Radio Fences - anyone try em?

[wolfden]

I'm new to the forum here and looking for anyone with experience with those radio fences so you can let your dog roam the yard without having to put up fencing.

Recommend one or not? I want to be responsible and prevent my dog from getting hurt. I have a 5 month old german shepard, who is full of curiosity for the highway and neighbors.

I tried searching the forum, but couldn't find any threads on raido fences.

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

I had one. It was the original brand, Invisible Fence, professionally installed by them. I carefully trained my dog. It was quite expensive.

I would not ever waste my money on such a fence again.

It is not suitable for any dog who might EVER defend his property to strangers, such as a Rottweiler, or in your case, a GSD.

The 2 main issues with these fences are:

1) they do not keep anything out. People, dogs, kids, delivery persons, mail carriers, meter readers....Your GSD, if typical, will not look kindly on persons entering his turf once he is more mature.

2) dogs can and will run OUT of the boundary, but NOT back in. Power outages do occur.

These fences simply are not adequate confinement, IMO, for the majority of dogs. I do know some people who have these fences and love them, but for me, and my money, I will go with a physical barrier which has gates I can keep locked for the safety and protection of my dog.

And the neighborhood.

 

[wolfden]

I agree a physical barrier will be safer, especially if I am not around, but I normally have her with me most of the time. I would just like to feel more comfortable with her in the yard, knowing at least something is out there.

We've lost animals to the highway before and I really don't want to loose this one, she seems like she has a good head on her shoulders.

 

[DanL]

I'm not real into the invisible fence, but if you are using it for your own peace of mind, and don't plan on ever leaving your dog outside unattended, then it's probably OK. My biggest issue with this kind of fence is what has already been mentioned by Redyre- not keeping other intruders out of the yard. If your intent is to put up this fence and then leave your dog outside alone for any length of time, I'd say get a real fence.

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

For what you would spend on a radio fence, you can put up some good conventional fencing.

I forbid radio fencing as a primary means of confinement in my contract. There are too many ways they can fail, and my main reason is no way to keep anything else out, and no way to lock gates since there are none.

 

[thewhitewitchone]

I know a lot of people who use the invisible fencing and their dogs never cross their boundaries. One is so well trained that she doesn't even wear the collar anymore. She just knows where she can and can't go.
I don't like them just for the reasons stated above. I never feel really comfortable when I take care of a pet with an invisible fence. I watch them the entire time they are outside.
If your dog is with you most of the time and you just want a place so he can go outside without you for short periods of time, why not build him a kennel area as opposed to fencing off your entire yard? You could also put up a privacy fence if your community allows it. I would worry about a dog your size jumping over or climbing a conventional chainlink fence.

Pam

 

[poodlesmom]

I have had an Invisible Fence for many years for my 2 standard poodles & have been very pleased with the results. The training is quite extensive but it has worked well for us even keeping them within the boundaries even when they are on a full run chasing squirrels. They have had it for so long even if on rare occasion I forget to put their collars on they still within the yard.

Having said that though I do live in the last house at the end of a long dead-end road with only 5 houses with virtually no traffic except our next door neighbor & visitors. If I lived on a busy street or where there were many walkers or loose dogs I would not rely on an IF. I also never let them stay out if I am not home.