Experiences with Invisible Fences --

[dainerra]

it totally depends on the dog. Also, did you know that even a conventional fence takes some training? Even a 6ft chain link is no challenge for a dog that wants to get out. I've seen video of dogs climbing wooden privacy fences!

My two dogs, we had one that would run through the fence, even on it's highest setting. Not chasing anything, he just liked to wander and some days decided the momentary shock was worth it. Of course, then he wouldn't come back into the yard because the collar would zap him. Our other dog, he wouldn't go through, even without the collar on.

Check with your local police. In some areas dogs have been shot inside their invisible fence. The dog would charge the property line and passerbys would have no way of knowing that the dogs are contained. I've seen a couple news stories of such dogs being shot by the police. An interesting note: If you have a dog that shows aggression toward people walking by, an invisible fence can make the problem worse. The dog could view the shock/pain as being caused by the person walking by.

Doesn't keep other animals out. Stray dogs, stray kids, wildlife can all wander into your yard at will. If anything happens, the loser is likely going to be your dog.

Amount of training. If you have a dog that isn't even leash-trained yet, you've got a LOT of work cut out for you before you can even think of training him to the fence. Some dogs pick it up quickly, others take months of re-inforcing the training. Until the dog is 100% reliable, you aren't supposed to let them inside the fence unattended. NOTE: (because I've seen people train this way!) do not slap the collar on the dog and turn the setting to high and expect the dog to train itself.

Maintenance. Invisible fences require more than you think. You have to walk the perimeter with the tester on a regular basis to make sure that the line is still solid. Even growing tree roots can break the wire, not to mention tunneling wildlife.

 

[Diamond Wire Farms]

We love our invisible fence. We have 4 dogs: 2 German Wirehair Pointers, A Weim-mix, and an Akita. They are all high prey drive, and all but the akita can jump a 6 foot fence. Staying in a dog run all day, just contained their energy and made them crazy. We use the invisible fence to give them access to 4 of our 7 acres. We also use the fence to enforce NO-GO zones (ie protect the chickens from our bird hunting dogs.) We ran the invisible fence along the wire fences that border our property. The dogs can easily go through these on their own but they do provide good visual boundaries for the dogs and neighbors. Early training is important. If the pattern is established well, it will be maintained.

I think your breeds will adapt well to the invisible fence. Beagles and labs/collies tend to be trailing or herding and will approach the fence slowly hearing the warning tones.

That being said, I would caution you against an invisible fence if your property is:
-prone to extended power outages (back-up battery only lasts so long.)
-bordered extensively by busy roads or walking paths
-or your dogs are unfixed, because it will not keep other dogs out.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Didn't work at all. The poodle ran through it repeatedly, after training. He'd just run through it hollering the entire time.

 

[herefordlovinglady]

thanks everyone, this is exactly the response I was looking for. I need to know from real people. Not the fence salesman and not from their website. Thanks so much.

Who ever said that about the beagle with the nose to ground is absolutely correct, i just feel Bessy will run through fire to go after a rabbit or deer. Andy on the other hand he could care less.

Busy road is my other concern. Not pedestrian, i live too far out to have any walking traffic.

My main concern is the busting through. I have worked with Bessy with a training/shock collar -- when she is ready to go she runs through the shock of it.

Thanks again. You all were a big help.