How Does a Wireless Pet Containment System Work?

Wireless pet containment systems are popular because homeowners do not have to use a fence to keep a pet in their yard. Installing a physical fence requires time and money, as well as maintenance costs. In addition, some pets can jump over a low fence, and a taller fence can block a homeowner's view.

  1. Transmitter and Receiver

    • A wireless pet containment system is also known as a wireless leash, since it is portable, unlike a fence. The wireless leash consists of a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter sends out a constant signal, which the receiver picks up. Selecting the transmitter's wavelength requires consideration of the wavelengths that other communication devices produce, so it does not cause interference. The transmitter should also have a relatively short range, only transmitting signals long enough to reach the end of the homeowner's property. Once the receiver no longer detects the signal, mechanisms attached to the collar activate.

    Deterring the Pet

    • Common mechanisms include devices that produce noise and devices that produce an electric shock. The systems that produce an electric shock are designed not to harm the pet when used properly. Devices that produce sound may alarm the neighbors, although it is possible to produce a sound that the pet can hear and humans cannot. Dog whistles operate this way.

    Comparison to Wireless Fence

    • A wireless leash is an alternative to a wireless fence. A wireless fence uses lines buried underneath the yard of a home. The lines send out a signal that the receiver detects when the pet crosses over the line. The fence can follow the exact boundaries of a yard. A transmitter that sends out signals to a receiver drops in intensity in proportion to the distance to the transmitter, creating a circular enclosure, and many yards are rectangular. Burying lines still requires physical installation, although it is much easier than building a six foot tall wood or stone fence. However,it may be possible for the pet to escape through an area that the lines do not cover.

    Additional Requirements

    • The containment system requires a device that attaches to the pet's collar, so each pet inside the wireless containment system needs its own collar. This can be expensive if there are multiple pets. Several transmitters may be necessary if the yard or other containment area is very large. Unlike a physical fence, the wireless containment system does not deter neighbors' pets or wildlife.

    GPS Barriers

    • A containment system that uses Geographic Positioning System, or GPS, coordinates can create a barrier with any shape. This type of system checks the geographic coordinates of the pet before sending a signal. The problem with using Geographic Positioning signals is that they are not very accurate at short ranges, so these containment systems are more useful on large properties like farms. According to Dartmouth University, a GPS containment system effectively keeps cows in an area.