Dog Community

Posted : 4/11/2006 9:46:27 PM

We had a good experience with our invisible fence. Our backyard is fenced (regular fence). However our Lab would make a dash out the garage (attached) door to the front yard or out the front door if left ajar or someone rang the door bell. It was the only time he wouldn't listen. The fence people did the training (while i was there). I could let him out and he wouldn't leave the front yard. The collar makes a beeping sound before they get to the boundry where he would get shocked. If he didnt have the collar on he'd still take off. If he had it on he'd stay. In general though he stopped running outside, and it very probably stopped him from getting hit by a car.

vega1star

Posted : 4/11/2006 9:53:08 PM

I was hoping to hear more positive views of the electric fence, but I did have my fears.
It was never our intention to leave her alone outside we just want her to be able to run the length of the yard without breaking the law.
A wood or vinyl fence would certainly solve all the problems and $%@@ off mr. curmudgen at the same time (ohh no did i write that out loud?!?!?!) But they are so darned expensive. I'm thinking we could have our 1/2 acre lot done (installed even) for between 500-1000 dollars and the fence would cost us somewhere around 1500-2000.
It's a big dilema. I just wish we didn't have to deal with it....But I guess that's life....

mudpuppy

Posted : 4/12/2006 9:40:47 AM

I love our invisible fence. If properly trained, most dogs learn to stay in no matter what. I've seen them stop dead right before the boundary while NOT wearing the collars (because we forgot to put them on) while in full pursuit of a deer or squirrel. And my friends with "real" fences are always reporting dogs getting out when the gate is left open, or digging out, or jumping out. We never have such problems. Most of our neighbors have invisible fences, too, and we don't have dogs wandering around, so they must work for them too. I think much of the "bad rap" about invisible fences applies to older models. The newer models are quite sophisticated.

However, the best way to deal with nasty neighbors is a good solid privacy fence.

Kara

Posted : 4/12/2006 8:00:10 PM

We also have a petsafe portable, which I also love and highly reccommend. It is really easy to train, and When we are on vacation Sam can still enjoy off-leash freedom. The boundary can be huge, and the only negitave is how it administers the shock (Though I turn it down to the lowest setting) and that the boundary is circular.

probe1957

Posted : 4/13/2006 12:31:21 PM

I agree with Kelly. Fence the yard. It will pay for itself when you sell the house.

If money is an issue, most fence companies will come out and set the posts for you. This is the hardest part of putting up a fence. After they set the posts, you can put up the fence yourself and save A LOT of money.

To invisible fence or not, that is the question?