When do I install the invisible fence?

[diane]

My puppy, Ebony, is 10 weeks old. How old should she be before installing the invisible fence and how long doe it take to train her to stay in the yard?

[Tamara & Giada]

I had one once and I think you're to wait until they are 6 months old. It to took my dog only 2 weeks to train.

[diane]

I've been reading that many of the doodles train pretty fast. It sure would be able to sit outside and not worry about her running too far away. Thanks

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Here is an inexpensive suggestion to put up a temporary fence - I did this to protect my veggie garden from ground hogs and rabbits and it worked.
Home Depot sells plastic webbed fencing - a black, smaller hole version of the orange construction fence'. You have to get the metal stakes, anchors (you put them into the ground to keep the puppy from goig under the fence) and a rubber mallet. The fence slides onto the tabs that are on the stakes. It comes in 25' - I am not sure if you can get it in a larger roll.

from the Home Depot website:
Tenax 3 Ft. x 25 Ft. Black Poultry Fence
Model 206866
$19.98/RL Roll

[diane]

This sounds like a great idea for my veggie garden but our yard is about an acre so I want her to be able to run all over the place. I'll try the webbing in the garden. Thanks

[fergie11]

For the veggie garden - Innotek sells a zone thing that works off my dogs e-collars. If you set that in the middle of the garden it will give off a tone and then a mild zap to teach them to stay out of there. This thng is portable so you can teach them and then move it. I used that in my working part of my kitchen and in my flower garden - you may have seen my blog on that. Worked good.

[Margaret Erwin]

Ten years ago, they said 6 months. However, now the fence guy said that is passe - any time after 8 weeks. It took Ella and harry tow days to train!

[diane]

Thanks for input. The fence man told me the same thing but I wasn't sure if he was just trying to "sell" me a fence. Two days!!!! These doodles are pretty smart.

[Adina P]

I would want my pup to be past the first fear development period (8-12 weeks) before training to an invisible fence...JUST IN CASE...

[fergie11]

They said 6 months when I got Fergie and I did wait until then for her. She learned in 2 days - simple. Then the following spring I got Lucy and was really anxious to get her trained. I did it at 4 months - it took 1 day. She was even simpler. She got one mild zap (this hurts you worse than it hurts the puppy) in each direction - about 1 month ago and you can't drag her through if you want to. You will love the fence. For Lucy I never even put out the flags. I am amazed how smart doodles are.

[Wendy]

I am thinking about getting this also. Has anyone had a negative experience with the invisible fence? or a dog who wouldn't say inside it?

[Adina P]

I have heard of people whose dogs didn't mind the boundary...but can't recall who... I think for me it would depend on where I lived. If there was a busy street on either side of the fence...I'd hesitate. If there were local animals or other dogs that roamed freely I would hesitate since your dog is stuck and can't escape if it is being bothered. But otherwise, I can see how it would be great for a lot of situations.

[Wendy]

I personally have a fenced back yard on a cul de sac but we enjoy having the puppies in the front yard as well when we are hanging out there. My kids open fences and doors occasionally without shutting them too :) They will come back into the yard when they wander if I shake the treat can but I don't want them to leave at all! We have been also letting them in the front yard on a 15' long leash trying to train them to the yard but they get tangled easily. I am thinking I will wait until the fall/ winter and see how training them works first.