FENCE, DOG RUN, OR INVISIBLE FENCE?


You wish you could have your dog staying safe in your backyard but have no fence? Not sure if you should be getting a dog run, a fence, or an invisible fence? We will be looking at all of them in this article; I hope it will help you make a decision.

DOG RUN ADVANTAGES

  • Installing a dog run sounds like a great solution for small to medium-size dogs

  • It is best to use a harness to avoid neck injuries and it is harder to slip off a harness than a collar

  • It allows your dog a lot of room for running and playing fetch without having to go to a park

  • It costs less than building a fence

DOG RUN DISADVANTAGES

  • It will not protect your dog from unwanted visitors such as roaming dogs or wildlife (if you live near the woods) that might attack or bring diseases

  • Your dog might injure its neck if he/she wears a collar instead of a harness

  • It will not protect accidents such as bites if someone goes near your dog without supervision

  • It will not prevent your dog from being stolen

  • You will have to keep an eye on your dog often if you leave it alone

  • Not ideal for dogs with a strong pull

  • Do NOT tie up two dogs on the same run; they might get entangled and strangle each other.

Pictured here is Diego wearing a harness while being on a dog run. The run in this video HERE says it's good for dogs up to 100 lbs but if you have a big dog that has a lot of pull, an adequate fenced-in yard sounds like a much better solution. I know of a couple strong dogs that just tore the run cable off the tree where the hook was; the owner tied the rope around the tree instead of using a hook. The pulley broke many times and is no longer in use on the line now. If you know of an equipment able to sustain a strong pull please let me know and I will pass the message along!

HOW DOES AN INVISIBLE FENCE WORK?

An invisible fence, also called an electric fence, is a wire placed underground that is connected wirelessly to a special collar that the dog wears around its neck and it gives a small shock to the dog when it leaves the boundary of the electrical fence.The boundary is marked with small flags on the ground.

INVISIBLE FENCE ADVANTAGES

  • It allows the dog to run

  • No physical fence upkeep

  • Doesn’t change your landscaping

  • Prevents your dog from roaming in the neighborhood and getting hit by a car

  • Some neighborhoods and cities have fencing laws or even prohibit fences altogether so this can be done in exchange

  • Protects your dog from traffic, strangers, and any other dangers outside the boundary

  • You don’t need to be an electrician to install it

  • Cheaper than a regular fence

INVISIBLE FENCE DISADVANTAGES

  • Must check batteries regularly

  • Installation may take some time

  • No protection from other animals or bad people getting inside the boundary

  • You have to train the dogs 15 minutes at a time, many times a day, for two weeks

  • If your dog gets out of the boundary, the shock of the collar will prevent the dog from going back home

FENCE ADVANTAGES

  • Your dog will be protected from unwanted visitors and roaming animals

  • Your dog will be harder to steal

  • Your dog will not bite anyone unless they put their hand through the fence

  • Your dog will be able to run and play fetch - or do obstacle course games

  • Your kids and other pets can play safely in the yard

  • Pictured here is Baby Max, our escape artist, and the reason why we have the perfect fence today :)

FENCE DISADVANTAGES

The only disadvantage I see is the cost. We found affordable fence posts from an Amish neighbor and we installed a wire fence purchased at Tractor Supply. Our fence did not cost much and has been a blessing after we figured out how to contain our canine escape artists. See our "Fence Saga" previous blog (read it HERE). I would love to hear from you if you have anything to add.

I wish your dogs safe always.

Recent Posts
Archive