Invisible Type Fence for GSD Questions - Page 1

I'm considering purchasing a wireless invisible fence for my Czech GSD. She's high drive and hard dog. In-ground wires are not an option, so it'll have to be wireless. Are there any makes/models that are good? Bad? Features that are good, bad, or worthless/not worth the money?

How do I determine if my dog is or is not a good candidate? How do I determine if I need a "stubborn dog/" similar model? I understand this will not keep other dogs/people out, but will it keep her in when she's in heat?  The dog will never be outside without direct supervision, so not a babysitting device. Just an opportunity to run around more when we can't go to the dog park (in heat or family needs).

What other questions should I be asking?

Thank you.

Just...no, absolutely not! The only time I'd trust an invisible fence would be as a backup to a regular fence. Far too many things can go wrong!

I used one briefly to keep my dogs out of my flower beds, and from digging against the foundation of the house. There were places where the invisible fence wire had to be run along the top of the existing board fence, as it couldn't be buried. One of my dogs liked the taste of the copper wire, and if I put her out without the collar on, she'd chew it up, and the fence would stop working.

The batteries in the collar can run down. A female in heat is an easy target even if you are supervising - how long do you think it takes for a randy male to mount a willing female? An e-friend of mine turned his back to get a cup of coffee, and when he turned around, the two dog were already tied! Yes, he was really kicking himself after that!

GSDs as a rule have a higher pain threshold than most dogs. Given the right temptation, they will run through the fence, then not be able to get back.  

In short, I think it's a Bad Idea, and I'm sure there are others who will agree with me

Edit: just reread your post and saw you are going with the wireless version! Have done a strikethrough just so others know what CAN happen with the wired version.

 

Thank you, SunSilver. I was hoping different than Siberian Huskies (they'll stand at the edge of the field to get the collars to function "gently" until the batteries die and then escape, run, run, run, play, destroy, run, run, run some more, and (maybe) return and esape again at will)  Putting in a regular fence isn't an option, either. Guess we'll stick with the 100 foot lead with all the limitations and tangles

I sold a Male German Shepherd to someone in Michigan (Working line GSD)...Strong male...
The owner had used a Wireless Fence on his previous dog and had good results...So he used it with this dog too and everything is going good...
I'm not one that likes these fences but for some they must work...I'm only suggesting that sometimes...for some...they work...
I am very old fashioned and have fence and gates around my entire 5 1/2 acres...and am ALWAYS outside when my dogs are out...
I will also tell you that I use e-collars and some dogs can just fight through these too...So you have to go on each dog can be different...

~Bob~

just my 2 cents, but I have watched a GSD grow from a puppy to adult inside an invisible fence, in this case an underground. I first noticed the flags and a sable GSD puppy, that looked very like and I assumed to be a WL.

at one point, I caught the owner outside and stopped and asked him, he didn't have a clue.

this is on a fairly busy/dangerous road, I'm by here 10+ times a week minimum, and the dog is approximately 3 y.o now.

so my observations, the fence has worked very well for this dog. I would not classify it as high drive dog. as a matter it of fact it seems pretty sedate. I have seen the dog out of bounds a couple times when the collar had been removed for a while, and then I would notice the collar back on.

JMO only, I would never trust this type fence for any type strong dog.

NO

Thank you, Q Man, Rik, and Nans gsd.