Foo - Invisible fence for the dogs, anybody have one?

or any recommendations or advice? We have a pair of mini schnauzers and the lot is only about 1/3 acre.

Thanks!

My sister had one and it worked very well.
She then strapped the collar to her leg and let it zap her.
She won't use it again, thinks it is torturing the dog.

I've known a number of people that have them. They can work, but be aware that if the dog gets through, they are trapped outside the yard.

I would never consider putting one of those things on a small dog. I put one on myself once and it REALLY hurts -- I was literally knocked off my feet. I'd feel guilty strapping one of those things to anything less than an out of control Rott.

For 1/3 acre, get a real fence. It will work better, and the dogs will actually get to use more of the yard.

For 1/3 acre, get a real fence. It will work better, and the dogs will actually get to use more of the yard.

Unfortunately that is easier said than done at the moment. I am definitely sensitive to harming the dogs though. I'm not sold on these things yet.

If you don't want a fence get a leash and a post in the center that you can leash them to.

long leash on a cable. cable anchored in two points.

Unfortunately that is easier said than done at the moment. I am definitely sensitive to harming the dogs though. I'm not sold on these things yet.

Daredevil,
They are great. They can save their lives. It's not like they continually get zapped or forget,.... my wuddles know where their boundries are and it's wonderful knowing they are free to explore the yard in safety.

Just don't do it yourself. The actual Invisible Fence Company has a money back guarantee for 30 days, at least here in my town.

Before we moved to our new house last year, we lived on a what had become a very busy street. IF kept them safe and secure. Call them for a free appointment and decide for yourself. the zap is a non issue.

Mini Schnauzers are ratters, and might have too high of a chase instinct to care about the shock if they're intent on taking off after something.

We used one when we lived in MD. Shared it across 2 yards with our neighbor. Worked great on all 3 dogs. I zapped myself with it a few times, it hurts, but it's not debilitating by any stretch.

Mini Schnauzers are ratters, and might have too high of a chase instinct to care about the shock if they're intent on taking off after something.

excellent point, but this would most definitely also apply to jack russell terriers.

It works.

daredevil,
Another very important feature that hasn't been mentioned yet is the collar "beeps" and warns the dog when they are getting too close to the fence. It's the beeping that does the work, not the shock.......

It won't keep other dogs out.

It won't keep other dogs out.

+1,. .now this is true and might be an issue for mini schnauzers. Not an issue for me with Airwick guarding the estate but definitely an excellent point if you worry about roaming dogs, etc.

Daredevil,
They are great. They can save their lives. It's not like they continually get zapped or forget,.... my wuddles know where their boundries are and it's wonderful knowing they are free to explore the yard in safety.

It is true that a dog will not walk through an invisible fence. However, if the dogs are running full tilt in pursuit of something, they can go straight through (they'll yelp and jump about 6 feet in the air). Then they are trapped on the wrong side.

I think the invisible fence has its applications. But I would never use it on a small dog unless they have a version that delivers a much wimpier shock than what I got. If you want to go this route, try shocking yourself. If you can't handle (or are afraid to subject yourself to) something that you'd make a dog that small tolerate, alarm bells should be ringing.

I think you have the wrong size dogs and wrong size yard. If you had a dog like the gray one below and a larger yard, I'd be singing a different tune.

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs009.snc1/4183_1133492866835_1512693402_332473_3087695_n.jpg

It is true that a dog will not walk through an invisible fence. However, if the dogs are running full tilt in pursuit of something, they can go straight through (they'll yelp and jump about 6 feet in the air). Then they are trapped on the wrong side.

I think the invisible fence has its applications. But I would never use it on a small dog unless they have a version that delivers a much wimpier shock than what I got. If you want to go this route, try shocking yourself. If you can't handle (or are afraid to subject yourself to) something that you'd make a dog that small tolerate, alarm bells should be ringing.

I think you have the wrong size dogs and wrong size yard. If you had a dog like the gray one below and a larger yard, I'd be singing a different tune.

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs009.snc1/4183_1133492866835_1512693402_332473_3087695_n.jpg

Excellent points,.....

However, most systems can control the shock level now.

If Cuddles (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUNMaP_YKWA&NR=1) can do it,.........

Excellent points,.....

However, most systems can control the shock level now.

If Cuddles (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUNMaP_YKWA&NR=1) can do it,.........
Apparently systems have changed a lot since I was zapped. The video makes it looks like Cuddles gets a minor buzz at worst.

