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quality gate latches to keep your dogs in and the uninvited out.

Wood: privacy or stockade: Pros: +Visual barrier: Dogs can't see bicyclists, children, vehicles, other animals, etc. +Good for those with a high prey drive. +Sound barrier. The higher the better for privacy and noise confinement, if you have a barker, and to muffle noises that are distressing to the dogs. +These can be the safest for all, keeping dogs in and humans out. +Also keeps out aggressive dogs and disease carrying animals. +Prevents or slows down potential thieves. +May protect dogs from shooters and poisonings.

Cons: *Some people don't like the "prison-effect" of such solid barriers. *Costs can get quite steep but you can connect to a house, shed, garage, and/or other outbuilding to cut down on necessary materials and you don't have to make a huge area to create a happy dog.

Invisible or electronic fencing: More cons than pros with this choice. Pros: +Costs and looks, or the lack of looks; that's why it's called invisible. Some up-scale housing areas only allow this kind of fencing, but those areas can also be the hardest hit by unethical people who steal dogs for profit, and what's to stop them?

Cons: *Few people test out the collars on themselves before placing these devices on their dogs' necks. Try it on your own arm or leg first; and re-test when you replace the batteries. Sometimes the collars produce strong shocks and the cheaper collars have little quality control for the products. Some produce repeated shocks and drive the dog frantic with pain and fear. *Smart dogs can intentionally run down the batteries by running alongside the fence and then running through (or so stated a border collie owner who claimed her dog was "too smart" for that kind of fence.)

*Also, batteries run down, the protection is gone, and your dog may become road kill before you realize it. Even if the fence is working, the dog may take the risk of shock if the temptation is too strong. *These "fences" don't keep anyone out so your dog is a target for aggressive strays and roaming vagabonds who leave their worm-infested droppings on your turf.

*And, finally, the dog doesn't "look" contained; a negative if you've got dogs that tend to scare people off. Our neighbor's husky looks like he's preying on everyone that approaches our shop, and some are afraid to get out of their cars because they don't realize he's "contained." We may have lost some customers, but I don't see any salesmen or guests approaching their front door either. Now, that can be a good thing for hermits!

Don't overlook above-ground electric fence like farmers use. It will keep your dog in and other critters out and could still be a cost-effective solution for some.

High-hedge barriers: Consider some great, closely placed evergreen hedges as a natural, good looking, property-enhancing barrier. A cheap wire fence inside will help contain the little guys and discourage the big ones from creating their own doorways. Try to choose fast growers, and use something else in the meantime.

Please be a responsible pet owner. Invest in the best fencing you can afford to protect your "best friend" from ever running away the first time.

Learn more about this author, Karon Brandt.
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