Keeping your pet under control can be a difficult task—not to mention a tedious one. If your dog is aggressive, for example, it is important to restrict its movement to your yard (in the day-to-day.) Dogs can also have a tendency to run away—in their search for freedom, however, they run the risk of being run over by a car. Dog fences are a brilliant response to these kinds of uncertainties—it can provide safety for your pet and peace of mind for you.
Dog fences are made up of several mechanisms. First, an underground wire is set up around the periphery of the pet’s allowed roaming area—these are the “invisible” walls of dog fences. A collar is then placed around your dog’s neck: this collar triggers a sensor in the underground wire as your pet attempts to cross its boundaries. Dog fences then activate a beeping noise that warns your pet to return within its boundaries. This is followed by an unpleasant yet mild electrical shock delivered by the collar—dogs then usually return to their demarcated zone.
The advantages of dog fences are manifold. For one, they are “invisible”—they require no physical fencing to be installed. Dog fences can be installed over enormous areas with little to no extra costs—physical fencing would be incredibly expensive if installed around large properties. Dog fences also teach your pet about its boundaries—eventually it will not even attempt to wander off your property.
There are also downsides to pet fences, many of which can be avoided by taking simple precautions. Make sure to indicate any dog fences to outsiders with a small sign and avoid installing them in high-traffic areas—people will needlessly agitate your dog and provoke it to cross the boundaries. Remember that dog fences don’t protect your dog from intruders or other pets.
Choosing and installing dog fences can be tricky, but they are a working low-budget alternative to many other fencing options.