As you may know, dogs love to run and play outside. Many pups both enjoy and benefit from having a fenced-in yard to chase squirrels around in. If you’re considering installing fencing, so your pup can have an outdoor play space, you might be wondering about invisible fences. A local vet lists a few things to consider before purchasing one below.
Pros
Invisible fences do offer some very appealing benefits. One of their bigger selling points is the fact that they are quite affordable. If you live in an HOA, you might also be spared the hassle of making sure that your fence is up to their codes and regulations. Of course, this will depend on the HOA and its rules. Invisible fencing can be used on any type of terrain, and is quick and easy to put in. Last but not least, because they are, well, invisible, they won’t obstruct your views.
Cons
There are also a few significant downsides to invisible fences. For one, these devices are definitely not ‘plug and play.’ You’ll need to teach your dog exactly where the fence is, which means taking time to walk him along the perimeter and work with him until he learns what his boundary is. Most manufacturers offer directions on this, and some of them will even work with you directly. This is also something for you to consider when shopping. Another thing you want to keep in mind is the fact that even if the fence keeps your four-legged friend in, it won’t keep the neighbor’s dog—or any other animals—out. Reliability can also be an issue. If the power is ever disrupted, like with what happened last winter, you basically are going to be down a fence. Also, these fences do make dogs uncomfortable. Fido may get confused or agitated by his invisible adversary. Finally, some dogs will just ignore the fence and go through anyway.
Tips
In addition to those pros and cons we listed above, you’ll also need to consider Fido’s personality and temperament. If you have an active pup that is pretty likely to run, such as a husky, an invisible fence may not be the best option for you. Generally, these fences are likely to work best in quiet areas, and with dogs that will probably stick close to home anyway. It’s also important for you to realize that some of the pros we listed can become cons in certain circumstances. For instance, an invisible fence won’t block your view, but the flip side of that is that it also won’t offer you the privacy that another type would. It’s probably safe to say that physical fences are the better choice in most situations.
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