by Greg Stannionis
There are considerable advantages but a few disadvantages to having electronic control fences for both the dog attached to it and their human owners. Electronic fences have several components working together to limit a dog’s ability to wander from the yard. An underground wire runs along the yard’s edge emitting a signal, receivers in the dog’s collar pick up that signal when the boundary wire is approached too closely and produces a discouraging noise, a shock or an unpleasant scent spray.
If you live under city ordinances or strict HOA housing rules you may not be able to have a fenced in yard and need to install an electronic fence for your pet. When you have no normal fence to mark the boundary for the dog, electronic fences are a reasonable alternative, although they can be expensive.
There are also some probable disadvantages of having an electronic fence.
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.
It is possible for lightning strikes or careless digging near the perimeter to short out the electronic fence. You can remove the boundary flags that were set upon installation of the e-fence. If you leave them where they are they can be knocked over and dragged away while cutting grass or while children play or for other reasons. When not in position the boundary flags can become potential health risks by puncturing someone.
Some assertive or forgetful dogs may chase prey and run past their boundary unmindful of the temporary shock. While on the wrong side of the fence, they become discouraged by the shock from returning home voluntarily.
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 may be able to clear the usual height in fences however, accidents do occur and the animal may become injured or punctured badly by wooden planks and chain links. Dogs tend to bite and scratch at even minor wounds causing them to become infected or creating a hot spot. This means a visit to the veterinarian office. There are times when using an electronic fence is less dangerous.
There is no standard solution that will satisfy everyone and every situation, all dogs, all breeds or all training methods. In order to make an educated decision, consider all the facts, especially those involving the psychological and physical health requirements of the dog.
Just in case the electronic fence does more actual harm than good, prepare yourself to disable it.
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Electronic Dog Enclosures – Consider the Pluses and Minuses
There are considerable advantages but a few disadvantages to having electronic control fences for both the dog attached to it and their human owners. Electronic fences have several components working together to limit a dog’s ability to wander from the yard. An underground wire runs along the yard’s edge emitting a signal, receivers in the dog’s collar pick up that signal when the boundary wire is approached too closely and produces a discouraging noise, a shock or an unpleasant scent spray.
If you live under city ordinances or strict HOA housing rules you may not be able to have a fenced in yard and need to install an electronic fence for your pet. When you have no normal fence to mark the boundary for the dog, electronic fences are a reasonable alternative, although they can be expensive.
There are also some probable disadvantages of having an electronic fence.
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.
It is possible for lightning strikes or careless digging near the perimeter to short out the electronic fence. You can remove the boundary flags that were set upon installation of the e-fence. If you leave them where they are they can be knocked over and dragged away while cutting grass or while children play or for other reasons. When not in position the boundary flags can become potential health risks by puncturing someone.
Some assertive or forgetful dogs may chase prey and run past their boundary unmindful of the temporary shock. While on the wrong side of the fence, they become discouraged by the shock from returning home voluntarily.
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 may be able to clear the usual height in fences however, accidents do occur and the animal may become injured or punctured badly by wooden planks and chain links. Dogs tend to bite and scratch at even minor wounds causing them to become infected or creating a hot spot. This means a visit to the veterinarian office. There are times when using an electronic fence is less dangerous.
There is no standard solution that will satisfy everyone and every situation, all dogs, all breeds or all training methods. In order to make an educated decision, consider all the facts, especially those involving the psychological and physical health requirements of the dog.
Just in case the electronic fence does more actual harm than good, prepare yourself to disable it.
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