Advantages of Installing an Electric Dog Fence

But installing a fence isn’t the best solution for every dog owner. Your homeowners association might have rules about fences, or you might simply want a solution that keeps your dog safe and preserves the beautiful views of your neighborhood.

An electric dog fence could be the answer.

How Do Electric Dog Fences Work?

An electric fence is an invisible boundary that gives your dog a small shock, similar to a static electric shock, when he travels too far away from the transmitter or your home. It doesn’t hurt; it’s simply a training aid that helps you teach your dog to stay within the boundaries of your yard.

Electric dog fences come in wired and wireless varieties, but they essentially work the same way: A transmitter sends a signal from a central location. In wired fences, this signal goes to a boundary wire buried under the ground. The dog wears a receiver collar that responds to the radio signal from either the transmitter or the boundary wire. 

Once the collar receives a signal—indicating the dog is too close to the invisible boundary—it provides a light shock that reminds your dog not to move any farther away from the house. 

Types of Electric Dog Fences

Here’s how wired and wireless options compare:

1. Wired Dog Fences

Wired electric dog fences involve burying a boundary wire around the perimeter of your yard, which connects to a central transmitter that sends a radio signal through the wire. The dog wears a receiver collar that responds to this signal. When the dog approaches the boundary, the collar emits a warning beep, followed by a static correction if the dog gets too close. 

This type of fence offers the advantage of customizing the boundary shape to fit your specific yard layout, making it flexible around obstacles like gardens, trees, and existing structures. Installation involves digging a shallow trench to bury the wire, which can be labor-intensive but provides a reliable and consistent boundary.

2. Wireless Dog Fences

Wireless electric dog fences consist of a central transmitter unit that emits a circular radio signal to create a boundary, which means wireless fence installation is especially simple. The dog wears a receiver collar that responds to this signal, emitting a warning beep followed by a static correction if the dog ventures too close to the boundary. 

Wireless fences are portable and easy to set up, making them an excellent choice for renters or those who might move frequently. However, they are best suited for relatively flat, open areas, as physical obstructions can interfere with the signal.

Benefits of Installing An Electric Fence for Dogs

Here’s what you need to know about the advantages of dog electric fence installation:

1. Give Your Dog Freedom

Installing an electric dog fence can give your dog the freedom to enjoy your whole yard, and it can help you cut down on pet damage indoors. 

Plus, you’re not limited by the traditional constraints of fence installation — you can put an electric fence for dogs anywhere. Got trees, sharp corners or a neighbor’s pre-existing fence along one portion of your property lines? No problem. Electric dog fences are flexible enough to enclose your entire yard, no matter the obstacles. 

Traditional fences generally need to be installed at or just inside the property line. With an electric fence, you can create a yard-within-a-yard to give your dog room to run and play without confusing neighbors or potential buyers about the dimensions of your property. You can run an electric fence around flower beds and garden patches to keep your dogs out of them. 

Whether you choose a wired fence or a wireless fence, electric dog fences offer almost endless flexibility.

2. Enjoy An Unobstructed View

Traditional fences can be a real eyesore. If you bought your home for beautiful views, you’ll understandably want to avoid installing a fence that can obstruct those views. Because invisible fences are, well, invisible, you and your dog can enjoy the security benefits of a fence without lowering the aesthetic appeal of your property.

3. Save Money Over Traditional Fencing

Invisible fence costs are typically much lower than those of traditional fencing. Installing an electric dog fence is much less labor-intensive, too. A wired fence needs to be buried around the perimeter of your yard, while installing a wireless fence is as easy as positioning and turning on the transmitter. 

Installation costs aren’t the only savings you’ll enjoy with an invisible fence. These fences never need to be refinished, stained, painted, or painstakingly rebuilt. The most maintenance you’ll ever have to do to your electric dog fence is replacing the batteries in your dog’s collar.

4. Electric Dog Fences Are Easy to Install

As we mentioned earlier, a wireless pet fence is incredibly easy to install. But even a wired fence is relatively straightforward if you’re at all handy around the house. 

Here’s a general step-by-step guide you can use: 

1. Install the transmitter as recommended by the manufacturer.
2. Lay the wires out along your proposed boundary (you can use graphing paper to sketch out the boundaries of your property in advance). Twist the wires together if you need to cancel the signal, such as when you’re running wires from the transmitter out to the proposed boundary. 
3. Connect the boundary wires to the transmitter.
4. Turn the system on, then check that everything, including the collar, is working.
5. Dig a trench two to three inches deep along your proposed boundary and bury the invisible fence wires. If you need to run the wire across pavement or concrete, use a circular saw with a masonry blade to continue the trench through the masonry surface.
6. Test everything again before burying the wire, and make sure that your system is properly grounded according to the manufacturer’s instructions before you bury it.
7. Place the included flags around the perimeter so that you and your dog know where the fence is during the training process. Once your dog is accustomed to the fence and you both know where it is, you can remove the flags. 

An invisible dog fence is the perfect solution to keep your dog safe in your yard without the need for an expensive traditional fence. Your dog will love having the run of your yard, and you’ll love the flexibility and ease of installing and using your new fence. 

Protect Your Dog And Protect Your Home

You love your dog, so it’s only natural to install a fence that will give them the freedom to play in the yard without the risk of running away. 

Are you extending the same protections to your home? An AHS® Home Warranty protects the home systems and appliances most important to your family’s well-being. Plus, you can explore coverage for your electrical systems and additional coverage for your home electronics!

AHS assumes no responsibility, and specifically disclaims all liability, for your use of any and all information contained herein.