Hi everyone, I have a question about invisible fencing and how old a dog needs to be in order to be able to learn how the system works? We currently keep our 3 months old puppy either inside or in a small porch area outside, but she is getting to where she can get out of it. We also eventually want to give her more room as she grows, without having to build a fence. Please let me know what your thoughts are on those kind of fences. Thanks a lot!
Re: In ground invisible fencing My advice would be to put up a fence that will contain your dog. It's the only sure (and kind) way to keep a dog on your property. You should also check the legality of shock collars where you live (they are illegal in many parts of the country I live in). You might find this article interesting - it's a pretty good review of the effect of shock collars in training (whether as part of a fencing system or otherwise). The article was produced under the auspices of the UK RSPCA: http://www.rspca.org.uk/ImageLocator/LocateAsset?asset=document&assetId=1232713013325&mode=prd
Re: In ground invisible fencing I agree 100% with Rachael , a fence is the best and kindest way to ensure the safety of your puppy .
Re: In ground invisible fencing I have no direct experience of them, but have read a few horror stories. Here is one from one of my fav sites (apart from this site, which is my absolute fav, of course http://www.dogstardaily.com/blogs/illusions-quotinvisiblequot-fencing It is only one story, and for all I know there are thousands of happy users. But I've been pretty much put off. (I have one area of a garden where I considered, very briefly, an electric fence).
Re: In ground invisible fencing I appreciate your comments, and still have some time to decide what to do about this, as she is currently in a temporarily fenced area. I read a lot of customer reviews about wireless fences and other similar products, and many found them helpful in keeping their dog's safe. My question is directed towards people who have experience with these kind of fences and when are they able to learn what the boundaries are. Thanks again!
Re: In ground invisible fencing A local family put this sort of fence in/up to stop their 2 Jack Russells going into the field to chase sheep about, at first playfully. It worked for a while but then they got past it, killed a sheep and then there was no stopping them. The reward (the chase and kill) far outweighed the single electric shock they received when running over the fence line. Both dogs had to be rehomed and the chap binned the expensive and useless fence. The only other case I know of was a GSP and a Spaniel kept in a set area by this sort of fence but both were stolen even though they were wearing the correct collars and the fence was on and working. You can't beat as good above-ground fence with a high gate ... we had to put a 5' gate in our driveway to keep DexiD4DivaDog in. Even though dogs can jump that high she has never attempted it and totally respects the barrier.
Re: In ground invisible fencing One of our neigbours used this type of fencing on her perimeter for her escapee beagles. It was moderately successful, but they still managed to get out - they learned that it wasn't always on to start with! A friend had a rescue dog who had been previously subjected to shock collars - I know the use in this situation is quite different, but she had dreadful problems with her recall, and also problems with wearing a collar in general. I must say that I have never needed to consider this option, so can't really give any other helpful input. Is there a particular reason that a proper fence would be a problem for you? - I guess most of us think a simple fence is the obvious answer, so maybe we are a bit negative about considering this "aversive" style of management, particularly when we are generally pro positive rewards and anti-aversive generally speaking.
Re: In ground invisible fencing Thank you for all your comments! Helps to have some variety of information !!
Re: In ground invisible fencing You may find that US based fora would have the type of information that you're looking for more than one that is UK focused. The US does seem more shock collar-pro than the UK. That doesn't mean i think you're right and we're wrong. quite the contrary but I do get the feeling you would have preferred a more positive response to their use. The person I know who used one had a dog that wanted to chase tractors. The dog got out as she was entirely focused on her 'prey' and the shock wasn't enough to stop her. It did however stop her from coming back once she'd finished her chasing and was found fretting on the other side. Hope this helps
Re: In ground invisible fencing Your puppy is still a baby. Please don't let it experience aversives like electric shocks. This could have terrible ramifications in the future. EG your puppy could see a child whilst experiencing the shock and be forever fearful of children or even worse, aggressive towards whatever it sees at that particular time. The puppy needs to feel safe. You are its guardian so just put up a proper fence to keep it secure.
Re: In ground invisible fencing Hi Lena - I get the feeling that perhaps you live on some kind of acreage or farm, which would be impossible to fence due to size? I appreciate your dilemma if this is the case, as you can't just let your pup out to run free. I looked into these types of fencing when I was having trouble with our dog jumping over our fence. I am basically uncomfortable with this idea, because of all that has been mentioned in the posts so far, and so I have decided against it in favour of making our fence taller. Perhaps some sort of dog run would work for you as an alternative? It would give her some space but in a confined area. As long as you give her walks and other interaction that could work.
Re: In ground invisible fencing Lisa, you got the problem right on, we have a very large back yard and front yard by a lake, so yes fencing the whole property would be very expensive, that is why we are looking at alternatives. She is currently in a temporary large fenced in area outside during the day with a six foot high Fence. At night, or evenings, she is a house dog, and is doing extremely well as far as not having any accidents or sleeping in all night in her crate. So far, we have been able to train her on a daily basis. Training including a variety of exercises such as walks/a few retrieves/obedience training. She is a pretty active dog, and I believe we will go with the option of building her a permanent fenced in area somewhere on the property, we are just not sure how big and where yet. Louisiana gets really hot in the summer so we have to make sure she has some shade. I was considering the in ground fence for the simple reason that it would have given her plenty of room, I just hate seeing dogs in small pens or chains. I didn't know anything about them except for the few friends I have around here who have them and never experienced anything bad. But you all made me aware of other issues, not only that, another problem is that it does not keep other dogs out. I appreciate everyone's comments and understand your concerns when it comes to in ground fencing or shock collars. Being from Europe, if you read Jenny's Introduction you will realize that I am using reward training and so far it has worked very well. Thanks!
With our first lab (a rescue) we tried an invisible fence, mostly because we did not want to fence our yard. It mostly worked but I would not do it again, and we built a fence for our second and now third Lab. Our first labs temperament was pretty well suited to the idea, but she still went through it occasionally, and then could not come back. I think e-collars where you have direct control of the situation are a useful training tool, but I would not do an invisible fence again.
I know this thread is over two years old but since it's been resurrected and by @Ski-Patroller I will add, my neighbours across the street had it, radio fence they call it. It worked admirably for the two small dogs but the Bull Mastiff wasn't fazed (tased?) in the least so she had to stay inside. AND, it didn't work in winter with a foot or more of snow on top. Plus, those two, bad word, bad word, bad word little dogs barked, yapped, shrieked and howled the whole dog long. It's a wonder someone didn't poison them or a coyote attracted to all their noise come in and grab them.
