How It Works

• Wiring is buried around the perimeter of the property. It is connected to a transmitter, which sends a signal matching a receiver in the dog's collar. If a dog approaches the wire, he receives a small shock.
  
  

Training

• This trained dog stays near his ownerImage by Flickr.com, courtesy of OakleyOriginals
  
  During training, flags marking the wire's location give a visible boundary for the dog to follow. The receiving collar can be set so that dogs first receiving a warning tone, and then a shock, when they approach the wire. The flags and shock, combined with positive reinforcement of avoiding the boundary, quickly train the dog.
  
  

Advantages

• An invisible fence is a good option when zoning or Homeowners Association laws prohibit above-ground fencing. Traditional fences often require maintenance and repairs, while below-ground fencing is maintenance free.
  
  

Disadvantages

• A dog charging to protect his property might frighten people outside the fence, who don't know that a fence is there. Dogs must be trained for the system to work, and some dogs may ignore the pain and run through the fence. Yards that are uneven or have many trees may block signals, creating possible breach situations.
  
  

What It Costs

• Each system is built to satisfy the specific needs of the customer. Costs range from $350 to $800+. Cost factors include property size, type of equipment, number of trainings needed and how many dogs will use the system. Installing the fence and training the dog yourself will be cheaper.