27 replies to this topic

[RAUDAA]

We have moved to a new house without a fence, instead of keeping Rocky on a long rope, I would like to put in one of those underground fences. Im just concerned that Rocky would run right through the fence when he sees a rabbit, or squirrell. Has anyone had experience with these, and a Dobe? Thanks!

[doberpagegirl]

I have never personally used it, but my sister has an electric fence. She lives up north and has a Short-hair pointer and a beagle mix. Well her beagle mix will chase anything, but not past her fence line. It did take some training, but her pup caught on quickly. I know Karen A uses an underground fence with her dobe girls too. How much prey drive does Rocky have? What I mean is, how intense is he when it comes to chasing little animals?

[Diana]

I have not used underground fencing either, but seems many have good luck, depending on the prey drive of your dog. What does bother me is other animals or dogs coming in the yard, so it depends on your area and dogs lifestyle. With Nixx and her high prey drive, I doubt it would work, plus we have lots of wild life and things of interest to her, it would make me way too nervous.

[Bumpette]

We've never used an invisible fence either, but I know a lot of people have good luck with them. I am like Diana, I would be too afraid of all the wild critters and loose dogs that would get into the yard. We live out in the boon-docks and have more than our fair share of both.

[Diana]

Another thing that I have had people tell me is, if the dog does go through the "line" and gets zapped, now he can't turn around and head back to his yard because he will get zapped again and they get really confused and will head off . Just a thought, I know every situation is different and every dog different.

[Nancy Robinson]

I have never used it but I do know people who have, some have had good luck
others not so good. I would also be afraid what would get inside the fence
line. They have to wear a collar, a friend of mines dog would get a zap
from the TV if she would forget to take the collar off, Maybe they have
improved it since then, not sure.

[doberpagegirl]

I have never used it but I do know people who have, some have had good luck
others not so good. I would also be afraid what would get inside the fence
line. They have to wear a collar, a friend of mines dog would get a zap
from the TV if she would forget to take the collar off, Maybe they have
improved it since then, not sure.

This should NEVER happen. I would say that was a defective collar. She should definitely have contacted the company and thrown a fit. I would have. I know my sister and J's mom have used them and it never shocked the dog when it wasn't suppose to. Also, I don't think about things coming in the yard, because fenced or not, my kids don't go outside alone. Living in the city, it is people, not wildlife, I worry about.

[ScarredWolf]

It won't keep bad people out of your yard either. I wouldn't use one personally, but I guess it depends on where you live.

[Nancy Robinson]

This should NEVER happen. I would say that was a defective collar. She should definitely have contacted the company and thrown a fit. I would have. I know my sister and J's mom have used them and it never shocked the dog when it wasn't suppose to. Also, I don't think about things coming in the yard, because fenced or not, my kids don't go outside alone. Living in the city, it is people, not wildlife, I worry about.

I agree I would have thrown a fit too. I have never used one so I don't know personally
about them. My kids (now kid) never goes out alone either and my place is completely
fenced, I live in the country and I worry about people as well.

SIMPLY BECAUSE I HAVE NUTSO NEIGHBORS..............................................

Edited by Nancy Robinson, 15 August 2010 - 10:15 PM.

[dayzimae]

In Athens, OH, I had an invisible fence and it worked beautifully for both my doxie and my Dayzimae -- UNTIL some people in the neighborhood decided that Athens' leash law didn't apply to them. They allowed their three large dogs to roam the neighborhood, and of course, they would come in and out of our yard, and eventually taught Dayzi that she could leave the yard without too much pain if she ran fast enough. Once her initial conditioning was overcome, unfortunately, it was never the same, and we had to go back to tieing her up until we moved to the farm. Otherwise, it's all in the training -- you use posted little white flags to begin with to help them visualize the borders, and also the better collars give them an audible signal when they get close to the border before it gives them a correction.

[Cheri]

I'm wondering, is it possible for you to put up a fence at your new place? Or is it a sub with rules against it? I am not a fan of invisible fences and I believe a real, solid fence is always the best way to go. I realize some people have no choice, though, but if that is the case, I would watch my dog like a hawk anytime he's out. And please, please don't do what some people I know do and leave the collar on all the time, 24/7. Those collars have to be tight to work, and I sure would hate to have two steel prongs pressing firmly into the sensitive part of my neck all the time.

[Karen A]

I am a huge invisible fence advocate and have used one for over 12 years. I would have to decline half of our adoption applicants if they didn't have the option of using invisible fences because of the laws where they live, home owners associations, or the terrain on their properties. I have used invisible fencing in the city on a 1/4 acre lot and on our 2 acre property with different breeds of dogs including a greyhound. I have NEVER had one run through it, even for squirrels. I truly believe any dog can be trained to it, even a sighthound trained to chase rabbits for it's career, if done properly. And the collar should never be left on continually...as a matter of fact, mine don't even wear theirs anymore....they have no clue but have just been accustomed to their boundary. It does not have to be tight either....it's the clicking noise you are training them to, not the actual "shock"

I live in an area where I have no choice but use an invisible fence and have become a big fan of it We have a large yard and live in a low traffic area also. I think the key of making it work is in the training. I also keep the electric field about 5 feet wide so there's no just zipping through it. I never, ever leave my dogs unattended outside because even though mine don't attempt to run through it, anything or anyone can still come in, which can be a huge downfall. Thankfully my two are animal friendly and will let any dog or child in, but will still bark at the unfamiliar adults. Well, the FedX man makes his way in with cookies . Oh, and the pizza guy too When you have small kids it's nice too because if the dogs bolt out the door because a kid is holding it open (or friends are coming in/out), you don't have to worry that your dog is going to get loose and hurt. I have so far trained 5 dobes and one italian greyhound to our invisible fence and have never had a problem. If you do decide to go with the invisible fence, let me know if you'd like some training help Good luck and congratulations on your new home!

