Patent ID: 7856947

Claim:
An apparatus comprising a tetherless leash, wherein the tetherless leash comprises: a housing having no exposed input devices; a processor disposed in the housing, wherein the processor: (A) determines whether or not the tetherless leash has breached a perimeter, wherein the perimeter is defined based on geo-coordinates; (B) determines a likelihood of perimeter breach when the processor determines that the tetherless leash has not breached the perimeter, wherein the likelihood of perimeter breach is based on: (i) the distance of the tetherless leash to the perimeter; (ii) the direction that the tetherless leash is heading with respect to the perimeter; and (iii) the speed at which the tetherless leash is moving; (C) determines whether or not to apply a stimulus via the tetherless leash based on the determined likelihood of perimeter breach; at least one electrode that extends beyond the housing to deliver a shock to a wearer of the tetherless leash, responsive to the processor, wherein the shock is a first type of the stimulus; a switch for inputting programming commands to the processor, wherein the switch is disposed within the housing and is not accessible by physical contact; and a programming fixture for actuating the switch, wherein the programming is physically distinct from the tetherless leash and comprises: (A) a body that is configured to couple to the housing to actuate the switch, wherein the body includes a recess for receiving the least one electrode and for physically shielding the electrode from contact by a user that is using the programming fixture to actuate the switch; and (B) a programming button for actuating the switch, wherein the programming button is attached to the body, and wherein when the programming fixture is coupled to the housing, the programming button is within actuation range of the switch.