Invisible fence?
- Thread starter jill
- Start date
I have a doggie door and a 4' high, post and rail fence with wire mesh. My dogs have never tried to jump it, dig under it or pull the mesh off. I admit though, that I was plenty nervous for the first few weeks.
My problem was the lawn mowing service. They would drive their mower through and leave the gate open while they mowed. After three times of them doing this (I happened to be home each time), and a number of threats from me, I rearranged my work schedule to take off on lawn mowing day. And if, for some reason, their schedule changed, I padlocked the gate so they couldn't get in while I was gone.
My problem was the lawn mowing service. They would drive their mower through and leave the gate open while they mowed. After three times of them doing this (I happened to be home each time), and a number of threats from me, I rearranged my work schedule to take off on lawn mowing day. And if, for some reason, their schedule changed, I padlocked the gate so they couldn't get in while I was gone.
Puppypeoplenj
New member
I've been thinking about the invisible fence, too, actually. People who have it seem to love it, while those who don't seem pretty disapproving of it. I haven't talked to my breeder about it yet, but has anyone had one of the newer ones? Not the old horrible/dangerous ones? What are your experiences?
NewfieMama
New member
My neighbor has one with a lab and a yorkie. A few weeks ago the yorkie was killed and the lab injured by coyotes. If you don't have predators/roaming dogs then this may not concern you...
ElvisTheNewf
Active member
We have the Invisible Fence (that actual brand name one that they come and install) and love it. Elvis has never gotten out and actually seems scared of it, even though we only have it on the audible beep setting and no shock is delivered. He learned pretty quickly to run away from the beep, and to this day stays about 5 feet back from it. In fact, when we moved and had it set up in the new house, he remembered the orange flags and knew his new perimeter within one day.
However, Elvis is never, EVER outside without us. He never wants to be, but I would worry too much about him. Back in WV our neighborhood was full of little kids who loved Elvis, and I'd never forgive myself if they came to pet him and something happened - like Elvis innocently knocking one down or something. I'd worry about someone taking him. I'd worry about another dog coming in - here in our new neighborhood our next door neighbor has a dog who hates any other dog. Luckily we get along really well and make sure that we don't bring our dogs out at the same time.
All that being said, we do love it. We have him outside with us when we're doing yard work or relaxing on the porch, and when it's rainy/snowy he can go out, do his thing, and come back in without us going out in the cold or getting wet too. It also came with an indoor disk type thing that you can put anywhere in the house you want to keep dog free. We set the radius to 3 feet and keep it on my husband's desk since Elvis has a taste for term papers and water bills.
Since you seem to already have a fence and want a back up, this may work. However, if they're determined to jump the fence and run, it may not. Growing up our dog (a mutt) would break the barrier all the time and take himself for walks. When he returned he would sit on the sidewalk and wait for us to remove his collar so he could come back in the yard. He was determined enough to get out, but smart enough not to come back in!
However, Elvis is never, EVER outside without us. He never wants to be, but I would worry too much about him. Back in WV our neighborhood was full of little kids who loved Elvis, and I'd never forgive myself if they came to pet him and something happened - like Elvis innocently knocking one down or something. I'd worry about someone taking him. I'd worry about another dog coming in - here in our new neighborhood our next door neighbor has a dog who hates any other dog. Luckily we get along really well and make sure that we don't bring our dogs out at the same time.
All that being said, we do love it. We have him outside with us when we're doing yard work or relaxing on the porch, and when it's rainy/snowy he can go out, do his thing, and come back in without us going out in the cold or getting wet too. It also came with an indoor disk type thing that you can put anywhere in the house you want to keep dog free. We set the radius to 3 feet and keep it on my husband's desk since Elvis has a taste for term papers and water bills.
