I’m excited to share that today we have a GUEST POST here on Living Almost Naturally! They will be sharing about Electric Fences and how these should be considered when you have a dog. We personally have an electric fence at our home for our one dog. When we moved from a 1/2 acre fenced in lot out into the country where we now have over three acres and none of it is fenced in we had to come up with a solution to keep our dog safe. My dog is one that LOVES the outdoors and will run off chasing birds, squirrels, rabbits, etc if she has the opportunity and I was very afraid of her being hit in the road. There was no way that we could afford or had the time to fence in our whole property so we looked at purchasing an electric fence. It was several hundred dollars but we purchased one of the wireless ones that would let the animal go the distance of your choice if they are wearing their collar and we did not have to run any wires or anything! It has been a lifesaver for us because I can know that my dog has the ability to run and play and I don’t have to worry about her running off at all! Here is a picture of my dog when she was just a puppy! 
Keeping Your Dog Safe: Should You Consider an Electronic Fence?
Allowing your dog the freedom to run, roam, and relax in the yard as they please is one of the best things you can do for their health and happiness. Of course, it’s also your responsibility to keep them safe, and this means preventing them from escaping your property and getting lost in the big, wide world beyond. Fencing in your property is the logical solution, but should you choose a standard fence or an electronic dog fence? Each one – or a combination of the two – is preferable in different circumstances. If you’re considering an electronic dog fence for your yard, here are some of the questions to ask yourself and answer before doing so.
Is Your Dog a Determined Escape Artist?
Some dogs are such free spirits they’ll do whatever it takes to escape the confines of their yard, even if it means digging underneath, squeezing through, or jumping over the fence. If your dog has a habit of escaping your traditional fence, then an electronic dog fence might solve your problem. While wearing their e-collar, your dog will be warned that they’re getting too close to the boundary, first with beeping tones and then with a mild static shock if they continue. Many owners of determined dogs have found that an underground dog fence offers adequate protection, as their dogs can’t get close enough to the perimeter to find a way to cross it.
Is Your Dog Aggressive to Strangers?
If your dog is at all aggressive, their behavior could become a liability to you if they escape your yard. In this case, you don’t want to risk any incidents by confining them with only an electric dog fence. Some aggressive dogs will ignore the static shock when they’re totally focused on a target. Even more importantly, you don’t want to risk a small child, lost pet, or other stranger accidentally wandering into your dog’s territory and upsetting them; the one-way protection simply isn’t enough. If your dog can be dangerous in the right circumstances, your best bet is to use both a standard fence and an electric dog fence, so you have two layers of protection in place. If you only want to use one, a tall, sturdy, and locking standard fence is preferable.
How Well Trained is Your Dog?
Well-trained dogs tend to do well with an electronic dog fence because they’re used to following commands and expectations. Additionally, if you personally trained your dog, then you’re likely up to the task of training them on an electric dog fence. Most dog owners who do not like their invisible dog fence did not follow proper training procedures. Training is the most important aspect of using an invisible fence, and it takes about 15 minutes, twice per day, for two weeks. If you can’t commit to the training time – or won’t be dedicated to following the instructions exactly – you should not get an electronic dog fence. Also, if your dog tends to be disobedient and isn’t already trained, they’ll have a more difficult time adjusting to it.
Do You Have a Large or Oddly Shaped Yard?
For enclosing multiple acres of land, an invisible fence can be more practical, because it is more economical and more reliable. If there is a break in the wire that would allow your dog to escape, the main unit of the invisible fence system would notify you, unlike a standard fence in which you might not know about damage until it’s too late. Also, purchasing more wire for more land is much less expensive than buying additional fence sections. If you are trying to enclose an oddly shaped yard, it’s also easier to conform the underground dog fence wire to the perimeter than to adjust or cut a standard fence to fit. Circular perimeters are also easy to create with a wireless dog fence if necessary. Depending on your yard size or shape, an electronic dog fence could be an easier way to enclose your property.
Are You on a Tight Budget?
As mentioned, wire is inexpensive, especially when compared to a traditional fence. If you’re on a strict budget, a DIY electric fence is something that will give you a lot more bang for your buck. You can purchase a system for as low as $300, and many systems can cover up to 25 acres or more, only requiring you to purchase more wire, in which prices generally begin at $22 per 500 feet. If you’re worried about the DIY aspect, installing an invisible dog fence is relatively simple and can usually be done by someone of any skill level as a weekend project. If containing your dog is the only purpose of enclosing your yard, a DIY invisible dog fence is least expensive.
Is Your Dog Sick, Pregnant, or Disabled?
If your dog is sick or disabled, especially if they’re permanently so, then an electronic dog fence is not right for them. If their condition is temporary or they’re pregnant, wait until they’re all back to normal before you introduce an electronic dog fence. You should also wait until a puppy is at least six-months-old before attempting to train them on an invisible dog fence.
As with any important decision, there are many considerations to make when considering an electronic fence versus a standard fence. Online invisible and wireless dog fence reviews can help you compare and contrast the features of many different makes and models of electronic fences. If you think an invisible dog fence is right for your dog, you’ll want to make sure you purchase the type that’s best for your yard, too. As long as you do your research and due diligence, you can be sure you’re making the best safety decision for your dog.
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.