Hidden Dog Fences For Rural Properties | Good Or Bad
There are many things to consider when looking for the best way to keep your dog safe on your property. You may consider a hidden dog fence if you live in a rural area. But are they a good option?
Here are some things to think about when deciding if a hidden dog fence is right for you:
- Ease of installation – A hidden dog fence can be more challenging than a traditional fence. If you’re uncomfortable with DIY projects, you may want to hire a professional.
- Cost – A hidden dog fence can be more expensive than a traditional fence, but it may be worth the investment if it means keeping your dog safe.
- Effectiveness – A hidden dog fence may not be 100% effective in keeping your dog contained, but it can be a good option if combined with other methods (like a regular fence).
- Maintenance – A hidden dog fence will require maintenance to ensure it’s working correctly. You’ll need to check the batteries and ensure no gaps in the fence.
- visibility – A hidden dog fence may not be as visible as a traditional fence, which could be a good or bad thing, depending on your preference.
If you’re considering a hidden dog fence for your rural property, weigh the pros and cons to decide if it’s the right option.
While containing your dog in a fixed area may be an easy task in the suburbs. For those moving to rural locations, this is no easy challenge. An electronic hidden fence may be the most practical solution with inconsistent fence lines, boundaries, and livestock.
But is it a one-stop-shop solution, and will it allow your dog the freedom to roam without harassing neighboring livestock? And is it suitable for every dog, or are there better options that suit certain breeds?
What Is A Hidden Dog Fence?
Basically, it’s either a geo fence or a physical wire attached to an existing fence line or buried underground. Either system transmits a radio frequency between a collar and a receiver.
How Does A Hidden Fence Work?
Your dog wears a collar, and when it gets close to the boundary, it receives a correction to remind him that it’s a no go zone. The correction is triggered in two ways depending on the system,
Fixed Wire
A radio frequency is transmitted through the wire as the dog gets close. The collar picks up the frequency, and that triggers a correction.
Geo-Fence
There are a few different systems on the market. Some can only create fixed distance circular boundaries, while others can map exact locations with GPS coordinates, but the principle remains the same. When the dog gets close to the boundary, the transmitter sends a signal to the collar to apply a correction.
3 Reasons Your Dog’s Movement Need To Be Contained On Rural Properties?
While we would love to let our four-legged friends roam freely around and explore their surroundings, There are particular dog breeds that, once in chase mode, will lose themself to the excitement and end up far from home.
1. Your Dog Could End Up On Neighboring Properties.
While you may love your furry friend, a land owner with livestock may not appreciate a visit from what they would term a ‘stray dog’.
Many dogs have been known to harass, injure or kill livestock. At best, this could lead to paying hefty vet bills, and at worst, you may find your dog has been shot.
Some framers will not hesitate to do so if they suspect your dog will cause injury to their livestock.
2. Your Dog May End Up Running Onto Busy Roads
Unlike suburban streets where traffic travels at a slow pace, rural locations often have higher speed limits and bigger vehicles traveling on them.
It’s unlikely a semi-trailer full of goods will swerve to avoid a dog. The risk of doing so is far too great for truck drivers and other road users nearby.
3. Local Council Rangers May Impound Your Dog
It would be a shame to provide so much freedom for your dog only to have thempicked up by the local council’s wildlife department rangers.
From personal experience, collecting your dog back isn’t a cheap exercise.
Are Hidden Dog Fences Cruel?
Depending on the dog’s obedience levels, the surrounding rural properties around you, and the local wildlife, the short-term discomfort they receive may be justified compared to alternative options.
A hidden dog fence is only cruel when not used or set up properly to achieve the above goals.
Hidden fences are designed as a solution to contain dogs in larger areas where dog-proof fences may not be practical due to a variety of reasons.
In rural locations, there are far more reasons a dog may stray further from home, and there are many reasons why the collar is a great alternative.
Will My Dog Feel Pain From The Correction Given By The Invisible Fence Collar?
Before implementing the system, you must first train your dog on the boundaries using visual cues and allow them to learn the warnings generated by the system before receiving a correction.
Most collars have different levels of correction. These include:
- An audible sound, warning the dog they are approaching the boundary
- An electric charge when the boundary is reached
- The electric charge level can be varied depending on the requirements
Many dog owners will attest that once their dog learns the boundaries through proper training, the correction will no longer be required, and the audible sound will be sufficient.
Will The Metal Prongs On The Collar Hurt My Dog?
The manufacturers have very specific guidelines on how to place the collar on your dog and for how long the collar can be on your dog to prevent any long-term negative impacts.
With proper training, your dog will learn the boundaries very quickly, and the collar can be loosened with only the audible warning required as a reminder.
Can You Set Up An Invisible Dog Fence By Yourself?
That question will depend on what system you use and your skill levels.
Wireless Fences – Are easier to set up and generally only require you to place the transmitter in the appropriate location.
GPS Fences – Will require a little setup in marking the boundaries and entering the appropriate coordinates. The ease of this task will depend on the cost and quality of the system.
Wire Fences – In contrast, a physical wire installation needs a little more pre-planning. Depending on your boundaries, property size, power source locations, and gates where the wire will need to be buried underground. Meaning time and physical labor may be too much for some.
Why Would You Go With A Wired System Rather Than A Wireless Dog Fence?
Depending on the property size and shape and the areas you would like your dog to access, a geo-fence that only had a circular boundary could be inappropriate.
GPS invisible fences may not be suitable for the property as they can limit access to certain areas due to the buffer zones required to account for the inaccuracy of the GPS.
Is There Maintenance Required After Installation Of A Wired Electric Dog Fence?
Little maintenance is required if set up correctly, and the wire is appropriately secured to the existing fence lines.
Having said that, If not installed properly in the first place, there is a higher chance of maintenance being required.
Tips for setting the wire properly
- Ensure the wire is tight.
- For metal wire fences, consider zip-tieing the wire to the fence rather than running it through the fence post
- For Wooden fences, secure the wire with a wood post claw insulator
What Could Cause Additional Maintenance Requirements?
Rural properties with visiting wildlife may find additional maintenance is required if the system is not set up properly.
With the wire not being pulled tight and secure to the fence, as the animals pass through, their legs or body catches the wire, and the force of their movement breaks the wire making it inoperable.
Is Fixing A Hidden Fence Wire Hard?
Fixing it is easy. Finding the break is time-consuming, depending on your property size.
How do you fix a break in the wire?
You have to strip the wire with electrical wire strippers and add an extra piece of wire between the two broken points, then use insulators to seal the two exposed wire pieces.
What Contaminant Alternatives Can Dog Owners Use On Rural Properties
Training – If your dog can be trained to stay within certain areas of the property even when you’re not present and isn’t susceptible to exploring or chasing wildlife, then this is the best alternative.
Chains – Placing your dog on a chain when you are not present to observe them is another option, but this doesn’t give them the freedom to move around. However, this may be suitable for some breeds.
Physically Fence A Smaller Area – This could be an option if that will allow your dog some extra room to move around. However, dogs are very good at digging or jumping, so those aspects must be considered when building a physical fence or checking an existing one.
Conclusion
If given a choice between acres of space to roam in and having a small yard to play in, I know what option I would choose for my dog.
While city dwellers must take their dogs on daily exercise routines, rural dwellers have the advantage of their beloved animals having space to exercise themselves.
If used properly and with proper training, hidden dog fences can be a great alternative to dog containment on your rural property and are an option that should seriously be considered to allow your furry friend the freedom to move and explore.