Submitted By: Geoffrey English

Urban sprawl grows exponentially every year, so living in those quiet country settings that we all dream of is becoming less likely for most people. For dog owners, this can cause a host of problems that could result in a lot of frustration and pain as it becomes more difficult to contain our pets at home and still allow them safety and freedom.

Even the most well-trained dogs sometimes stray. Dogs have strong individual and pack instincts, and occasionally become so intent on doing something that they ignore your commands. This can be embarrassing, and quite frustrating: especially if your dog does not return right away. However, this can often be the least of your problems: your dog can become a major liability to you. Aside from being a nuisance and running off for a quick jaunt, your dog can get you into a whole lot of trouble:

Dog causes physical harm to self:

You dog could be hit by a car, attacked by other dogs, break a leg, or eat something harmful to their health that would not normally have been available. Your dog could be seriously injured, costing hundreds or thousands of dollars in veterinary expenses. Your dog could become lost, and not be able to return to you. He could be placed in a shelter and adopted by someone else. Sometimes, your dog could die in these situations.

Dog causes harm to others:

Perhaps your dog is not aggressive, and it might be that they would not attack another dog or a person. Nevertheless, your sexually intact dog could impregnate another dog, or become impregnated by one. If your dog impregnates another dog meant for breeding, you can be sued for many thousands of dollars. This is because most dogs, especially when they are not under your sphere of control, will revert to a highly natural (for them) way of behaving. They will eat toxins, have sex, and chase cats, chickens, and other animals- sometimes causing the death or loss of that animal. You can be held liable in these cases.

Dog causes property damage or is a public hazard:

If your dog soils a public place, you can be fined. The same is true if your dog destroys any kind of public or private property. Becoming a hazard by disrupting traffic or frightening citizens can result in fines, and sometimes your dog can be seized.

Beside the fact that you adore your dog and would not want anything unpleasant to befall them, any of the above situations could cost you dearly. In addition to civil suits, most dog owners can be held liable for punitive damages as well. The reason for this is that, under law, an owner is considered fully responsible for their dogs’ actions or control thereof. For this reason, and in these times, it is very important to consider installing a fencing system to contain your dog; keeping them happy, healthy, and safe.

There are many brands and styles of dog fences on the market, but there are primarily only three types.:

Physical Fencing:

An actual, physical fence may be right for you and your dog. They are usually quite sturdy, and may offer additional privacy for some owners, as well as a sound barrier. One of the drawbacks of this type of fencing is that some dogs can dig holes under it, and very agile dogs can even jump them. Physical fencing is expensive compared to other choices, and requires regular maintenance. However, the biggest benefit of physical fencing is that it not only keeps your dog in, but it keeps other creatures out. This is ideal if you have a breeding bitch, or live in an area where domesticated animals are subject to attack by wild animals.

Electric fencing:

Electric dog fences utilizes a gridline of actual wires to contain your pet. The wires are buried 2-3 inches in the ground along the lines where you would like the fence to be. The system works with a control station, and a remote collar that your dog will wear. When your dog approaches the fence line and tries to cross it, a signal is sent to the collar that issues a correction in the form of a harmless electrical charge. This system works amazingly well with most dogs, with the only drawbacks being that you have to bury the wires, and that another dog or animal can still enter the fence.

Wireless fencing:

Wireless dog fences are a new product, and seems to be the wisest choice for most dog owners. It uses only two items: a transmitter, and a remote collar. The transmitter can be placed anywhere in your home, and can be controlled to emit a signal that sweeps from ten feet, up to ninety feet. While wearing the collar, the transmitter will send a signal to the collar, causing it to beep, when the dog approaches the limits of the radius you have set. When your dog gets too far away, the transmitter will then send a small electrical charge to the collar, which corrects the dog’s behavior. This type of fencing is simple to use and install, though has the single drawback that it does not prevent other animals from entering the “fenced” area.

Most types of fencing can be obtained at pet stores, vet clinics, online websites, and feed stores, and most can be installed without the help of professionals.