Do invisible fence systems for pets work?

1. 60

   sleepylogposted 12 years ago

   Do invisible fence systems for pets work?
   
   I hope this is what they're called, but I'm considering buying one of those invisible fence systems for my dog so that when he is allowed off his leash when out of his pen he doesn't wander onto our neighbours' properties. Have any of you ever use one and was it effective?
   
   

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2. 75

   tsadjatkoposted 12 years ago

   The draw back is that if for some reason (the power goes off) the dog gets out of the yard and comes back hours or days  later he cannot get back in without being shocked.
   
   Your dog he can be enticed to challenge the zone by a squrrel, cat orother animal playing on the other side of the zone. A strong willed dog that likes to chase animals may endure the pain to get at them. I had a siberian Husky who actually figured out how to get the neighbor's cat who would play in their yard just feet from the invisible fence teasing the dog. Thedog gotsoclosetothefencethatifsheputherheadforward thcollarwouldbeep and she'dpullherheadbackbeforetheshock. She did this all morning until the battery wore down, when the beep got weak she bolted through.
   You cannot leave the collar on 24 hours a day or it will irritate the skin. They recommend taking the colar off at night.

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3. 80

   Diana Leeposted 12 years ago

   I don't know much about the invisible fence system and how it works, but I do know several pet owners who said they do not work well and one even had their dog get in the road and hit by a car. I wouldn't trust one for my dogs. I have a regular wire linked fence put up for mine.

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4. 78

   MarleyOzposted 12 years ago

   The invisible fence can work, but I believe you are creating fear in the dog.  I suggest a regular fenced in yard for the dog.  Plus, it creates privacy if tall enough and can add value to your property.

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5. 82

   Msmillarposted 12 years ago

   Yes, I had one. It will work, but YOU have to put in a lot of hours training your pet.  1st you buy the system. The system runs about $150 to $200. 2nd you set up the system and put the electronic color on your pet. If your pet is fluffy you must shave the hair at the point of the contacts so it will make contact with your pets skin. 3rd You put your dog on a leash in the middle of the system. When he gets close to the line and his collar beeps, you yank him back.  Do this repeatedly until when it beeps he jumps back on his own. If they continue over the line, they get shocked.
   My dogs literally layed on the perimeter line, while being shocked, and exposed their tummmy for me to rub and make the shock go away. The other dog would bolt across the perimeter line, thus suffering little to no shock. I ended up selling mine for $120 and built a fence, it just wasn't worth it to me.
   Either way, you must train the dog to obey your wishes.

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6. 60

   sleepylogposted 12 years ago

   Thank you to all of you who have answered my question. I had a feeling invisible fences might be too good to be true. I wanted something that worked instantly and reliably but by the sounds of it invisible fences don't do either of those.
   
   I don't like the thought of having to shave his skin either, he has somewhat sensitive skin and I think this would cause him too much irritation.
   
   All your replies have been very helpful indeed. Thanks again everyone

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7. 61

   H-Chrisposted 12 years ago

   That would depend entirely on the dog. I had a Great Pyrenees and it was suggested to me that I NOT have this kind of fencing. They love to roam and often can and do ignore the invisible fence so they can wander the neighborhood.
   
   Maybe it would work with a smaller breed or ones not quite so stubborn.
   
   Too bad you can't try it out before you fork over the money for it.
   
   A privacy fence works better for several reasons:
   1. It's too high to jump
   2. It blocks the sight line. If they can't see the cat next door they're less likely to bark at it.

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   1. 60

      sleepylogposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for your comment. It pretty much confirms what quite a few others have said about dogs ignoring the invisible fence's perimeter.

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