Dog Radio Collars - info please

[HerGU]

For those with dogs on the road, does anyone use an radio collar barrier system for thier dog? We have 2 larger dogs that we will be taking with us when we travel full time and want a safety barrier for the dogs for around the campsite. Can you recommend a brand or ones to avoid?

We have a husky x that is an escape artist - tieing her up just doesnt do it anymore - looking at a barrier fence for the house - but want to also use it on the road - we have found a solar powered one and a 12v & rechargeable battery one as well - just wanted some more info - recommendations.

Thanks

[Kit_e_kat9]

The RSPCA doesn't approve any barrier other than walls and or fencing of some sort.  I'm guessing the fencing doesn't work for you either.  Perhaps you could purchase a collar with a GPS tracker in it?

My last ACD (Rest in Peace Digger) did the escaping trick alot.  At least he came back ... eventually.  Recommendation was lots and lots and lots of exercise (apparently you can't work if you have this breed because you are spending 23hrs a day exercising them) ... a good dose of Arthritis should fix the wandering ... did with mine.

Wouldn't have had it any other way ... could have done without the leaping from a moving vehicle though.

Kit_e

[Tracey family]

if you google pig dogging web sites you should be able to find what you need . thats how i found the control coller for my dogs                                                           

                          :cheers:scott

[HerGU]

Hi Kit_e_kat

As much as i respect your opinion and the RSPCA i rather our dogs alive and not picking up baits because they got off their lead during the night. A GPS tracking collar does not suit our needs or application. I take every precaution possible as it is, including muzzeling them at night and during walks (as WA is covered in 1080 baits). Short of letting them sleep in the car at night, i was looking for an option that allows it so when camping, our dogs have their freedom but are still safely contained.

Whilst at home, no fence (especially in a rental house) can stop a Husky. Doesnt matter what we do, she doesn't stay put. So again, to protect her from herself i thought a radio collar would be the best option as she has full use of the yard and i know she will be there when i get home from work. The husky in particular has cost me over $1000.00 in pound fees already, so i am at witts end and need a solution that makes her happy and me, i dont like tieing her up but i have no other choice at the moment.

[Paul Mac]

I have a friend with a Husky and all I can say is I sympathise your plight. Huskies are notorious for escaping and unfortunately, coming back isn't an option with them as they only know one direction..............straight ahead.

The 12v or solar perimeter fencing IMO wouldn't be practical when camping as you have to put out a wire fence around the area your camping in and there remains the risk the dog could either jump or crawl under the wire. However, depending on the dog they only need to touch it once or twice and usually wouldn't go near it again. The electric shock from the wire will give them muscle spasms which are uncomfortable but wont harm them.

The shock collar may be your answer. They aren't cheap at from memory around the $600 mark and can be destroyed by a determined dog but they are probably the best way to stop your dog escaping. The training involves you watching the dog with a remote control and giving the dog a similar muscle spasm shock with the remote whenever it strays past a certain point ( a string line perhaps). The theory is that after a few shocks the behaviour of the dog should change. Having said that.....Huskies can be very stubborn.

Good luck.

Cheers

[earle]

As a consideration I wonder how effective this type of system would be in a travelling situation. In the home situation they are designed to be a training aid where the dog learns to associate the shock with certain boundaries, so it learns not to cross those boundaries. If you were in constantly changing environments you would need to devise some sort of boundary that the dogs could recognise and associate otherwise its use could be quite cruel.

[Paul Mac]

I agree earle. That's why I suggested a string line to set a boundary. Without it the dog wouldn't have a clue what your trying to get it to do.

The only alternative is professional training of both dog and its owner or boarding kennels every time you go away. That option has cost me thousands.

Cheers

[dazzler]

Hi.

I spoke with our dog expert on council about your situation. He said that an electronic device will not work on a husky as their desire to do what they naturally do, run and run, is greater than fear of pain or discomfort.

They can work on some dogs where the dog can identify what the boundary is and when the pain will occur. So on their own property they know not to go past a certain point, say the edge of the lawn, due to learning that's the spot. This can take months to achieve.

I don't think taking a husky would be enjoyable for either of you.

Best of luck.


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[Crosslander]

I have a 10 month old boxer who i cannot keap in - he jumps our 7 foot fence. As a last resort (read irate neighbours and reports of close calls on road) I bought an Innotek Invisible Fence System which I am led to believe are the best. The System comes with a stack of training flags... the idea being that you mark the perimeter of the wired area and over a period train the dog that if it crosses past the flags he will get zapped. To be honest I didnt bother with that whole system - a few zaps from the collar and he doesnt want to know about the fence. Been 2 weeks now and no more problems.

I mention the flags though because if you went through that training regime (a video is included - think it is on you tube too if you searched for Innotek) you could easily take your flags with you when you camp and mark out the boundary - the dog SHOULD recognise its limits without getting zapped every time you set up in a new spot. I would potentially also look at changing the wire to a bright fleuro colour too - another visual aid.

