Invisible Fencing

[KT27]

Our new house is almost finished being built. Eventually we plan on putting up a fence after we do some landscaping but I was wondering about invisible fencing. Do you have it? How expensive? Any info would be nice

 

[DJR]

We've had one for about 6 years now and it works great! I don't remember what it cost. Once she was tgrained, our dog hasn't gotten out, except for the time she chased the German Shepherd off the front porch and last month when the collar battery ran out and my DW went to fraternize with the enemy (the dog next door). It's nice not to have to worry about her getting out, but it won't keep other dogs or animals out of your yard.

 

[pearlieq]

Our neighbors have it. It stinks! Their dog gets out all the time, and anything and anyone can still get in their yard.

Plus, I just can't get over the idea of putting a shock collar on a dog. I once asked the lady who owns the house if she'd ever tried holding the collar and walking over the line. She she said she hadn't--she was afraid to. But she was OK strapping it on her dog? Some people!

 

[perdidobay]

We thought about getting IF at one time, but realized that it didn't prevent other dogs (or coyotes) from getting in and attacking our dogs. Also the fact that most rescue organizations will not adopt out to homes that have them...there has to be a good reason.

 

[Miller1412]

I have it, and we think it is awesome! We live on 1 acre, and our back yard backs up to a very busy road. We have a yellow lab. It's been great for her. She can go out to play whenever she wants.

It was expensive (I think around $1000 to put it in) but worth it IMO. As far a the shock...Maizie has been shocked probably 2 or 3 times total. The training is very systematic so that the dog learns quickly to stay away from the border. You start by putting up flags all around the border and walking the dog around the perimeter. Show the dog the flags and warn, no flags. Gradually, you remove the flags and you do have to let them be shocked one time to understand the feeling. Honestly, that was all it took for Maizie. If she gets close, she gets a warning beep that tells her to back up. She absolutely knows where the borders are, and doesn't go anywhere near them. Not for a toy, another animal or to greet a person.

No, they don't keep anything out of the yard, but that's not what they are for. They are made to keep your animals in. By the way, both DH and I have felt the shock. It's surprising, but not horrible.

 

[hiwaygal]

No, they don't keep anything out of the yard, but that's not what they are for. They are made to keep your animals in.

You are right, that's not what they are for, but that is one of the benefits of a traditional fence. It does lots of jobs, including helping to keep other animals and people out of the yard so they can't hurt your dog. And there are those dogs who will willingly take the shock to get out of the yard, but refuse to take that same shock to get back in.

I can't use one because my dogs' prey drive is way too high to even chance it. But, I would never trust an invisible fence on it's own to keep my dogs in their yard. I may use it in conjunction with another fence, but not by itself.

To answer the OP's question, I would think it would be kinda expensive to install the invisible fencing as a "temporary" barrier until your other fence is up.

 

[ceiligh1]

We have a malamute who can jump very high fences and our HOA will not let us add on to our fence so we installed the invisible fence ourselves. You can find the kit at Home depot type stores and it really isnt that hard to do I think it cost us about 200. So we use it in addition to a 6 foot fence but our mal now knows not to go near it so she does not even try. Other animals are kept out by the regular fence. ALso on dogs with big coats you might need to shave their coat a bit so that the collar will work. We love it and yes I have felt the shock, it is not plesant but neither is being hit by a passing car and I would rather our mal get a shock than be run over.

 

[Todd&Copper]

My neighbor has it and it is GREAT for her beagle. Her dog is a wanderer and would always dart out into the street as soon as she saw a car. Now I don't have to worry about almost killing her every time I come home. And I can garden without her running up to me a bowling me over. I think it cost her around $200 - 300 and the yard is about an acre.

 

[KT27]

Thank you for the replies, I think we are leaning towards a traditional fence now. I appreciate everyone's opinions.