fencing

mamma6 · 03-13-2013, 09:36 AM

Wondering what kind of fencing you all use for your GS's.

We have 10 acres of property.....with a small 50 x 30 chain link fence area. But the fence isn't right off of the house, and we'd like to be able to just open the door and let him out to pee/poo. It's a good area for us to take him to to run and play fetch, etc....but we're looking for something right by the house.

Our first thought was another chain link fenced area attached to the house.....the issue is we don't really want this in the front yard b/c it wouldn't look so great. But our backyard has the chicken coop. I'm thinking if you put that fence anywhere near the chicken coop, he'll go crazy, even if he can't jump it.

Then we thought about an invisible fence. What do you guys think of these? We could do this in the front yard and he'd have a much bigger area than he has now. Not sure if they are a good option for a GS in general.....and not sure if the buried wire kind or the wireless is better. I've seen the wired ones where they come out, do a consultation and install it.....and I've seen a wireless one with a circle are....that you can buy on Amazon. Do those even work?

Trying to come up with some options.

Thanks,

Dee

1sttimeforgsd · 03-13-2013, 12:27 PM

I do not have one myself, but I have read on here that they will not contain the dog if it wants to get on the other side bad enough. Maybe someone who actually has one will come on here later and give you some better advice. Sorry I am not much help.

Sunflowers · 03-13-2013, 12:34 PM

Many people here hate invisible fences. You can do a thread search to see why.

JackandMattie · 03-13-2013, 12:44 PM

We used the Dogtra fence at our last house: eF-3000 Gold

We had four dogs, but this system only works for up to three. Didn't matter. My senior wasn't going anywhere.

You can bury the wire, but we were lazy and just ran it around the house, put up the white flags, and gave them about two acres out of the clearing to run. After a couple of months, the section we ran across the gravel drive split, but they send you some extra couplers when you buy the extra wire. I would recommend burying or using the pipe/hose across a driveway to save yourself the trouble of repairs. And I'm sure it's safer to bury it, and would look better. Didn't matter to us, the green wire blended with the grass and the guy who mowed for us just stayed inside the white flags.

It works just about as well as you train them. It's not something you can just put up and expect them to get it. If you don't do the training, and they do follow a rabbit across the wire, they will be unwilling to cross it again to get back into your yard.

Our training was most successful with my weimaraner, then my GSD (he REALLY wanted to follow me to work, so it took extra effort), not so successful with my housemate's australian shepherd (the rabbits were too tempting, but he probably could have gotten there with more work).

A couple of things to consider: They have to wear a collar with a receiver on it, and those can't be left on for extended periods of time or they'll make bedsores. Oh, and you have to keep up with the charging.

More importantly: It won't keep OUT predators/prey/other dogs, etc., so it's not the safest possible containment for your pet.

But if you're out in the middle of nowhere like we were at the time, it's a great solution!

shepherdmom · 03-13-2013, 01:59 PM

When you are doing a lot of fence like that. We have found t-posts or telephone poles and farm fencing to be the best bang for the buck.

mamma6 · 03-13-2013, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shepherdmom

When you are doing a lot of fence like that. We have found t-posts or telephone poles and farm fencing to be the best bang for the buck.

Is that sturdy enough for a GSD?

Also, with any type of fencing....how far away from the chicken coop would you stay?

Dee

LynneLittlefield · 03-13-2013, 04:05 PM

I have used invisible fence for 12 years with no issues. When we got our GSD we have to get a collar that was more powerful and made for large dogs. You can buy the petsafe brand and install it yourself it is pretty simple and you will just have to buy extra wire for a larger area if you have a large yard. We have a pet door so the dogs and cats can let themselves outside if they want.

Sent from Petguide.com Free App

mamma6 · 03-15-2013, 03:00 PM

So I think we're leaning toward regular chain link......how big of an area should we have for a GS? It would include the kids swing set, but not the chicken coop, obviously. Having the chicken coop in the backyard makes me nervous. How far would the fence have to be from it? Or is the fact that he could see it all that matters?

How high would the fence have to be? Four feet? He is almost 9 years old and I know he has some minor hip issues, but he walks just fine. And I have seen him jump up to catch a snowball. Don't know if he could jump a fence, though. Could he eventually get used to seeing the chickens there?

What other things do you need to think about with doing an area of chain link on a bigger property?

I really like the "idea" of invisible fencing.....like if the kids go out of the chain link fence, I know Krok will want to go with, etc.....invisible fencing could be a much bigger area. But I just don't know if I trust it enough.....especially with the chickens right there.

mamma6 · 03-19-2013, 10:39 AM

Any advice on the chain link, guys?

Also, thought of another question. IF we do a four foot chain link and he ends up getting over it to get to a cat or chickens......can it be reinforced or are you just out of luck once you buy it? I hate to spend a ton of money on a chain link fence that's worthless for keeping him in. Maybe hot wire at the top or something.....or is there any other way to extend the top of a four foot fence?

wolfstraum · 03-19-2013, 10:46 AM

I know of ONE person that is sucessful with it...and she has worked super hard to train and maintain it....

I know of several whose dogs were tempted to go through it...take the zap for freedom...one came back, but would not cross into it...two were found dead on highways within a mile or two....

Personally - no way, no how.....a dog aggressive dog will take the hit and you have a lawsuit, animals can come in the yard...dead animals or dog fights....nope, no how, no way....

