Help! Boundary Training Needed - Page 2

Fortunately, we're a looooong way from a travelled road, but it's possible, I guess.  The dogs have always been fine without a fence at all, we're near the top of a mountain and the access road is quite far away.  (we're always with them, working outside, etc)   It's just this sudden "requirement" of the male to - immediately, when the door is opened - run down the property, down to the neighbours - and run back - after barking at the neighbours.  And once he has the "run and bark" bizarre mind glitch out of his system, he's fine.  Then he just hangs around us.  The entire "episode" takes less than a minute - but I agree - it is likely going to take some kind of fence and gate.....

There has to be a clear boundry line, grass to cement, or put in a gravel boarder, but something you can train to. Yes, this will take time and effort and you have to begin with baby steps and off leash training. He has decided you are to far to correct him, so he is off. It is so worth the time and effort. I had an intruder when no one was home, they chased him out of the house and he left front door open while running out, they chased him to the curb and stoped. 2 Hours later I came home to a front door wide open and my dogs were sunning themselves in the front yard. Just using a collar may not help unless you are experianced in training with it, they get "collar wise" and if it is not on will not stop him. Old fashion work here is what will work and be consistant.

How long has this been going on with the yard guard. Astra was a velcro dutchie, but the rest of the dogs from time to time would run. I put in the underground fence, with alot of good training, and I still have flags up, when loose the dogs have their fence collars on.I did not buy anything cheap either. I am always out with them. Out of all the five years of having it, only one dog went through the fence. A whole herd of deer ran though our yard and almost ran the dog over, he just followed. He did not go very far, and sat until I took his collar off and walked him back in. I ramped his fence collar up and made the fence width a little bigger. No problems after that. You do not want to scare the neighbors, this just make for bad feelings.I hope this helps. Always, Cee

Invisible fences may keep your dog in (may), but they will not keep other animals or stupid people OUT. Nothing as good as the real deal if your dogs doesn't have the training to come back 100% of the time, and certainly not if you plan for the dog to outdoors when you are not.

My dogs, know their boundry's as long as Im out there to correct them, but one of my females, If im not paying attention, she knows it and goes over the boundrys and then goes deaf.  Im serious, she will listen to every thing i say as long as i give her my full attention.  She has those moments where she goes completly deaf totaly ignores me. When she does this i  have no idea how to correct her.

I have trained two GSD's to respect the Invisible fence, it is not hard to do. And it is a godsend as I live in an old farmhouse off a secondary road, and there is less setback from the road than is usual. Lots cheaper than traditional fencing. If your dogs have over the top drives you might have an issue, but there are adjustments to the setback and force of charge, to accommodate most dog's thresholds. Clearly not all. You'll be the judge of that. 

Side note, it was a no brainer for us, as while in training, I started to be a wimp and was postponing the initial zap, yes, I hate that part! But when he made a break for his friends across the street, he came close to buying the farm. An angel was with him as he was unharmed rolling under a truck, and came out the otherside with rubber marks on his shoulder.

I introduced him to the zap asap, then, and he knows the limits to an inch, and can turn on a dime at full tilt at just the right spot, each and every time.

Come to think of it - I have seen the neighbours little dog up here pooping in our woods - maybe it's payback barking, LOL!

I'll definitely try the visual barrier and the invisible fencing.  There's a logging road gate I can close, but of course, it's not a real barrier, just a pole swung across the road - and no fence on either side - but it might be enough until I can get out here and get some real fencing done. 

Thanks for all the great suggestions.