Are “Hidden Fences” a Good Option with Pointers?

ByMike

We all know Pointers LOVE to run. If you have a yard but you either don’t want to fence it in or you can’t afford to, “hidden fences” might be an option you’re considering. They’re invisible and they’re much less expensive than traditional, above-ground fences. And a hidden fence will usually keep a dog inside his boundaries once he’s been trained in how it works.

You know the kind of fence I’m talking about. A wire that transmits a radio signal is buried along the boundaries of your yard. Your dog wears a special collar that picks up that signal and audibly lets him know when he’s approaching the boundary. If he crosses the boundary anyway, he receives a small electric shock. Naturally, after being shocked a few times your Pointer will avoid the boundary in the future.
But are these hidden fences really a good option with Pointers?

Yes, they work (at least for a lot of dogs) but they ARE controversial. For one thing, they’re not infallible. If your dog starts chasing a rabbit he might not hear the warning signal or pay attention to it even if he does. But more importantly, they use electric shocks. The manufacturers of these hidden fences claim the electric shocks they deliver are minimal and “relatively” painless. But who’s really to know how much pain a dog feels when he’s shocked like that?

Isn’t it better to fence your yard the traditional, painless way? Or, if that’s not possible, take him for daily runs at a dog park or a large empty field?

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