Friday, March 25, 2016

Is an Electronic Dog Fence Right for Your Yard?

Even with a fence, our dogs have managed to escaped the yard.  If the gate is accidentally left open, they will bolt out the yard.  It's nerve wracking trying to find them.  I'm always afraid a car would come along and hit them.  After a drive around the neighborhood, we usually find them running down the street without a care in the world.  If your dog escapes too, there are many ways to keep them safe.  I've always been curious about how effective electronic dog fences really are.  Maybe they're an option for us to consider?  If you're curious too, you can learn more in the article below.


Dogs are members of the family, and keeping them safe is a top priority. If your dog’s ever escaped from your property, you know the fear that ensues while you try to find them, hoping that they haven’t run into trouble before you do. Most dogs require a leash, barrier, or fence to prevent them from wandering out of the yard. There are many different types of fence, however, so how do you know what type is the right choice for you? When choosing between a standard fence and and invisible dog fence, here are some of the questions to ask yourself.

What Breed of Dog Do You Have?
Most dogs can wear an e-collar and be trained to use a wired dog fence or wireless dog fence. Some dogs, in fact, do better with an electronic dog fence. Terriers, beagles, and other dogs that like to dig, as well as hunting dogs and breeds who like to chase, are particularly suited for an electronic dog fence. These types of dogs can often find a way to escape from a traditional fence, whether it be digging under it or jumping over top, for example. If your dog is determined to get past a fence no matter what, an electronic dog fence may be the answer you need. If your dog is a young puppy, you should wait until they’re at least six-months-old to begin training them with an electronic dog fence. Pregnant and infirm dogs should not be trained with e-collars, either, until they’ve given birth or they’re healthy again. If you have an aggressive dog, you must be careful when using an electric dog fence. Dogs that are aggressive may ignore the corrective shock of the e-collar if their adrenaline is pumping, so it’s best to pair an electric dog fence with a traditional dog fence for maximum protection. Since an electronic dog fence only keeps your dog inside the yard, you don’t want to risk someone accidentally wandering into your yard, which may make your dog feel threatened.

What are the Features of Your Yard?
An electric dog fence can be installed almost anywhere, which makes it a very versatile choice. When installing a traditional fence, your ground must be leveled and cleared. On the other hand,an invisible dog fence requires minimal ground preparation, as the wire can be buried almost anywhere. Traditional fences are limited to straight lines and right angles, which make them difficult to place is odd-shaped or circular spaces. The customization boundaries of a wired dog fence make it easy to conform to any space, and a wireless dog fence offers even more options for placement and shape, including radial boundaries. For large properties like farms, homesteads, and ranches, an invisible dog fence is easier and less expensive to install. Electronic dog fence systems can contain more than 25 acres on one system. If you don’t want to obstruct the view or function of your property, an invisible dog fence will be completely unnoticeable and convenient for everyone except your dog, who will be kept safely within the yard no matter what - no need to remember to lock a gate, for example.

 
How Big or Small is Your Budget?
Unfortunately, for most people, cost is always a factor. Oftentimes when our budget is small, the quality we can afford is lower, too. If your budget is modest, a traditional fence may be too expensive for you, as it can cost thousands of dollars. An underground dog fence, however, is generally about 80 percent cheaper. If you can spend the weekend installing your own electronic fence system - which is relatively easy, even for beginners - you can save even more.A DIY electric fence will allow you to save a great deal of money without sacrificing quality, since safety is not something you should skimp on anyway. Over the years, the maintenance of an electric dog fence should be very minimal. Storms, falling trees, etc. do not often damage an underground dog fence as they would a traditional fence. But if you install your own electric dog fence, you’ll also be able to make any necessary repairs on your own, too, rather than calling in a service professional. With a DIY electric fence, your dog won’t be left vulnerable while you wait for professionals to arrive - you can fix breaks immediately.

Will You Commit to Dog Training?
Perhaps the most important thing to consider is whether or not you can commit to the training required with an electric dog fence. Before you purchase a system, be sure you thoroughly understand the training process, because protocols must be followed exactly in order to be effective with your dog. You must be able to spend at least 30 minutes per day for up to two weeks to train your dog. Proper training will ensure your dog doesn’t experience stress or discomfort with the electronic system. If a dog isn’t properly trained, they will feel the corrective shock of the e-collar on a regular basis (as opposed to only during the training phase), and this will lead them to become afraid, distressed, or aggressive when going in the yard. The vast majority of dog owners who properly train their dogs end up being very happy with the system, and it’s clear to them that their dogs appreciate the system, too. If it sounds like an electronic dog fence might be right for your dog, your next step is to check out invisible dog fence reviews and recommendations, so that you can pick out a fence model. Different electronic containment systems have different features. For example, some fences have a limited number of e-collars that can be supported (not ideal for people with more than 2-3 dogs), and some fences cannot enclose more than one acre at a time. There are many different invisible dog fence systems, however, so you’ll be able to find the one that fits your situation best.

*This sponsored post was written on behalf of our dog safety partners www.dogfencediy.com. Please share your experiences with dog containment systems in the comments section!


Sunday, March 20, 2016

Happy First Day of Spring

Happy first day of spring, friends!  Spring break is almost here!  We have friends visiting next week so our spring cleanup ritual started earlier than normal.  We started getting better organized, donating to Goodwill and tidying up the yard.

I believe your front porch should be welcoming; an inviting entrance to your home.  To spruce up my front porch, last spring I purchased an outdoor bistro set online from Walmart(now discontinued).  It's held up great and I love that the color is very similar to our house.  But it was missing something, so I added an accent pillow.  There's just something so sweet about a bicycle basket filled with fresh flowers.  The design adds just the right amount of color.  I love this pillow.

Perfect for a lazy afternoon of sipping lemonade on the porch!

My Pink Bicycle Pillow Cover is from SoVintageChic, an online Etsy shop.  You'll love her affordable pillow covers too.  Save 20% with code GROOVEBLOG until March 24th.  Have fun shopping!


*No financial compensation was received, however I did receive a pillow cover to review.  All opinions are my own.

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Decorating our Garage Bedroom

We've been slowly adding furniture and decor to our bedroom since converting our garage into a living space.  One by one our bedroom is coming together.
    
As much as I love pretty things, how we function in the room is important too!  Based on our needs we carved out a little space for sleeping, relaxing and eating.  Eventually I want to add a desk for computer work.

We enjoy sitting here watching television or just talking.  I love being able to sit here with my kids and hear about their day.

Since we no longer have a room for storage, it was important for us to create a spot to keep our home improvement things(paint cans, tools, etc).  A window seat with storage solved our dilemma.  I plan to cozy it up by adding more pillows and a seat cushion to create a reading nook.

We especially love our eating area.  It's a nice place to have coffee in the morning while enjoying the peace and quiet.


I purchased a bookcase (Birch Lane) to display some of my favorite things.
  
Framed art, family pictures and decor books are just a few things I have on the shelves.

I'm constantly moving things around to get them just right.  The bottom shelf has been hard for me.  I'll figure it out.  I'm up for the challenge! LOL!!

I'm taking my time choosing more artwork.

For the nightstands I kept things clean and simple.

A small dish for jewelry and my glasses.  A candle and fresh flowers add in more color.  My husband's side isn't as pretty! 

So there you have it, our progress so far!!  I'll continue to update you as our room takes shape.