Installation & User Manual

1. Introduction
   FREEDOM FENCE can mean a safer and happier life for your dog and less bother, inconvenience, and anxiety for you. By following these brief instructions, you can easily and safely install the FREEDOM FENCE system around that portion of your property where you want your dog to enjoy his freedom.

Plus, your FREEDOM FENCE Transmitter and FREEDOM FENCE Collar, including the Receiver, are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for two years.

1. How To Install Your FREEDOM FENCE system
   Installing the FREEDOM FENCE is as easy as hooking up a typical stereo system You can install an average enclosure of one half acre in one afternoon. The simple steps involved in the installation are described below.
   A. Planning Your Installation

FREEDOM FENCE will work most effectively in areas of at least one-third of an acre. You need to sketch the boundaries of the area around which you want the wire loop to run. taking advantage of natural boundaries such as tree lines, hedges, rocks, etc. to help your dog understand where the boundaries are located. The wire is usually buried two to three inches underground in order to escape lawn mowing or snow plowing, but in wooded areas can be laid on top of the ground Additional loops within the larger boundary may be planned to protect gardens, pools, etc. The Transmitter needs to be protected from weather and is ideally located on the inside wall of a garage where there is access to a 110-volt AC outlet.

Your dog will stay several feet away from the boundary loop wire carrying the radio signal: therefore. it is necessary to plan enough space for your dog to pass the signal comfortably at the side of the house or other areas where the wire may be close to a physical barrier.

The boundary loop wire may follow various configurations. It may simply follow the perimeter of your property. or it may be shaped to follow any of the layouts illustrated on the following pages.

In each layout, it is important to round corners, as 9O-degree corners may contribute to a decreased signal field in that area.

Standard Layout
This is the most common configuration and may simply follow the perimeter of the property. It is important that the house from which the dog exits be included inside the perimeter boundary loop, otherwise the dog would have to cross the signal field (and receive a correction) in order to enter the protected area excluding the dog from access to the protected area of the continuous wire loop is one of the most common (and most serious) errors of installation.

Additional Loop Layout
This layout is used to keep the dog from a garden. swimming pool. etc. The additional loop must be connected to the continuous loop by means of a twisted pair. This allows the dog to move completely around the perimeter of the additional loop without receiving a correction.

The signal field of an additional loop may be decreased in width by installing two wires about three or four feet apart (following the horseshoe configuration). Such a layout for additional loops reduces the area required to protect the garden or pool. Always check for sufficient width of signal field of the additional loop before you bury the wire.

Horseshoe Layout
For layouts where it is not possible to include the house within the perimeter of the continuous loop, as in the standard layout, the horseshoe layout is used. This gives a dog maximum space in a smaller yard and allows the house or other physical barrier to become part of the perimeter boundary. This layout is often ideal for semi-detached homes or townhouses. The distance the parallel wires are apart contributes to the width of the signal field On all horseshoe layouts. The parallel wires should be placed a minimum of three to four feet apart.

Hourglass Layout
For a situation in which the side yard(s) is not wide enough to allow both an adequate signal field width of eight or ten feet and safe passage of a dog; or for situations in which the desire is for the dog to be in either the front or back yard, but do not have access to both at the same time. With this layout, the dog has protection in both back and front yards but is prohibited from running around the house. Care should be given not to place the wire too close to the house, or the receiver may pick up the signal indoors and confuse the dog if he is wearing the receiver.

What is important in all layouts is that your house must be included within the perimeter of the loop area. The loop cannot be placed in the backyard only, because the loop must include access for your dog to enter it without having to cross the boundary wire. The one exception to this design rule is the Horseshoe Layout, which uses parallel boundary wires in what actually constitutes a continuous loop. The loop joins two sides of the house, but does not include the house within the loop. Whatever the natural barrier or preferred limitations, the FREEDOM FENCE layout can be made to accommodate them. However, the wire should not be placed against the house, as the signal will be picked up indoors.

If you plan an excessively long boundary loop. a heavier gauge wire must be used to ensure that an adequate signal will be emitted. This heavier gauge wire is available from FREEDOM FENCE.

