For those who have decided to train your dog using an electric fence, or an 'E-fence' as it is widely known as, must weigh the pros and cons of such a decision. One factor to consider is the need for a special collar for your dog. This collar is linked to the E-fence via unique transmitters that are buried near the boundaries of the fence. Should a dog go too close to the periphery of the enclosure, the transmitters will warn the dog via emitting unpleasant scents, a jolt or a noise from the collar.



As some Home Owners Association rules and city ordinances do not allow for regular fences, an e-fence, though expensive, may be an option. 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.

Bear in mind that as with all electrical equipment, it is not guaranteed to work all the time. They can be shorted by an electrical surge or lightning strikes, though not common and digging around the perimeter can also cause problems. 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 as they are, they can be shifted or moved by children or by machinery such as lawnmowers as well as a multitude of other factors. Once pulled out, there is a possibility of a puncture by their sharp tips.

Should your dog persist despite the discouragement received from the collar, it will learn that there is no actual boundary and will be less willing to stay within the specified periphery.

Many people also believe that as a deterrent, electric shocks are cruel, and are a counteractive way of eliciting the wanted behavior 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. This situation can be resolved with access to a dog park, however, not may are lucky enough to have a dog pak in their vicinity, so it could remain an issue.

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. Depending on the circumstances, an e-fence may be the safer option.

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.

However, if you still decide that an e-fence is the best bet for your specific circumstances, you should note that you must be prepared to deactivate the e-fence if it does more harm than good for your dog.