My sister has a Petsafe fence (http://www.petsafe.net/) for her golden doodle (~70lbs). It works very well, it's portable, expensive (IMO), and can be adjusted for size and number of dogs. The collar beeps when the dog gets near the perimeter. Her dog is super mellow to begin with and IMO is very edgy when it realizes it's near the boundary. FWIW, if your dog is very submissive, that may not be the way to go.
http://www.thedogfence.com/image_manager/attributes/image/image_3/42034515_9740254.jpg

Apparently systems have changed a lot since I was zapped. The video makes it looks like Cuddles gets a minor buzz at worst.

progress, that's why it would be best for daredevil to set up his free appointment and see for himself.

btw, your babies are very handsome :)

I'm pro-electric fence because I failed to put my sweet Benji-terrier, Arizona, on one and she was too smart to be contained by a regular chain fence. Sometimes it is best to set boundries for the ones we love.

I miss you, Zoni-Roni. :(

I put one in at my uncles house once when he was going to take my dog (so I could visit him) when I had to move somewhere that didn't allow dogs.

1) It was HARD WORK to put in. Had to dig a trench around entire perimeter.
2) My dog at the time was a lab and even though it was one hell of a shock (read AllenG's response), he would still suffer through and break out any way. I doubt that would happen with your little dogs, but just sayin'.
3) As AllenG mentioned, they give one hell of a nasty jolt. I, personally would never use it again. There are better ways, like fencing or if you don't want to fence entire area, temporary dog pens or fencing.

Excellent points,.....

However, most systems can control the shock level now.

If Cuddles (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUNMaP_YKWA&NR=1) can do it,.........

Good. Definitely sounds better than when I used them (10ish years ago).

If you go with a professional installation, like Invisible Fence, you will never need this but to address the possibility of the dogs getting trapped beyond the fence you could add this nifty (http://www.dogtracs.com/index.asp?gclid=CPrGofeI25oCFSUSswodPW5H3g) little device.

I bet IF already has this service/option available, but if not, there you go.

Thanks everybody for the input.

I did check with the Invisible Fence people today and they wanted a grand or more for a system. :o

If I did this, it would be the wireless type...probably a lot like that PetSafe model mentioned.

We do not live on a busy street and we would never plan on leaving them unattended for any significant length of time. Much of the purpose would be to get them to hang around while we were doing other things and yes, I know we could pen them or tie them. From everything I've heard, the dogs learn the boundaries pretty quickly and then you can simply get rid of the collars.

Ok, let's not get to threatening to harm ones pet or the owner.

daredevil, remember an invisible fence will work most of the time, but if you have a large dog and it wants out of the premisis, it's going to go through the fence regardless. Mini schnauzers won't likely bolt for the fence.

more effective than you could imagine (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=et7Jn3K0gzE)

Thanks everybody for the input.

I did check with the Invisible Fence people today and they wanted a grand or more for a system. :o

If I did this, it would be the wireless type...probably a lot like that PetSafe model mentioned.

We do not live on a busy street and we would never plan on leaving them unattended for any significant length of time. Much of the purpose would be to get them to hang around while we were doing other things and yes, I know we could pen them or tie them. From everything I've heard, the dogs learn the boundaries pretty quickly and then you can simply get rid of the collars.


Ok, let's not get to threatening to harm ones pet or the owner.

daredevil, remember an invisible fence will work most of the time, but if you have a large dog and it wants out of the premisis, it's going to go through the fence regardless. Mini schnauzers won't likely bolt for the fence.

The Petsafe is ~$300 and works through walls. No digging is required. It has several power settings depending on the dog's size so this is HIGHLY unlikely. When my sister's dog is chasing around and the ball goes near or beyond the boundary, the dog knows-stops-turns and gives me that "What the hell did you throw it there for?!" look. Nope, I don't own stock but if/when I get another dog, I'll consider it. Still, $300 would buy 3 new pairs of bibs :D

We use a visible fence. 10,000 volts works great at keeping the dog in and the deer out.

I know a old guy that has invisible dogs.

I've known a number of people that have them. They can work, but be aware that if the dog gets through, they are trapped outside the yard.

I would never consider putting one of those things on a small dog. I put one on myself once and it REALLY hurts -- I was literally knocked off my feet. I'd feel guilty strapping one of those things to anything less than an out of control Rott.

For 1/3 acre, get a real fence. It will work better, and the dogs will actually get to use more of the yard.

That is why I'd never use them. I'm sure my pair would get excited run right through the zap on ht eway out, then when they came wandering back would in hteir new calm mood find a barrier to reentry.