Electronic fences are control devices that have both benefits and disadvantages for both the animal, in this case the dog, and humans. An electric fence is actually a set of devices that generally includes transmitters and underground wire that delivers noise, shock or foul spray by the use of a collar on a dog when it reaches the boundary. Underground, along a perimeter of around 500 to 1000 feet, is buried the wire and when the animal reaches that area, the collar receives a signal, which activates the restriction.

There are very few options when you live under the rules set by your city ordinances or your community associations forbidding you to use regular fenced-in-yards other than using an expensive electronic fence. E-fences are a good choice when there are no regular fences allowed by strict housing rules or when you do not want an actual fenced-in-yard.

There are however, many potential disadvantages.

Whether or not you have previously trained your dog, you will have to teach your dog how to handle the noises or shocks they get from an electrical fence. Your dog must understand they have boundaries as well as how to associate the boundary with the noise or shock they may get when crossing a boundary.

An e-fence system can short out from lightning strikes or any careless digging around the wire. After training your dog to associate the boundary flags with the deterrent, it is best that they be removed so that they don’t become a hazard to children playing and lawnmowers. The dog if properly trained will remember where the edge of his running space is and rarely test the limits.

While chasing prey some dogs may rush past the boundary heedless of the momentary shock. The dog may become discouraged while on the wrong side of the fence from returning on its own.

Some dog owners do not consider electric shock humane nor a great means of producing the behavior desired in their canine companion.

Life comes with risks. Dogs who are confined indoors or are always on the leash do not have the opportunities to run. Some areas have dog parks and other locations for running free which is a definite advantage, but not all areas do. Dogs have a natural, strong desire to run; when they become frustrated with their continuous confinement they can become unstable.

Large dogs can try to jump fences of standard height and can be punctured by chain links or wooden planks. Even if the wound is minor, dogs tend to make things worse by scratching and biting creating hot spots. Generally, this means a vet visit. Therefore, sometimes it is safer to use the electronic fence.

No one solution can satisfy everyone and every circumstance, every breed or training technique or every individual dog. You need to know the facts as well as any specific mental or physical health requirement of the dog you will train.

You should however, prepare to disable your fence if it seems to do more harm than good.

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