There are advantages and disadvantages of using electronic fences for humans and the dog. Electronic fences are made of several controlling devices. This includes underground wire along a property line of about 150 to 350 meters, transmitters and a collar that sends out a repellent spray, shock or strange noise upon reaching the boundary lines. Upon reaching the boundary, the collar signals the boundary limitation to the dog.

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.

There are also some probable disadvantages of having an electronic fence.

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. However, 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.

Understandably, many dog lovers consider electric shock as cruel as well as not the most productive means of getting the desired behavior from their best friend.

You have to weight the risks versus the benefits involved with any decision. You can cause physiological damage to a dog by confining it inside with no time to run freely even if you do take it out on a leash. You can visit dog parks and other areas to allow your pet some exercise, but to keep your dog happy and healthy you need to let it run freely at times.

Large dogs can try to jump fences of standard height and can be punctured by chain links or wooden planks. Even if the wound is minor, dogs tend to make things worse by scratching and biting creating hot spots. Generally, this means a vet visit. Therefore, sometimes it is safer to use the electronic fence.

There is no one solution that satisfies everyone, his or her dog, all breeds or training systems or even every situation. You can only make a solid decision by knowing all the facts and all the particular physical and psychological health needs of your dog.

You should however, prepare to disable your fence if it seems to do more harm than good.