Dog Run/Fenced area vs. Invisible Fence?

[Julie Mison]

Hi Everyone,
Since we have been training our pup we have been taking him out on a leash each time to make or play. We are trying to decide what would be the most effective long term option for him to go outside....

Wondering if you could share your thoughts/experiences with building a doggie run/fenced area vs. invisible fencing? If we do a dog run...would you do a privacy fence or a chain fence that he could see out of?

Thanks in advance!

[Adina P]

I have a wood fence surrounding my entire yard with one gate that is chain link. I've never used an invisible fence but prefer solid fences for several reasons:

1) I am assured my dog will never walk out (though of course all gates have to be latched at all times) regardless of whether he is wearing a collar or not--so that at any time I can send my dog outside and not worry about putting on an e-fence collar.

2) Other critters/dogs can't come in and bug my dog

3) I like the privacy of it

Others on here have had great success with their e-fence where building a real fence is not an option.

[Mustard Seed Ranch]

I have to add my two cents here...I know everyone LOVES their invisible fence but I do not like them!! Main reason as Adina said it doesnt keep other dogs out! DO your neighbors have dogs? Are their often loose dogs in the neighbor hood?? I also think it adds a false sense of security. In my neighborhood (and I am way out in the country) I see dogs with invisible fence collars loose quite a bit. Nw if you are looking to take your dog out WITH YOU and just not have to hold a leash I think its OK, I just would not expect to leave my dog outside with one for any length of time.
I personally believe in a solid fenced yard-or as you said a run in that can be used. Whether its solid or chain really depends upon what you want and how much you plan to leave the dog there. If its just for short periods than either will work, if you intend to leave the dog there while you are at work-then chain link can promote more barking as they see more things around them, which leads to other "kennel" behaviors. Go with a welded one so that they dont dig out and get hurt on the links. Wire ones are also safer if you plan to leave them unattended as they wont get into things and have less chances of getting hurt while you are gone.

I guess all three options have their merits it just depends upon how you plan to use it...

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

I'm not overly fond of e fences. Dog's that become use to this type of fence can very easily break through and the shock is short and quick when they do, so it does not really affect them, they are gone. You also need time to train the dog, and if you have training issue that could be a reason to go with a diff type of fencing. Someone can also easily access your yard, pop off the collar and bye bye Rover. I have also seen several types of dogs break through them to chase another dog or cat..etc. Chain link fences anyone can stick anything through them. You also need to be sure gates are locked at all times. If you have kids that go in and out no matter what type wood/metal/pre-fab fencing you get, you always need to be sure the gates are locked. If you are doing a section of your yard just for the dog, I would make 3 sides enclosed and the gate area able to be seen in by you, with a lock on the gate if your not with the dog, unless you plan on being with your dog when they are out using this area.

[clancy's mom]

We live waaay out in the country, also -- there are lots of stray (mostly hound) dogs running loose a large part of the time. We have e-fencing and Clancy has never gone through it to chase another dog, deer, rabbit, skunk. Granted, we don't leave him out there for hours at a time and NEVER when we are not at home. And we usually try to keep an eye on where he is when he is out there. Mostly he just goes out to do his business, stretch his legs, and then comes back in. In the morning when I walk up the driveway to get the newspaper, he will come just part of the way with me (with or without his electric collar on) and then sits in the drive and waits for me to come back. When we walk, I take the e-collar off in the house, put his leash on and he goes right out with me at his side. So, for us it has worked very well.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree with everyone about a real versus invisible fence. I had my yard fenced to keep deer out before I got my dogs. Although the fence is really a heavy duty plastic mesh, which can be nearly invisible I have had no problems containing the dogs and keeping deer out. For larger properties it may be more inexpensive than using other fencing. Calla, aka Harriet Houdini, I think is finally foiled from sneaking through a side gate after I have added additional fence pieces and bungee cords. Of course now i use this gate less since it is a pain to open!

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

We have a wooden fence around our entire yard. I like a fence over an invisible fence because it not only keeps my dogs in but other animals out (except opossums). One of my neighbors had an e-fence. It worked for one of her dogs but not for her black lab ‘Mikey’. If something was on the other side of the e-fence that he really wanted (like a cat), Mikey would just barrel right over the wire with a quick yelp. Then he couldn’t get back in the yard. My neighbor finally put up a wooden fence to keep Mikey contained.

[Jersey, Jasmine, Jypsy and Diane]

I have the invisible fence, it does not keep out wildlife, dogs, cats , true, but... I have never had a problem with all of the 5 German shorthaired pointers and lab that I own now. Jersey, my mini GD will break through the fence on occassion to visit the neighbor's kids and their doodle, then runs right back.

[Lorraine Bromley]

i have both. I prefer the wooden fenced in area. We put in the invisible fencee in the front yard for Neely so he could be out in the front yard with us and not do a runner and get hit or lost. We are very happy with the invisible fence and he learned very quickly not to go anywhere near the boundary. I still don't like the idea of no fence and just electric if you can't be with them outside or can't be looking almost constantly. If someone sees a beautiful dog sitting in the front yard with no one around they could also be stolen easily. A wooden fence allows them freedom and fun away from dangers.
We have a large yard for a city.

[Ron Carnes]

My son has an invisible fence for an older bassett. It seems to work fine for him. I installed a 5' vinyl fence for Zack. The good vinyl is more expensive but no maintenance, washable with a life time guarantee. I can get him a lot of exercise by throwing a ball and frisbee. That is hard to do with an invisible fence

[Kevin Lackey]

I am fence shopping now and getting estimates from various contractors and the e-fence topic came up. It never dawned on me that the fence will not prtect Brody from unwanted intruders of 2 or 4 legged kind.

Plus, if he does break through, he'll have a hard time coming home again.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Kevin,
You certainly will at least for awhile. Brody has lots spunk!!!!
A

[Kevin Lackey]

Does he ever! He's such a goofball. We're getting some financial aid from a family member to get the fence done a little sooner for the Brodymeister.