Multivet Virtual Fence DSP13201 User Manual

User’s Guide

Guide de L’utilisateur

2003-12

PET CONTAINMENT SYSTEM

Training, Installation and
Troubleshooting Guide

Important Information
please keep this manual for future reference

Questions? see our website at:

www.multivet-inter.com

Table of contents:
I. How the system works 5
II. Equipment needed for installation 6
III. Installation procedures 7
IV. Spray receiver collar 13
V. Operating your system 14
VI. Training your pet 15
VII. Troubleshooting 20

CAUTION: This Pet Containment System is NOT a solid barrier. The system is designed to act
as a deterrent to remind animals by spray stimulation to remain within the boundary established.
This system is to be used only in the intended manner as specified in this instruction manual. Any
misuse of the system other than as recommended in this instruction manual may result in electric
shock or fire. It is your responsibility to properly train your animal to remain within the
established boundary. It is important you reinforce training if needed. Since the tolerance level to
spray varies from pet to pet, Multivet CANNOT guarantee that this system will, in all cases, keep
your pet within the established boundary. NOT ALL PETS CAN BE TRAINED TO AVOID
CROSSING THE BOUNDARY. Therefore, if you have reason to believe that your pet may pose
a danger to others or harm itself if it is not kept from crossing the boundaries, the Purchaser/User
should NOT rely solely upon the Pet Containment System to confine your pet. Multivet shall
NOT be liable for any property damage, economic loss or any consequential damages sustained
as a result of an animal crossing the boundary.
Do not allow children to use this pet training system.

This product is intended for residential use and for containment of healthy pets only. It is not
intended for containment of guard dogs or vicious animals. Seek the advice of your veterinarian
to determine your pet’s health and suitability for this pet training system.
Thank You!
Thank you for purchasing the world’s finest pet containment system. This manual will explain
how to operate, install your system and train your pet. The Pet Containment System eliminates
the expense and maintenance of conventional fencing. Plus, it is portable! You may have to bury
new wire, but the rest of the system can be moved with you when you move!

We want to make sure you are a satisfied customer. You can help ensure this by taking time to
carefully read the following instructions on training and installation. We have also included a
detailed installation and training video. We recommend you watch the video first then follow the
manual as a guide. Your Pet Containment System is easy to install. The time will vary depending
on the size of your yard.

Please take this opportunity to complete and mail the warranty card to insure proper service if
something in your kit becomes damaged.

Again, we sincerely appreciate your purchase and hope it provides you and your pet with years of
service.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Q: How much area can the transmitter in my kit cover?
A: The transmitter will cover up to 25 acres (100,000 m2).

Q: Will the spray hurt my pet?
A: No. Spray is harmless. The spray will only startle your pet.

Q: How deep do you have to bury the wire?
A: From 2.5 to 7.5 cm (1” to 3”). The only reason for burying is so you don’t accidentally trip
over it or cut it.

Q: How many dogs can be put on the system?
A: A large number but each must be wearing a receiver collar.

Q: What size or type pet can be used on the system?
A: The pet must be trainable and able to comfortably wear the receiver. It SHOULD NOT be
used on vicious or attack dogs. If your pet is in ill health, you should consult with your
veterinarian.

Q: Can the receiver be used on my pet’s present collar?
A: Yes.

Q: How long does it take to install?
A: Allow about 2 to 3 hours for a 150 m (500’) fence. It depends on layout, soil conditions, tools,
etc. A typical installation can be completed in one afternoon.

I. How The System Works

The Pet Containment System is simple and straightforward. It consists of three primary parts: the
TRANSMITTER, the RECEIVER, and the ANTENNA (boundary wire). The transmitter is an
ultra-low frequency radio transmitter that plugs into a standard 120 volt outlet. The signal it
transmits is carried by the boundary wire which serves as an antenna. The range of the signal (i.e.
the distance from the boundary that the receiver picks up the signal) can be adjusted from a few

steps up to 9 m (30’) by the range adjustment knob located on the transmitter. (Note: There may
be some variations in these distances due to different ground and wire conditions, and the depth
that the wire is buried. The deeper the wire, the weaker the signal.)