Equipment You Will Need

• Lawn-edging tool, flat spade, or trencher
• Screwdriver
• Wire cutters
• Electrical tape
• Circular saw
• Wire connector crimping tool
• Heat source

1. Components of Your FREEDOM FENCE system
2. Transmitter– transmits the low frequency radio signal through the wire loop around the boundaries you choose. The Transmitter can be attached to a wall or shelf in a shed or garage. It is attached to the Transformer which plugs into a normal 110-volt AC outlet. The Loop Light indicates that the radio signal is being transmitted. The Range Light indicates that the power is connected to the system.
3. Transformer– the 12-volt Transformer plugs into the 110-volt AC outlet and the Transmitter to ensure that the correct low power is available to the system.
4. Boundary Wire – your FREEDOM FENCE system comes complete with 1000 feet of 14-gauge boundary wire to form the wire loop to carry the radio signal. This is ample wire for most installations. Additional wire is sold separately.
5. Boundary Flags– small flags are provided to give your dog a visible reference fur the boundary created by the wire loop. These are especially necessary for the 2-week training period described in the Owner’s Training Handbook. If you prefer, a string fence may be used in place of the flags.
6. FREEDOM FENCE Collar– the patented, omnidirectional FREEDOM FENCE receiver, worn by your dog on a comfortable nylon collar, is extremely accurate and consistent. It operates on a 7.5 volt battery which will last from three to six months with normal use. The nylon collar is adjustable on both sides, and should be adjusted to have the quick-snap buckle exactly opposite the receiver.
7. Lightning Protector Module(sold separately) – Even though your FREEDOM FENCE Transmitter contains a suppression device for protection against lightning induced transients in areas of average lightning activity, your FREEDOM FENCE system can be more fully protected against lightning strikes with the optional Lightning Protector Module. This module is easily attached to the system and a convenient ground.

*7. Connectors – the boundary loop wire can be spliced with Perma-seal butt connectors. Spade connectors are provided to make the connections of the twisted pair to the Transmitter. When Perma-seal connectors are crimped* and heated, a permanent, waterproof seal results. *NOTE: Electrical crimping pliers must be used!

*8. Masonry Cutting Blade – (supplied if needed) for laying the boundary loop wire across driveways and sidewalks.

*9. Sealing Compound – (supplied if needed) to seal the slit made by the masonry cutting blade.

*10. Training Leash – 15′ cotton leash for training your dog to the FREEDOM FENCE system.

*11. Video (sold separately) – a visual guide to installing your FREEDOM FENCE and training your dog.
NOTE: Items marked with (*) apply to mail order systems only (or at discretion of local dealer).

1. Installation of Boundary Loop and Transmitter
   To operate the FREEDOM FENCE system, a continuous wire loop around the boundary you choose must be connected to the Transmitter.
2. Burying the Boundary Wire
   A shallow slit or narrow trench is made with a lawn edger, flat spade, or trencher to allow the loop wire to be buried two to three inches deep along the boundary of the area you wish for your dog’s freedom Where rocks or other barriers prohibit digging, the wire may be laid on top of the ground or attached to an existing fence or barrier. At come~ avoid light angles by making gradual or curving turns for the wire loop.

Where there is an asphalt or concrete driveway or sidewalk across the planned loop boundary line, a circular saw with the masonry cutting blade is used to make a shallow slit into which the continuous wire is placed. If the walkway is concrete, it may be possible to lay the wire in a crack or an expansion joint After the wire is in place, the sealing compound is applied to seal the slit from additional moisture. Where the driveway is dirt or gravel the wire should be run through PVC pipe or a common garden hose and buried several inches underground to prevent damage from vehicular passage.

If the planned boundary line runs through a creek or waterfront the continuous loop wire may also be buried in PVC pipe or common garden hose in that area If in such an environment there is no danger of rocks or flowing debris cutting the wire, the insulation of the wire is sufficient protection and it need not be buried.

2. Twisted-Pair Connections  When two strands of loop wire are twisted together with at least three turns per foot of wire, the twisted-pair cancels the field of the radio signal. The tighter the twist, the greater the cancellation effect. A twisted-pair is used where there should be no signal. If your dog is wearing the FREEDOM FENCE Collar and crosses a twisted-pair, he will not receive a signal or correction. By using the horseshoe layout (explained above) for an additional loop, with the two wires only one or two feet apart, the signal field of the additional loop can be reduced to only several feet without reducing the signal field of the perimeter boundary loop.
3. Splicing the Boundary Wire
   The ends of the twisted-pair are spliced into the connections on the two ends of the boundary wire loop, and then connected to the Transmitter. Perma-seal butt connectors are provided for splicing the wires, and spade connectors for connecting the twisted-pair wires to the Transmitter. To use either of these connectors, strip % inch of insulation from the end of each wire to be spliced. Tie a square knot before the splice at each end of the wire. This will help prevent strain on the butt seal connector. Insert the stripped end into the center area of the connector. Crimp with electrical crimping pliers and heat with a heat gun or a lighter, holding the flame one inch away from the connector. As the inside center of the connector becomes molten, remove the heat source. Upon cooling, the connection is permanent and waterproof. As a precaution. the splice should be taped with electrical tape.

