Electronic fence?

[C.Ann]

Does anyone have an electronic fence for their dog? Pros and cons? Works or doesn't work?

Thanks!

 

[mrsv98]

We don't have one because I do not trust them. I have known dogs who were "contained" in them and given the right stimulus (rabbit or squirrel) they would bust right thru. I think the problem is that once the dog gets thru he realizes that it only hurts for a second and if he is in a chase, he probably doesn't even feel it. I knew a beagle that would bust thru everday even with the fence turned up all the way. Give me a nice chainlink or stockade fence any day. JMHO.

 

[MommyPoppins]

My sister has one. Their lab has gotten out of it MANY times. If he smells a female around, he takes the pain for a second to get to her. LOL! Also if the batterys are low in the collar, then the effect of the fence isn't very strong and they get away. GL with this topic.

 

[bananiem]

I knew somebody who had one installed to contain her dogs on several acres. She said that because it was such a large area they could build up speed to chase after a squirrel, go through and get a jolt, but then not want to come back over to "their" side again.

 

[hiwaygal]

I do not have one because the rescue group I got my basenji's from does not consider electronic fences to be secure. I agree withe mrsv98...if the prey drive is strong enough, that little "pulse" is not going to phase the dog!

But, here's something else to consider...it may keep your dog IN...but it won't keep other dogs/critters OUT. And that can sometimes be just as dangerous...

 

[mickman1962]

I've had one on my beagle for 9+years and never have had a problem. I did have to get the "stubborn dog collar". It works so well that I can't even take off his collar to carry him over the fence to take a walk without him going crazy, the only way to get him out of the yard is with the car. I highly recommend the fence. A common mistake people make is to make the shock area too small. My dog would have to go thru 15 feet of pain to get thru it.

 

[4nana]

Our son installed fences for us when we pooch sat his girls while he was deloyed 2 yrs. We were extremely happy and felt confident with it, as we tried several types of fences and they always managed to dig out. We do have large lots here - 3 1/2 acres all electric and plenty room to run without temptation. They were tempted a couple times when their batteries were weak. However, a smaller lot with close housing, neighborhood w/ little children, etc. I'd hesitate to judge. One downside, is during a storm they can be shocked if current goes off until you remove collar.

 

[Feralpeg]

My problem with electronic fences is not so much my dog getting out, but other things getting in. There is nothing to prevent other animals, children, etc. getting into your yard and to your dog. I have a large, very sweet dog, but I would not leave him anywhere little children could get to him. I really don't think he would bite. Under the right circumstances, any dog will bite. I'm not willing to take the chance. I also would be afraid that someone might take him. I'll stick to my privacy fence.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

It would depend on the dog. We had one for our mixed breed dog and it worked very well. We went that route for him because when we first moved into our house he escaped out the front door and took off. We were able to catch him because he felt the need to mark his territory every few feet.

When we got our second dog we were training her on the electronic fence. The day after she got her first training shock she had a seizure. We couldn't find anything to tie the 2 together, but it made me leary to have her use the electronic fence. Also, I think that she would have ran through the fence if she were chasing a rabbit or another dog. She has a very different personality than our first dog. We just have to be very careful with our front doors so she does not get out front.

 

[C.Ann]

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[Tigger&Belle]

I'm inclined to think it wouldn't really contain a dog either - especially if they got used to it or were in pursuit of something they really wanted to chase..

DD & her DH were considering it for the new house we're going to be moving into, (very, very large backyard) but I'm thinking they might be better off with a dog run until they can do the fencing.. The dog is fine - a big goof - so it's mainly for his own safety..

They really need to look at the whole picture, though. If they have children who tend to leave doors open the electronic fence might be a good idea. My kids are older (6-18yo) and have been pretty well trained to close doors and to make sure their friends close doors (we also have indoor cats). Of course mistakes can happen and I'm always listening for doors. We have a chime on our door so when I hear a door chime open I listen for the door to be pulled shut (oops, I first typed an "i" instead of the "u" LOL). It's become second nature to me. We also have a storm door on our front door so that closes on its own and a door closer on the door leading into the garage which helps that door close (doesn't work real well, but it does help it to close somewhat). So we've taken measures to keep our animals in. They have to weigh the odds of their dog getting out and of course how likely it is to run quickly if it does get out (ours would take off in a flash).

 

[Nana Annie]

I am on the side of "not safe." Depending on the dog and its prey drive/pain tolerance/etc - someday there will be a stimuli that they will risk it.

But more so on the "what can get in" argument. Say you have an annoying neighbor that lets their dog roam. He is spoiling for a fight. Dog in electronic fence is perfect prey. Can't get out of the enclosed area, but attacker has no limitations on entering or leaving the yard. Result - huge vet bills or dead dog.

On the legal aspect - check your local zoning laws. In our area, electronic fences are not considered "fences" and any dogs within them - even your backyard are considered violating the leash law. Animal control can and has picked up dogs out of people's yards (usually front, but back has happened especially if on a corner lot). Owners had to pay the shelter fee, plus a huge fine for having their dogs loose. The argument that they were fenced in with the electronic fence doesn't hold up in our area. So, defintely check your zoning laws and leash laws before deciding.

 

[disneynutt1225]

We just installed one at my parent's house for Toby (our beagle). It's only been a couple of weeks, but he's adjusted to it really well. He loves the fact that he's not on a leash, and he's in and out really quickly because it's cold up here. We mainly got it because when I go back to work, my mother will be the one who's home with him during the day and she has MS so she won't be able to walk him. It's pretty easy to just open the sliding glass door and let him do his business.

We were going to put up a small physical barrier as well, but so far he doesn't even go up to the side of the house that he would be able to see the front yard from. He was only shocked twice, and now when he hears the beep, he runs in the opposite direction.

So far, I have to say it's been a great investment. It was installed in the front yard as well, just in case he bolts out the front door. My family isn't used to living with a dog and they have the habit of talking to people with the front door wide open. Some day they will be as well trained as Toby is

 

[LaurieG]

We have one for our 2 1/2 year old Lab, Jake. And have had no problems with him or the fence. We put it up when we first got him as a puppy and started training immediatly. He tends to be a bit of a baby, (although you would not know it to look at him. 85 lbs of mush!) so maybe that is why it has worked so well. He WILL NOT cross the fence for toys, other animals, or even us. We have 15 acres and have fenced in maybe 8 or so for him.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I do have a funny story concerning the electronic fence. When we got it 6 years ago and were going through the training, the guy from the company came back to do the final training. Usually they bring their dog as a test, but were unable to do it that day, so a friend of mine brought her dog over to see if Magic would go through the elec fence for another dog. The Invisible Fence guy commented that if he could what he would bring would be a deer since that's what the dogs really like to chase and I assured him that we didn't have many of them in our neighborhood even though there were lots in the area (we has a new neighborhood and I'd never seen a deer). I looked up at that moment and across the street was a deer. Our dog did not see the deer and in the 6 years since I have not seen another one on our street. I couldn't believe how that deer showed up just when we were talking about deer.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I can tell you that a year ago, while at my vet's office, both of his Golden Retrievers were brought in by a neighbor who found them wondering the neighborhood.

He had an electrical fence and the dogs somehow got through it. Since he had no fencing around his property, he had to keep them in the vet kennel while it was repaired.

That's not a risk I'd want to take with my dog.