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The Facts About Invisible Fencing


Don't put convenience over your dog's safety. Read about the dangers of electronic containment systems, otherwise known as invisible fencing.

Advantages of Electronic Containment Systems

There are advantages to invisible fences, they mostly center around cost and ease of installation. Electronic containment systems are readily available, you can get them at most pet supply stores and they are relatively easy to install. The cost of an electric system can be up to thousands of dollars less than fencing your yard with a traditional fence. Further, many communities now have rules and bylaws that prevent families from building fences around their lots, however there are no rules against invisible fencing.

The Disadvantages

Although the advantages of electric containment systems are tempting, they do not outweigh the disadvantages.

Dogs Can Get Out

Each year, many stray dogs are brought to shelters and humane societies wearing electronic collars. Fences can shut off or short out for many reasons: Fences can short out during storms and other bad weather. Batteries in the dog's collar need to be checked regularly: If the owner forgets the collar will not deliver a shock.

Lastly, (and most commonly) dogs may run though the fence while in pursuit of a small animal not caring about the shock in the heat of the moment. This is most true for terriers and other dog with high prey-drive; the shock is simply not enough of a deterrent to stop the dog from the chase.

Dangers Can Get In

Invisible fences do not protect the dog from outside intruders such as mischievous children, other dogs, rabid skunks or raccoons, or angry service people. If attacked, the dog is trapped by the fence but the intruder is free to come and go.

Invisible Barriers Can Create Aggression

We have all see frantic dogs, behind a fence or tired, bark at anyone who passes by. If these dogs got too close to the fence and were shocked every time they lunged and barked at children, dogs or other people passing they would begin to associate the shock with what they were barking at: not the fence line. Dogs can develop aggression towards people and other dogs because they believe the people are causing the shock and the dog must protect himself. When a dog charges through their invisible fence, fueled by the painful shock they have just received, they can severely harm whoever is on the other side.

Fences Can Create Fear

Electronic fences can create fear in many dogs. After a fence is installed and a shock has been delivered a few times some dogs will refuse to go out into their own backyard.

Collars Can Malfunction

Like any electronic device, shock collars can malfunction sending shocks when they are not supposed to or not sending shocks when they are. Some dogs have suffered severe electrical burns because collars have malfunctioned when wet.

What is the Right Intensity?

A shock collar can be set to various intensities. If you set it too low your dog may not respond to the shock and run through the fence. If the shock is too high you may be causing your dog severe pain. You do not know how your dog will react to the shock, nor you do know how the shock feels to the dog. Pain thresholds are different in all species and between different dogs. What is considered a mild shock for one dog can be severe for another.

What Are The Alternatives?

Now that you have read about the dangers of invisible fencing systems here are some things you can do instead of installing one.