As you may know, our canine companions really love to run and play outside. The vast majority of them will both enjoy and benefit from having a fenced-in yard. If you’re looking at installing fencing, so your canine companion can have an outdoor play space, you may be wondering about invisible fences. A local veterinarian lists some things to consider below.

P  ros

Invisible fences do offer some great benefits. One of their bigger selling points is that these are quite affordable. If you live in an HOA, you might also be spared the hassle of making sure your fence is up to code, though this of course will depend on the individual HOA and its rules. They can be used on any type of terrain, and are quick and easy to install. Last but not least, because invisible fences are, well, invisible, they won’t obstruct your views.

Cons

There are also some significant downsides to invisible fences. For one, they are definitely not ‘plug and play.’ You’ll need to teach Fido where the fence line is, which means taking time to walk him along the perimeter of your yard. Most manufacturers do offer directions on this, and some will even work with you directly, which may be something to consider when choosing your product. Another thing to keep in mind is that even if the fence keeps your pet in, it won’t keep the neighbor’s dog—or any other animals—out. Reliability can also be an issue. If power is ever disrupted, you basically are down a fence. Also, these fences do make dogs uncomfortable. That’s actually how they work. Your furry pal may get confused or agitated. Some dogs will just ignore the fence and bolt through anyway.

Tips

While these are some general pros and cons to buying invisible fences, it’s also important to consider your dog’s personality and temperament. If you have an active dog that is pretty likely to run, such as a husky, an invisible fence may not be the best option for you. Generally, they are likely to work best in quiet areas, and with dogs that will probably stick close to home anyway. It’s also important to realize that some of the pros we listed above can become cons. For instance, an invisible fence won’t obstruct your view, but it also won’t offer you the privacy that another type of fencing would. It’s probably safe to say that physical fences are the better choice in most situations. 

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