My dog loves to run free and chase the squirrels. Luckily she never catches any — they run up the tree and laugh at her. The ultimate goal of any dog owner is to keep their dog happy, healthy, and safe. If you have a yard in which your dog can run and roam freely to their heart’s content, then you’ve got happiness and health covered. Safety will be accomplished when your yard is fenced to prevent your dog from escaping your property and getting lost. A standard or an electronic fence – or a combination of both – may be preferable depending on your situation. If you’re considering an electronic fence as a containment tool, here are some of the pros and cons to consider.
Pros
Reliable for Escape Artists
One of the best things about an electronic dog fence is its reliability. If there’s ever a break in the wire that could allow your dog to escape (which happens rarely), your system will notify you immediately, whereas damage to a standard fence may go unnoticed until your dog uses it as an escape point. Some dogs are so determined to get past a fence that they will dig underneath or find another way through. An electric dog fence prevents escape artists from getting close enough to the boundary of your property (with warning beeps followed by a mild static shock) to even attempt finding a way out. For dogs that simply refuse to be contained by a standard fence, an invisible dog fence is usually the best solution.
Versatile in Size and Shape
Invisible dog fences are also preferable when you have acreage to enclose, because additional wire is less expensive to purchase than standard fence sections, and, as mentioned, you’ll know about a break in the wire even if you can’t see it. If your yard is oddly shaped, you’ll have an easier time placing malleable wire than any other fence material. For a circular perimeter, a wireless dog fence can be installed and running within minutes. You simply have more layout options with an invisible dog fence than you do with a standard fence.
Portable and Unobtrusive
An invisible dog fence, especially a wireless dog fence, is also portable. If you camp often with your dog, for example, a wireless dog fence system can be brought with you to create a safe perimeter around your campsite. When your dog is properly trained on the system, flags marking new boundaries will be sufficient for preventing your dog from straying too far from you. An underground dog fence can be easily dug up and replaced if you move. You can also use an electric dog fence or a wireless dog fence indoors to create barriers between rooms. One great benefit of using an electronic barrier indoors (as well as outdoors) is that it’s unobtrusive. You don’t have to step over it; open, close and lock a gate; or have it blocking your line of sight or obscuring your view, which allows you more placement options than a standard gate or fence.
Inexpensive to DIY
Many debates simply come down to a matter of cost, unfortunately. If you’re on a tight budget, an electronic dog fence may be the only economical solution for the type of containment you want to achieve for your dog’s safety. An electric dog fence is simply enough to be installed by anyone as a weekend project, and choosing to DIY will save you thousands on installation costs that large companies charge. Purchasing an invisible dog fence system is significantly cheaper than buying a standard fence; high-quality electronic systems can be purchased for as little as $300. If you want to save as much money as possible, a DIY electric fence is generally the way to go.
Cons
Training Required
In order for your dog to be successful and happy with their invisible fence system, adequate training is required. Some dog owners simply do not have the time, motivation, or dedication to commit to training their dogs, and an invisible dog fence requires at least 30 minutes of training per day for up to two weeks. If you can’t guarantee you’ll be able to set aside the time, then an electronic dog fence wouldn’t be a smart purchase. Dogs who are improperly trained on an invisible dog fence may become reluctant or frightened to go outside, because they haven’t learned how to avoid being corrected by their e-collar. Proper training must be accomplished, however.
Not Right for All Dogs
Dogs who are disobedient or determined to escape the yard may not enjoy an electronic fence system at first, but most will become accustomed to it and can be successful on it. For some dogs, however, an electric dog fence simply isn’t the right containment solution. If your dog is disabled or sick, or younger than six-months-old, an electric dog fence shouldn’t be used. If your dog is very aggressive, especially toward strangers or children, an electric dog fence alone isn’t enough to risk the liability you’d face if your dog escaped and harmed someone. Some aggressive dogs will ignore the corrective static shock when they’re revved up, and in this case a combination of both a standard fence and an electronic fence would be necessary.
One-Way Containment
One drawback to an electronic dog fence is that it only keeps your dog inside your yard – it doesn’t keep anyone else out. If you have an aggressive dog, you don’t want to take the chance of a small child or stranger accidentally wandering into your dog’s territory and making your dog feel startled or threatened. If you have animals you want to keep out of your yard, such as predators like coyotes or neighbors’ pets, for example, an invisible dog fence won’t be sufficient.
As with any decision you make for your dog, it’s essential that you weigh the pros and cons before deciding on a fencing system for your yard. Online invisible and wireless dog fence reviews can help you determine which system is correct for your dog, yard, and containment goals. While an invisible dog fence isn’t right for every situation, those who take the time to choose an appropriate system and train their dog properly are usually satisfied with their choice.
If you are interested in finding the best dog containment system for city or rural dwellers go take a look at Dog Fence DIY, our partner in dog safety educational efforts.
This was a paid for review.
