Dogs and open land. It sounds like an ideal scenario for any dog lover. However, just because you have acreage, doesn't mean your dog knows the boundaries of your property or can run freely. Your neighbors, especially if they're farmers or ranchers, won't appreciate your dog "visiting" their livestock or defecating in their yard or fields. So, it makes sense to confine your dog to your property in some way. If you need to fence in a large amount of acreage, you have a few options.
Instructions
1. Consider installing an "invisible" fence. Many pet owners don't want to face the sheer enormity of fencing in so many acres. Therefore, they often turn to electronic fences, often called "invisible fences" after a popular brand name.
These fences may either be wired or wireless. In the wired version, you bury a wire that serves as the perimeter to the fence. The dog wears a collar that picks up the signal as he starts to cross the perimeter, and the collar administers a correction of some kind, usually a mild electric stimulation or shock. Some are a bit more pet friendly and give off a corrective tone. The wireless version requires the dog to stay within the field of the wireless transmitter and to wear a collar that will give him a mild electric stimulation or shock when he goes outside of it.
Note that for these fences to work, you must train your dog so he learns to respect the fence and the boundary. These fences are good for rugged terrain where a conventional fence is not practical, and they can be easily paired with conventional fences.
2. Consider conventional fencing. While it may seem expensive and difficult to cover a large area this way, conventional fencing will keep your dog within your property while preventing people and animals from entering. If you decide to go with this option, choose a fence that will contain your dog securely. For example, most big dogs and escape artists require a six-foot fence at minimum. Barbed wire, split-rail fences and low fencing are poor choices to contain dogs. Note that this option may be cost-prohibitive, especially on large plots.
3. Consider partial fencing. If cost or rugged terrain are prohibiting factors, consider fencing in a portion of your property rather than the entire acreage. That way, you can give your dog a safe place to run and still keep him confined. This option may still be cost-prohibitive and some dogs may be more likely to try to breach a smaller fenced in area.
4. Consider building a kennel. Dog kennels and runs are cost-effective ways of keeping your dog contained while outside. Kennels and kennel panels can be purchased at hardware and pet-supply stores and many can be configured to any size. Some are made to have tops to prevent dogs from jumping/climbing out and predators from climbing in. These are easy to install and remove, but aren't practical on uneven ground---they may leave gaps that dogs can escape through. They also restrict the amount of unsupervised exercise your dog can get.
5. Tally up the pros and cons of each option and choose the best one for your land and your pet. Do you need a visible barrier that also keeps other animals out? Go with conventional fencing, either for the whole acreage or for a portion of your land. Do you need a cheap option that can be easily expanded or dismantled? Go with a kennel or run. Is your dog easy to train? Consider an invisible fence. Cost may be the deciding factor.
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