CAUTION: While all Pet Containment System transmitters use a microprocessor to send a coded
signal, it is still possible that a stray signal can be picked up. This most often is the case around
TV’s. You may want to put the receiver battery in and hold it near various appliances in the
home. If it beeps near one, then you should either have your pet avoid these appliances or remove
the collar when your pet enters the house.
II. Equipment needed for installation

1. Transmitter

2. Receiver

3. Collar for receiver

4. Battery

5. Video

6. Wire nuts for splicing

7. Wire and flags

* Wire must be 18 gauge and 30 strands. We strongly recommend buying only wire supplied for
this product. Extra wire and flags are sold separately.

In addition to the contents of the kit, the following items are necessary to install the Pet
Containment System.
A. Straight-edged spade, a lawn edger or a shovel. Installation in small to medium sized yards
should only require use of the spade or shovel. For a large yard we recommend that you rent a
power edger to make installation easier.
B. Wire stripping pliers, electrical tape, and waterproofing compound (e.g. silicone caulk) for
insulating splice connectors (wire nuts).
C. If you are going to cross brick, asphalt or concrete surfaces, you will need a circular saw fitted
with a masonry blade. You will also need a patching compound suitable for the surface you will

be crossing. If you are crossing a gravel or dirt drive, you will need to protect your wire, such as
by running it through PVC pipe.
D. NECESSARY: For transmitters, a grounding rod and ground clamp can be obtained at any
electrical distributor.

III. Installation Procedures

As with any project, careful planning will make the job much easier. To begin, lay out the area
you plan to “fence” on a sheet of graph paper. The transmitter will transmit a signal up to 9 m
(30’) from your boundary wire. You want to be sure to leave enough area so that your dog can
move about freely within the boundaries.
There are a few other things you need to keep in mind when planning your “fence”.

1) The wire must make a continuous loop back to the transmitter.

2) Twisting the wires cancels the signal. (See Illustration.) However, twisting three or more wires
does not cancel the signal. Wires must be traveling in opposite directions to cancel the signal.
Example: When you connect wire to the terminal to begin your “fence”, make your completed
loop and twist the wires when you are coming back to the terminal. Make at least 32 twists per
meter.

3) Always round corners (make 2 m (6’) radius turns) when you are making turns. Square corners
confuse the signal.
Note: When installing a double loop as illustrated in samples B, C, F, wire must be separated 1 m
to 1.5 m (3’ to 5’) to avoid canceling the signal.
After you have planned your fence design you are ready to begin installation.

Step 1: Select location for transmitter.

Transmitter should be located INDOORS ONLY in a dry, protected area that is above 32 degrees
Fahrenheit (0° Celsius), not exposed to the sun, typically in a garage. To avoid signal interference
install away from any major appliances such as: hot water heater, metal shelving, air conditioner,
and metal on garage doors. DO NOT mount your transmitter next to a breaker box. Do not run
wire along with electrical wires, telephone wires, television cables, antenna wires, and near
satellite dishes. Be sure to avoid crossing power lines. If you are unsure of the location of your
cables or power lines, check with your local utilities before installation.

CAUTION: Do Not install in a barn or metal shed.
A risk of electric shock or fire could result if transmitter is exposed to water or cold weather
damage.

Before burying the wire, lay the wire along your proposed boundary, connect it to the transmitter
and turn the system on. Then, test the collar on boundary wire to ensure it is working properly.
Burying the wire is not necessary for the transmission of the radio signal. Burying is
recommended to prevent damage to the wire or transmitter and to avoid possible injuries to
persons tripping over the exposed wire.

VERY IMPORTANT: Be sure to thoroughly test your system before burying wire.

Step 2: Cut a trench one to three inches deep along your previously planned boundary.

Note: Avoid running the boundary wire close to chain link fences. If crossing chain link fences,
do so at right angles, after crossing continue for at least 5 feet before running parallel with other
cables or metal fencing.

Step 3: Splicing

Note: If you use more than the 150 m (500’) of wire, you will need to splice the wire together
with the wire nuts.
Very Important: Be sure to note location of all splices in the space provided at the end of this
manual. Most wire breaks occur near the splices. Keep manual in a safe place for further
reference.

Begin by stripping both ends of the wire to be spliced. Insert stripped ends into the wire nut and
twist, then pull making sure of a solid connection. Apply water-proofing compound (like silicon)
in and around wire nut. After the compound dries, you may also want to wrap wires and wire nut
with electrical tape to prevent them from pulling loose and to protect from moisture.

CAUTION: If your splice or connection pulls loose, your entire system will fail. Make sure of a
secure connection.

