The old adage “Good fences make good neighbors” is especially true when your neighbor owns a dog and if you’re the dog owner, it’s the responsible thing to do.

A good quality fence allows you to let your dog out to freely and safely run and play in the yard.

A fenced in yard aids in housetraining, because you don’t have to constantly take your dog out on a leash.

A fence helps protect your dog and it protects the neighborhood from your dog.

There are many types of fences to choose from, so it is important to pick the right one for you and your dog. Beauty, budget, and the breed of your dog will help you make the decision.

Farm type fencing is one of the cheapest ways to go. It consists of narrow gauge wire woven together to form large rectangles at the top and smaller ones at the bottom.

On the plus side, they do not restrict your view, but they are not the most fashionable choice. Smaller breeds may be able to walk through the holes and some would be able to stick their head out, and if so inclined, nip a passer by.

Chain link fence is probably the most popular fencing choice. The holes in the fence are too small for almost any dog to escape.

Chain link is a very strong fence, is available in many different heights, and does not obstruct your view.

On the flip side, it is fairly expensive and your dog is still vulnerable to teasing by passer-bys.

A privacy fence is another good choice. This could be constructed of wood or, if money is no object, can be a masonry structure.

These could be built at any height and offer superb privacy and security for your pet. The one thing this type of fence does lack is transparency.

You can’t see out and others can’t see in.

Another type of fence that is increasing in popularity is a hidden or invisible fence.

An electric wire is buried around the portion of the yard in which Fido is to be contained.

The wire emits a weak radio field and your dog wears a collar with a receiver.

When your dog gets too close to the edge of the perimeter, most systems will first give your dog a warning beep and if he goes farther to the edge, he will receive a mild shock.

These systems are great for people who think fences are ugly or where fences are prohibited by zoning laws.

On the other hand they do not keep people or other dogs out of your yard, which could pose a hazard.

A do-it-yourself kit is moderately priced, while a professionally installed system can be quite pricey.

A fence is an invaluable investment for any dog owner. By making the right choice you can provide your furry friend a safe place to enjoy.

Remember, every dog deserves to be treated like a show dog.

Tony Barker, The BARKer Shop