Another method of splicing the wires is to remove at least two inches of insulation from the end of each wire to be spliced, then twist the two bare wires together securely. Tape the splice with electrical tape to waterproof the connection. Any break in the boundary wire loop can be spliced using either of the above procedures.

A splice can be avoided by beginning the boundary wire at the Transmitter, taking it to the loop where it is secured around a temporary stake until the perimeter wire is installed around the entire loop, and thus back to the temporary stake. Then the continuous wire is continued to the Transmitter. The two wires between the temporary stake at the loop and the Transmitter must be twisted repeatedly before the new twisted-pair is buried.

Additional Boundary Loops
By twisting two strands of wire together as described above, the perimeter boundary loop can be connected to additional loops around which a signal continues to be emitted (SEE “Additional Loop Layout”). The advantage is that your dog can freely cross the twisted-pair area with no signal or correction received. By this method, gardens. pools. etc. can be safely protected without obstructing your dog’s freedom.

4. Locating the Transmitter
   The Transmitter must be protected from weather and can be located on the inside wall of a shed or garage, accessible to a 110-volt outlet. The Transmitter can be attached to the wall or be located on a shelf, wherever the connection to the exterior loop wiring can be easily made, and where it is conveniently visible for regular checking of the indicator lights.

Attach the loop wire (with spade connector) to the Transmitter by loosening the center two screws, attaching connectors, and tightening screws.

Plug the Transformer into the Transmitter and into the 110 volt AC outlet. Turn on Power switch. The Power Light should now be on to indicate that power is available to the system.

Once the Transmitter is connected to a twisted-pair connection. which in turn is spliced into the boundary loop wire. the Loop Light should be on to indicate that the signal is being transmitted around the loop layout.

You need to check the Power Light and the Loop Light regularly to be sure the system is operating effectively.

5. Grounding the System
   In many geographic areas, it is advisable to install additional protection for the FREEDOM FENCE system from electrical surges caused by lightning. The Lightning Protector Module serves to divert any lightning induced currents to the ground.
   The Lightning Protector Module is easily installed to the wires of the twisted-pair just outside the building where the Transmitter is located. The LPM must also be connected to a ground rod.
6. The Signal Field
   The FREEDOM FENCE system functions with a continuous loop circuit over which a radio signal travels from the Transmitter. along the loop. and back to the Transmitter. The signal can be adjusted to transmit to as much as 20 feet from the loop wire, which is the signal field.
7. Adjustments to Determine Field Size
   The Range Control knob on the Transmitter can be turned clockwise to increase the size of the signal field or counterclockwise to decrease it. This is the distance from the loop wire at which your dog will hear the warning sound from the FREEDOM FENCE Receiver. This adjustment is sensitive, and the field size will change as you turn the knob. The field should be set as wide as possible while giving your dog the freedom to move about the yard comfortably, and the range should not be less than eight feet for most dogs and installations. This adjustment should never be made while your dog is wearing the FREEDOM FENCE Receiver See “Tuning the Transmitter” in section three.
8. The Freedom Fence Collar The FREEDOM FENCE Collar consists of a water resistant solid-state receiver which responds to the radio signal when the receiver enters the signal field. It is powered by a replaceable 7.5 volt battery which normally lasts from three to six months and must be fresh for the system to work most effectively.

The Receiver has two posts which must be in contact with the skin of your dog’s neck at his throat. The Receiver is attached to a nylon collar with two posts that point upward from under your dog’s neck while the buckle of the Collar is above the neck. The receiver must be snug at the dog’s throat, and high on the neck.

To avoid skin irritations, we recommend removing the FREEDOM FENCE Collar whenever your dog is inside.

The Receiver comes with the appropriate length posts for your dog. The longer posts are for dogs with a long or heavy coat, and the shorter posts are for shorter-haired dogs. Your dog may require the use of different length posts depending on the length or thickness of his coat in various seasons. A further explanation is given in the Owner’s Training Handbook.

The Collar is equipped with a quick-snap buckle for ease of putting on and removing. The Receiver is attached to the Collar with adjustable spacers, giving it an adjustment feature on both sides of the Receiver.

 

 

First, on one side of collar, (1) remove the nylon strap from the spacer and rectangular loop. Next (2) thread the end of the strap through one side of the receiver case. Make sure the posts of the Receiver are pointing toward the quick snap buckle. Then, (3) take the end of the collar that is through the Receiver and, on the outside of the collar, thread it back through the rectangular loop and spacer.

