In a growing number of cities, it is now illegal to keep your dog tethered outside. If your desire is to keep an “outside dog” for guard duty or any other reason, you’re going to have to find an alternative to tethering. So, do electric fences work for big dogs?
Yes, electric fences work for big dogs, but BEWARE! In this article, you’ll discover exactly how to best utilize them, along with the pros and cons of encircling your yard (and dog) with live electricity.
Welcome to the Big Dog Den, I’m glad you’re here! I’ve done the research via the leading canine authorities in our country, the AKC (American Kennel Club) the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) the HSUS (Humane Society of the United States) and finally, PET MD.
There is nothing more important to me than the safety and well-being of my own big dog, and I’m sure you feel the same! Today you’ll find out…
- The Difference Between an Electric Fence and an Invisible fence
- Whether or not Electric (or Invisible) Fences are Effective for Containing Big Dogs
- The Pros and Cons of Electric Fencing
- Other Options for Containing your Big Dog Outside
We’ve got a lot of information to uncover, so let’s begin!
The Difference Between Invisible Fences and Electric Fences
Although both use electricity to mark the borders of your yard, an electric fence is a barrier built above ground with an electric current running through it. When humans or animals touch this electrified fencing, they will receive a powerful shock, deterring them from touching it again.
An invisible fence, on the other hand, is buried beneath the ground’s surface. A dog wears a collar that reacts to the electricity when the dog nears the border drawn by the fence.
Do Electric Fences Work for Big Dogs?
“Regular” electric fencing, the kind that is also a visible barrier, is mostly used for animals as large as horses and cows, or to keep animals out of a garden. It is rarely used for fencing in a yard because it can be hazardous to your family and to neighborhood children and pets. A six-foot-high fence will usually contain even a big dog in a yard but if one does not, you may want to carefully consider electrifying at least the “escape routes” of the fence.
Since your big dog can weigh as much as an adult human, your electric fence must not be an electrocution risk. Only install electric fencing to keep your dog contained after you’ve discussed the safety issues with your dog’s veterinarian.
Do Invisible Fences Work for Big Dogs?
Invisible fencing can sometimes be more cost-effective than traditional yard fencing. The research seemed to be about 50/50 on whether or not an invisible fence is effective for containing a big dog to the yard. Once I dug a little deeper, though, it became clear that invisible fences are only about 70% effective.
Are Electric Fences Powerful Enough to Hold a Big Dog?
For the most part, a big dog will shy away from an invisible fence line. But… there’s always a but, isn’t there? From time to time, your dog’s instincts are going to over-ride his (or her) training. All it might take is the right squirrel, a prowler, or even the inherent need to breed. In any of these circumstances, a dog may very well take the shock of the fence to achieve his (or her) goal.
Will Electric Fencing Hurt my Big Dog?
Whether or not invisible fencing is cruel for your dog is a subject much debated among dog lovers (and owners). Opinions never drive my research, though, facts do. I went straight to the experts to discover those facts. I wasn’t surprised, I suppose, to find that even the experts disagree.
Let’s take a look at who’s for it and who’s against invisible fencing:
- The AKC: “Invisible Fence helps create safe environments for pets, both indoors and out. We look forward to their participation in our events this September.”
- PETA: “No dog should live in fear of getting shocked for barking or crossing an invisible line.”
- The ASPCA: “The ASPCA is opposed to any training equipment that causes a pet to experience physical discomfort or undue anxiety.”
- PET MD: This leading source for veterinary information lists 5 Issues with Electric Fencing:
- “Dogs put up with the shock when the “reward” is great enough.”
- “The system can malfunction—sometimes with the dog’s help.”
- “The prongs on the collar can injure the skin.”
- “Invisible fences do not prevent outsiders from coming in.”
- “Electric shocks can induce fear, anxiety, and aggression”
And so you can see for yourself the general consensus across the board is that electricity isn’t the most popular option for keeping dogs contained to a yard. If you should opt to train or contain your dog via an electric shock to deter roaming, please keep the wattage to the lowest effective setting, and use the device on yourself to accurately measure the effect.
Just below you’ll find a helpful link to some invisible fencing options. Clicking the link will redirect you directly to Amazon, where you can see the performance reviews of several brands of fencing, and read what owners of the fencing have to say about it.
Invisible Fencing Options on Amazon
Are There Fences that can be Controlled with an App?
Is there anything that can’t be controlled with an app these days? LOL! There is an invisible fence called “Smart Fence” that you can control right from your phone!
Are There Better Options than Electric Fences?
Only you can decide whether or not to use electricity to contain your big dog in your yard. With that being said, there are certainly other options to choose from when it comes to your dog spending extended periods of time outdoors. let’s take a look!
- Six-Foot Fencing: We went over this option a bit near the beginning of our article, but it’s worth mentioning again. Most healthy dogs that receive adequate training, exercise and attention will be contained by a fence that’s six-foot-high. Be sure your dog isn’t digging around the bottom of the fence, and that the gate has a lock and no gaping spaces.
- A Dog Run (Sometimes Called a Kennel): Dog runs are usually made from chain link fencing, and have doors with a secure latch. When deciding on how big the kennel should be for your big dog, you can refer to the Humane Society’s guidelines. They state that “a run should be 3 feet wide by 10 feet long and 6 feet high with the width increased by a foot for dogs over 100 lbs.”
- Multiplication: Multiplying a dog’s length by five can also be used to figure a run’s size.
When it comes right down to it, taking your big dog out on a leash is the most reliable way to monitor his (or her) outdoor activities. it’s a great way for you to bond with your dog, and enjoy some fresh air and exercise right along with him (or her). A fence is nice for off-leash play-time (import for assuring your dog gets adequate exercise) but nothing beats your keen observation of your dog.
Protecting Your Big Dog From the Weather
You’re reading this article to discover the best way(s) to let your dog be safe outdoors when not on a leash, so I would be remiss not to mention protecting him (or her) from extreme climate conditions. If your dog will be outdoors for longer than 30 minutes, the first thing you need to ensure is that there is a supply of fresh clean water. Additionally, make sure the dog has shelter from the rain. Lightning is also a risk, so make sure the dog has somewhere safe to “weather the storm”. Covering one end of a run or kennel usually does the trick, and can provide shade from the sun, as well. Another necessity, as dogs are susceptible to heat-stroke.
Protection from the Cold: If you’ve busted out the winter coat, it is cold enough outside to provide your big dog with a big dog house. If temperatures drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 Celsius), the dog should be brought indoors.
To learn everything you must know about keeping your big dog outdoors for an extended period of time, you’ll want to read this article, right here in the Big Dog Den. It was written with a Rottie named Maximus in mind, but I assure you, the information within is pertinent to all big dog breeds!
Big Dog House Options on Amazon
I sincerely hope that today’s article has been helpful and informative for you! Keeping a big dog (or any dog!) confined to safe areas not only protects your dog from traffic or from becoming lost! Keeping your big dog confined to a safe area also protects other animals and human beings who may otherwise have an unpleasant experience with your four-legged companion.
Furthermore, it prevents you from having liability issues that hold the potential to become costly. If your dog escapes his (or her) confinement and does any harm, your beloved dog could even be euthanized, and there would be nothing you could do to prevent it! We’re ever-increasing our library of big dog knowledge, so stop by the Big Dog Den again soon. Best wishes to you and your big dog!
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*This article has been reviewed in accordance with our editorial policy.
