Looking For Hidden Fencing

You are enjoying a relaxing walk through your neighborhood.  All of a sudden a large, barking canine comes racing toward you from across the lawn of a stately home!  With nothing between you and Fido, your heart skips a beat.  As you look around for the nearest tree to climb, the pursuing pooch suddenly stops in his tracks and sheepishly does and about face.  Is this a miraculous occasion for which to silently thank you guardian angel?  Not exactly.  In this instance, your continued safe passage is compliments of electronic fencing.

   The use of "hidden" fencing or electronic pet containment dates back to the 1970's.  It does not rely on tangible barriers such as wooden or chain-link fencing.  Rather, a transmitter, generally located in the home or garage, sends a signal to a wire that is buried around a designated perimeter such as a property line, garden or pond.  Should the family pet get too close to this off-limits area, a receiving collar emits an audible warning sound.  If the animal continues to approach the invisibly boundary, his collar administers a low voltage jolt designed to alter his course of action.  The corrective feeling has been described as that of static electricity or a snapping rubber band.  Although electronic pet containment can be used for cats, purchases geared toward felines account for only about five percent of this $200 million per year industry.

   Increasing in popularity, many  homeowners are using hidden fencing as an affordable means to offer their dogs fresh air and room for frolic in a contained area without the eyesore of traditional fencing.  Many towns also have zoning restrictions regarding the placement of standard fences.  Hidden fencing is marketed under brand names such as Invisible Fence, Pet Guardian, Radio Fence and many others.  Costing anywhere from $99 to more than $1,400, the two main categories of electronic pet containment are the do-it-yourself and the professionally installed systems.  Among the latter, one of the largest suppliers is Invisible Fence, Inc.  With an international network of 300 dealers, they claim to have approximately one million satisfied customers.

    "We offer a humane means for dogs to receive off-lead exercise in a safely contained environment," says Kim Leasure, Communications Manager for Invisible Fence, Inc.  "However, it's not a panacea.  We don't advise people to leave their companion animals outdoors while they're at work all day.  Someone should always be in or near the yard to look after the family pet.  But the invisible fence allows a pet to be included while the family is playing, barbequing or relaxing in the yard - rather than Rover being placed in a pen or chained to a tree."  Dogs should be at least four months old before being exposed to hidden fencing.

   As opposed to the off-the-shelf products, custom installed systems include training sessions designed to adapt the dog to their new confines.  A combination of positive and negative reinforcement training - over a period of two to four weeks - conditions canines to respect the undetectable barriers.  "Testing the animals with sound, movement or other distractions and gradually removing the training aids such as leashes and boundary flags (antecedence training) is also a major part of our program," adds Brian Atkison, Dog Training Specialist for Invisible Fence, Inc.  Prior to any training, however, a temperament evaluation determines whether a dog has aggressive tendencies or a high prey drive.  Such personality traits may disqualify a pooch as a candidate for electronic fencing. 

   "We're very pleased with our electronic fence," says Renee Abrams of Morris Township.  "We love the convenience and the freedom it allows our three-year-old Shepherd mix, Jackson.  However, we don't treat the fence as an automated dog sitter. There's always someone in the yard playing with or keeping a close watch on Jackson."

   The detractors of hidden fencing site a lengthy list of potential problems with this type of pet containment.  They argue that it does not prevent people or other animals from entering the property and possibly harming the pet.  Dogs may see a tempting distraction beyond the fence, be willing to absorb the shock an actually breech the barrier.  Unable or unwilling to get back across, they could become lost or injured.  Heavy-coated dogs may require regular neck shaving so that collars transmit the corrections properly.  And there have been reports that prolonged wearing of receiver collars has caused calluses or infections.  Owners must be diligent in replacing system batteries and quickly attending to any power failures.  There are also those who find electronic fencing less than humane.

   "Because electronic fencing doesn't keep others out or isn't foolproof at keeping your dog in, it works best when supplementing traditional fencing.  Whatever the fence, dogs shouldn't spend a lot of time unsupervised.  They can become bored or frustrated and can develop inappropriate digging, barking or housebreaking habits," cautions Nance Peterson, Issues Specialist for The Humane Society of the United States.  "Because dogs really don't self exercise, the argument that they love all the fresh air and freedom due to fencing is a misnomer.  If you can't safely trust you dog in the house, talk to your veterinarian, local animal shelter or canine behavior trainer.  And of course, nothing beats spending quality time with your pet."

   Abrams offers some advice for those contemplating electronic fencing, "Examine your lifestyle and how much discretionary time you have versus how much attention your animal companion requires.  Understand your pet's personality.  Obtain references from the company.  Ask questions and find out the success rate of the fence you are considering for your particular breed of dog."  While no containment system is perfect, the options must be weighed against the needs of the owner and the well being of the four-legged family member.