Any dog can be contained humanely with the proper fence style and configuration.
There are 160-plus recognized dog breeds and countless varieties of mutts. They come in all shapes, sizes, temperaments and athletic abilities. Some dogs are good jumpers, others good diggers, and still others are classified as "escape artists" because they can get out of seemingly any type of enclosure. Whatever your dog's proclivities, choose the fencing solution that best meets its needs and behaviors and configure it to suit the largest area available for its health and comfort.
Traditional Above-Ground or In-Ground Fencing
The Humane Society of the United States advocates for choosing a traditional wire fence rather than chaining a dog because chained dogs tend to become emotionally unhealthy, are more likely to bite and sometimes hang themselves. The most reliable fencing types for all dogs are chain-link kennel panels or wire-mesh fencing for extra-high enclosures. Although you might be able to contain your small dog with a chicken-wire and T-post barrier, that won't keep potentially aggressive big dogs out. For jumping and climbing dogs, add a fence panel extension at a 45-degree inward angle to prevent escape, "coyote roller" roller bars or a flat-top panel that creates a fence roof. Contain diggers by attaching a foot of chicken wire to the bottom of the fence and burying it a foot down; boulders placed inside the fence, side-by-side are also a deterrent.
Visual Barrier Fencing
Best Friends Animal Society rescues hundreds of dogs each year that are considered to have behavior or health issues that put them at risk for being euthanized because they are considered unadoptable. Their rehabilitation programs often include visual barrier fencing -- solid walls made of privacy fencing, cinder block and stucco or other suitable material. Visual barrier fencing prevents anxious dogs from being ovestimulated by goings on outside the enclosure, running the fence, which can cause weight loss and other health problems and prevents through-fence bites.
Portable Fenced Kennels and Runs
Typically made of chain-link or wire-mesh panels, portable kennels and runs are a good option for people with multiple dogs, like breeding kennel owners, or those who travel with their pets. Configure your own portable kennel or run from the same panels used for a permanent enclosure or purchase enclosure(s) from an assortment of collapsible wire kennels or crates. Remember to follow the same rules for secure containment that apply to traditional above-ground fences and always provide a cover for shade and protection from inclement weather.
Invisible Fence
There are two types of "invisible fence": electric and radio controlled. Used because they are less expensive than conventional fencing and some neighborhood covenants disallow visible barriers, both types give the dog an electrical shock in the throat from a collar-mounted device. An invisible electric fence is a charged wire that can be run in a perimeter above or below ground and shocks the animal when it gets within a certain distance. Radio-controlled devices deliver a shock correction when the person with the device pushes a button. If you use this type of containment system train your dog diligently as to where the boundaries are so shocks, which many canine professionals consider cruel, are delivered as seldom as possible.
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