Invisible Fences~pros/cons?

Question

I have a 3 year old Beagle/German Sheperd/Lab mix. He is in general a great dog, fairly obedient. He's also quiet for a hound. However, that hound nose gets him in trouble. He will follow any scent, usually getting sidetracked by another scent, and so on. I cant let him out unless he is on a leash or in his pen (he has a 30 by 15 or so fenced in area to run around in). I was thinking of getting one of those invisible fences that shocks the dog when they go past it. Any one who has used them...advice? Im mostly worried he is going to hit that shock point and just keep going...

We have a huge yard and another dog, who stays. I just want to be able to play catch with mine, or have him run around free. It disheartens me to see him sad.

I live in a fairly wooded, secluded area, in VT. Also, the dog officer for our town lives next door and knows he is a runner, so there are no issues there.

Answer 1

I have seen dogs chasing me at a full sprint and stop instantly where they know the invisible fence is. There were no markings or anything, they just knew and stopped on a dime when they got there. Most of those products beep when they get close before shocking to remind the animal it is there. From what I've seen, they work.

Answer 2

Pro, if yout dog is a "good" dog it will learn to stop before reaching the shock area however the big CON is if your dog is even smarter..especially since you have two they could end up chewing the receivers off each other's necks or as someone said earlier it is common that the dog will learn by pushing the limits of the system that the pain is temporary and can learn to run through the invisible fence.

Also, depending upon where you live but I'm guessing most places...keeping a dog confined in accordance with the leash laws of most city/counties..the invisible fence would not be considered "under control" and you could be cited or the dog removed.

Anyone with a hound or hound mix should be aware that their dog is definitely nose driven and should never be off leash unless in a secure, confined area..IE fenced yard, fenced dog park, crate, home regardless of local city and county ordinances.

If you want to have your dog in the front yard with some freedom consider buying a metal tie out and stake it into the ground very well secured. The dog shouldn't be able to chew through it or get it pulled out of the ground BUT I only advise this if the dog is being watched. Do not leave dogs staked out unattended by a responsible human.

Answer 3

Well for the most part it is a good idea, but I have found out from the neighbors have an invisible fence that even the smallest dog can run through it and some of those fences keep zapping the dog until they return to the safe area. Of course the dog is so freaked out they don't know what to do.

Answer 4

You would probably be better off with some obedience classes or, if you can't afford or don't want to pay for classes, you could try leash training your dog. Leash training is not really difficult when done properly and once it's done your dog understands the commands and the appropriate action. You'll be able to play with your dog running loose and won't have to worry about whether or not the fence will contain him. Electric fences don't always contain an animal and a well trained dog won't cross that line.

Answer 5

If you know someone that has an invisible fence, you could possibly try it out first to see if your dog will stop when he gets shocked. Or try to find a company that offers a money back guarantee so if it doesn't work for your dog, you aren't out anything.

Answer 6

those thing dont work they can just fight the pain for 1 secound then there free my cat got killed becuse the dogs next door got out of the shok fence and ate my cat!

Answer 7

Pros: Your dog will learn not to cross the property line.
Cons: You can't prevent another animal (possibly a viscous one) from coming on to your property. Your dog could be trapped.