SAFE CONTAINMENT ALTERNATIVES WHEN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD DOESN'T ALLOW PHYSICAL FENCING, OR IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE TO INSTALL A PHYSICAL FENCE:

There are plenty of safe alternatives to electronic/"invisible" fencing!  Among the most popular reasons we hear that people go ahead with the choice to install electric fencing is "we live in an area where physical fences are not allowed".    

My husband and I live in one of those neighborhoods too!  Here's what we did - and it only cost about $75.00! 

***Safe alternative #1 - Install an overhead trolley system in the back yard. It can be anchored between 2 large trees, or if your yard doesn't have trees, anchoring to posts sunken in to the ground works just as well. Your dog can have as much "freedom" as you choose to provide. *NOTE: It is not safe to attach a dog to this by his collar.  Attach the cable line behind the dog's shoulders using a back-attach harness.  

See photos of my own dog's overhead trolley system here.

Safe alternative #2 - check with your association about a dog run.  My husband and I do own a home in a neighborhood in which perimeter fencing is not allowed, but a dog run to certain specifications, is.  Don't assume that a dog run is not allowed. My husband and I wouldn't have known if we hadn't asked our association!  We use the dog run area for potty (makes clean up A LOT easier!) and the trolley system out in the yard when our dog is in the yard.

See photos of the dog run here.

For some, "invisible" fencing is opted for because the appearance of physical fencing detracts from the property's beauty. Click on the link below for information and photos of a physical fencing product called Best Friend Fencing  http://www.bestfriendfence.com/default.asp that virtually disappears yet is just as safe and strong as traditional physical fencing options!  Since one of the many drawbacks of e-fencing is that it does not keep other animals (human or four-legged!) out of the yard, this system does both by keeping your dog and yard safe and secure!

Visit the following links for more on the boundary training using a positive reinforcement approach: http://www.clickertraining.com/node/2409 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuTh47i3hOY&feature=watch_response