Invisable Electrical fences for dogs?

[ckret01]

We are looking at a house to buy and this house has one of those invisable electrical fences for dogs. The dog wears a collar to prevent the dog from going past the imaginary fence. We have a dog (see below pic) and was wondering is anyone has used this before. I am not even sure we are going to get this house but am still curious on this kind of fence. Does it hurt the dog? Does the fence ever not work? We currently have a fenced in yard and i can't imagine not having an actual fence cuz I am afraid the dog still has a chance to get loose and get to the road.

 

[FreshTressa]

My parents have one and it works. I'm not sure how humane it is...the dog has to know where the flags are for the boundary and if he ever gets near them, you can hear him make an audible yelp and come back.

After about a month, he never even goes close to where the flags are. He has never gotten out..I don't think he could...it would hurt too bad.

 

[FreshTressa]

Two other things...

The fence does not keep other dogs OUT...so there is a chance of the dog being attacked.

Also, if the batteries run out in the collar, it no longer works.

 

[luvmydogs]

Since electric fences don't keep other animals out of the yard, your dog could be an easier target for attacks/fights by unleashed/stray/wild animals. That may be something to consider.

Snickers is adorable!!!

 

[goofyforlife]

Yes, the fences can keep your dog in the yard.

However, and this part concerns me because your dog is so little, an electric fence DOES NOT keep other animals out of your yard that could harm your dog.

There is a buried cable underground that emits a signal. Your dog wears a collar that gives him a slight jolt if he gets within x feet of the boundary.

The system can fail in several ways: a) a temporary power failure b) the battery in the dogs collar wears out or c) someone digs and accidently cuts the cable.

I have personally seen larger dogs go right through their "fences" by leaping the boundary and then can't figure out how to get back. (My doctor has had her yellow lab puppy (10 mths old) brought the her office by a neighbor on at least three occasions so far. Your dog is small so I think there's less chance he could get out this way.

 

[BrerLizzie]

My cousin had one of those and the dog got really exited once and ran right over the line and he got hit by a car. (He lived and ended up being fine except his tail had to be cut off) Maybe they've improved, but depending on the dog it's possible to get through.

 

[crz4mm2]

I bought one of these when I got my Jack Russell.... She ran right through it. This was after we spent many hours 'training' her... Sigh. She was chasing a squirrel. Then she sat on the 'outside' of the fence shivering because she had been shocked. I didn't use it after that.

Some people have great luck with them.

 

[striker3636]

Please, no flames, but IMHO this is something I would never use. Getting past the idea that your dog gets hurt in the learning process or in the events as discussed by others, I know of a negative experience of a neighbour. Their larger dog (a shepherd) got past the boundary and was found laying there, twitching from the shocks and pain. The dog is ok (well physically), but..... I know it has worked for some, but my dog has a fence to keep him safe!

 

[DawnCt1]

We have a standard poodle and she has only left twice. Once when it was brand new and once when I forgot for months to change the battery. I don't think she has received a shock in years. She responds to the auditory warning and remains in the appropriate area. It gives her a large yard to roam in and I don't think she feels confined. I also have a small unit in the house that looks like a smoke detector. It keeps her from going upstairs. (she has had a couple of seizures in the past and I didn't want her falling down stairs). I have moved that unit to the entry to the living room so she doesn't go into the living room or the dining room. I think I could put it away and she would not venture in those areas. The important thing is to train the dog to the flags with sharp "no's" so she learns to stay away. The shock is secondary.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My thought was about them, how you can take the dogs for walks all the time and then they have to abide by the fence other times? Also how can you trust it 100%. It would worry me.
But that is just me. I would only get one *if* I could not put up a regular fence as a last resort.

 

[DawnCt1]

My thought was about them, how you can take the dogs for walks all the time and then they have to abide by the fence other times? Also how can you trust it 100%. It would worry me.
But that is just me. I would only get one *if* I could not put up a regular fence as a last resort.

When I take Annie out of the yard, I drive put her in the car. Park the car on the street and then go for a walk. We return the same way. I can trust it 99.9% as long as I be sure that the battery is fresh and the fence is working.
The freedom and exercize that it affords her is worth that bit of risk. Last week I parked the car outside of the driveway as I was returning with her, got out of the car to get the mail and left my car door opened,and she hopped out of the car. She walked across the street to the neighbor's front door. I always wondered where she would go if she could go somewhere on her own. I guess she likes them. I don't think they like dogs that much however.

 

[ckret01]

Thank you all for your posts. Many of you had some concerns that I did too but forgot to mention. Like it doesn't keep other animals from coming in the yard. Especially that Snickers is so small who knows what could happen. I also don't like that the collar gives them a shock. That is so sad striker3636 and BrerLizzie that happened to your neighbors and cousin's dog . I don't think I would even want to chance that. It really makes me nervous.

 

[DawnCt1]

Thank you all for your posts. Many of you had some concerns that I did too but forgot to mention. Like it doesn't keep other animals from coming in the yard. Especially that Snickers is so small who knows what could happen. I also don't like that the collar gives them a shock. That is so sad striker3636 and BrerLizzie that happened to your neighbors and cousin's dog . I don't think I would even want to chance that. It really makes me nervous.

I have a toy poodle and I would never have considered putting a collar on her, even when she was young. A small dog can't protect themselves. Your dog is too little for the fence in my opinion, although my neighbor has her Jack Russel on the fence. We had a big white dog come into our yard today. He is sort of a bossy male. I saw him start to pee on the shrubs. I sent Annie out to have a talk with him!

 

[Michie]

Just a heads up. In my community, you can get a ticket if your dog is outside and you have one of these fences. Your dog has to be on a leash or contained in a fenced in yard.

 

[imageid]

We got a fence about 2 yrs ago for our black lab. She only got "shocked" once. She has never left the yard. Once she hears the audible alarm, she retreats. The biggest problem we have is all the unwanted dogs in our yard. I still keep an eye on her when she is out. If you are considering the invisible fence, you need to check the strength of the "shock". You have a very small dog. There are different settings for large and small dogs!