Hidden/Radio Fence users, please give your advise and experience please.

[Chunkee]

To help save money, as a real fence would cost 2500-3000, we are considering hidden/radio fencing. The dogs are 5 months, brother and sister, half boxer/half sharpei.

Any experience from you guys would be greatly appreciated.

JC

 

[xochi]

I bought this pet safe kit, from Radio Fence

I installed the system myself and it took about 3-4hours. (i would not consider myself handy either). Its worked very well, follow the training instructions in the kit for best results.

 

[rivan]

I have a radio fence, and it's excellent. Two dogs, both adult when we got the fence (new house, bad yard/aesthetics for physical fence) trained to the fence quickly and easily.

Expect a few yelps while they're learning the fence bounds, but once they learn the warning tone, you're free and clear. Mine were totally trained in about 2-3 weeks - and it's not huge owner effort to do so.

 

[PokerGuy]

I had an invisible fense run, performance with the radio fenses is a little sketchy from some of the folks I talk to. We're very happy with the invisible fense, it works very well, the dog was trained within a few hours. Now we can let her out anytime to run around without worrying about her leaving the yard. In fact, we got a good test the other day -- a squirl was running through the yard, the dog saw it and bolted after it like shot out of a cannon -- right up until she reached close to the fense, she stopped and just barked at the squirrel running away. Test passed

 

[Jumpem]

I've never trusted them for some reason. I put up a 125' run with a 30' lead on it. The pup can get to most of the back yard.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I wouldn't trust one with my dogs. It doesn't prevent another dog from getting to my dogs or someone that may want to steal/hurt them.

 

[rudder]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
I wouldn't trust one with my dogs. It doesn't prevent another dog from getting to my dogs or someone that may want to steal/hurt them.

Wow I guess your nieghbors like that 10 foot tall chain link fence with the concertina wire around the edges.

I've lived in rural areas with coyotes and such. Never been a problem. Dogs are not wussies and they do know how to act aggressive. Especially boxers.

A good case would be if you bred dogsand don't want the female to be raped by wandering mutts. The breeders I know have the dogs comepletey enclosed when they are in heat.

As for someone wanted to steal/hurt them. Humans are quite crafty.. wire cutters, poisoned meat, etc. It won't make a difference.

Dogs will learn the boundries quickly. The only time my dog got out is when I accidently cut the wire and did not realized it. The dog stayed in the yard for 2 days until he realized the fence was off. I did have to pick him up over the non working fence because he would not go to where his food was.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: rudder

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
I wouldn't trust one with my dogs. It doesn't prevent another dog from getting to my dogs or someone that may want to steal/hurt them.

Wow I guess your nieghbors like that 10 foot tall chain link fence with the concertina wire around the edges.

I've lived in rural areas with coyotes and such. Never been a problem. Dogs are not wussies and they do know how to act aggressive. Especially boxers.

A good case would be if you bred dogsand don't want the female to be raped by wandering mutts. The breeders I know have the dogs comepletey enclosed when they are in heat.

As for someone wanted to steal/hurt them. Humans are quite crafty.. wire cutters, poisoned meat, etc. It won't make a difference.

Dogs will learn the boundries quickly. The only time my dog got out is when I accidently cut the wire and did not realized it. The dog stayed in the yard for 2 days until he realized the fence was off. I did have to pick him up over the non working fence because he would not go to where his food was.

Nope, no need to build a moat or 10 foot wall. A simple six foot fence keeps people walking by from knowing that I even have dogs and also doesn't get my dogs worked up from so many people walking by. A simple six foot fence does wonders.

Also, my dogs are sight hounds and would tear thru any invisible fence to go after a squirrel, cat, etc. And b/c of the pain they'd receive for coming back to the yard, probably wouldn't.

 

[PokerGuy]

Capt Caveman, I highly doubt they would just run through the fense. The response to getting too close to the boundary (zap) can be adjusted. Dogs are not stupid, if you work with them a little (you don't just turn them loose to let them find out there's a fense), they quickly learn that they should not go past the boundary..... I've seen it work with the craziest and most stubborn of dogs.

