Invisible fence for dog

[bigblueteach]

Looking to buy a wireless dog collar to allow my dog more freedom to roam. Anyone have suggestions? I found Furthrive that has good reviews

 

[Squawkers]

You’re looking for an invisible fence or a gps tracker? Your post sounds like an invisible fence but the title says gps tracker so I was confused

 

[bigblueteach]

Invisible fence, thank you. I edited the post title

 

[Squawkers]

Oh ok!! I personally don’t know any invisible fences. Not to dissuade you, put I personally don’t like them. It just worries me that some other dog/human would come on to my property and harm them. Good look finding one! I can tag a few dog people here and see if they know of any.

@oldhenlikesdogs @StinkyAcres @Pampered chicken girl @Ilovemychicks08 @Somewhere_In_The_Clouds @ShrekDawg

 

[StinkyAcres]

I've never used an invisible dog fence - all I know is my neighbor uses them and their dogs frequently escape. And whenever I go over there to return their dogs they're like "oh, their collars aren't working for some reason" and "I hate these dogs" blah, blah, blah...

I built a pen with an actual physical fence for my dogs.

 

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

I'm not useful in that I haven't used one
But I've heard/read enough stories of dogs who...
- Ignore the shock (*shock collars backfire on many dogs)
- Accidentally get over and can't get back because they don't want to be shocked
-Know how to run down the battery so it won't shock them and they can be free

When walking/biking around here, I avoid a few streets that each have a house with invisible fences and seemingly aggressive dogs. I do not want to be there when those dogs make it past that invisible fence.

*edit to add
There's also a risk of malfunction where dogs get repeatedly shocked (without doing anything to set it off). Even with shock-free collars, some people have found they and their dogs get shocked from damaged or malfunctioning collars

Not trying to discourage, you're just trying to create a better situation for your dog. But these are unfortunately problems that many people have encountered. Better to be aware so you know what to look out for.

Sometimes amazon reviews can be really helpful in finding out what's wrong with an item (just ignore the stupid ones like "I don't like the color" or the obviously fake ones like "this item is the most amazing thing and you should buy it")

 

[BigBlueHen53]

When Invisible Fence works properly, the dog won't "run past it." The dog gets a shock as he crosses the barrier, and he continues to get an increasingly stronger shock as he continues to leave the property. He is strongly motivated to turn around quickly
and get back to safe turf. That's how it worked on my dog.

My problem was, the fence ran under our gravel driveway which is bedded in sharp stones, and the first time the trash truck ran over it the fencing was damaged and lost its integrity. They charged me $500 to come find and repair the break, and did not think to embed the wire in sand so it wouldn't happen again. I'm not paying another $500 to have them repair it again, although it might be worth it. My idiot dog went up the road and called the neighbor's dog's mother naughty names and nearly got his rear leg torn off for his trouble. That cost me a pretty penny in vet bills. ...

There's a portable electric fencing system that allows you to take your dog with you on outings. Basically you become the center of the bubble and the dog has an area around you in which he is free to roam. But the same problems apply that others have mentioned, it keeps your dog in the bubble but does not keep other dogs out. A good slip-chain ("choke") collar properly fitted and installed, and six-foot leash, in my opinion, are always the best way of controlling your dog when away from home, along with good basic training (Heel, Sit, Down, Stay and Come).

 

[Squawkers]

Just so people are aware, it appears they want it for a LGD. Personally, this changes my opinion because it’s a dog that is gonna be outside regardless and it can be hard to fence a LGD

 

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

Just so people are aware, it appears they want it for a LGD. Personally, this changes my opinion because it’s a dog that is gonna be outside regardless and it can be hard to fence a LGD
View attachment 4286240

Doesn't change what I wrote

But does make me think I can add something I opted to not, as I thought this was a "I want the front yard to look nice without a fence" situation

As somebody who grew up with livestock who have been trained to an electric fence.
A well thought out electric fence would certainly help to contain the average dog who wasn't intent on leaving the property.
Would also help keep unwanted dogs out (and a few humans)

 

[Folly's place]

We've had the Invisible fence brand underground fencing here since 1992, and it's worked well most of the time.
Our eighth dog, and adult knothead rescue, decided that getting to the chickens was worth it, in spite of serious efforts on our part, and the IF people.
At that point we put up a 'real' fence, 5' high, with the IF about 3' inside the physical barrier. Perfect!
Until about 5 years ago, when the control panel died and we didn't realize it. Then another rescue, a former fighting dog abuse pittie, dog under the Ft. Knox fence and killed many of our chickens in a short time. Awful!
When we figured out the problem with IF, they replaced the collars, batteries, and control panel, so everything works fine again.
When we raised our dogs from puppyhood, they learned to leave the chickens alone, and respected the IF. Adult rescues have been tougher, and now we depend on the real fence plus the IF, and keeping our birds out of the dog area.
Long story, and I think that properly managed IF collars can work very well to keep your dogs in. Little dogs especially are still vulnerable to attack from invaders!
I tell everyone with a small dog especially, to take pepper spray, at least, when walking their small pet.
Mary