Invisible Fencing for Dogs

As many may know who follow me on social media, I am a dog lover. My family has four, three of which are rescues, and have five and four if you count my oldest son's dog Ziggy (he is in college and has his dog with him).

If you have dogs, this guest post could be very beneficial to you, so please read and consider the options.

Would an Invisible Fence Keep Your Dog Safe?

Most dog owners know that perhaps the most important way to keep your dog safe is to keep them close. Once your dog is off your property and unsupervised, you have little control over what happens to them or what they encounter. Unless you have a trained hunting dog, you don’t want them to stray. If you’re fortunate enough to have a large yard for your dog to enjoy, enclosing it with a fence is the safest and most practical option. Traditional fences are one type, but would an invisible dog fence be another viable option? Here are some of the things you should consider when deciding on the safest way to enclose your yard.

Your Dog’s Typical Behaviors

Invisible dog fencing is not appropriate for every dog. If you attempt to use an invisible dog fence on the wrong dog, you will likely be disappointed in the results. Aggressive dogs are the most likely to break through their electronic fence boundaries when they’re hyper-stimulated, and they’re the last type of dog you want to take a liability risk with. Hunting-breed dogs who are well-trained are generally okay with invisible fences, although less obedient dogs may be inspired to ignore their boundaries if they spot attractive prey just beyond their reach.

 

Dogs who are adept at breaking free from traditional fences may be better contained with an electronic dog fence or a combination of both. For example, dogs with a penchant for digging under the fence will be deterred from this behavior once they’re trained on an underground dog fence. If your dog is typically well-behaved or generally reluctant to stray too far from you, an invisible fence alone should be enough to keep them safely contained in your yard. 

Outside Factors and Threats

While an electronic dog fence may keep your dog inside your yard, it does not keep anything else out. Depending on where you live, there may or may not be significant outside threats you need to be concerned about. If coyotes, wild dogs, and other animals are lurking nearby, you may want a traditional fence for added protection for when your dog is outside alone, even if just for short periods of time. Something else to consider is the presence of anything nearby that’s attractive to your dog but also dangerous, such as a lake or rapid-moving stream.

If your dog has been known to bite or become territorial or aggressive, and you live in a populated area, you may want to consider using more than only an invisible dog fence to contain your dog. You don’t want to risk the consequences of your dog acting out if a small child or stranger wanders into the boundaries of your yard and unknowingly frightens or threatens your dog.

 

The Training Component

The single most important factor that will determine the success of your invisible dog fence is training. While installing a DIY electric fence can take as little as one or two days, training your dog takes about 45 minutes per day for up to two weeks. If you are not able to make the time commitment required, or if you’re unwilling to put in the consistency and effort required for proper training, then you should not invest in an invisible fence.

As long as you’re aware of what’s required for proper training, and you’re committed to doing it, most dogs will learn and obey the invisible dog fence system with relative ease. If you have a professionally trained dog, a hunting dog, or if your dog is well-trained or well-behaved in general, they are likely to quickly get the hang of the electric dog fence system and be successful with it. Dogs who are particularly stubborn, spoiled, or resistant to training will have a difficult time.

On-the-Go Containment Needs

If you travel frequently with your dog, and if your dog is the type who would benefit from and be successful with an invisible fence, you may also be able to use it on-the-go. A portable or a wireless dog fence can be brought with you to the houses of friends or relatives, hotels, campgrounds, or anywhere. People who spend a lot of time outdoors with their dogs, camping or on RV trips, for instance, may benefit most from a portable electric dog fence. A generous perimeter can be established with your tent or RV at the center, and your dog can have a higher degree of freedom (with less worry on your part, too).

For most dogs, an invisible fence is a reliable safety tool. Dogs that are experienced with e-collar training are usually quickest to learn and begin obeying an invisible dog fence. It’s also important to know that there are many different types of invisible fences and e-collars, and the ones you choose will depend on several different factors, such as the size of your dog and the size of your yard. Spend some time perusing various online invisible fence reviews, and you’ll be better informed on what features to look for and what type of fence system to purchase. After all, the safety of your dog is well worth the careful consideration of all available options.

This information on dog containment has been provided by our educational partners DogFenceDIY, the leading online retailer of do-it-yourself invisible fence systems. If you have any questions or concerns about electronic dog fencing, please leave a comment.