I am asking for your knowledgeable experiences and/or considered opinions(good OR bad!), about the use of 'invisible fencing' for dog containment purposes.
I have full perimeter fencing on most of my 10 acres, BUT, it is standard field net wire field fencing, two strands of barbLESS wire above,and none over 4' high. I certainly can't afford to redo this much fencing; have come to realize that 'invisible fencing' of some sort might be about my only viable option. My first instinct was not to like the idea; however, in beginning to research the subject, am realizing that it is like a lot of other 'tools', in that the CORRECT, KNOWLEDGEABLE, and APPROPRIATE use in the hands of someone who had learned HOW to properly use it, may be the key.
I have found one system that says you can lay the wire on the ground surface(can cover up to 100 acres, supposedly, w/ this one)...I estimate it would take @ 1200-1400' to cover the fenced portion of this 5 acres. I am not up to digging a trench of that length or for the expense of hiring someone to do so...but do think I could manage a ground-level installment.
Why am I looking into this? Well, after additional research, I came to feel I should look(in rescue) for an adult dog of a breed for whom 'personal loyalty' was a primary trait, along w/ reasonable protective tendencies, and high intelligence. Dobermans and G.Sheperds are high among those that fit that description; I leaned toward the Dobie because of the shorter coat(with 5 minis, I already have enough 'hair' to deal with!)
Long story shorter...local Doberman rescue recently went outside their norm and took in a crossbreed, said to be Dobie/Shepherd...said to be 3 YO, laid-back for her age, who had been taken from her "irresponsible" young owner by his parents,but then turned in an area County Animal control who is known to be a high-kill, minimal facility...shelter notified Dobie rescue because they realized this was a "really nice dog". I saw her on their Petfinder listing, made contact, arranged to go into the city to meet the dog(whose name alluded to marijuana
! dog was well-along PG when spayed after being taken into rescue, also). SO...I now have her, but on a 'conditional' basis, because turned out she's quite a bit YOUNGER than was stated, and as I'd told them all along, she would HAVE to be OK w/ my two tiny elderly dogs, the minis, and with staying on the premises!
Well, I'm really liking her! She IS a very smart, very loyal dog(Dobie rescue folks have said all along, Dobies tend to be 'velcro' dogs). In my personal situation, that is a plus, for several reasons. She also has shown no signs of 'wanting' to leave the premises, but HAS already demonstrated that she EASILY could if she wished. Because I DO like her so much SO FAR(it's only been a couple of days, and she is on meds through today, following the spay last Wed., one of which *may*? be affecting her demeanor, I need to see what she is like once she is totally off that, as well as when the weather is nicer, allowing us to be outside together more.I get the distinct impression that this dog might become SO attached that I would need to be sure she was VERY securely 'put up' whenever I would need to leave the premises(I think she might be one who'd 'go looking' for its master/mistress)...but, I have the means to do that. Because I DO like her so well, I decided to at least check out what these systems consist of, and whether I think I could swing the cost. Also, I really would like to find out more about exactly HOW the acclimating is properly and humanely done.
I don't think I would ever totally depend upon 'invisible fencing' as the 'only' barrier to a dog leaving a specific area...but I have observed that it does 'seem to' work to keep a dog away from a fence it might otherwise be willing to try to go over, under, or through; neighbors in two directions from me, both w/ acreage fenced 'only' w/ field fencing,smaller fenced 'backyards' of @ 4' height, have installed such systems and they do seem to work, as their dogs stay within their acreages.
Please, those who would, share your experiences and opinions. I am aware that there is a wide range of feelings about the use of what are sometimes called 'shock collars' and give that full consideration.
Thanks in advance,
Margo
I have full perimeter fencing on most of my 10 acres, BUT, it is standard field net wire field fencing, two strands of barbLESS wire above,and none over 4' high. I certainly can't afford to redo this much fencing; have come to realize that 'invisible fencing' of some sort might be about my only viable option. My first instinct was not to like the idea; however, in beginning to research the subject, am realizing that it is like a lot of other 'tools', in that the CORRECT, KNOWLEDGEABLE, and APPROPRIATE use in the hands of someone who had learned HOW to properly use it, may be the key.
I have found one system that says you can lay the wire on the ground surface(can cover up to 100 acres, supposedly, w/ this one)...I estimate it would take @ 1200-1400' to cover the fenced portion of this 5 acres. I am not up to digging a trench of that length or for the expense of hiring someone to do so...but do think I could manage a ground-level installment.
Why am I looking into this? Well, after additional research, I came to feel I should look(in rescue) for an adult dog of a breed for whom 'personal loyalty' was a primary trait, along w/ reasonable protective tendencies, and high intelligence. Dobermans and G.Sheperds are high among those that fit that description; I leaned toward the Dobie because of the shorter coat(with 5 minis, I already have enough 'hair' to deal with!)
Long story shorter...local Doberman rescue recently went outside their norm and took in a crossbreed, said to be Dobie/Shepherd...said to be 3 YO, laid-back for her age, who had been taken from her "irresponsible" young owner by his parents,but then turned in an area County Animal control who is known to be a high-kill, minimal facility...shelter notified Dobie rescue because they realized this was a "really nice dog". I saw her on their Petfinder listing, made contact, arranged to go into the city to meet the dog(whose name alluded to marijuana
Well, I'm really liking her! She IS a very smart, very loyal dog(Dobie rescue folks have said all along, Dobies tend to be 'velcro' dogs). In my personal situation, that is a plus, for several reasons. She also has shown no signs of 'wanting' to leave the premises, but HAS already demonstrated that she EASILY could if she wished. Because I DO like her so much SO FAR(it's only been a couple of days, and she is on meds through today, following the spay last Wed., one of which *may*? be affecting her demeanor, I need to see what she is like once she is totally off that, as well as when the weather is nicer, allowing us to be outside together more.I get the distinct impression that this dog might become SO attached that I would need to be sure she was VERY securely 'put up' whenever I would need to leave the premises(I think she might be one who'd 'go looking' for its master/mistress)...but, I have the means to do that. Because I DO like her so well, I decided to at least check out what these systems consist of, and whether I think I could swing the cost. Also, I really would like to find out more about exactly HOW the acclimating is properly and humanely done.
I don't think I would ever totally depend upon 'invisible fencing' as the 'only' barrier to a dog leaving a specific area...but I have observed that it does 'seem to' work to keep a dog away from a fence it might otherwise be willing to try to go over, under, or through; neighbors in two directions from me, both w/ acreage fenced 'only' w/ field fencing,smaller fenced 'backyards' of @ 4' height, have installed such systems and they do seem to work, as their dogs stay within their acreages.
Please, those who would, share your experiences and opinions. I am aware that there is a wide range of feelings about the use of what are sometimes called 'shock collars' and give that full consideration.
Thanks in advance,
Margo