[RAUDAA]

Thanks for all the replies, I will try the fence, I have no concerns over people coming in the yard, and the only animals are rabbits, squirrels and an occasional deer. We have a secluded lot on Grosse Ile, and no-one has fences ( I believe they are not allowed in this particular spot, and I like the yard the way it is) I will do the full training on him with the fence because right now he is just nuts about the sqirrels and rabbits.

[Melinda]

I too, am a great underground fencing advocate. I have had great success with this system. Not only do my dogs have a great amount of freedom because of it, I "babysit" for a lot of people when they go out of town. Every dog that stays with me is trained to the collar and when trained properly, I don't think any of them can be lured over the line. Our cats learn to stand on the line and tantalize the dogs. It makes the dogs nuts sometimes but they are very respectful of the line.

In the morning, my dogs don't go to the door and whine, they come to me and beg for their collars. It's kinda cool. We have a steadfast rule at our house, if we want to take the dogs for a walk, we drive the car with the dogs in it, over the line, and then let them out to go for a walk. Then they never question whether they can make it across the line or not. We live in the country and sometimes critters or neighbor's dogs come in our yard. All three dogs go after them but all three dogs stop short of the line.

Salesmen are detered by the two Dobes and the little Dobe-wanna-be standing at the top of our driveway.

When the snow is 4 ft. deep out back, the fencer still works.

As far as being zapped by the t.v., I can't quite understand the way the system actually works, having that happen. Maybe the t.v.was making high pitched frequencies that sounded like the collar?

My recomendation is if you have the patience to train correctly to the fence, you will never regret it. I have one dog that comes twice a year. He never questions the line, he doesn't forget and he asks for his collar every time he comes. The only complaint I ever get from people that leave their dogs with me, is that their dogs don't seem to miss them while they are gone. I think it is because they have so much fun ripping and running and they are usually very tired and sleep all day the next day when their owners come back for them.

[Cheri]

And the collar should never be left on continually...as a matter of fact, mine don't even wear theirs anymore....they have no clue but have just been accustomed to their boundary. It does not have to be tight either....it's the clicking noise you are training them to, not the actual "shock"

Karen, I agree with you. I wasn't clear in my post, but I meant the collar has to be tight to deliver the shock. When the dog gets to the point where he responds to the warning clicks and doesn't need the shock, then of course it doesn't have to be so tight. Unfortunately, I do know a couple of people who leave the collars on their dogs 24/7, and the collars are tight enough that they have rubbed the hair off and left marks on the neck. That has to be extremely uncomfortable for the dog and, in my opinion, is an improper use of the collar.

[Karen A]

I agree with you fully Cheri . Sadly, my little brother once found a gorgeous longhaired himalayan cat and it had an invisible fence collar on with the prongs embedded in her neck . Two infected holes in her neck. They can certainly do some damage if left on for any extended amount of time. I can't imagine putting my cat through that...I don't even know if a cat is capable of using an invisible fence....I know my cat would be sooooooo pissed!
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[Melinda]

...and then there is the funny story , happened yesterday....We took the dogs for a ride so we unclipped collars after the dogs jumped in the truck, (we usually take the collars off in the house but it was an unplanned last minute trip.) After we got home, we let the dogs out, my husband parked the truck, grabbed the three collars in his hand and walked back to the house. Unfortunately, he is hard of hearing from years of running the saw, or maybe he would have heard the collars beeping. But he sure did a dance as he crossed the underground line....heeheeeeheeee...he said he wasn't sure which collar got him, since he had them all in a fist in his hand....hehheeeheheee!

[dayzimae]

the instructions tht came with my invisible fence even stated NOT to leave the collar on all the time. It is heavy. We also used the trick of driving the dogs across the line and then taking them for their walks so they never learned from us to cross the line.

[Bumpette]

...and then there is the funny story , happened yesterday....We took the dogs for a ride so we unclipped collars after the dogs jumped in the truck, (we usually take the collars off in the house but it was an unplanned last minute trip.) After we got home, we let the dogs out, my husband parked the truck, grabbed the three collars in his hand and walked back to the house. Unfortunately, he is hard of hearing from years of running the saw, or maybe he would have heard the collars beeping. But he sure did a dance as he crossed the underground line....heeheeeeheeee...he said he wasn't sure which collar got him, since he had them all in a fist in his hand....hehheeeheheee!

Too funny. At least you know they do work!

[Diana]

I use the E-collar on Nixx for training and always test it on me first to make sure the setting is right and have a feel for how it must feel to her, rather have low than high, depending on the situation.