Invisible Fences: Do or Don’t?

Does your dog get excited when he thinks he’s going for a walk or visiting a park? As you may know, our canine companions love to run and play outside. The vast majority of pups will both enjoy and benefit from having a fenced-in yard. If you’re looking at installing fencing, so your pet can have an outdoor play space, you may be wondering about invisible fences. A local veterinarian lists some things for you to consider below.

Pros

Invisible fences do offer some attractive benefits. One of the bigger selling points of these fences is that they are quite affordable. If you live in an HOA, you may also be spared the hassle of making sure that your fence is up to their codes and standards, though this of course will vary, depending on the HOA and its rules. Plus, invisible fences can be used on any type of terrain, and are quick and easy to install. Finally, because they are invisible, they won’t obstruct your views.

Cons

There are a few downsides to invisible fences. For one, these devices are definitely not ‘plug and play.’ You’ll need to teach your pooch where the fence is, which means taking time to walk him along the perimeter. Most manufacturers do offer directions on this, and some will even work with you. This is something to consider when you go shopping. Another thing to keep in mind is that even if the fence keeps your dog in, it won’t keep the neighbor’s pets—or any other animals—out. Reliability is another issue. If power is disrupted, you basically are going to be down a fence. Finally, these fences do make dogs uncomfortable. Fido may get confused, scared, or agitated. It’s also worth mentioning that some pups will just ignore the fence and bolt through anyway.

Tips

You’ll also need to consider your dog’s personality and temperament. If you have an active pooch that is pretty likely to run off, such as a husky, an invisible fence just might not be the best option. Generally, these are likely to work best in quiet areas, and with pups that will probably stick close to home anyway. It’s also important to realize that some of the benefits that we listed can become drawbacks. For instance, an invisible fence won’t mar your view, but it also won’t offer you the privacy that another type of fence would. It’s probably safe to say that physical fences are going to be the better choice in most situations.

Call us, your local veterinary clinic in Peterborough, ON, today! We are always here to help!