundary, making adjustments to
the wire as necessary. You may listen for the receiver
to beep when it picks up the boundary signal, or use
the included 'test light' to tell when the receiver
responds.
Step
5: Once you are
satisified with the wire layout, you may finish the
installation by either burying the boundary wire or
fastening it to the ground with sod staples. If you
choose to bury the wire, you may use a flat blade shovel
to create a slit in the
ground
for the wire, but it is far easier to use a lawn edger
to cut a small trench. Simply push the wire into
the trench, then cover it back with your foot or shovel.
You only need to bury the wire an inch or two for
most
installations.
If
you would rather not bury the wire, you may 'staple'
it to the ground every 5 feet or so with sod staples.
They are available on our Accessories
Page, or at home
centers such as Home Depot. Make sure the wire is snug
to the ground if you choose this method, so it will
not become tangled in your lawn mower. You may
want to use a weed eater to create a 'bare track' on
the ground for
the wire and staples.
Step
6: Place the
boundary flags at the point where your dog will first
get a
warning tone. You need to place a flag every ten feet,
unless the boundary is already marked by a physical
barrier such as a fence, tree line, hedge row, etc.
Step 7: Train
your dog according to the instructions on the DVD.
Most dogs
will begin to learn the system in a few days, but you
should complete the prescribed training times to make
sure your dog knows his new boundaries
Most
standard installations can be easily completed in
a half-day or so.
If you need additional assistance or have a tricky
installation, please email Mike Duncan (mike@securepets.com)
with your questions.
Choose
a Containment System
©SecurePets.com
2007
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