Anybody Ever Try the Radio Fence? (aka "invisible fence")

[QC]

My dog has somehow learned how to climb the fence, and I know from past experience that once they do that, there's no keeping them in. I don't want to chain him, though, and being in the house so much is really driving him batty.

So, it looks as though a radio fence might be my best option. Still, it worries me, especially the part about "corrections."

Does anyone have any experience with these? Do they work? Are they too painful?

[raptor_rider]

1. I have the wire one with the collars

It works for my dog. She is quite the jumper. The shock on the collar is just like a static electricty shock. (My husband tried it on himself before he put it on her to make sure that it wasn't a major shocking device.) We got ours at PetCo for $250 and it has worked. Though, do not put it on a young dog less than 3 months. They will get used to the shock and will not care about it. Discovered that with our little lab mixes. They would reach through the fence and bite the wire and go over anyways. We had to give them away to people that have a bigger area for them to roam, 2 acres didn't seem to be enough for them and we just couldn't stand the thought of chaining them up or putting them on a run. They are happy now.

[Dirty Hippie]

2. I was very reluctant to try an invisible fence

I've been pleasantly surprised. Our doggies caught on very quickly. I live out in the country and do not have any other fence and it contains all 4 of my dogs very well.

The discomfort they had to go through while adjusting was minimal - much less than I feared.

The fence gives them a warning sound when the dog gets close so they learn quickly to avoid it.

[merh]

3. The radio fence is great.

The advantage to it, compared to just the electric fence/shock collar, is the high pitched noise that is emitted when the dog approaches the wire. They don't get the shock, they just hear the noise first and retreat immediately. If they do keep going, they get the shock. The noise is associated with the shock, so they avoid it like the plague.

I, too, have held the collar and crossed the barrier to find out how painful the shock really is and it is just enough to get their attention.

I recommend the radio fence, it is better than chaining them up and/or them roaming free and being hit by a car. Once they are trained properly, they don't cross the barrier.

Good luck :hi:

[Dirty Hippie]

4. One more thing

The "shock" level is adjustable. You can feel it for yourself. There is not much too it.

I was more concerned about the collars themselves. They have two prongs that look uncomfortable. Just make sure the collar is not too tight.

Also, several people have told me that after a while most dogs can go without the collars and they remain in the defined area.

[merh]

7. My dog knew her barrier without the collar.

Also, the radio fence can be set so just the sound is emitted, that sound alone will keep them in the fenced area once they have been trained.

And the shock is just a tingle, an attention getter, and like you said, the shock level can be adjusted.

[QC]

5. Thanks for all the advice.

One thing I was wondering about: I heard somewhere that the shock can cause heart failure. Anybody know anything about that?

[Dirty Hippie]

6. I would doubt that

It's just a tingle - really.