DIY Do it Yourself or Not®

Everyone we know who has an electronic fence for their dog agrees that it’s a good way to keep their dog on their property. Today’s invisible fences can give their dog the freedom to roam while their owners can feel assured the dog is safe in the yard. An added benefit is the ability to create boundaries within the property to restrain the dog from flower beds and shrubs and confine them to specific areas. And the fence eliminates the chore and cost of maintaining a hard fence that requires paint or stain. An in-ground fence system includes antenna wire, a transmitter, and a battery-powered receiver and collar. When the pet approaches the buried wire, the receiver delivers a warning sound and mild correction or shock if the pet crosses the boundary. It doesn’t hurt, and it usually happens only during the training period.

An electronic fence for a 1/4-acre lot, or approximately 600 linear feet of wire, with a second electronic boundary within the yard — say, near a garden bed — costs about $890. You can buy a kit for about $220 and save 75 percent by installing it yourself. The job involves digging holes, laying wire, mounting a transformer, installing the receiver and connecting it all together. For an additional cost, you can rent a power lawn edger to eliminate digging.

You’ll find do-it-yourself kits and installation information at Web sites like www.dogfencediy.com. Look for a system that includes a training video.

You'll find do-it-yourself kits and installation information at Web sites like www.dogfencediy.com with detailed instructions on how to install and train a dog on an invisible fence.