Step 4: Crossing hard surfaces.

If you have to cross concrete, brick or asphalt surfaces, either lay the wire in a convenient
expansion joint or use a circular saw with a masonry blade to create a groove. Place the wire in
groove and cover with an appropriate patching compound. Your local hardware store can help
you choose the right compound for your type of driveway.

Step 5: Hooking up your transmitter

Wires to and from the terminals (Less than 1000 feet or more than 1000 feet terminals) need to be
tightly twisted (at least 25 to 32 twists per meter is recommended.)

Standard Transmitter:
One end of the fence wire must be connected to the red connector of one terminal and the other
one to the black connector of that same terminal. With the system on and the range adjuster knob
turned all the way up (to the right, clockwise), measure how far you can pick up a signal by
walking toward your boundary wire holding the receiver/collar. You will know you have picked
up the signal by the beeping sound the receiver makes.

Step 6: Grounding

WARNING :

Transmitters are highly susceptible to lightning damage. To avoid lightning damage,

always disconnect both loop wires and unplug transmitter if you expect an approaching storm.

OPTIONAL:

Proper grounding is necessary to reduce the chance of lightning damage to your
transmitter. It is therefore important to connect a wire between the ground terminal of the
transmitter and a ground rod buried at least 1 m (3’) into the ground. Use a heavy gauge wire to
make this connection (#12 or larger). Please consult your local electrician since the grounding
process can vary from one place to another.

Step 7: Boundary flags

Place boundary flags 3 m (10’) apart and at the point where the warning beep starts. Beep should
be at least 1 m to 1.5 m (3’ to 5’) from boundary line. These serve as a temporary visual
boundary for your pet and enable him to learn the area he is to remain within. The flags will later
be removed when your pet has become familiar with the “free zone”.

CONGRATULATIONS!
Your new Pet Containment System is now installed!

IV. Receiver SPRAY Collar

Step 1:

Fill the unit with spray. Put the device on a flat surface with filling valve upright. Hold spray
refill upside down. Insert nozzle into refill valve and apply pressure for about 15 seconds. This
should give your device 15 strong sprays.

Step 2:

Insert a 6.0 volt battery into device respecting proper polarity. BATTERY SHOULD ALWAYS
BE REMOVED WHEN UNIT IS NOT IN USE.

Step 3:

Place strap on receiver spray collar. Thread through the clasp. Check that once buckled, the strap
doesn’t slip from clasp. If it does you have threaded the strap improperly.

Step 4:

Place the collar on the dog making sure that the spraying valve is toward the dog’s snout. Adjust
the strap for correct fit.

V. Operating your system

Standard Transmitter:

Step 1: Power

Simply plug in the transmitter using the power adaptor supplied.

Step 2: Range Adjustment

The range adjustment knob affects the size of the zone. Turning the range adjuster knob (see
figure below) increases or decreases the range. A range of 1.5 m to 3 m (5’ to 10’) is
recommended. Turn the knob all the way to the right and, then, holding the receiver, approach the
boundary until warning beep is heard. Adjust knob to desired range.

Note: The signal light on the standard transmitter is illuminated and turned off afterward when
power is applied and no fence is connected. This light will stay on when a fence is connected and
the system is in boundary line adjustment mode.

Note: Check your fence for proper operation occasionally. To do this, use the Pet Containment
System receiver collar. Be sure to hold the receiver in the same position as your dog wears it. As
you approach the boundaries, the collar should begin to beep.

WARNING: Dead batteries can allow your pet to cross the boundary. To avoid injury to your pet
it is necessary to check the battery in your collar once a month. This can be done by removing the
collar from your pet and approaching the boundary. If a beep is not heard replace battery before
further use. Do Not risk your pet’s safety, replace battery as needed in order to ensure proper
operation of the system. Battery life will vary depending on how often your pet “tests” the system
and which type of battery is used. (An alkaline battery has a shorter life than a lithium battery.)

VI. Training Your Pet

Remember, the Pet Containment System is a psychological, not a physical boundary. Training is
critical to the system’s success. Even though your dog may appear trained after one or two days,
it is important to continue the “learning” for the entire fourteen day period.

During the training period, your pet should only be allowed in your yard with a leash. It should
not freely cross the boundary at any time.

WARNING: An improperly or poorly trained pet will always be able to escape the system.