I was recently on a dog training message board and saw a question about electric perimeter fences for dogs.  I responded with my own two cents about how these invisible fences can be a great tool to keep the dog in the yard if they are used properly.

After writing my post I didn’t think too much of it.  That was until I got an email from a crazed message board reader who lambasted me for recommending the electric fence.  Her take on the fence was completely nuts but it did get me thinking about doing a blog post about electric fences.  I know there are many people out there who need to keep their dog in the yard but aren’t sure about using a dog perimeter fence.  Here is my list of pros and cons of the electric dog fence: 

Reasons to use and electric fence

- Price. The cost of an electric fence is of course going to vary by the size of your yard or the brand that you are using. Generally speaking you can spend a few hundred dollars for a do-it-yourself fence up to a thousand or two for a company to come in and professionally install a fence. Is that a big investment? It sure it. But it is far more affordable than traditional vinyl, wood, or iron fencing which can easily cost $10,000 or more for even a normal sized yard.
- Aesthetics. Personally I like the feel of a wide open neighborhood. Not everyone agrees with me but I know that many do. Many people don’t like to drive through neighborhoods filled with tall fences that basically say “Go Away”. The open feel that is afforded by an electric fence is a big plus for many people.
- Function. Traditional fences can be dug underneath or climbed over. Dogs are great escape artists and even a sturdy, well built fence can be defeated by a crafty dog. With an electric fence, if you train your dog properly and install the fence properly, you can rest assured that your dog is staying put.

Reasons not to use an electric dog fence

- Control. Even though you can keep your dog in the yard an electric fence can’t keep things out. That means that other dogs can come in and people can even steal your dog if they so wanted.
- Liability. People that have very territorial or aggressive dogs probably shouldn’t use an electric fence. A traditional fence tells people to stay out. An electric fence doesn’t. What that means is that if you have a territorial dog and someone happens into your yard it is open season for your dog to bite them. For many people this means a lawsuit.

So is an electric dog fence for you?  Well, weight the pros and cons and determine which method is the best to keep your dog in your yard.  For do-it-yourself electric dog fences click here.