Anyone have experience with an electric dog fence? I have a very active Scottie - would this fence work?

Question

If Rufus is on one side of the fence and a rabbit on the other, is this fence's 'static correction' as they call it, going to keep him in the yard? Scotties are very strong-willed...

Answer 1

We have 4 dogs - 2 Border Collies, 1 Beagle and 1 Black Lab. We have been on the "Invisible Fence" system for the last 6 years. I would NEVER BE WITHOUT IT.
We live on a small farm and there are chickens and sheep on the farm as well as barn cats. My dogs will go tearing off to the edge of the Invisible Fence and then stop. They get a warning beep when they get too close to the fence before they get a correction.
Only once has the black lab gone through the fence. We had to go and bring him back (taking off the collar on the return through the fence). He has never done it again.
None of the other dogs have gone through.
Once properly trained, this is a very effective tool.
The system comes with different levels of correction so on a very stubborn dog, you may need to have it fairly high.
I have heard of dogs that ignore the system when they get really excited but one "escape" in 6 years between 4 dogs is a darned good batting average if you ask me.
We DO NOT leave the property with unattended dogs in spite of the fence just in case. The installer who put ours in says his dog is outside while they go to work and unattended and he has never had a problem BUT....if there is a problem and the dog escapes...IT CANNOT COME BACK THROUGH THE FENCE...
Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Yes, usually. You can either get a fence or a collar. I would suggest both. The fence will keep Rufus contained and safe. It will take work on both of your parts. Once Rufus finds out there is pain involved (moderate), he will learn to leave the rabbit alone.

Also, get a pet rabbit in a crate and allow Rufus to become familiar with this animal. Once they have become familiar with one another the other rabbit will not seem so enticing. Depending on how well they get along, put Rufus on a leash and allow the rabbit to wonder around the yard. Who knows, this may be a friendship no one expected.

When and if you no longer want the rabbit, give it to a child or pet store.

Answer 3

I can't say for sure because the willingness of the dog to experience the "pain" so they can go after the target plays a big factor into the answer. However, my neighbors on both sides have electric fences and they have worked beautifully. There is some maintenance (a walk through of the set up on a regular bases to make sure all is still working), and when the batteries run out on the collar they are gone out of the yard immediately! I would give it a shot.

Answer 4

As much as the fences do work for most dogs, if your your dog is that energetic, it might not work from him. A friend of mine a dog trainer and he's always telling me how much those fences are a waste of time and money because they don't always work. The shock is powerful but some dogs can't get use to it or just deal with the shock if they really want something on the other side of that "fence". He never recommends them to anyone.

Answer 5

We had one for our border collie. The collar beeped before any shock would come and he would stop when he heard the beep. It worked good until there was a temptation he couldn't resist, like a dog friend. He would run right through the shock. He's a fast dog and I think maybe too fast to notice the shock, or just didn't care.

The one thing you can't do is leave your dog in the yard and go out somewhere. If he does get out, he won't want to come back through the shock. Though it's been almost a year since we've had it, mine will still only come in through the back door.

Answer 6

Yes. If you are willing to let your dog be electrocuted a few times. "static correction" that is hilarious. Have you ever stuck your hand in one of those? Not fun.