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Should I hire a professional to install my dog fence?
Installing a dog fence and training your dog to understand how it works isn't the hardest thing you'll ever do, but it's also not exactly easy. In fact, most dog fence failures are a result of do-it-yourself installations gone wrong.
If you're reasonably handy — in other words, you're comfortable using power tools and you don't mind breaking a sweat — then you should be able to install your own fence in about one full day, if you have a small yard. Once your fence is installed, you'll also need to spend about 20 minutes a day for the next two weeks training your dog.
On the other hand, if you're inexperienced with major home improvement projects or dog training, you'd prefer not to do a lot of manual labor, or you simply don't have the time to install your own dog fence, you may want to consider hiring a pro to install your dog fence for you.
If you do decide to hire a dog fence pro, read the rest of this article to learn what you should expect from the experience.
About pro dog fence installation
Professional dog fences are generally the highest-quality dog fence products you can buy; of course, that also means they're the most expensive dog fence products you can buy! The products that dog fence pros sell typically include features and warranties that do-it-yourself dog fences don't. More importantly, though, pro-installed dog fences come with installation and training support to help ensure that you and your pet both have a good experience.
For example, pro installers generally offer a containment guarantee that refunds your money if the invisible dog fence doesn't work for your pet. The reason pro installers can offer containment guarantees is that they understand the tips and tricks that make dog fences work for almost any dog, regardless of temperament. If you are uncertain in your ability to install your fence and train your dog correctly, the peace of mind that a containment guarantee offers can be worth the price of a pro installer.
In most areas of the country, there is at least one pro dog fence installer; in major metro areas, there are usually several. Pro installers represent a few different brands, including Invisible Fence, Pet Stop, and DogWatch. You can generally find an installer in your local area through a search engine, your phone book, or the corporate site of the pro product in which you are interested.
Questions to ask a pro installer
If you decide to hire a professional to install your invisible dog fence, make sure to ask the following questions to ensure you get a good deal:
What is the overall cost of the dog fence? Make sure to include annual battery costs as you compare costs across companies.
Do you offer a containment guarantee? A professional dog fence installer should offer a money back guarantee if they can't contain your pet.
What is your warranty? Professional dog fences generally include a lifetime product warranty, but the extensiveness of the warranties varies across brands. Also, make sure you get at least a one-year warranty on the installation.
How will you install the wire? A pro installer should bury your wire at least 1 - 6 inches underground, including where the wire crosses driveways and sidewalks. Unless you have unusual requirements, beware of an installer that suggests stapling the wire to your fence or to the ground.
What training support do you include? You should expect AT LEAST 6 months of free, onsite training support to ensure your pet is properly trained. This doesn't mean that the installer will do the training for you — training is always your responsibility. But, the installer should be willing to come to your home to discuss any questions and/or concerns that arise.
Who will help train my pet? The trainer should have at least one year of experience training dogs to understand an electronic fence.
What kind of wire and splices do you use? All dog fence installations should include 14- to 18-gauge, solid-core, outdoor-rated wire. Splices should be completely waterproof to prevent rust damage.
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