Pet containment fences are made by several manufacturers, but they all work basically the same way. A buried cable makes a magnetic field; this magnetic field reacts to the radio receiver on your dog's collar. When the dog moves too close to the perimeter of the fence, a warning tone will sound. If the dog ignores the tone and continues going toward the electric underground fence, it will receive an electronic correction. If your dog goes back to a safe part of the yard, it will not receive further correction. But, if the dog keeps going toward the boundary, it will receive a slightly more intense correction.

Eventually, the dog will learn to stay away from the boundaries of the underground dog fences when it hears the tone; it will not receive correction. And they are completely safe for your dog. Some models have an automatic shut-off feature that keeps your dog from being over-corrected. Corrections are minor and do not harm your dog.

"Instant" fences work the same way as stationary systems, but they are portable and can be taken practically anywhere. These electronic marvels work without wire and can be plugged into any car's cigarette lighter outlet or DC outlet.

Your dog will need to be trained to use fence. Teaching your dog the boundaries of the fence is the first step. After your dog knows where the boundaries are, you will have to teach it not to run through them for any reason. Your dog has to learn that distractions on the wrong side of the fence need to be completely ignored. Any dog over six months old that knows basic obedience commands can be trained to use fences.

Dog Fence training will usually take about two to four weeks. Don't worry if your dog catches on quicker or takes a bit more time. The actual training time isn't important; it is important that your dog complete each step of training completely. After your dog is completely trained to use fence, you can take down the boundary flags, making the system completely hidden.

Underground dog fences can be used to contain both small and large areas. Several yards can be contained with one system, but each dog has to wear a radio collar that corresponds to the fence. Be sure to keep batteries charged so the dog receives proper correction and doesn't run through boundaries of the fence.

Professional dog trainers and veterinarians believe that underground containment fences are a humane alternative to tethering your dog or keeping it locked up in the house for long periods of time. Dogs contained in these fences get more exercise and are more mentally stimulated than dogs that are confined.