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First let me say that this is what I observed with two different neighbors who had one. NOT my experience.
I'm sure part of it depends on how DRIVEN the dog is to get out but when I lived in Texas the people who lived across and down the street from me had two lots, the one their house sat on and the empty one next door. Rather then put in a real fence they choose this option. They had a very lovely and friendly Golden Retriever who would squint up his eyes and get a run for it and run out of the enclosure.
The people who used to live next to me here in Florida had one and they had two Cocker Spaniels, one was very old and not generally a problem. However the other one would jump the short picket fence that surrounds their backyard and get out of the invisible fence that was also there. One time because of where my AC unit is, she got herself cornered, I heard this noise and heard her whining and I went out and found her just close enough to the fence that she was still being shocked but unable to get free because of where she had cornered herself. I grabbed her and took her home.
I have always heard that coupled with training, this fence CAN work however I prefer real fences that keep others out and my pets and child IN.
Not only do we not have one and don't recommend them, I won't adopt to anyone that has one.
Larger breeds of dogs can eventually learn that if they get a good running start at it they can break the threshold where it's uncomfy with little affect at all.
It also does not keep other people's pets from entering your yard, or worse wild animals. Used as a backup for a standard physical fence is fine, but as the sole source of containment they are very dangerous.
My friend emailed me and said his friends dog went missing the other day from their yard with the electric fence. He said the dog was terrified of the shock and thinks the dog was most likely stolen, or could have run for it!
I don't like the I F, we had a shepherd years ago that blew right threw the fence one day and ran out on the highway and got hit, he lived but his back legs were never the same. We had the I F for years without any problems, until that one day.
We're thinking about adding an invisible fence. Our problem is that with the snow, our rescued GSD learned he can jump a 6' fence (down to 4' with the snow pack). He'll likely continue to jump the fence once all the snow melts. Our hope is that the 6' fence will slow him down enough so the collar will keep him from jumping the fence.
Living outside of town on acreage, we've utilized the PetSafe brand wireless fence...no wires to be strung along the yard, just plug in the unit, put on the receivers and have at it. Granted, we do not live in a 'neighbourhood', no children about to torment the dogs. We have the parameters set for just the lawn area - about an acre - leaving the forest and looooong drive outside those boundaries.
One thing about this unit, if a dog attempts to 'break through the threshold', it doesn't have one...meaning it continues to send a signal to the receiver even if the dog is out of the yard (trust me...I found out when driving the Jeep out onto the road to turn around down the drive and had one in my lap...don't ask).
There are several levels on the receivers and all three are set to the lower end. It gives off a warning beep for several seconds before there is a buzz...and all three of my dogs are well-tuned to that. It does well by my Labs...and I don't leave them outdoors unattended anyway.
The only downside are making sure the batteries are replaced every couple of months....they don't have a warning light or any other indication the battery is running low.
Sorry a fence that a dog can't go through ain't gonna happen in 1 acre.
#1 - major expense $$$$ #2 - I have had a small puppy crawl under a chain link fence so with a small breed it is not as secure as everyone thinks a chain link would be. and #3 part of the yard is unfenceable as one side is all large trees. And I cannot really fence in the full front yard, as that is where the dog escapes from... we are on waterfront.
Brands? Innotek - are they good? That is the one we are looking at. Thanks.
Who says you have to fence the entire acre? I've got nearly 10 acres but only fenced a portion for the dogs. And we've enlarged that area twice now as we could afford more fencing. It's not that big a deal. And certainly not that expensive when you consider the vet bills you'd have to pay if another animal enters your yard and tears your dog to pieces.
Just my two cents.
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