Using Electronic Fences To House Train Your Dog - Pros And Cons
There are benefits and disadvantages to electronic fences (or ‘e-fences'), and these need to be considered carefully when evaluating your need for one. E-fences utilize wire (normally underground) and transmitters that will deliver a noise, shock or unpleasant spray via a special collar, in order to deter a dog approaching the set boundary. A signal is sent to the collar when the dog nears the buried wire and the deterrent is triggered.
Due to certain rules and specifications by the Home Association rules in certain precincts, standard fences may not be allowed and the e-fence could be an alternative. For those with no back and front yard fences, an e-fence offers a solution if you want a dog, but are unable to establish a regular fence.
There are negatives that need to be considered though.
Dogs require thorough training in order for the e-fence to be successful, and it should not be used as a substitute for behavioral training. Dogs need to be taught to associate the deterrent with boundary limits. However, if this is not seen to, the e-fence would be ineffectual.
As they are an electrical device, they are not fool proof. They can be short circuited by electrical spike or lightning strikes, however these are not frequent occurrences, however disturbances like digging around the periphery can result in issues as well. Flags are first used to visually denote and designate the periphery when the e-fence is first erected, however, once the dog has been taught, the flags are taken down. If they are left in place, they can be knocked or dragged away by lawnmowers and children, amongst other things. Once pulled out, there is a possibility of a puncture by their sharp tips.
If a dog ignores the deterrent and moves past the fence, it is less likely to return inside the boundary voluntarily, and may realize that technically there is no ‘real' boundary.
Electric jolts are seen by detractors to be a form of abuse and an adverse method of gaining the desired response from your pet.
Your decision regarding an e-fence needs to be evaluated according to your situation. If kept entirely indoors except for when leashed, a dogs' need to run is denied, resulting in an unhappy and maladjusted pet. If you can make use of a dog park, this problem can be addressed, but many areas do not have close access, so the problem remains.
Although building standard fences seems to be a logical method to cope with the issue, large dogs are liable to jump over these fences, causing injuries to themselves such as scratches and cuts from the sharp edges of the fences. Though the wound may be minor, a dogs' tendency to bite or scratch at them can make the injury worse, meaning a trip to the vet is required. An e-fence could be a more prudent choice, depending on the situation.
Every circumstance and situation is different, based on living conditions, type and character of dog and training techniques, so there is no overall effective method that can be implemented by every dog owner. Instead, the requirements of each situation need to be considered and enough information gathered so that you can make an informed choice.
If you decide an e-fence is the best solution for your situation, you need to be ready to disable the fence if it turns out that instead of benefiting your dog, it is doing more damage.
Moses Wright loves to help dog owners with their pet dog problems whenever he is free. You can find free pet dog training problems, solutions and resources on his site.
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