Invisible Fence vs. Pet Stop vs. other electronic fences?

[Alissa Edwards]

We'd like to do an electronic fence for Farley when the ground thaws. I would love to hear recommendations/experiences of brands. 

Thanks in advance.

[Deborah Brown]

Do you live in an area that is isolated and free of predators?  An invisible fence might keep your dog from escaping your yard but won't stop other dogs, wildlife or people from coming in.  Consider your environment carefully before making a decision.

I just worry about the safety of your doodle.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Before we got Yogi, I just assumed we would get an electric fence.

 

But after getting him and falling in love, I couldn't bear the thought of shocking him, but more than that was the concern that the electric collar would keep him in, but would not keep coyotes out.  So predators could come in our yard, but Yogi would not be able to get out.

 

Just food for thought.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

My thoughts follow this line as well.  We originally spent the $1200+ on the Invisible Fence brand fence.  Yes it works, was easily installed and the doodles "got it" quickly and wouldn't go near the fence.  However, then two toddlers moved in next door and I had no way to keep them from crossing the line when the doodles were out and the doodles were bigger than the kids.  Then I had a pack of three dogs come through the yard.  Fortunately I was outside with my doodles and saw them coming and was able to get the girls back in the house before they got to our yard, but that might have been trouble.  So, then we made the decision to eat the $1200 and put in a regular fence.   I also had problems with taking the girls on walks or out in the car.  It was collars on, collars off, all the time.  Teaching them to understand that i the collar was on they couldn't cross the line, but if it was off they could.  If you do install it I would suggest back yard only.  We have a new little border collie puppy in the neighborhood and they installed an IF and he chases cars.  He doesn't bust his fence, but he chases cars on the property line.  We also have a Sheep dog in the neighborhood that would charge the fence when people walked by.  Even though he had a fence, and wouldn't bust the fence, it scared people when he did it.  They finally had to put up a solid fence where he couldn't see out.  Just some things to think about!

[Rebecca Chynoweth]

I have Dog Watch brand and it has been great. It was significantly cheaper than Invisible Fence in my area and I am very happy with it. We are not allowed a fence in our development so this was the only option for us. 

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

We have Innotek ULTRASMART IN GROUND PET FENCING and installed it ourselves.  It has been in for almost 5 years and is the best thing we have done for Haley.  He did cross the fence one time right after training and it wasn't pretty but he learned and will not go near the fence; not for dogs, people or even deer.  Haley is the type of dog that isn't happy outside by himself so if I go in the house he is at the back door waiting.  I never leave him out by himself except for a few minutes at a time and he will bark if he sees anything moving (we are on 3 acres out in the open with no near neighbors or woods) so I always go back out to see what is going on.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

We have the FIDO FENCE and it works well for us. We always have a sense of where he is on our property ( the house is at the foot of a hill, in a wooded area) and call him back if we don't see him after a short time. The property, because of the hill, is really not suited to a physical fence, so this has worked well for us.  

I agree that it is not a matter of totally unsupervised freedom.  Other animals get in.  We don't have coyotes, I would be fearful of that!  The way our property is situated, it would be unusual for people to wander on it, though. 

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

One thing not mentioned: When deciding on a fence, ask about the dangers of stray radio signals causing unintended corrections. I had an Invisible Fence installed for my previous dog years ago and I suspected something was wrong when I heard the collar beep near my car in the driveway.  The IF people never told me about "stray signals," but we exchanged the collar several times assuming it was malfunctioning and had them come out. They assured me everything was working properly.  It was not.  It kept Teddy contained, but I'm afraid he continued to get infrequent but random corrections.  I no longer use that fence - but if you decide on an invisible fence, you might research the Dog Watch brand as I've heard that system has less of a chance of receiving stray signals but I have no personal experience with it. 

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

I have not heard of stray corrections.  We had the fence for 11 years for our lab and never had that either, but we are situated far enough from the road that it would not likely carry.  

We also put Quincy in the car to bring him over the driveway area that is wired.  He has never walked down our long driveway past the underground wire, but instead always gets a ride!  

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Lori, I hadn't either when I installed the fence.  Actually I don't even know if the fence companies understood the technology because it was about 16 years ago. And I knew, and still know, plenty of people who swear by their Invisible Fence.  So I'm not dissing invisible fences.   

We live on a heavily traveled road, although we live way back from it.  But  it's not only radios. Some common household appliances can cause an unintended shock. Rain can cause the collar to malfunction.  I don't know why, but I do know a running car at least 30 feet from the fence boundary shocked my dog.  And I feel tremendously guilty that my sweet bouncing outgoing Beardie developed several unpleasant phobias after installing the fence.  I never connected the dots.   Hoping my experience helps others with their research.  If FM receivers are really safer than AM that might be the way to go. I'd check it out. 

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