my female chocolate lab keeps running away even with invisible fence, how do i keep her in the yard?

Question

for the past couple months my 1-1/2 year old female chocolate labs, 89lbs, keeps running away, we got the invisible fence, it worked wonders on her at first, this was last year mid summer we started the fence and never had a problem besides squirells eating at it in spots unburiable. but all of a sudden the collar and the fence dont keep her at bay, it stil works on our terrior mut puppy of the same age if not a little older, she is spade and she just keeps running, she only goes a couple blocks if even that most times just to the other side of the fence, i just cant figure it out, we've replaced her collar 3 times and it still doesnt work so please help my mother wants to get rid of her or just let her run if she keeps doing it

for the past couple months my 1-1/2 year old female chocolate labs, 89lbs, keeps running away, we got the invisible fence, it worked wonders on her at first, this was last year mid summer we started the fence and never had a problem besides squirells eating at it in spots unburiable. but all of a sudden the collar and the fence dont keep her at bay, it stil works on our terrior mut puppy of the same age if not a little older, she is spade and she just keeps running, she only goes a couple blocks if even that most times just to the other side of the fence, i just cant figure it out, we've replaced her collar 3 times and it still doesnt work so please help my mother wants to get rid of her or just let her run if she keeps doing it

oh and we do have a fence, its a 4 foot chainlink fence ...

Answer 1

I took a class called Learning to Love Your Lab at a highly recommended trainer in Houston. Know what she told us?

Labs were built for pain. They were built to go through anything to get their kill. So, while the pain from shock collars and invisible fences may work for some, others will find it to be atttention and a form of reward. Especially the larger ones.

You need to get a good trainer. Pain and shock collars aren't going to work on this one.

Have you even done basic training to teach her to sit, lay down, settle down, leave things alone when told, etc?? If not, a shock collar is NEVER going to work with this dog!!!

I have a chocolate lab as well. When i'm at my parents, she will tend to run off since they dont' have a fence. I will turn around and walk away from her and just go inside the house. Within seconds she is back at the door begging to be let in. Labs hate to be ignored!! So now, when she does this, i just walk away as quickly as possible. She hates that! The other thing i tell her to do if she's trying to run off? I tell her to sit. And she sits. That's why basic training is so very important. You can curb the bad tendencies without shock collars, pinch collars, spankings or any other implements of doggie torture.

But you seriously need to invest some time and energy working with a good trainer. AND you need to be with her. You need to learn to train your dog for the times when the trainer isn't around.

Oh.. and the last thing she told us?? Labs go through their terrible 2's from the age of 9 months till about 2 years, whether they have been trained or not!! Then they calm down again. So if you've already gone the training route, then try ignoring her and just wait it out.

Answer 2

Unfortunately, I do not have an answer but have a similiar problem with a 2-1/2 year old Catahoula. The Radio Fence worked fine for a while and kept him in, but his treeing instincts are SO strong. He eventually learned to just run the line and that the shock would be only for a brief moment. He also lost his stubborn dog receiver and I just purchased a new one. We've tried every method of re-training him, including dragging him into the field and jerking him back onto the property. Like your mom, I am ready to get rid of him (which includes putting him down) or just letting him run loose at night and keeping him tied during the day. Not much of a life for a dog (or its owner)!

Answer 3

Most Labs will figure out that all the have to do is hit the invisible fence at full speed and it doesn't get them. Then they will spend more time outside the fence than they do inside for no other reason than they can.

There is really no alternative to a dog run if you don't want to fence in your whole yard.

edit:
im sean
160# Chocolate Lab,,,,,, Ya right. Maybe you should read the Lab standard.
http://thelabradorclub.com/standard/officialstandard.html

Answer 4

Your mother should be ashamed of herself for setting such a horrible example. You don't give up a dog because he is exhibiting problem behavior. Your dog is a pet, not a problem!

This dog shouldn't be in the yard unsupervised until you get a proper fence put up. That means taking him out on a leash, every time. If you're not going to do that, at least get him microchipped so that you can find him when he finally does run more than two blocks from home, which he inevitably will.

You probably won't feel too badly when he gets hit by a car running around recklessly, will you?

Answer 5

we spent much money on an invisible fence. Didn't work as our puppies got larger. We spent more money on a stronger invisible fence-didn't work as puppies became full grown. We had large horses of dogs!! The female was more scared of the shock than the male but if the male, crossed the line...the female followed her brother! We ended up having to search for them, pay a fine to get them out of the animal shelter and spend more money on a real fence. My dad was livid!! Both dogs have been spayed and/or newtered so there was no 'reason' for them to leave other than curiosity. We have spent thousands on these horses, oh I mean dogs! Not to mention the trouble so my father said the same thing-if they get out of this fence, he's not even searching for them. Of course that was over a year ago and the fence is working wonderfully!

Answer 6

now this is experience only, okay. Labs have a lot, a whole lot of energy. Do you have a big yard? Is she taken for walks ?- or played with for a while every night? It makes a lot of difference. I thought, for the longest time, that if my dogs had a huge yard they would be happy...very few dogs entertain themselves (as far as exercise, know what I mean. It really is hard to find the time some days, but if that is what she is lacking it will make a world of difference. Does she play with the other dog you have? If she is just down the road, she probably has a playmate down there.
I hope some of this helps. Its just like raising kids, they are a lot of responsibility. Good Luck, (tell your mom you cannot get rid of her, really work on it and she wont)

Answer 7

I dont know the layout of your yard, or if you have a stationary fence at all. But invisable fences only work to a certain degree. Once your dog learns that she can get away if she can quickly run past the fense, then she has learned to out smart it.
They have dog leashes that you can connect into the ground using a medium sized cork-like piece of metal. You can pick it up at your local pet store. I think I paid 20 bucks for mine. It comes with a long thin metal leash, very light weight but very strong. Make sure to put it in the ground very tight, that way when the dog pulls on it, she wont go anywhere.
In addition to that I would leave her collar on for added protection from her getting out.
Make the leashe's length reach the invisible fense. That way when she goes to try to get out, the leash will stop her and she will get shocked by the invisable fense at the same time.
She will start to learn that she has been out smarted, and after awhile she won't be as willing to try to get out.


My dogs are escape "artist"..lol.

Answer 8

Dogs will learn that the pain from an invisible fence is temporary especially if they either back away or run through it...keep her in yard by buying a real 'physical' fence or keep her in the house and don't let her out without a leash on and unsupervised.

Answer 9

This is one reason why I don't like invisible fences. A halfway intelligent, motivated dog can figure out that all they have to do is take the shock and they are free.

You're going to have to put up a real fence, or go outside with her.

Edit - Animal Girl, that's an auto parts site.

Answer 10

How about turning the power up to 100% & then put the collar on your balls & jump through the invisible fence! Then you will see why your Lab keeps running away..... Just put up a regular fence or a rope.... quit hurting your dog by electrifying it.