Dog Owners - Fencing Options? Any invisible fence opinions?

[Stee6043]

A light hearted non-boating topic as we near critical mass on CSR before boats start launching this spring

I've got a Weimaraner pup that turns one in April. This is our third Weim so we know the score on the breed pretty well. This spring I'm going to install a proper fence. And by proper I mean either invisible or "real" but done professionally. With our first Weim (and a Labrador at the time) I DIY installed a Pefsafe fence and really struggled with it. Constant line breaks from moles, dogs could not return if they got out, etc. and so on. I gave up on it after three years of disappointment.

For those reasons I initially set out last week to get a real fence. I have two quotes so far, within range, totally doable. But I also have a couple friends that have recently installed "modern" invisible fences. It sounds like the tech has come a along way in the last 10 years. So I've got a local Invisible Fence consultation setup for 2 weeks from now. I expect the Invisible Fence installed cost will be half what a real fence will be, +/-, including some training, with all the bells and whistles.

So have any of you guys had experience or feelings either way? Anyone have horrible experience with newer e-fences? Of course the only downsides to a real fence are the breaking up of my yard and aesthetics, other than the 2X cost. And potential future maintenance of a black metal fence? Not a lot of wild animals in the area I'd be trying to "keep out".

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

This is the beast we're working to contain:

 

[northshore]

A buddy now has the (not sure of the terminology) range/radius style after having the invisible fence setup.
His dogs (Huskies) would occasionally, blast through the invisible fence. The range style does not suffer from that once they get X amount of feet away from transmitter - Bzzzzzt!
Not sure if this would be suitable for the area you are trying to keep them in.

Cute Pup BTW!

 

[Stee6043]

A buddy now has the (not sure of the terminology) range/radius style after having the invisible fence setup.
His dogs (Huskies) would occasionally, blast through the invisible fence. The range style does not suffer from that once they get X amount of feet away from transmitter - Bzzzzzt!
Not sure if this would be suitable for the area you are trying to keep them in.

Cute Pup BTW!

Thanks, northshore. I looked into the wireless invisible fences too. Unfortunately, the shape of my yard is not conducive to circular containment patterns. Without overlapping with neighbors my pup would end up with almost no space to roam. Those do look slick though!

 

[ja308601]

We went through Invisible Fence about a year ago when we moved and it has worked out great. We have two dogs--one older, one younger--and they both got with the program very quickly. We had come from a house with a fenced yard so it was a total change for them. Now, we can let them out front or out back without any concern. It's particularly nice having a front yard zone so they can be out while I do yard work and I don't have to worry about traffic, etc.

 

[Golfman25]

Our subdivision doesn't allow fences, so most dog owner have the invisible kind. None have problems that I'm aware of. We will be looking for one shortly as well.

 

[TimW]

We have an invisible fence brand for our German Shorthair.

Well worth the money IMO. Took a couple adjustments to dial in a control setting she obeyed, but now it has been over a year since she has even tested the boundaries.

 

[Stee6043]

Thanks for all the replies, gentlemen. It sounds like I should strongly consider giving the invisible fence a second chance. Maybe it'll also motivate me to address my mole problem

@TimW my dogs best pal in the summer is a German Shorthair. Only a month or so apart in age. They have a blast together. Super cool dogs...I feel like the GSP is just a touch more calm than a Weim...

 

[MattB92]

I used the invisible fence with the radius style that Northshore was talking about. Worked great. My two Golden's learned very quickly.

It's funny - this invisible fence was installed at the father in law's in a more rural setting where we needed it. We purchased our own house in town with a fenced yard so we don't use it anymore. But when we go back there for visit's (even a year later) they will not even come close to crossing that invisible line, it's hilarious.

Not sure I understand why it wouldn't work in your yard tho. Do you have a really deep lot?

 

[BEH]

I’ve read that Vets, Animal Rights groups etc are against them.
Also read that if a dog is running or chasing something and goes through the zone it wont be able to get back in.
I don’t know, just asking.

 

[Stee6043]

I used the invisible fence with the radius style that Northshore was talking about. Worked great. My two Golden's learned very quickly.

