Archive for October, 2009

By Robert Holmes

About the author: Robert Holmes writes for Dog Fence DIY, a site that helps people contain their pet safely using an underground dog fence.  Bob has installed and trained countless dogs on electronic dog fence systems and uses that experience to help people install their own systems. When not thwarting your dog’s escape plans, Bob enjoys Early American History and playing with his Labrador Retrievers.

Most dog owners with a nice big yard want their dog to take full advantage and enjoy the freedom of being able to roam free. 

 But you also want to keep them safe.  There are three main options to consider, a traditional fence, an electric underground fence, or a trolley run.  This article will take you through all three options and show you the pros and cons of each.

 The first option is a traditional physical fence.  In many respects this is the most secure option.  A solid fence that is high enough and goes down deep enough will keep your dog safely contained and is the first choice of many dog owners. 

 The only real cons are the availability and the expense.  Many owners are not permitted to have a fence due to the rules of their neighborhood association or do not want a fence because it spoils their view. 

 The other issue is that a fence that is both high enough and deep enough can be prohibitively expensive, a basic wooden fence easily reaches $5,000 for a 500 foot yard.

 The second option, an  is an underground fence a training aide that helps you teach your dog not to leave your property without your permission. 

 The owner lays a single wire around their property boundary and has the dog wear a special collar that picks up signals from the wire.  The collar warns the dog with a beep if it is getting too close to the boundary.

 If the dog ignores the warning it gets a static shock to remind it to retreat.  The owner trains the dog to understand that the warning beep means they need to retreat and that they will get a correction if they ignore this rule. 

The primary advantage is that an underground fence can be completely hidden and does not affect your view.  It is significantly cheaper than a fence, costing around $300 for a top of the line system like the rechargeable  Innotek 5100.

The downside is that you will need to spend about an hour a day for two weeks to train your dog how to use it.  Unlike a traditional fence or a trolley run, an underground fence is only effective if your dog has been trained to use it.

 The final option, a trolley run involves an overhead cable that your dog is tethered to.  This gives your dog a decent amount of space that they can use.  The advantage of these systems is that they are quick