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INTRODUCTION

Every dog needs exercised to be healthy. A dog chained in the backyard will not grow into the happy pet that you want. For this reason, it is important to use a dog fence to provide a secure space where your dog can run and play, safe from traffic and pedestrians.

When deciding what type of dog fence to use to keep your dog on your property, you have two main types to choose between: visible dog fences and hidden dog fences.

VISIBLE DOG FENCES

Erecting a visible, or traditional dog fence is the most straightforward way for you to contain your dog.

The cheapest and quickest way to make a dog fence is to use a snow fence. The holes on a snow fence will be small enough to prevent smaller dogs from escaping. If you live in a colder climate, however, you will know that snow fencing is unattractive. In addition, it can be easily bent out of shape, so it will require periodic maintenance. Nonetheless, if you are not troubled by the aesthetics, it will give you an effective fence in a pinch.

Moving up aesthetically from snow fences are chain link or picket fences. These more permanent fences can effectively act as dog fences. Given their more solid construction, they will also last longer than cheaper alternatives. If you plan to use a picket fence, however, it is important to consider the size of your dog in relation to the spaces between the pickets in your dog fence. Not surprisingly, as these fences are more attractive and permanent than snow fences, using them as a dog fence could cost considerably more.

A common problem with all the visible dog fences listed above is that even if they can keep your dog on your property, they may not prevent pedestrians from harassing your dog from the other side of the fence. While your dog will likely be unable to fit its head through a chain link, a child could put his or hand through the fence. The only sure fire way to prevent this from happening is to build a brick wall. Of course, this is by far the most expensive option.

Another importance consideration when erecting a visible dog fence is the types of fences allowed in your community by local zoning regulations.

HIDDEN DOG FENCES

If you do not want to erect a visible fence, either because of cost or aesthetics, you may consider using a hidden dog fence. There are two main types of hidden dog fences: wireless and underground.

In wireless dog fences, a transmitter is placed in the middle of the area where you would like to contain your dog. The transmitter sends a signal to the surrounding area that sets out the perimeter of your property. Your dog wears a receiver collar that beeps when your dog is reaching the edge of your property. If the dog continues to move towards the perimeter, the collar will give your dog a mild shock. An underground dog fence is similar to a wireless dog fence, except that the perimeter is defined by laying underground cables that trigger your dog's receiver collar.

The main advantage of hidden dog fences is that, quite simply, you don't have to put the time and money into building a fence. This also means you don't have to be concerned with meeting any zoning regulations. The disadvantage of hidden dog fences is significant, however: if your dog ignores the shock, there is nothing stopping it from leaving your property. Indeed, hidden dog fences will not work with dogs that are hard to train since getting to dog to stay within the perimeter is essentially a training process. And even the most perfectly trained dog might have enough reason one day to ignore the shock and run after something.