Is an Underground Dog Fence Safe? What Vets and Dog Trainers Actually Say

If you’ve looked into underground dog fences in Michigan, you’ve most likely come across the argument: are they safe or are they cruel?

Before you buy any kind of dog containment system – it’s a good question – and one that every responsible dog owner should ask before buying anything. It is not an easy answer of yes or no. This will depend on the quality of the equipment, the training process, the individual dog and who installs and sets up the equipment.

In this post, we’ll cut through the noise and hear what veterinarians, certified dog trainers and animal behaviorists have to say about the safety of underground dog fences – as well as the experience we’ve gained at Pet Containment Services as we’ve installed underground fences all over Southeast Michigan.

How Does an Underground Dog Fence Actually Work?

Understanding the mechanism is important before starting about safety. An underground dog fence, also known as a hidden pet fence or invisible fence, is one that is buried and linked to a transmitter located inside your home. Your dog is equipped with a light receiver collar. As the dog reaches the edge of the area, the collar gives a beep warning sound. If the dog goes on going forward, it is given a brief static correction.

Most of the safety questions are derived from that correction. So let’s get right to the heart of the matter.

In modern underground fence systems, static correction is not a shock as in the traditional sense. It is a static stimulus that is benign, but brief, that you can experience when you touch a doorknob after walking on carpet. It’s supposed to be shocking and not painful. Good systems, such as Pet Stop, PetSafe, and Invisible Fence brand all have adjustable correction levels, allowing you to adjust them to fit your dog’s size, temperament and coat thickness.

What Veterinarians Say About Underground Dog Fences

While opinions differ among veterinarians, most practicing vets recognize that underground fences can be a viable containment method if they are set up correctly.

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) believes that all training should be positive reinforcement first, and that care should be taken to use any aversive tool, which includes static correction collars. But as the AVSAB also points out, dogs that are not contained are subject to significant dangers: vehicular traffic, lost dogs, dog-on-dog attacks, ingestion of harmful substances.

In practice this is what many veterinarians in Michigan say: Many more times an uncontained dog is in danger than a well-trained dog who is wearing a properly fitted receiver collar. It’s a dog that’s about to run into traffic or get hit by a car versus a quick correction for him to the boundary.

Here are some of the main tips from veterinary advice about electric fence safety plus dogs:

• Use the minimum possible correction level for your dog’s breed and weight
• Collars should fit correctly (two fingers width between contact points and dog’s neck)
• Do not leave collars on for longer than 8-12 hours as it may irritate the skin
• Most pets cannot be introduced to a pet containment system until they are at least 6 months old
• For dogs who are already anxious or fearful, training will take a longer, slower process that needs to be managed carefully

What Certified Dog Trainers Say

Professional dog trainers have more complex views – and they can be the most valuable ones in this discussion – since the professionals see real-world results in their behaviors on a daily basis.

As you will discover from most trainers, the following is what they will tell you:

Only as safe as the training that goes behind the fence. A system that is not introduced and trained in an appropriate way can lead to fear, anxiety and avoidance. However, when introduced slowly, with the warning beep, plus positive reinforcement, it’s almost certain to get a dog to know his limits, respect them and – most important – not to be scared of his yard.

Consistent trainers who deal with underground fence systems always stress a few things on which they never compromise:

Flag training is essential. The yard should be fenced off with visible fencing prior to any correction level. The dog is taken for a walk on a leash along the flags, and the warning beep is linked to the visual marker. The period of time that defines this phase, which can last for 10-14 days, is the difference between a well-adjusted dog and a confused or anxious dog.

Positive reinforcement runs parallel. Each time the dog backs off from the boundary in response to the warning beep, they are given a great reward. The dog comes to know that returning to the yard is safe and enjoyable. Static correction is not a first option, but rather a last resort.

Correction level matters more than most owners realize. If the correction is too intense for a sensitive dog it can result in true fear. If the correction is too light for a high drive breed it will be disregarded. This is achieved through professional installation and calibration, not as a DIY job.

Pet Containment Services offers a professional pet training session on the day of installation with each and every new installation. Until your dog is properly introduced to the system and you feel confident with how you can control the training flags at home, we don’t see the job done.

Common Concerns – Addressed Honestly

“Won’t my dog be traumatized by the correction?”

No, for most dogs brought in by a good training program. In the first few days of flag training, most dogs will learn the boundary, in most cases before one or two corrections have been made. There’s a warning beep, and when training is done, it becomes the deterrent and the static correction is irrelevant.

“Can the collar hurt my dog’s skin?”

Yes – if it’s worn incorrectly or worn too long. A tight collar, set in the wrong position, or worn for a long time may lead to pressure sores or irritation (also known as ‘collar burn’). Remove the collar when your dog is inside, check fit regularly and change up the location of the contact point if your dog wears it for longer periods outdoors – this is entirely preventable.

“What if my dog breaks through anyway?”

If the motivation (a squirrel, another dog) is high enough, some dogs – particularly high drive dogs, such as huskies, beagles, and terriers – can push through the boundary. This is a training matter not a fence safety issue. If your dog tests the edge, you can work with a professional trainer on strategies for rewarding him or her. There is also the ability to fine-tune the level of correction for more determined breeds.

“Is this safe for small dogs and puppies?”

Underground fence systems can be an excellent choice for small dog breeds, but the collar must be fitted correctly and the correction level adjusted to the correct size. Most manufactures make collars for small breeds. As mentioned, puppies younger than 6 months should be left to wait, not because there is anything harmful in the system, but because very young puppies are cognitively inconsistent and won’t receive training consistently and reliably in their boundaries.

The Real Risks of NOT Containing Your Dog

It’s a phase of the talk that is frequently overlooked. In discussions about the safety of underground dogfences, the focus is often on the correction stimulus and not on what an uncontrolled dog encounters in Southeast Michigan:

• Rural and suburban road traffic – one of the most common causes of dog deaths.
• Wildlife encounters such as coyotes, which are active in Oakland, Livingston and Genesee counties
• Neighbour complaints, animal control calls and leash law violations
• Eating contaminated food from nearby farms
• Finding oneself lost, particularly in rural areas where microchip scanning may be delayed 

A well-trained, contained dog, including a dog whose containment is done by a well-trained underground fence, is far safer statistically than a dog with free roam of the neighborhood.

What Makes an Underground Fence Safe vs. Unsafe

It is very important how the equipment is installed and used. This is how to tell the difference between a safe and effective system and a problematic one:

Safe:

• Correctly fitted level of correction for the size and temperament of your dog
• Fully documented training protocol provided with installation
• Quality receiver collar from a well-known brand: Pet Stop, PetSafe, Invisible Fence, Dog Guard
• Fit of collars checked and demonstrated at installation
• If behavioral problems occur ongoing support will be offered

Risky:

• Do it yourself kits from large box stores done without professional instructions
• Avoiding the flag training phase or rushing through it
• Wearing the collar around the clock for 24 hours a day, every day
• Using a correction that is too high for sensitive breed
• No professional adjustment when system is not in proper working order 

That’s why we always recommend professional installation and training over self-install systems – because it’s during training that you are actually making sure you’re safe.