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

• If your dog is not spayed or neutered, your dog might get pregnant or get a roaming dog pregnant

• 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 instead

• 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 getting inside the boundary

• No protection from parasites brought over by other animals

• No protection from your dog being stolen

• An accident might happen if a young kid gets near your dog

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

• 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.