Invisible Fence Systems

Over the years I've had hundreds of clients using invisible fencing to keep their dog(s) in a yard, or on a property. For this article, I'm referring to all containment systems, not a particular brand or retailer. These systems work very well for most dogs, but do require a dog to be trained on the system. This time of year, with warm weather and a great deal of outdoor activity in neighborhoods, I receive calls for dogs that are running along these fence lines - barking, growling, lunging, and otherwise behaving very badly. While many owners often allow their dog full privileges throughout the yard (front / back / sides) with these systems, I'd like to offer some thoughts regarding planning and use of these systems.

While installing an electronic fencing system has cost and appearance advantages over physical fencing, there are some disadvantages. First, these systems do not keep anything out of your yard. If you live in an area with a lot of wildlife or loose running dogs, those animals could freely enter your yard and pose risks to your pet.

Secondly, all dogs require training on these systems. Without adequate training, dogs may become anxious or not stay reliably in the yard. While I have helped some owners with this type of training, I recommend owners use an experienced installer who provides this specialized training as part of their installation. It's definitely worth it - for you and your dog.

Most of my calls regarding invisible fence systems involve dogs that develop aggressive behaviors in the yard (charging, barking, growling, and even bites). Because these systems are so reliable, owners may often become lax on supervision when their dogs are out. And over time, some dogs will begin barking at neighbors passing by, then chasing, then gradually moving on to more adrenalized behaviors along the property line.

Left unchecked, these reactive and protective behaviors usually get worse. Besides being a nuisance in a neighborhood, when a visitor (USPS, UPS) tries to enter the property, dogs that have developed reactive behavior along a property boundary can start biting. This is a real problem for the visitors, and liability for the owners. So what is the solution?

Well, if you are considering an installation, I would think pro-actively. Design fencing boundaries in ways that keep your pet away from entry pathways for visitors. If your dog has any tendencies toward reactive behavior, I would be designing boundaries so the dog does not have access to areas with frequent pedestrian or pet traffic. Boundaries should be installed based on what's best for your pet, which often means NOT giving your pet "the whole yard".

Finally. as with all training, behavior in the yard needs to be monitored. Any developing problems should be addressed early, consistently, and assessments made regularly. While a dog can learn to stay within the boundaries of an invisible fence system quickly, that's only the beginning of his/her training. Owners also need to 'teach' their dog to behave properly outdoors.