We have installed quite a few hidden fences for families in retirement communities. Most go very well, but we have learned to help guide some inquiries into better choices based on some of our experiences over the years.
The question we get a few times a year usually goes like this:
“Mom is moving into a retirement community. We want to buy her a Pet DeFence.” Or, “I am moving into a retirement community. What can you do for us?”
I have been installing and training dogs on hidden dog fences for 26 yrs. Over the years, I have learned to ask the right questions before we agree to a job like this. We love all of our customers and want to do the best job possible. But some scenarios are a little difficult.
We have developed a few questions that we ask whenever we run into this opportunity to assist someone in this situation. Those questions include:
- Is the home a single family home or is it a duplex or multiplex home?
- Is this home on a slab or does it have a basement? (If it is a slab and a multiplex home, then we have to figure out where to put the transmitter because access to the yard from inside the home is complicated without the garage wall facing and outside wall or if we have to put the transmitter in a bedroom.)
- What kind of dog is it? Smaller dogs do better in smaller yards. Big dogs are hard to contain in cramped areas.
- How tall at the shoulder?
- How much does it weigh?
- How old is it?
- How long has she had it?
- Does it have any training?
- Who is the boss, your parents or the dog?
- Who will work with your Mom to get the dogs trained?
- How mobile are your parents Can they get around with the dog on a leash several times/day for a few weeks to train the dog?
- Is the dog timid?
- Is her dog bold?
- Is the dog blind?
- Is the dog deaf?
- Is the dog coddled or is it experienced with the rough and tumble real world? (Dogs that have been played with hard, had their paws stepped on a time or two and are well socialized and resilient do better with the training.)
Photo by Donna Cecaci on Unsplash