It's funny - this invisible fence was installed at the father in law's in a more rural setting where we needed it. We purchased our own house in town with a fenced yard so we don't use it anymore. But when we go back there for visit's (even a year later) they will not even come close to crossing that invisible line, it's hilarious.

Not sure I understand why it wouldn't work in your yard tho. Do you have a really deep lot?

My yard is a bit of a trapezoid and I've got homes with dogs on both sides. Using only circles makes it impossible to avoid going into neighbors yards and/or the street in the front. I'd only be able to use half of my yard...which is not that big to begin with.

 

[Stee6043]

I’ve read that Vets, Animal Rights groups etc are against them.
Also read that if a dog is running or chasing something and goes through the zone it wont be able to get back in.
I don’t know, just asking.

Shoot, I think my vet sells Petsafe brand training collars

 

[TimW]

Stee6043

Not much experience with wiemeraners’ but this is our second GSP.

She’s definitely higher energy the male we had. Just gotta let them run, or throw your arm out with throwing tennis balls, as a tired GSP doesn’t get into as much mischief!!

As far as another comment on not being able to get back into the fenced area, if you go with invisible fences “boundary plus” option not only can they get back on without getting shocked, they can also go ALL the way up to the wire.

 

[wyrman]

Stee6043

Not much experience with wiemeraners’ but this is our second GSP.

She’s definitely higher energy the male we had. Just gotta let them run, or throw your arm out with throwing tennis balls, as a tired GSP doesn’t get into as much mischief!!

As far as another comment on not being able to get back into the fenced area, if you go with invisible fences “boundary plus” option not only can they get back on without getting shocked, they can also go ALL the way up to the wire.

Try either a tennis, or racquetball racquet to launch the balls. When my dogs were young enough to chase a ball, I used a racquet ball racquet and a racquet ball.
The racquet ball goes farther, and bounces a lot, which makes it entertaining.

 

[TimW]

Try either a tennis, or racquetball racquet to launch the balls. When my dogs were young enough to chase a ball, I used a racquet ball racquet and a racquet ball.
The racquet ball goes farther, and bounces a lot, which makes it entertaining.

That was mostly tongue in cheek

I use a chuck-it. My shoulder gave up on throwing like that years ago!!

 

[1956olds]

My neihbor has two wiemerainers and invisible fence. Ten years i have never seen his dogs cross the line. If he ever pulls that huge diesel pusher back into the driveway i will ask him about the specifics. Havent seen him but once since last january though. I think they got caught out of state during pandemic and werent allowed to return.

 

[Maggieiscrazy]

I installed a pet safe yard max invisible fence. My 2 golden retrievers will not cross that wire as long as they have their collars on. But they know when they don’t have their collars on and will roam.

 

[Carpediem44DB]

I used the Pet safe for our dogs, We fenced in about three acres, the Lab was pretty good about respecting the fence but the Great White Pyrenees would bolt right thru, We eventually had to install a two wire live stock electric fence, that got her attention post haste. After a few days we did not even have to have it on. Now and then I energize it because I find that she grabs hold of it and tries to yank it down. Does not take long for her to get the message again. We don't have children around so we don't worry about that.
Good luck

 

[dvx216]

I think a lot depends on the breed. When we had a Rat Terroir when he was a pup learned quick . But he was a very obedient breed.

 

[terrypippa]

Invisible fences have indeed improved in recent years, offering more reliability and effectiveness. They can be a cost-effective solution, especially with training included. One downside is that they might not deter other animals from entering your yard. On the other hand, a traditional fence provides a visible and solid barrier. It's effective and doesn't rely on technology. The cost and aesthetics are factors to consider, as you mentioned. Since you're exploring options, I'd recommend checking out Curb Wise online magazine. It's a great resource for fence inspiration and may help you decide which type of fence suits your needs and preferences.

 

[Halfhitch]

Invisible fences have indeed improved in recent years, offering more reliability and effectiveness. They can be a cost-effective solution, especially with training included. One downside is that they might not deter other animals from entering your yard. On the other hand, a traditional fence provides a visible and solid barrier. It's effective and doesn't rely on technology. The cost and aesthetics are factors to consider, as you mentioned. Since you're exploring options, I'd recommend checking out Curb Wise online magazine. It's a great resource for fence inspiration and may help you decide which type of fence suits your needs and preferences.

Ai alert!