How affective are the underground fencing and dog shock collars?

For sonme dogs, they are effective but most dogs will run through the shock line when something off their property gets their attention strongly enough. Then the dog is fearful about returning to the yard and won't cross the shock line to go back. So, a dog could, for example, see a cat across the street, run out after it, and if it didn't get hit by a car, picked up by Animal Control, or stiolen as a bait dog, it could get back to its yard but not go in it. Keep in mind that loose vicious dogs can easily come into the yard with no shock and tear yours up. Or, people intent on robbing your or stealing your dog home can walk right into the yard. A real fence is a better solution.

Both are outlawed in many countries and considered cruelty by the Rspca's of the world.

.As for their effectiveness that would be relative to the pain tolerance and drive of the dog. Many dogs have eventually ignored such fences and collars, despite having the knowledge the shock will come from previous experiences.

They are great until something goes wrong. Potential problems include;

1) They dont keep out other dogs. If a dog strays into your yard and starts a fight, your dog can end up being shocked unexpectedly.

2) They are no good for dogs with a high prey drive, such as terriers and huskies. If they see something they want, they will run through and take the shock, then not want to come back in.

3) If your dog takes a shock it will associate anything that happened with the shock. so for example if children walk into your yard and pet your dog or feed it, entice it close to the line and it gets a shock, it can learn to associate children with being shocked.

4) They dont keep out dog thieves, dog abusers or predators and leave your dog at risk.

I have never seen one work. Most dogs will take the shock to get out, and the don't keep anything from getting in.

They are cruel.