electronic fence

[max&me]

I have heard about some types elcetric / electronic fences that can help contain our dogs in a limited area. I would like to use something like this for a section of my backyard so Max can enjoy running around, but not go places he is not supposed to.

Any ideas? Does anyone have any experience with these products? Are they any types or brands that are better than others? thanks in advance for you advice.

[Mandalay]

I used Innotek for Mandalay before we moved. It was easy to install (my husband and I did it in abut 2 hours time) and she learned quickly. The "shock" was not bad - I did try it on my wrist, hand and inner thigh (I wanted to try it on areas with different sensitivities to see if it made a difference) before putting the collar on her.

The one we used was just a basic fence...I thought it worked nicely. Just be sure to watch any video and read any and all materials that come with whatever you choose to make sure you are training properly. It is not as simple as just putting a collar on the dog and letting them get shocked to learn their boundries. If done properly, there should be minimal "corrections" given to the dog.

http://www.innotek.net/store/product_inf...g84d9r70m03tst3

[Lauri & The Gang]

I personally would never use an electronic fence for two reasons.

1. They do not keep things OUT. Other dogs or children could wander into your yard while your dog is out and you would be liable if anything happened.

2. If the dog does break through the e-fence (and some will) - they will NOT cross back over to get back into their yard. Let's say your dog startles a rabbit in the middle of the yard and the chase is on. The dogs hits the e-fence and sustains a zap but it's not enough to stop them - the thrill od the chase is too great. Rabbit finally gets away and dog heads home only to get zapped again when they try to get back IN their yard.

To me it is not a suitable means of containment.

[meisha98]

I have to agree with Lauri- especially with the recent stories of police shooting dogs on their own property because an electronic fence let the police onto the property and the dogs felt threatened.
Even if it is "just a section", I'd use the inexpensive wire fencing instead.

[littledmc17]

I have invisafence and LOVE it
we live on over 2 acres and both my dogs can run and do whatever!!

only downside is that is doesn't keep other animals from coming in your yard and I would NEVER leave my dogs out in the yard unless someone was home

other than that it is great and easy to train when you get a new addition

[luvu2]

We have the invisible sence as well as a stardad fence. Our property is 20 acers so maintaining a traditional fence was not cost effective.

We NEVER leave the dogs outside if we are not home but it is great peace of mind when we are all outside.

[doggiedad]

i've never used an e-fence. i always teach my dogs boundaries.

[Zisso]

I have never used an invisible/electric fence either. I think it is more fair to the dog to use something they can see. The two I have now are easily contained with a simple wire fence, and my last had a keen sense of her boundaries everywhere we ever lived with out a lot of work teaching her. The biggest difference is with the wire fence, if they see a stray cat, the cat gets away but the dog stays in, so it is safer for all involved.

[BJDimock]

I have had the Invisible fence in the past, and would get it again in a heart beat.
However, some things I've learned.
Get a company to train your dog. They really do a nice job, and you're not involved.
The dogs do have a boundary they can see. You use flags to indicate where they are supposed to go. (Sort of a mini fence)
They get a warning beep first. Everyone of my dogs received the zap once before learning to stay away from the fence.
HOWEVER.
My first shep would patrol the yard every day, at the boundary line. The minute she detected that the warning beep was weak, she was through the fence. She also figured out that if she went through the first bay of the garage, she could get out the third bay, without triggering the fence. She also taught me that if you park your van too close to the fence line while cleaning it, that it insulates the correction and she could go in one sliding door and out the other. PPFTT!
I loved my fence, but I think that at the house I'm at now, I'm not quite secluded enough for my sheps to behave. (I had many secluded acre's then)
I would certainly never trust them out alone.

[ShatteringGlass]

Invisible Fence type containment is great, but ONLY if you supervise your dog while they are outside. I have one and used it for Sydney, but I can't just put her outside and not watch her, I used it for when I was outside with her playing, training, or going potty. We live on about 2 1/2 acres of wooded area, and we have lots of critters, wild Turkeys being one of Sydney's favorites to chase, and in the heat of the moment, she will run thru the boundary and take the shock and keep chasing the turkeys! I have seen some people in some neighborhoods just leave their dog outside all day while they are not home, with only the invisible fence, that to me is nuts!!