How does Mr. McGregors Fence® work?
The system is very simple. It consists of two fences, one a barrier fence, the other an electric fence. The two fences work together as a unit. Remember the little pet-safe, child-safe fence charger systems sold to contain dogs in backyard enclosures before the invisible dog fences came along? The electric fence is like that. But if you try to keep animals out of vegetable gardens with only an electric fence it won’t work because the animals are pretty well insulated by their fur so if they don’t touch the wire with a nose or paw, they’re likely to trundle right on through and get no zap at all. However, if you put a low barrier fence a few inches behind the electric fence it will stop the animal long enough so that it will investigate the situation with its nose or paw and will then come in contact with the electric wire. This works whether the animal tries to climb over the wires or under them. It will get zapped and it will turn tail and go away.
