Any experience with an electric/invisible fences?

[mom2mikel]

We are looking to move into a house without a fence (we have 3 dogs!) My DH wants to install an electric/invisible fence for 2 reasons (cost and curb appeal).

I'm just wondering if anyone here has experience with these fences? Any good or bad comments? Do they really work?

Thanks!!

 

[Jennasis]

The reason we have our beloved Lilly Belle (a blue tick coonhound) is because her owner kept her in an invisible fence. When we found her, she still had the collar for it on. The fence doesn't always work. If the collar isn't adjusted right, or the dog bolts (like greyhounds when they "sight" something, or a hound who "catches a scent", the fence WILL NOT stop them). In fact, our Lilly is still traumatized by the invisi-fence. Anytime she hears a beeping sound she starts shaking terribly...the collar emits a "warning beep" before it would zap her.

My point? I'm not a fan. My friend has a lab who stays inside hers though.

 

[TheBigBadWolf]

Yes, they will usually work to keep your dogs in your yard, but you will have to train the dogs "to the fence". A determined, high drive dog can escape from them though, and then often times, can't or won't come back inside the yard. I don't like invisible fences because even though they will usually keep your dogs "in", they do nothing for keeping other dogs, children, skunks, etc., "out" of your yard. Your dogs will be much safer with a real fence.

 

[Jennasis]

woops...double post!

 

[Abbie]

Not sure what kind of dogs you have (because I agree they might not be a good choice for a hound) but for our two dogs it works well. You just need to be on top of keeping the batteries replenished. Both dogs were easily trained and we've never had an issue with unwanted dogs, children, etc. entering and causing problems.

 

[ndelaware]

We had on in our last house and it worked pretty good. Problem is, a scared or excited dog can run right through it and may not cross back over for fear of shock.

You would be amazed at the shock that those little collars give out.

 

[james'mommy]

Friends of our had an electric fence. Their dog would always bolt thru the fence line and then refuse to come back because she had been shocked. It's the reason I won't get one. My dogs are dumb enough to run thru it and then not want to come back.

 

[jjarman]

A coworker has one with her lab and it works great for him. But you have to be sure and check the batteries on a regular basis. The batteries on their dog's collar ran out and he got away. Luckily they found him a few days later and now they replace them once a month.

 

[mckryan]

My neighbors just lost one of their toy poodles whose batteries had died and it went out into the street. Invisible fences may keep your dogs in, but it doesn't keep other dogs out that may hurt your dogs. And some dogs will just run right through the shock. I, too, am not a fan of invisible fences. Your dogs will be safer with a real fence.

 

[Fire14]

Mu parents had one and kit never really worked on any of 3 dogs. 2 were huskies so of course they just ran thru it. the heinz 99 one just learned the shock was over quickly or where he could cross safly without shock. The fence also met up with a lightening strike and fried my personal land line phone and phone jack.

 

[mkymouse1928]

We love ours. My two dogs stop at the warning beep and won't go any further. You do have to stay on top of the batteries though. We had an issue one time with a dead battery and the dog getting out. We don't really let the dogs out without supervision, though.

oops, meant to say that it didn't really work on my brother's wiemerainer (sp?) so I think it has a lot to do with the breed and personality of the dog.

 

[Pakey]

Our best friends tried this because they live in an area where they are not allowed to fence. The German Shephard ran straight through it, the pit bull was terrified of it and got to where he refused to even go outside. Only the little pomeranian wasn't affected.

The dogs now stay in the house unless they are taken out on a leash. They would definitely install a fence if they could.

 

[Green Tea]

Best money I ever spent! I had it installed by Invisible Fence. They stand by the product and guarantee your dog will be able to be trained. You can't just put it in and forget about it.. There is a very detailed sequence to follow with flags, rewards, safe areas, treats and that is before the collar is even active.

I have 2 hounds, one a beagle. The fence is fantastic. They can work with big dogs, small dogs, and even hardheaded ones.

When training, the initial training is when the dog is on a leash. They are not just let outside and expected to know what to do. If you go with the professional install, you get the guarantee, the support and the training help you need. It takes a couple of weeks, but then is heaven.

 

[2Kds2K9]

We've had one for over 14 years and love it! We have an acre and a third yard, so this gives our dogs the run of the entire yard. I don't know the circumstances of the others getting out, but we don't leave our dogs outside when we leave the house. Yes, it keeps the dogs in, but doesn't keep the other critters out. In fact, the squirrels taunt our dogs. They know that if they run to the neighbors yard, the dogs won't follow!

Ours is done by Invisible Fence Inc and they've been great to work with. In fact, we just had a problem of new batteries not working and they solved the problem and gave us new batteries at no cost to us.

The "shock" is like hitting your funny bone. At least that's what my DH tells me! Once the dogs know where the line is, they normally stay away from the edge, unless they are lured there by another dog or person.

I highly recommend it! (I just wish I could have used it for the kids, but I think CPS frowns on that.)

 

[Green Tea]

In regards to battery issues, you can sign up for the battery plan with invisible fence. The battery arrives just when you need it. Change it then and you never have to worry.

 

[mjkacmom]

I've had to put our neighbor's dog in our yard at least 6 times this past year - they have an electric fence, but he gets out.

 

[Mysteria]

Put the collar on yourself and see how well you like it first.

 

[Green Tea]

With the collars I have for the Invisible Fence, I also have an indoor unit I use to protect the Christmas Tree and gifts from curious pups. Actually I didn't really even need to purchase the unit. As soon as I put the white flags around the tree and they never went near it. They learn what the flags are in the initial training.

 

[Sleepy]

My husband is a bed hog. You think this electric fence could help keep him on his side?

 

[Green Tea]

One other thing Invisible Fence offers, if you are interested is an automatic locking pet door. The collar releases the lock on the pet door when they approach the door and it locks back after they exit. When they return to come back inside the collar triggers the lock to open, and again it relocks once back inside.

If you want them to not go outside during the night, or whenever, you can turn off the opening feature.