Anyone have an invisible fence? *With Puppy Pics!*

Izzo

Senior member
May 30, 2003
714
0
0
I'm looking to buy a house. The house we just looked as was really nice, but the backyard didn't seem very "fence friendly." It looks like an invisible fence for our dog would be our best and cheapest bet.

Does anyone have an invisible fence for their dog? How does your dog react to it? I've heard stories about dogs not even wanting to leave the deck in fear of getting zapped. Is that a rare occurrence or do most dogs start going crazy when you try to take them near the fence line?

Here's the reason for the fence:

Meet
Jasmyn
the
Standard Schnauzer
 

huberm

Golden Member
Dec 17, 2004
1,105
1
0
I put one in this past summer. Initially my dog was nervous going in the yard, but after a couple of weeks she returned to normal. It only took her 3 shocks and 2 weeks of training to teach her. It has been 3 months, and last week she chewed up the collar so she doens't even use it (but never leaves the yard).
 

lokiju

Lifer
May 29, 2003
18,526
5
0
I remember my parents friend got one and tried it on his arm first, the zap was so strong that he didn't install it and returned it.
 

xchangx

Golden Member
Mar 23, 2000
1,692
1
71
I've installed one in our yard. Works well. You have a small dog, so go to Lowe's or Home Depot and get the $100 system and bury the wire yourself.

The coller on that system is pretty weak, good for your dog though, I have a German Shepherd/ Husky mix. It runs off of 2 watch batteries. My bro in law and I put it on our wrist and tried it, it just feels like a static shock. Not too bad.

You have to train your dog. Read the instructions on where to put the flags and how to train your dog.

We had to get a stronger collar, uses a 9-volt battery. He definately doesn't like it.

 

NuclearNed

Raconteur
May 18, 2001
7,869
361
126
We have an invisible fence, and it works extremely well with our dog. However, your rate of success is highly dependent on the amount of time and effort you spend training your dog. The shock alone isn't enough to deter most dogs; the shock is only to remind the dog of their training.
 

theknight571

Platinum Member
Mar 23, 2001
2,896
2
81
My neighbors installed one for their Golden Retriver. It worked for them. It took 2-3 weeks and quite a number of shocks before he cought on. lol

The collar they had emitted a series of beeps as the dog approached the wire... a warning before the ZAP!

He learned well though, and doesn't even wear the collar anymore, yet won't leave the yard.
 

Cerb

Elite Member
Aug 26, 2000
17,484
33
86
:thumbsup: for unclipped ears. Expect a pet with near enough personality to rival a cat.

No clue about the fence.
(hey, you posted pics...)
 

puffff

Platinum Member
Jun 25, 2004
2,374
0
0
I say its worth getting.

My parents have a beagle and we've installed an invisible fence, both around the perimeter of the yard and indoors to section off rooms she's not allowed to go in. As I recall, she did get zapped a couple times, but they learn quick that when the thing around the neck beeps, to stop going forward. She also learned that when we take the zapper off and put a leash on, she's free to walk with us out of the yard.

 

Spydermag68

Platinum Member
Apr 5, 2002
2,616
99
91
My parents put an invisible fence in for their dog. It did take a few weeks of training to make sure that leaving her alone in the yard. She did escape once after about a year, but my dad found her in the morning by driving around the neighborhood.
 

thedarkwolf

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 1999
9,030
123
106
I have one but I also have a chain link fence. I had to put it up because one of my dogs is an escaper and would dig under the fence. I just weaved the wire around the bottom of the fence and no more escaping. Now I'm up the 3 dogs and the newest one is also an escaper so its been a good investment :). BTW if you do buy one of the kits don't buy their wire if you need extra. Just go to lowes, home depot or watever and get solid core wire. Its all the same crap and a hell of a lot cheaper.
 

thedarkwolf

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 1999
9,030
123
106
Originally posted by: Atheus
I wouldn't do that my dog.

Can't you just keep her on a rope when outside?

You think chaining them up would make the dog happier? Dogs aren't stupid well most aren't. Once they get shocked a couple times they pick it up pretty quick and learn the boundries.
 

Cdubneeddeal

Diamond Member
Oct 22, 2003
7,473
3
81
Originally posted by: Atheus
I wouldn't do that my dog.

Can't you just keep her on a rope when outside?