Since you seem to already have a fence and want a back up, this may work. However, if they're determined to jump the fence and run, it may not. Growing up our dog (a mutt) would break the barrier all the time and take himself for walks. When he returned he would sit on the sidewalk and wait for us to remove his collar so he could come back in the yard. He was determined enough to get out, but smart enough not to come back in!
blaue_augen
New member
I've never had one, but a lot of people in our neighborhood have them. At first I found it strange to see so many dogs outside in the front unfenced yards. Bt they seem to work. Only once did any of the many dogs we see ever leave the yard. And on that walk, I need to admit that Suki was in heat and that may have enticed the dog to leave the yard.
We did have a 4 foot picket fence in our last house and Suki never tried to leave or jump over. I think some dogs are jumpers and some are not. We used to have a dog who could climb over a chain link fence by getting his feet into the fence holes, but he couldn't climb over the picket fence.
We did have a 4 foot picket fence in our last house and Suki never tried to leave or jump over. I think some dogs are jumpers and some are not. We used to have a dog who could climb over a chain link fence by getting his feet into the fence holes, but he couldn't climb over the picket fence.
newflizzie
New member
The problem isn't necessarily them getting out, but what can get in to get them. I've always had both solid fencing AND Invisible Fencing (brand name) because of basenjis until this house. My neighborhood has a lot of just IF fencing and the only issues I've heard about it is when something comes in through the fence or the off brand names that not always work.
Clifford the big dog
New member
My sisters dog (lab mix) used to jump over her 4 ft fence all the time. That was the tallest fence their neighborhood association allowed them to have. They put in the invisable fence, took very little training and no more problems. They leave their dog out a lot (way more than I think they should) and are very happy with the invisable fence.
lauren
Member
A lot of my clients have invisible fencing. There has only been one dog that has broken through (on my watch) several times and she is now relegated to leash only (yellow lab). I'm amazed how they will stop dead in their tracks if a ball has gone over the line or even something very enticing like a heard of deer is just over the fence line. The only worries with the fencing is the issue of power loss. I had a few dogs who are normally free running that I have had to leash up and take out over the past couple of weeks.
Puppypeoplenj
New member
Just to let you all know, I think this fence is the way we will go. Thanks for the feedback! (Now I just have to convince my other half).
911Newfs
New member
Had one years ago, while it worked to keep my dogs in their yard, it will not keep other dogs from coming into the yard.
When we first moved to Santa Maria, we put one up - it worked great until the neighbors pit/mix got loose and immediately came into our yard. Thankfully, our dogs were in the house at the time, but the pit was lunging and clawing at our door to get in. We later found out that this pit had bitten several people, had killed neighbor's cats, and had attacked/mauled another dog in neighborhood. Could not believe it had not been taken by AC and euthanized, but we quickly put up a 6' fence with posts sunk into a concrete curb all around our property. Even if you are outside with your dogs, you can never know if a stray dog will come in and try to attack you or your pets.
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When we first moved to Santa Maria, we put one up - it worked great until the neighbors pit/mix got loose and immediately came into our yard. Thankfully, our dogs were in the house at the time, but the pit was lunging and clawing at our door to get in. We later found out that this pit had bitten several people, had killed neighbor's cats, and had attacked/mauled another dog in neighborhood. Could not believe it had not been taken by AC and euthanized, but we quickly put up a 6' fence with posts sunk into a concrete curb all around our property. Even if you are outside with your dogs, you can never know if a stray dog will come in and try to attack you or your pets.
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anya
New member
I have it and it works quite well with all the dogs I have had. My dogs are so used to it, if the power is out or batteries not working, they don't know it and I don't tell them. And, yes, there is nothing to prevent other animals from coming in...but if you could have seen my dogs (especially when I had 3)...a dog, at large, came towards my yard and all 3 dogs lined up, side-by-side barking their heads off. No way was that dog coming into their yard! He turned around and left.
Ksullivan
New member
My two Akitas (11 years ago) would break through and we were told when Invisible Fence installed it they would be a problem. We have NEVER had any trouble with the two Newfs we have had. They learn very quickly since they have a different temperment, and Sully never leaves the yard and doesn't even have to wear the collar.