Fencing vs. Invisible Fencing

[Gayle Miller]

Hi everyone!  Just wondered what your thoughts are on split-rail fencing vs. invisible.  Had an invisible for our sweet little Westie for 17 years and it worked, although admittedly, when it was "down" unbeknownst to us, we would get a call from the neighbor us the street that Nikki was visiting!  But with so much innate hunting in the Labradoodle, I'm thinking a physical fence might be the way to go.  While I like split-rail, our backyard that boarders woods will not look as nice once a fence sections off the  yard from the woods, but I'm thinking I'll have to give the asthetic look up for the safety and peace-of-mind for our new puppy.  ;Your thoughts please....especially if you went with the invisible fence. How is it working for you?  Thanks!  Gayle

[Gail+Kathleen,(Sydney+Olivia:)]

Hi, Gayle!  We thought about getting an invisible fence but only for a second.  Our other sister had an invisible fence for her Lab and "Bear" was able to go through it if he saw something in their neighboring farm area.  We have had a vinyl fence in both of our homes for our Doodles.  Our vinyl fences have worked out great for our Doodles.  We did, however, have to layer some bricks along the ground in areas where the space was more than a few inches.  Our Olivia thought it was real cute to keep pushing her ball under the fence and we had to keep going all around the fence to get it back for her.

We also had a neighbor who had a very aesthetic looking wrought iron fence.  Besides black, they come in brown and bronze and blend in with nature.

[Gayle Miller]

Thanks Gail!  Appreciate your input as well as the tip about spacing!  What a smart doggie!

 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Hi Gayle! I would think that a dood could climb or go through a split rail fence pretty easily. Im not sure exactly what you have in mind with the term "split rail" though as there are many styles. Would you put something between the rails to fill in the open areas?

 

Have you considered a chain link fence? Since it sounds like you don't have a concern about privacy in the backyard, this type of fence would still allow the view (somewhat) but would offer containment as well.

 

I have never used an invisible fence but have read here on DK about many dogs who go through them when the distraction on the other side is big enough!! Also, there is the issue that any other animal can come INTO to your yard through the invisible fence so it offers no protection to your dog in that sense. 

[Gayle Miller]

Hi Ricki,

Guess what I'm talking about is a post-and-rail fence.  And yes, there would be mesh placed between the rails.  Our Home Owners Association would not permit chain link.....I do agree that I believe Invisible Fencing works better with some breeds than others.  Hunting breeds are more notorious about running through when spotting a deer!  I most likely will begin to see what it entails and the cost!  Thanks!

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

We have an inground self installed fence for Haley.  He did run through it once right after he had been trained for it and it wasn't pretty but very effective.  A couple of weeks ago DH and I were slowly walking around the yard picking up Haley's poops, one of which was on the other side of the fence (we take him out first thing in the morning and after dark on a leash without his e-collar on so this poop got on the otherside of the fence), and Haley tried to walk though the fence getting a minor correction.  We don't leave him in the yard by himself for very long but when we do he just sits at the door waiting for us to come back outside.  We are very happy with the inground fence.  With three acres, a dog proof physical fence was not an option for us. 

[Maria & Xena]

Hey Gayle - I have an invisible fence for Xena. She has a very strong drive to chase deer and she has never broken thru the e-fence even on a good chase. In Xena's case when the fence went in - the flags were up & she was shocked deliberately so she remembered what it felt like. We occasionally dont even put the collar on her & she still wont go thru - whoever said dogs dont remember things is crazy. She REMEMBERS!  I see you live in Bucks County. Im in Central Jersey & not too far from you. The company I went with is Border Patrol in Scotch Plains (1-888-272-8765). Not sure if they go that far but they will guarantee that your dog will not break thru. We have a neighbor with a husky that used to get loose all the time. After Border Patrol put the fence in that dog has not broken thru once. One other thing - cant get an efence installed til your dog is 5 mos old - at least with this company.  Hope this helps.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

As far as fencing, it is not that I want to keep my doodles in as much as I want to keep the other things out.   The coyotes seem to be getting closer and closer every night.  We heard something killed the other night too.  Enough.  Also, I have a creepy neighbor.  Good fences make great neighbors   :)  A huge privacy fence for me is the way to go. 

But when I posted this same discussion F. Parker showed me a really cool Deer Fence.  It is tall so that other things don't can't come in your yard, plus it is almost invisible so it does not block the beauty of the land.  .  This might be the way to go. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

My deer fence has been good for me and is pretty unobtrusive. You do need to make sure you have a few, 2-3 feet, at the bottom with PVC coated wire or the woodchucks and rabbits nibble holes. Here is a section in early spring when it has little vegetation covering it and you can see the woods are not obstructed.

[Ron Carnes]

We have a vinyl 5' fence. My son has an e- fence and it works fine. I decided on the vinyl fence over the e-fence because Zack loves to play fetch in the back yard. If my yard was big enought that I wouldn't toss the ball thru the e-fence that may have made a difference to me.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

My exact thoughts J. Keeping out everyone else is more important to me. We have tons of deer and don't need Lyme's disease. We have the post and rail fence with green wire stapled to the back. Works for us and the deer stay out. Wish the rabbits would take the hint, though.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

We first installed the invisible fencing.  Kept our dogs in fine as long as we kept fresh batteries in their collars.  It was a little bit of a pain though as we couldn't just leave the collars on them because we take them on walks in the neighborhood and also in the car all the time.  Our problem also became keeping other things out of our yard.  I'd never seen a stray dog before our invisible fence .... afterwards I saw them all them time.   I never left my girls outside on the invisible fence alone.  After the new neighbors moved in with 3 toddlers and a wiener dog, I decided we had to replace it with regular fencing,  We looked at all types, including the split rail like you are considering with the vinyl mesh fencing on the inside.  We came to the decision that on a wooded lot that fencing looked great, problem being we weren't on a wooded lot.  So we ended up with black aluminum.  On probably the 1st fencing discussion on here almost 3 years ago I was pro invisible fence ....... now I'm firmly on the side of regular fence.  However, we have many people in our neighborhood with invisible fence and it works just fine for them.  I think I probably just worry a little too much about some things.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

My brother and his family have an invisible fence, they have 2 Goldens....the first one Boomer is 10 and never needed one but the newest, Shelby 2,  was too inquisitive and went beyond where the older one would go without hesitation. She does well but unlike what the people say about it every time the battery is low off she goes. She has also gone through the fence whenever the temptation (a dear, a racoon) was too strong, yelping all the way. I vote for the physical fence.