invisible fences do they work? - Page 2

In my previous home, I installed an Innotec invisible fence. I did not use it to keep my dogs confined on the property, but to keep them from digginug up the flowerbeds and foundation of the house.

I would not use an invisible fence to confine my dog, for two reasons. One, if the dog sees something that is just too tempting, it can run right through the fence, then not be able to get back on to your property for fear of being shocked. Secondly, and even more important, the fence does not protect your dog from humans or stray dogs who may come on to your property, with the intent of hurting your dog.  Thirdly, the wires can break or be damaged, or the batteries can run out on the collars, and unless you test the fence and collars routinely, your dog will be unprotected.

I installed the fence myself. It was much more difficult than I'd expected, even though I ran most of it along the existing fence, rather than burying it!  You can read all about it (and have a good laugh, too) here:  (There is some good advice about the fences in this thread as well.)


http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/bulletins.read?mnr=108198#108207

I have used Invisible Fence on our farm for over 15 years. I have about 5 acres in invisible fence. We are on the national Invisible Fence site for a testimonial from a veterinarian. We have kept everything from a rat terrier to mixed breeds, Great Pyrenees to many GSD's safe inside the fence. It keeps them out of the horse pastures and in the "common" areas and around the house.
A common complaint that the fence will keep your dog in, but not others out has not been a problem for us. Our fence starts about 500 feet off the road and that seems to give any "errant" dogs plenty of time to think about whether they really want to bring it on and face 4 or 5 GSD's waiting for them or not. Thus far they have decided "not".
I keep 4 or 5 out in the invisible fence all the time. It is easy to train them to, they do not challenge the fence, unless there is a problem or their batteries are low and it will take up to a week for them to challenge it if their battery is out or the fence is dead. In 15 years, I have had none of my dogs outside of the fence fewer times than I can count on one hand.
For us the fence has been great.

I wouldn't have one for the reasons stated by others, keeping people and animals off my property. 

I do have a question for those who use invisible fencing: 

Is the shock different from that which is  delivered by an above ground system like a hot wire?  I know people who have tried using above ground hot wires, and I've seen epic failures, from Afghan Hounds who just don't give a shit and walk right through it to other dogs that normally are respectful but when it comes to giving chase (deer, cats, other dogs, etc.) will run right through it.  Of course with a hot wire, the dog can see it and therefore avoid it, but as I said, I've seen dogs just sort of deal with the shock and keep right on going.  So I wondered if maybe the correction was different with the underground system because obviously many people have a lot of success with it.

The correction with a real Invisible Fence is two fold. First they receive an audible correction and then if they proceed they receive a correction that is not a shock like a hot wire, it is a radio wave and is more like the correction of an e-collar.
The fences you can buy at hardware stores or pet stores are miserable failures. Most of them do deliver a shock like a hot wire, which like a hot wire for livestock, pulses, it does not deliver a continuous opportunity to shock. What the dogs learn to do with that type of fence is the opportunity to get out between the pulses.
The real Invisible Fence is only activated when the dog approaches the boundary. There is no opportunity to "get out"between pulses. the correction is there when it is needed.
I hope this makes sense to you all.
Again, I have had great success for over 15 years. I am in a bit of a unique situation, in that I have a large area (5+ acres) situated in the middle of a 22 acre farm, far off the road and a stable population of neighborhood dogs, most of whom are in their own Invisible Fences.
The wildlife learn where they can go. We have a large flock of turkeys who know just exactly where the dogs cannot go, the deer as well. We also have coyotes who do not come onto our property, they know as well just how far the dogs can go. As long as everyone knows the boundaries, we all do very well.

Thanks for the explanation!  It makes sense to me.

 

The brand I use is PetSafe Wireless Containment System. No wires to use at all. Just plug and go.

There are a ton of other brands out there now.

Like the person said in the post above....over time it seems like all the animals that live around us KNOW where the line is. Even the deer that pass in your backyard have a trail that runs beyond the dog's invisible line. My neighbor's cat comes over sometimes. He sits right in front of the line and teases the dogs.

The shock feels more like a static electricty shock. It doesn't hurt. Just startles. My dogs usually don't get to that point. The warning beep usually works for them.

One negative that I have.....the collars are expensive. You get one collar with the system but you have to buy additional collars if you have more dogs. I think I paid around 130 a collar. Sometimes the collar bands wear out....but I found that there are sites that sell really good replacement collars for around $8-10 dollars. (this is just for the collar band...not the reciever box)

Howdy everyone. First post. Just a note, if you are planning on competing in Schutzhund, note that the perimeter flags in your yard resemble the tracking flags in the field. It took me a week to get my girl to distinguish between the two. We got the invisible fence to keep her in the yard, not to keep others/other things out. You couldn't drag my dog across our perimeters, and that is exactly how I want it. Kids walk by the house, people walking their dogs, and she is fine and happy. But that is a temperment issue and that has to be taught/inherent in the line. With regard to what brand to use, do a google search locally to see what is available in your immediate area, and then invite the companies over to your house for a free estimate. Good luck.