Anybody got an invisible fence for their dog?

[Fireball]

We are doing the happy dance here today. Our dog who had been missing for a week was found.



We put an ad in the paper, went to the shelter, put up flyers, etc. and then today I had the impression I should stop at a neighbor's house down the street and ask if he had seen him. He then asked what he looked like and said, "Why yes, he was just by here yesterday running with some neighbor dogs." He then jumped on his four wheeler and told us to follow him to some other neighbors down the street. The first house had 3 labs laying outdoors but no Baxter. The second house had 3 golden retrievers and there was our Baxter sleeping with them! They must have adopted him because he had a different collar on. Needless to say, we are thrilled beyond words and thank God that He answered our prayers.

Anyway, he's been an outdoor dog his whole life (he's two) and we don't want to let him do that anymore. We live in the country so we don't have any fenced backyard and really don't want to ruin the country life with one. So someone suggested we put in one of those invisible ones with the shock collar worn by the dog.

Has anyone got experience with them? Can we put it in ourselves? How much of a shock does the dog get? Can you control the amount? Won't they just make a running leap over that invisible line or get used to the shock so it doesn't bother them anymore? I have a feeling Baxter has tasted a little too much freedom and had too much fun running with a pack that he's gonna do everything he can to get back to that life. He's our only outdoor dog and shares that with four of our cats. We have an indoor yorkie, but they don't get to play together much.

[brad]

I know people who swear by them.. and I met a dog last summer that was so "conditioned" by his invisible fence that he stayed within it even though the owner said it was off.

I also had someone tell me about his terrier who would get just close enough to the fence to start the collar buzzing and then wait for it to stop (battery in the collar die)... then proceed through the fence.

[brewercm]

I had one with my Yorkie who has since passed away saddly. It would work great on her then the battery would die when I wasn't paying attention and she would continue testing it I suppose and realize it went dead and dig her way out again. Started putting the battery on the calender to check every four months for a change.

[Jeff_Green]

I found the cheapest way was for me to get an invisible fence for my invisible dog. Saves a TON! Invisible food is even easier to find than I thought it would be!!

[TxTowman]

My friend swears by the radio type instead of the wire. The two dogs treed a badger and would not quit. adjusted the distance with a knob on the unit and they were on the porch. the unit is at least 5 years old and going strong. just got to stay on top of the batteries. unit is about $200 with 1 collar I think. Saw them at home depot or lowes not sure which.

[MikeyG1965]

Happy to hear Baxter is back home!!!

My nephew and his wife has this for their labs and they swear by them also. They have mentioned that they have to keep track of batteries.

[L Stegall]

I'm glad Baxter is home. I participate in a rescue forum and after so many sad stories of dogs that are dumped, it's so nice to hear a happy ending of one reunited with their people.

I haven't used an electric fence myself, as we live in an in-town neighborhood with a very small fenced yard, my sister has one in Connecticut, as they have a large yard and no fence. I'll ask her what they used and whether they installed it or not. I know their two goldens seem to respect the boundaries pretty well (they have it in their front yard and those dogs definitely don't go past the driveway or into the street at all). I think it really depends on the dog, though, as to whether they will risk getting zapped. I could certainly see our old Aussie ignoring a shock if he was after a cat or a squirrel, but I think our current BC wouldn't need to be zapped twice.

Also, sounds like Baxter might like an outdoor playmate of the canine kind - perhaps if he had someone to run and play with inside the electric fence, he wouldn't have as much interest in the great beyond? The BC Rescue site always has plenty of BC/BC mixes up in OK if you have any interest.

[Redneck]

I've used it on my two dogs. It does work but you have to train your dog to make it work. If you don't train him, he will suffer from pain and fear. I believe there is a "training kit" including instruction video how to train the dog in the package.

[Fireball]

Thanks everyone. I've been reading on it and have had others say their dog was so inclined to chase a cat, squirrel or other dog that they broke through the invisible line and kept going. After that, they could never keep him inside it again.

Also, they said it only keeps your dog in but doesn't keep others out. Never thought of that so it doesn't sound like it would work since all the neighbor dogs are constantly running through our yard and then Baxter goes with them.

Lisa, I think you're right about Baxter needing an outdoor playmate. He's a very social dog. But then I'm afraid I'd have two dogs running the neighborhood instead.

For now, Baxter has become an indoor dog till we decide what to do. He's not very happy. Sits at the door and whines alot. :(

[diente]

Didn't work for our very athletic dog. She would go right through it. Of course she went through a regular electric fence, as well. She could also jump a six foot privacy fence. I even ran an electric fence along the top of the privacy fence, but that only worked for a few days. The urge for freedom is strong.

She is older now and doesn't jump the fence anymore.

If you try the invisible fence, make sure and clip your dog's hair short at the collar area.......keeps the insulation factor down.

[epoh]

Have you considered putting up a run for when y'all aren't home?