Also do yourself a favour and buy it in the states - about half the price as here. On mine the rechargeable collar works on a 110-230 volt range so just needed a us to Australian adapter. The actual electric unit is stepped down from the American 110 volt to someting like 9 volts anyway so you just need to go to Jaycar or similar and get a suitable transformer with right size plug (about $20). Mine came with lightning protection (if lightning hits the ground nearby apperently it can travel along the wire and knock out the unit). This would have required a step down transformer (and a big one 1800 watts) so have not used it in the setup. The Australian units dont ship with it anyway and i am using a surge protector powerboard (not sure if it will help but nonetheless).

Hope that helps.

Mark.

[welchygq]

The 12v or solar perimeter fencing IMO wouldn't be practical when camping as you have to put out a wire fence around the area your camping in and there remains the risk the dog could either jump or crawl under the wire. However, depending on the dog they only need to touch it once or twice and usually wouldn't go near it again. The electric shock from the wire will give them muscle spasms which are uncomfortable but wont harm them.

I think you are hinking of an electric fence mate.  the thread title says " radio collars".  not an elctric fence.  All you do is run an insulated wire from the controller around the area you want to protect and if the animal comes within a certain distance from the wire - it gets a vibration warning.  if it continues it gets a small static correction.  This is uncomfortable but not painfull.  The animal does nto touch the wire.  The correction comes from the collar itself.

And as for the training aid side to it - if you run the flags with the fence then the dog will learn to associate the flags with its boundry - so i dont see this being a problem.

Welchy

[qlddsl]

We have the innotek invisible fence, and has kept my staffy/heeler in. We didn't bother with the training as the wire is attached to the fence, but if you can use a visual aid (white flags) no reason you can't make it portable. The field put out buy the unit can be adjusted, we have it set about 1 mtr, so the dogs won't jump our go under it. It cost us about $400(on special) with 1 collar and an extra collar for about $250.  Hope this helps, cheers Wayne

[colliedog]

Been checking what you have been saying, Huskies are notorious for escaping, but staffies are too.  I would recommend getting in touch with DogMasters as they sell all different types.  I sell different brands as I have a dog-washing business, what you need to do is have the dog clipped around the neck and trial the collar system at home.  I have found the PAK system is good as it gives up to 6 warnings and it is waterproof too.  It is a good price I think it sells for $350.00 with 1 yr warranty, but they do give you backup.  What you should do is call them and ask their advice as they would recommend what system suits you.  Also I believe they are banned in some states so you will have to watch where you are.  Good luck

[TOPNDR]

We purchased one for our pooch around the house (rural FNQ no fences) but it wasn't until we opened the box and were able to read the instructions that we found out that they weren't recommended for uses in excess of 12 hours per day, and they interfere with, or can be interfered with, by telephone systems and other household electrics.

Sold it on fleabay as we deemed it unsuitable for our plans.

[HerGU]

Hi all,

Just an update, i purchased one from the local pet store after they rang their head office and told me it can be used with a 12v adapter. Got it home and other half opened the packet to find it was 18v (and used alot of power). So i took it back got a full refund (was expecting a fight but they didnt even bat an eyelid while refunding the money). Ordered the sureguard one online that night, still waiting for it to arrive in the mail (hopefully tomorrow) so will let you know how we go if anyone is still interested. The Suregard was more expensive than the usual ones, but the website says it does all the things we want it to do....so hopefully the money is worth it. 

[lilstookie]

I would be interested to see how you get on with it

Lil

[AussieBob]

Hi,
Neighbours have two huskys and have tried the collars, they are ok until the dogs see something they want, then nothing stops them.
I have a dead sheep to prove it!!

Neighbours now have 6ft fence around house with 1.5ft underground wire, plus electric fencing in front of fence. Dogs still get out when gate is not locked securely.

Bob

[chester ver2.0]

Hi by tied up how did you do it i had a bull terrier, labroador, boxer cross weight about 50kg so after numerous escapes i has to put the following in place to stop him

1 Collars, get rid of them they will either back out of it or stretch it untill it gets down to their shoulders then pull, a chocker is the only way to go

2 think fishing the dog will usually chew through your lead near your collar i ran a 1meter light chain lead after the chocker to the rope

3 Seperate the 2 never tie your dog up with the lead you use to walk them on, they associate this lead with excitment and going places and if you tie them with it they wil then make thier own (by getting off it). Use 2 different lenghts and 2 different colours feed the dog on the lead that they will be tied up for the night on, they will soon associate that 1 means going somewhere and the other means staying put.

4 Anchor the lead to the camper not the car. Dogs are not stupid they soon figure the camper stays and is the masters kennel and the car moves and takes them to exciting places, couple this with the mistake of point 2 and problems you will have.

5 exercise the absolute bugger out of them and sorry for a dog that size that does not mean a walk train your dog to run beside you on a bike so they can get some speed up. On a quiet dirt road mine would actually lop beside the car for several kms