Fences, traditional, invisible, etc.

[live4christp1]

So DS is getting a husky for Christmas and I need for you all to tell me about fences. Huskies are known diggers and jumpers. We do plan to get a 10X10x6 kennel but also looking at other options to add. We live in the country, last house on a dead end road. Very rural, have almost and acre of property. We are right on the foot of the mountain so our yard is not even close to level in most spots, chain linking the entire yard would be a task and a half and I'm pretty sure that once he is an adult he would be able to clear a chain link fence easily. Tell me about the invisible fences, etc. What do you have? I've looked at both the unit that emits a signal over a certain radius and also the one where you have to bury the wire around the perimeter (that seems like a lot to do). Please advise. He will spend some time inside as well but I think crating a dog that size and with that kind of energy for 8 hours while we are at work/school would be cruel.

Thanks!
Cristy

 

[MommaSnowwhite]

We have an invisible fence for our 2 dogs (one is a shep/lab mix and the other is a labradork). I really like having the ability to send them outside when they are underfoot. The downside to the invisible fence is that anything can come into your yard. We have had some problems with our neighbor dogs "visiting" and stealing dog toys and starting fights. We have about 1.5 acres and we had the fence installed by a company - it was spendy (I think about $1300) , but it got done quickly and correctly the first time. We really pushed them on price and even told them we would purchase the hardware on ebay and then have them install it. They came down a few hundred on price when they found out we would do that. They also trained my dogs - which was nice because I wasn't the only bad guy for taking away their freedom!

Good luck with your (DS) new puppy!

 

[Scurvy]

Another possible down side to invisible fences - I have friends whose dog chased something out of their yard. The prey drive was strong enough that the dog ran over the fence to get out, but then he couldn't/wouldn't go back in because he didn't want to get shocked. They did eventually catch him in the neighborhood, but got a "real" fence shortly thereafter.

I love Huskies, but I have heard that they do have a strong "prey drive", especially for smaller animals. For a dog like that, I'm not sure that invisible fencing is the best choice.

 

[kristilew]

We have terriers, so not nearly as big as a husky, but def. a strong prey drive and they are huge diggers. They can also clear a regulation chain link fence.

After many other options failed, we have a 6 ft privacy fence and I lined it with the electric fence so they won't dig out from under it. This keeps other dogs out and my two monsters in.

You don't actually have to bury the wires to have the electric fence work, it just has to be a few feet apart from itself (it loops to create the feedback). I wonder if you couldn't do a simpler fence than chain link, like a post-and-rail or a picket, that would work with your terrain, then line it with the electric fence?

Enjoy your new furbaby!

 

[mikehn]

The one thing you'll need to understand about an electric fence is, the fence alone is not going to stop your husky from getting out. The key element in the success or failure of an electronic fence is training and conditioning your dog's behavior towards the fence. The electronic pulse from the fence just reinforces the boundaries and reminds the dog, but there is no way it will stop a husky from getting out if it wants to. Just keep that in mind as you are shopping for your solution.