The question we get the most from pet parents is: “Do I have to purchase a closed-loop invisible fence?” The answer is no. The distance between transmitters and receivers will depend on the size of your yard and your desired boundary.
If you are building an outdoor enclosure, it may be easier to set up a perimeter wire around the outside. But if you are looking for something more portable or temporary, then an open-loop system might work better for you.
Some other considerations may come into play when deciding whether or not to go with a closed-loop system, including how many pets live in your home, what kind of terrain/landscape they live in, etc.
So, Let’s start digging out Does An Invisible Fence Have to Be a Closed Loop?
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What is the Difference Between Open Loop and Closed Loop?
In an open-loop system, the wire that transmits the signal travels from transmitter to boundary and then back into another transmitter. The wire loops back in on itself in a closed-loop system to create a circular field around your home.
This means if you have 5 acres of land, you can set up just one transmitter, and it will cover the entire area. This is beneficial because if you have several transmitters on your property, all of them would have to be connected by wire for your system to work properly.
What are the Benefits of a Closed-Loop System?
The biggest benefit of a closed-loop system is that there is no way for an animal wearing the receiver collar to get out of range. So in a house with a yard, an animal will be able to roam freely without fear of going too far and getting lost in the “big bad world.”
When your pet steps on the boundary, a static correction will remind them to stay within their safe zone. And since it’s all done with static, you won’t have to worry about your pet getting zapped by anything other than the base of their neck.
- A Closed Loop System allows you to have a large area fully protected with just one transmitter.
- If your pet wears a collar, they will always feel safe because there is a static correction when crossing the boundary wire.
- They can’t get out of range because the wire is closed.
- A cost-effective solution.
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How Do You Cancel Out Parts of Underground Fence for Dogs?
A big question we get from pet parents is whether or not they can purchase a simple wire and cancel out parts of their underground fence to create their own perimeter.
This is possible with an open-loop system, but our advice would be to talk to your local retailer or installer about what limitations you may have when using an open-loop configuration.
Since the wire that transmits the signal travels from transmitter to boundary and back into another transmitter, there are times when large sections of your yard will not be protected.
If you have several acres of land or multiple transmitters on your property, this may not be an issue for you. But if you only have a few feet of coverage, then it can be a pain in the neck to have just a small section of your yard unprotected.
In our experience, there are more benefits to going with a closed-loop system. Open-loop is a solution for people who may not want to deal with wires or to set up transmitters around their property. But this usually comes.
How Close Can Invisible Fence Wires Be?
When you install an invisible fence, there is a perimeter wire that circles your home.
This means if you have five acres of land, there must be at least 6-10 feet of space between the edge of your property and the perimeter wire. Some pet parents want to put up outdoor enclosures or create their own area to play in, so we wanted to shed some light on this topic.
The wire can be very close to your property line as long as you have enough space where your pet will not be able to get shocked when they go near the wire. You also want to avoid having any landscaping or outdoor furniture that may create a barrier and pose a risk to your pet.
To create an outdoor play area, you can take the wire and put it around the perimeter of this space. This will keep your pet inside where they are safe and secure without having to worry about them getting zapped.
Please note that if you do not have enough room for the barrier to be two feet away from anything that could pose a risk to your pet, you should not go with this option.
Can You Dead End an Invisible Fence?
The answer to this question depends on the type of system you have.
When your pet is equipped with a receiver collar, you will not be able to take them outside without it. An invisible fence is an in-ground containment system that blocks your dog from venturing into the ‘big bad world.’ This is how it works:
The transmitter creates a circular barrier around your home that your pet cannot pass through without getting shocked by their collar. If you have multiple transmitters, then the area will be larger and more secure.
You can purchase an additional wire for an open-loop system to create a smaller area of protection, but you will have to be in constant contact with this wire for your pet to feel safe.
The base station is the heart of the system. This is where the signal comes from that creates a barrier around your home when it detects that your pet has crossed into ‘no-pet land.’
If you have an open-loop system, you can purchase a second wire and connect it to your base station to create a smaller area of protection. This will work with any type of transmitter—wireless or underground.
How Does Invisible Fencing Work?
Most invisible pet fences are in-ground containment systems that require a wire or strap to secure your property.
The wire will travel from the transmitter, generally placed in your home and outwards into the yard. This creates a circular barrier around your house that blocks your pet from leaving.
When you take your pet outside, they must wear their collar so that the transmitter knows where your pet is at all times. This means if your dog wanders too close to the edge of your yard or crosses into the no-pet territory, then they will get zapped by their collar.
A wireless fence is more convenient because there are no wires to set up or dig into your yard. This type of system is also more modern and sleek, but it does cost more than an in-ground fence.
You can purchase additional perimeter wires if you own a large property so that the wireless fence can reach all areas where you want to allow your pet to roam free.
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