Repeat this procedure on the other side of the collar.

You should remove the FREEDOM FENCE Collar every night.

The FREEDOM FENCE dog containment system has a patented, omnidirectional antenna tn the receiver of the FREEDOM FENCE Collar. This means that the FREEDOM FENCE warning signal is true and consistent no matter which way your dog faces or holds his head.

III. How To Use Your FREEDOM FENCE system

A. Tuning The Transmitter

In order to create the strongest and most consistent signal field, the Transmitter must be tuned. To tune the Transmitter (1) turn the Range Control knob fully clockwise. Then, (2) turn the Loop Tuning knob to the position where the Loop light is brightest. Finally, (3) turn the Range Control knob counterclockwise to the desired range, which may be as much as 20 feet. This field is the distance from the boundary loop to the point where your dog will receive a warning sound. The width of the signal field has no effect on the level of correction your dog will receive if he goes beyond the point of the warning sound.

After tuning the Transmitter, you should not have to change the position of the Loop Tuning knob again, unless you redesign your loop layout. You may want to mark the position of the two control knobs (either on the Transmitter or on the drawing in this manual). The settings should be checked periodically to be sure that they have not been disturbed! This adjustment should never be performed when your dog is wearing the FREEDOM FENCE Collar.

1. Visible Boundaries  To give your dog a visible reference in learning his boundaries, small flags are temporarily placed along the inside edge of the signal field approximately ten feet apart. It is essential for your dog’s training period. If flags cannot be placed into the ground a string fence may be placed about 12 inches above ground to provide the necessary visible reference for training your dog. After the second week of the training period the flags or string fence may be gradually removed.
2. Changing Batteries In the Receiver

With normal use and proper storage, the battery in your dog’s FREEDOM FENCE Receiver will last three to six months. Dogs which frequently test the system will contribute to a shorter battery life. It is essential to have a fresh battery in the Receiver for the system to function effectively. To replace the battery, remove the battery cap screw. Replace with the battery type recommended by FREEDOM FENCE and available through the Battery Plan. Be sure to insert the new battery. It will tile positive (+) end entering tile battery cumber first. The negative (-) end must fit against the spring in the battery cap. Replace the battery screw cap to complete the battery change. Incorrect battery placement may result in damage to the receiver unit.

Store extra batteries in separate plastic bags on a non-metal shelf of your refrigerator.

Weak Batteries Are The Most Common Cause of system Failure!

Collar Battery Plan: FREEDOM FENCE will send you the proper type battery every four months if you subscribe to the FREEDOM FENCE Collar Battery Plan. This service will remind you of the date to change batteries. 1-800-828-9089

1. Safety Precautions
   1. Be sure that the Transmitter is on and producing a signal of adequate width before your dog. Is allowed to run freely on your property.
   2. Always remove your dog’s Receiver Collar before making any adjustment to your FREEDOM FENCE system.
   3. Some operating appliances (such as television sets) produce a signal which may cause the receiver in the FREEDOM FENCE Collar to activate. Test this before placing the FREEDOM FENCE Collar on your dog. If this is the case for you. remove the FREEDOM FENCE Collar while the dog is in the house.
   4. During electrical storms it is wise to unplug the Transmitter.
2. Questions and Answers
   Q. Will rain or snow affect the operation of the FREEDOM FENCE system?
   A: Not at all
3. Is my dog’s FREEDOM FENCE Collar weatherproof?
   A: Yes, as long as Receiver posts and battery cap are properly tightened. The Receiver works when your dog is outdoors in the rain, or even when he goes swimming with his Collar on.

Q: Is there a limit to the size of the area over which the FREEDOM FENCE system can be employed?
A: Practically speaking, no. The boundary loop wire can easily be extended over four to six acres, or a linear loop of 2500 feet. For a larger layout, a larger gauge wire must be used.

1. I know people with systems like this and their dogs get out. How effective is this really?
   A: The only reasons for FREEDOM FENCE failure would be insufficient training or the failure to change the battery. The patented omnidirectional antenna in the Receiver makes it nearly impossible for a dog to pass the signal field without receiving repeated corrections. Adequate training and fresh batteries ensure your dog’s containment where you desire it.

Q: What do I do if there is a power failure?
A: Don’t panic! Your dog becomes so conditioned to the system and his boundaries that he will probably never know the system is inactive. If a power failure lasts for an extended period of time, it may be better to contain your dog by other means.

Q: How long will the system last?
A: The equipment is sold with a full two-year warranty. The electronic devices are of solid state construction and will endure normal wear and tear for many years. We believe your investment will last the lifetimes of several dogs.