Lee

03-13-2013, 09:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
mamma6 Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 82	fencing Wondering what kind of fencing you all use for your GS's. We have 10 acres of property.....with a small 50 x 30 chain link fence area. But the fence isn't right off of the house, and we'd like to be able to just open the door and let him out to pee/poo. It's a good area for us to take him to to run and play fetch, etc....but we're looking for something right by the house. Our first thought was another chain link fenced area attached to the house.....the issue is we don't really want this in the front yard b/c it wouldn't look so great. But our backyard has the chicken coop. I'm thinking if you put that fence anywhere near the chicken coop, he'll go crazy, even if he can't jump it. Then we thought about an invisible fence. What do you guys think of these? We could do this in the front yard and he'd have a much bigger area than he has now. Not sure if they are a good option for a GS in general.....and not sure if the buried wire kind or the wireless is better. I've seen the wired ones where they come out, do a consultation and install it.....and I've seen a wireless one with a circle are....that you can buy on Amazon. Do those even work? Trying to come up with some options. Thanks, Dee

03-13-2013, 12:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
1sttimeforgsd Crowned Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: West Virginia Posts: 6,817	I do not have one myself, but I have read on here that they will not contain the dog if it wants to get on the other side bad enough. Maybe someone who actually has one will come on here later and give you some better advice. Sorry I am not much help. __________________ karen, mom to: ace-gsd (bi-color) 6/14/2010 mandy-yellow lab 1/31/2009 baby-terrier mix 11/25/2000

03-13-2013, 12:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sunflowers Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Central Florida Posts: 4,668	Many people here hate invisible fences. You can do a thread search to see why. __________________ Norden von Narnia--Hans, dob 1-15-2012 http://pdgf.pitapata.com/uC6lm4.png

03-13-2013, 12:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
JackandMattie Master Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Deep East Texas Posts: 602	We used the Dogtra fence at our last house: eF-3000 Gold We had four dogs, but this system only works for up to three. Didn't matter. My senior wasn't going anywhere. You can bury the wire, but we were lazy and just ran it around the house, put up the white flags, and gave them about two acres out of the clearing to run. After a couple of months, the section we ran across the gravel drive split, but they send you some extra couplers when you buy the extra wire. I would recommend burying or using the pipe/hose across a driveway to save yourself the trouble of repairs. And I'm sure it's safer to bury it, and would look better. Didn't matter to us, the green wire blended with the grass and the guy who mowed for us just stayed inside the white flags. It works just about as well as you train them. It's not something you can just put up and expect them to get it. If you don't do the training, and they do follow a rabbit across the wire, they will be unwilling to cross it again to get back into your yard. Our training was most successful with my weimaraner, then my GSD (he REALLY wanted to follow me to work, so it took extra effort), not so successful with my housemate's australian shepherd (the rabbits were too tempting, but he probably could have gotten there with more work). A couple of things to consider: They have to wear a collar with a receiver on it, and those can't be left on for extended periods of time or they'll make bedsores. Oh, and you have to keep up with the charging. More importantly: It won't keep OUT predators/prey/other dogs, etc., so it's not the safest possible containment for your pet. But if you're out in the middle of nowhere like we were at the time, it's a great solution! __________________ Jack - male GSD b. 8/9/10 Lillian - female Weimaraner b. ~2005 Mattie - female GSD b. 10/18/02 ... For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack ― Rudyard Kipling

03-13-2013, 04:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
LynneLittlefield Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Victor, NY Posts: 84	fencing I have used invisible fence for 12 years with no issues. When we got our GSD we have to get a collar that was more powerful and made for large dogs. You can buy the petsafe brand and install it yourself it is pretty simple and you will just have to buy extra wire for a larger area if you have a large yard. We have a pet door so the dogs and cats can let themselves outside if they want. Sent from Petguide.com Free App

03-13-2013, 01:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
shepherdmom Knighted Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 2,319	When you are doing a lot of fence like that. We have found t-posts or telephone poles and farm fencing to be the best bang for the buck.

03-15-2013, 03:00 PM	#8 (permalink)
mamma6 Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 82	So I think we're leaning toward regular chain link......how big of an area should we have for a GS? It would include the kids swing set, but not the chicken coop, obviously. Having the chicken coop in the backyard makes me nervous. How far would the fence have to be from it? Or is the fact that he could see it all that matters? How high would the fence have to be? Four feet? He is almost 9 years old and I know he has some minor hip issues, but he walks just fine. And I have seen him jump up to catch a snowball. Don't know if he could jump a fence, though. Could he eventually get used to seeing the chickens there? What other things do you need to think about with doing an area of chain link on a bigger property? I really like the "idea" of invisible fencing.....like if the kids go out of the chain link fence, I know Krok will want to go with, etc.....invisible fencing could be a much bigger area. But I just don't know if I trust it enough.....especially with the chickens right there.

03-19-2013, 10:39 AM	#9 (permalink)
mamma6 Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 82	Any advice on the chain link, guys? Also, thought of another question. IF we do a four foot chain link and he ends up getting over it to get to a cat or chickens......can it be reinforced or are you just out of luck once you buy it? I hate to spend a ton of money on a chain link fence that's worthless for keeping him in. Maybe hot wire at the top or something.....or is there any other way to extend the top of a four foot fence?

03-19-2013, 10:46 AM	#10 (permalink)
wolfstraum Crowned Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: PA Posts: 8,197	I know of ONE person that is sucessful with it...and she has worked super hard to train and maintain it.... I know of several whose dogs were tempted to go through it...take the zap for freedom...one came back, but would not cross into it...two were found dead on highways within a mile or two.... Personally - no way, no how.....a dog aggressive dog will take the hit and you have a lawsuit, animals can come in the yard...dead animals or dog fights....nope, no how, no way.... Lee __________________ Csabre Sch1, Hexe Sch2, Bengal, Komet, Kyra, Kira & Kougar v Wolfstraum ~ - Danger Sch1 SAR - ATB~ Kougar Sch3, Kyra Sch3, Cito Sch2, Alice Sch1, Kelsey CD, Ret ~ Basha Sch3, Fenja Sch3 wolfstraum.net

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