Did you know 1 in 3 pets goes missing in their lifetime? Losing your four-legged family member is something we hope you never have to face. The best way to prevent your pup from getting lost is by taking preemptive steps and making certain your pup has a current ID tag wtih your contact info. From invisible fences to smart collars, these four options can help Rover mend his roving ways.
1. Microchipping
A microchip won't keep Harley from taking a hike. But lucky dogs are found and taken to a vet or animal shelter, where they'll use a microchip reader to see if he has been chipped. The lucky dogs have pet parents who have registered their contact information and kept it current. Microchipping involves implanting a chip that's the size of a grain of rice just under the dog's skin. That means a vet visit and the average cost for the procedure is about $50. If you adopt a dog, many times the shelter or rescue group will cover this.You also need to register your dog's microchip. There are numerous registry sites, such as Home Again, with annual fees ranging from $0-$25 per year. And you'll need to know the frequency of the chip since not all chips use the same ISO standard. Lastly, you'll want to make a note to ask your vet to scan the chip once a year to ensure it hasn't migrated or failed.
2. Invisible Fence
A Wireless or invisible fence can keep Buddy from bolting. The upside is they're invisible, so there are no issues with your homeowner's association. On the other hand, it can take Buddy up to two weeks with daily training to learn the new boundaries. And then there's the cost. Depending on your choices, a homeowner can expect to pay $1250-2200 for the system, batteries, collar and all the rest of the necessary parts. Plus, you'll need to consider whether to bury the wires (no closer than 5 feet to a neighbor's system and avoiding all other buried cables) or to set them up above ground. Installation costs for either method are separate from the system's costs. Also, some dog owners do not like the idea of using shock technology to deter their pets from roaming.
3. The LINK AKC Smart Collar
If Walter wanders, the LINK AKC collar is a smart solution. Not only does it combine the advantage of the best GPS tracker available, savvy paw-rents can use the sound feature and positive reinforcement (think clicker training) to establish an invisible fence anywhere Walter hangs out, with no additional costs. Best of all, the Smart Collar is non-invasive and won't shock him. Of course, even the best dogs break training, and if Walter does wander, you can easily track him via the app. And did we mention how handsome he'll look?
4. Electronic Training Collars
An electronic collar can deliver the right correction to Rocky's negative behavior. However, this option requires time and a level of expertise most owners don't possess. You can expect to pay between $50-200 for a collar, with a range of 30-400 yards. While the price might seem right, aversive training is not always successful. You can't always control how often the shock is delivered as many of these devices are automatic. Your dog may associate going outdoors (and being shocked when crossing the invisible line) with fear. Some dogs, on the other hand, may not care about the shock and simply learn to ignore it. More fearful dogs may fear anything associated with the electronic collar, including their people. This is something you absolutely want to avoid!
We hope your pup never goes missing. Whether you choose an invisible fence of the LINK AKC Smart Collar, take action to keep your four-legged family member safe.