 

[Alistar7]

Originally posted by: rudder

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
I wouldn't trust one with my dogs. It doesn't prevent another dog from getting to my dogs or someone that may want to steal/hurt them.

Wow I guess your nieghbors like that 10 foot tall chain link fence with the concertina wire around the edges.

I've lived in rural areas with coyotes and such. Never been a problem. Dogs are not wussies and they do know how to act aggressive. Especially boxers.

A good case would be if you bred dogsand don't want the female to be raped by wandering mutts. The breeders I know have the dogs comepletey enclosed when they are in heat.

As for someone wanted to steal/hurt them. Humans are quite crafty.. wire cutters, poisoned meat, etc. It won't make a difference.

Dogs will learn the boundries quickly. The only time my dog got out is when I accidently cut the wire and did not realized it. The dog stayed in the yard for 2 days until he realized the fence was off. I did have to pick him up over the non working fence because he would not go to where his food was.

But if forced to flee he would be confined and unable to escape. It will keep your dog in, but keep nothing out, something to consider. Their effectiveness also varies with breeds.

 

[xochi]

Originally posted by: PokerGuy
Capt Caveman, I highly doubt they would just run through the fense. The response to getting too close to the boundary (zap) can be adjusted. Dogs are not stupid, if you work with them a little (you don't just turn them loose to let them find out there's a fense), they quickly learn that they should not go past the boundary..... I've seen it work with the craziest and most stubborn of dogs.

This is true, the only disadvantage to the fence is that when we go for a walk i have to remove the collar and carry my dog over the boundary because he refuses to cross it.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: PokerGuy
Capt Caveman, I highly doubt they would just run through the fense. The response to getting too close to the boundary (zap) can be adjusted. Dogs are not stupid, if you work with them a little (you don't just turn them loose to let them find out there's a fense), they quickly learn that they should not go past the boundary..... I've seen it work with the craziest and most stubborn of dogs.

You don't know sight hounds. My dogs have their AKC Good Citizen certs, obedience/agility training and training with electronic collars. Even with all of that training, I know that their hunting instinct will win out.

Good fences make good neighbors but also keep my doggies safe.

 

[NuclearNed]

We've used the underground variety for 7+ years. The dog absolutely positively will not break through for anything, including rabbits, squirrels, etc.

One thing to consider: they quit working when the power goes out. Because of that, we always chained our dog when we were gone.

 

[Chunkee]

thanks guys
jC

 

[Jack Ryan]

Another point to consider... Some dogs get frightened when you try to take them (either going for a walk, or in the car, etc) out of the "safe zone". Dogs don't really know that you took the collar off or turned the system off when you want to go for a walk.

It can break your heart to see a dog scared to pass this "invisible" boundary that you set up.

Note: I don't have an invisible fence, but I have seen this effect on multiple dogs that do have this kind of fence.

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: Jack Ryan
Another point to consider... Some dogs get frightened when you try to take them (either going for a walk, or in the car, etc) out of the "safe zone". Dogs don't really know that you took the collar off or turned the system off when you want to go for a walk.

It can break your heart to see a dog scared to pass this "invisible" boundary that you set up.

Note: I don't have an invisible fence, but I have seen this effect on multiple dogs that do have this kind of fence.

This is true, but it works just fine for us. 95% of the times the dogs leave the fence, it's to go somewhere in the car, and the driveway is contained within the fence. They're trained to hop into the back of the cars, and off we go.

It's also quite correct that it will not stop other dogs from coming into your yard. That's our only worry - as the wife's dog is a 10-pounder. Mine's ~60 lbs and is ok with most other dogs, but the Maltese has the Napoleon syndrome typical of most little dogs.

The flip side of that equation is that they're not outside for long periods unless we're outside too. They're attached to our hips most of the time.

I will say that they're mellowing to people/dogs walking/driving by the yard, after about a year of it.