Keeping your dog safe and secure! In many cases an underground dog fence may be just the ticket. Perhaps your homeowner's association does not allow unsightly fencing that will contain your dog. Maybe the expense of a traditional fence is just not in your budget. Maybe your determined dog keeps finding ways through, under or over your traditional fence. Whatever the reason and underground dog fence, when properly installed and your dog properly trained, is an effective, humane and low cost solution for most dogs.

An underground dog fence is a system consisting of a radio transmitter, wire that acts as a transmitting antenna and a collar with a receiver that picks up the radio signal from the fence when your dog gets too close. When your dog enters the warning area near the wire the collar beeps warning him to stay back. If he continues to move toward the wire he will receive a static shock or correction. Some systems have progressive corrections so that the closer the dog progresses toward the wire the stronger the static shock he receives. There is some controversy about the humane aspect of delivering a shock to an animal to deter him. Most experts agree however that when an underground dog fence is properly installed and the dog is properly trained to the fence that these systems are very humane and safe. Consider the alternative if your dog runs out into traffic or gets lost.

There is some chance of your dog being traumatized by the shock of he is improperly trained and/or the correction levels are too high for your particular dog's size and temperament. Proper training is critical to success with these systems. Yes, it is true that your dog, hopefully, will not like receiving the shock no more than you like touching a door knob and getting a static shock. This is his incentive to avoid the boundary. While the shock is uncomfortable it is not in itself dangerous to the animal. Most systems have automatic shut offs if the animal does not move out of the correction zone to protect him from over correction.

The third method is to rent a trencher with a cable installation attachment. The trencher will cut the trench and lay the wire at the same time. The fourth method is to not bury the wire at all. Instead you can simple lay the wire above ground and use Pet Fence Staples to hold it in place. This method works well for low traffic areas and in grassy areas where the wire will lay deep in the turf. If you have to cross a driveway or sidewalk with the wire you will need to use a masonry blade to cut a groove in the concrete or asphalt and then use caulk to seal the wire into place.

When deciding to install an underground dog fence you might have a tendency to think only about keeping your pet home and from this perspective they usually work very well. There are, however, outside influences you should consider before purchasing and installing your fence. One of the biggest downfalls of an underground dog fence is that, while it will keep your dog in, it cannot keep other dogs, wildlife, predators or people out. If you live in a busy neighborhood with a lot of foot traffic or a lot of people walking their dogs past your boundary line you might want to consider keeping your boundary far back from these areas or installing a traditional fence of some kind in this area of your yard.

While you and your dog know the fence is there other people cannot see the fence and your dog lurking near the boundary may frighten some people and may invite other dogs to enter the yard to say hello. Signs indicating an underground dog fence is in place might help but they can be unsightly and people unfamiliar with the technology might not trust it and still become frightened.