An electric dog fence (also called an electric dog fence or an invisible fence), on the other hand, is a wire cable that is laid briefly under or on the ground. The dog is attached to a receiver on the collar and battery.
When the dog approaches the cable or dog fence, the receiver gives a beep or a slight electrical impulse is signaled to signal the dog “This far and not further”. This electrical impulse should equate to a slight punishment of the dog, whereby the dog should learn to avoid the demarcated area.
The receiver that the dog wears on the collar ultimately fulfills the same function as so-called “remote trainers”. However, the pulse is automatically triggered by the fence cable via the receiver on the collar of the petsafe wireless fence.
This “methodology” of the invisible electric dog fence is still sold by some providers, but is very questionable. This has many reasons:
Reasons why an invisible / electric dog fence is questionable
One of these reasons is that it is not really clear what that electrical impulse of these “fences” can do to the dog at all – as mentioned, we’re talking not just about a vibration but about an electrical impulse, though maybe not very much strong, it must be strong enough to keep the dog from moving on. For example, for dogs with cardiac arrhythmias, this type of “fence” can be extremely hazardous to health.
The second reason is that your dog can create links with such a fencing system that you most likely never wanted to do. Since it is not said how an individual dog responds to such a “fence system”, it can also be that a rather anxious or even completely resistant dog is terrified when triggering the current impulse and, for example, a link between “fear & fright” with passing Passersby manufactures. At that moment, you would not have taught your dog anything else but to be wary of pedestrians, cars, and so on. Further consequences not excluded.
Alternatives to the electric / invisible dog fence
We therefore recommend that you use traditional fences for dogs, which you build or build yourself (see below) and perhaps practice with your dog with treats and a towline. This is definitely the healthier and better option, as an invisible dog fence can not guarantee that your dog does not cross the border and that your dog can establish critical links between impulse and other environmental impressions!