Keep her on a rope? :confused:

Invisible fences, as discussed above, only really work when properly trained. Depends on the breed I imagine. Back when we had two pits, the first shock made them yelp, the second time they walked right over the fence like it was nothing. Stubborn pits ;)
 

MikeMike

Lifer
Feb 6, 2000
45,885
66
91
my dog trained well about 12 years ago when we installed it.

finally something stopped working, and she still respected it, until she got about 2 years ago she would randomly run away, but always to other ppls houses we knew.

then this year we had to put her to sleep :(:(
 

PELarson

Platinum Member
Mar 27, 2001
2,289
0
0
My Uncle and Aunt have one that encases the backyard and part of the 1st floor of the rear of the house. They like it for their 2 dogs. Some problems from varmits chewing through the cable but that was fixed. The dogs seem to understand the limits and accept them.
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
65,894
14,296
146
Thank god for 6' privacy fences...Almost everyone here in Kahleeforneeya has a 6' redwood or cedar fence in their backyard. Fences make GREAT neighbors...and keep the puppies restrained without tying them up...now if it only worked for my cats...

edit...forgot the obligatory pic:

Our "Chi-wookie" taken at about 2 months old, and all of about 2 lbs.
 

Izzo

Senior member
May 30, 2003
714
0
0
Originally posted by: theknight571
My neighbors installed one for their Golden Retriver. It worked for them. It took 2-3 weeks and quite a number of shocks before he cought on. lol

The collar they had emitted a series of beeps as the dog approached the wire... a warning before the ZAP!

He learned well though, and doesn't even wear the collar anymore, yet won't leave the yard.

I don't know if I'd ever trust my dog enough to let her roam without the collar. The house would be next to a fairly busy road and I don't think she understands that cars and roads are bad. We have a practice football field across the street from our current condo and when we go to play, she shows no respect for the cars when crossing the street. She is too geeked up and wanting to play and tugging on her leash even when I'm pulling her back because of cars. With diligent training, we've been able to somewhat correct the problem. But I still feel that if she wasn't on a leash, she'd bolt across the street if she were too excited.

Also, schnauzers are ratters and small game hunters. I'd be worried that she'd see an animal, forget the fence was there, and run right it.

for unclipped ears. Expect a pet with near enough personality to rival a cat.
Yeah, we definitely wanted uncropped ears. They're face is so much more expressive with the floppy ears. Bonus points because uncropped ears were cheaper by $100 and we got to take her home a week earlier than if we wanted them cropped.

Sweet name

Sweet Blanket

Sweet Name...

GO GREEN....
GO WHITE!

Thanks. It's actally a really cool dog pillow that my gf's mom made for us. Jasmyn and I are still recovering from Saturday night.

I say its worth getting.

My parents have a beagle and we've installed an invisible fence, both around the perimeter of the yard and indoors to section off rooms she's not allowed to go in. As I recall, she did get zapped a couple times, but they learn quick that when the thing around the neck beeps, to stop going forward. She also learned that when we take the zapper off and put a leash on, she's free to walk with us out of the yard.
The leash thing is promising to hear. I was kinda worried that she would be scared to go on walks or car rides. How do you deal with getting the wire underneath the driveway in the front? Did you have to stop at the driveway and run the wire parallel to the driveway back toward the house?

My parents put an invisible fence in for their dog. It did take a few weeks of training to make sure that leaving her alone in the yard. She did escape once after about a year, but my dad found her in the morning by driving around the neighborhood.
Escaping would be bad. The potential new house is at the entrance of the subdivision adjacent to a rather busy road.

I knew I shouldn't have checked this thread. Now I wan't a puppy...
They are a lot of work though. Don't get them just because of the cuteness. They can be a burden if you want to go on long weekends or spend a day away from the house.

I wouldn't do that my dog.

Can't you just keep her on a rope when outside?
Personally, I think keeping her chained is more cruel than training her to stay inside the yard. I think even the dog would agree that a couple of shocks would be worth it if it meant she could roam around the yard at her leisure. Plus, I need an option when I want to play fetch with her and let her run around in the yard.

Thank god for 6' privacy fences...Almost everyone here in Kahleeforneeya has a 6' redwood or cedar fence in their backyard. Fences make GREAT neighbors...and keep the puppies restrained without tying them up...now if it only worked for my cats...
A fence would definitely be the preferred route. But the landscaping and shape makes it look like a fence would be tough and expensive to install from a first glance.

Thanks to all for the replies.