I’m in the process of moving right now, and guess which feature of the potential homes I am most closely inspecting - the fencing! New appliances, strong water pressure, and central air are all really nice – but they are things I could go without, in favor of a sturdy fence.
Some of the homes have chain link fences. I’m checking the bottom for wear, bending, and holes. I don’t want to lose my dog because the previous canine tenant was an avid digger. I’m also asking if the neighbors have a dog as well. If they do, I might consider the cost of putting up privacy screening or plywood. Dogs that fence fight often can be trained to be polite, but it is a long process, and requires both neighbors to partner on a training plan. If I can prevent a problem by creating a visual barrier, I’ll save myself a lot of time. And If I’m already in a situation where I need to re-train a fence fighter, the visual barrier will help me enormously with management.
My favorite fencing is privacy fencing. I’ve been checking the gates to make sure that the latches are secure, and checking the lengths of the fences for any rotting wood. Privacy fencing gives me the visual barrier I need to prevent most dogs from fence fighting, and it helps reduce backyard barking at foot traffic. Since I have one dog that is very athletic, I also appreciate the extra height that a privacy fence usually provides.
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| Brick fences tend to be very reliable. |
Fencing must be on everyone’s mind lately, because I’ve been getting a lot of questions about it from clients, and there have been recent internet discussions on it as well. One type of fencing I always discourage is “invisible” fencing, which delivers an electric shock if the dog crosses the perimeter. I know family, friends and clients that have used this fencing successfully. I also know family, friends and clients that have had unwanted side effects because of the fencing. These side effects are usually very difficult to reverse, and of serious enough quality that I do not feel the benefits outweigh the risks.
While electric fencing may effectively contain a dog, it can also result in unintended fear and aggression. Dogs learn by association, and they don’t always draw the conclusion that we humans ‘think they should’. If a dog receives a shock while his attention is on an object, animal, or person nearby, he may associate this pain with that object, animal, or person, instead of with the action of leaving the boundary. We now have created a dog that is fearful of the object, animal, or person he associated the shock with. This fear can lead to aggressive behavior as the dog attempts to defend himself. There is no 'cure’ to this behavior. Instead, you’ll be facing an expensive and time-consuming behavior modification plan.
There are other risks. An electric fence is not a "real" barrier. It will only contain a dog who fears the consequence of leaving the yard more than he desires what is outside of the yard. In some cases, the temptation of a teasing squirrel may be enough that the dog forgets about the shock - or just doesn't care. Once he escapes the perimeter, he can’t return, as he will receive another shock. If the equipment malfunctions he could be repeatedly shocked without cause. Additionally, you’re not keeping him safe from people or dogs that would enter your yard, and you might be giving a scare to those out walking who think your dog is loose.
If you are absolutely unable to have a solid chain or wood fence, and do not want to risk the damage that an electric fence can do to your dog's temperament, there are other solutions that can still provide opportunity for freedom and exercise for your dog. Temporary fencing, long lines, and boundary training are just a few - a professional trainer can help you create a plan that works for your dog and your family.
