There are considerable advantages but a few disadvantages to having electronic control fences for both the dog attached to it and their human owners. Electronic fences have several components working together to limit a dog’s ability to wander from the yard. An underground wire runs along the yard’s edge emitting a signal, receivers in the dog’s collar pick up that signal when the boundary wire is approached too closely and produces a discouraging noise, a shock or an unpleasant scent spray.

There are very few options when you live under the rules set by your city ordinances or your community associations forbidding you to use regular fenced-in-yards other than using an expensive electronic fence. E-fences are a good choice when there are no regular fences allowed by strict housing rules or when you do not want an actual fenced-in-yard.

However, there are various possible disadvantages of having electronic fences.

Regardless of any other type of training, dogs need careful instruction on how to deal properly with an e-fence. Dogs do not automatically understand the strange noises or shocks. You have to teach them to associate the noise or shock with their allowable limit of movement.

Usually strikes of lightning or more often some careless digging around the perimeter will short out a system. Boundary flags are initially installed, however after training the dog you may want to remove them. Sometimes they are left in place and can be knocked down and by lawnmowers, children playing and other reasons. While in place, their tips point up and pose potential puncture hazards.

Some assertive or forgetful dogs may chase prey and run past their boundary unmindful of the temporary shock. While on the wrong side of the fence, they become discouraged by the shock from returning home voluntarily.

Some individuals do not agree with the use of electrical shock techniques to get the desired behavior from their dog.

Life comes with risks. Dogs who are confined indoors or are always on the leash do not have the opportunities to run. Some areas have dog parks and other locations for running free which is a definite advantage, but not all areas do. Dogs have a natural, strong desire to run; when they become frustrated with their continuous confinement they can become unstable.

Large dogs may be able to clear the usual height in fences; however, accidents do occur and the animal may become injured or punctured badly by wooden planks and chain links. Dogs tend to bite and scratch at even minor wounds causing them to become infected or creating a hot spot. This means a visit to the veterinarian office. There are times when using an electronic fence is less dangerous.

No one solution can satisfy everyone and every circumstance, every breed or training technique, or every individual dog. You need to know the facts as well as any specific mental or physical health requirement of the dog you will train.

Just in case the electronic fence does more actual harm than good, prepare yourself to disable it.