I never thought I'd be asking this, but here I am. Let me start at the beginning. As most of you know I own a 4yrs old Siberian Husky. The breed is well known for two things its prey drive and because of its prey drive, its drive to run. Luckily we worked with him since he was a young pup to lower his prey drive. We also taught him recall. It worked great... If we were inside or at my camp. But around my house. If he got out he was gone like a bullet. He didn't run towards the road but in our backfield. Still him getting hit by a car was not something I was willing to chance. We had to tie him. Every time he needs to do his business he goes out on a 50' rope. Its what I need to do to keep him safe. Lately I've been looking into getting a fence though or dog run. I posted an add on kijiji about wanting a dog run or kennel and someone replied and told me about there underground fence.

The rope used to be enough. But the other day he got out. It scared me to death. Theirs hicks around here that would mistake him for a wolf and shoot hm without thinking twice. I don't know much about underground fences. So I'm asking you guys what are your opinions on it. I would have never thought about this containment system. But I have to do what best for my dog over all. Even if it means receiving a small shock, it is better than brain damage from a car accident.

What are all your opinions. Is this device cruel? Does it work or would my dog keep running and ignore the shock or citronella spray?

Thanks, Alee and Rex

I heard that they aren't that bad and they do teach the dog not to go near there.
If you can afford it it might be best because then he would have the freedom to run the yard and you could just open the door and not worry.

I would check around on the different brands

Here is a site that tells everything about them
Hidden Dog Fence Co. North Jersey electronic dog fence & electric pet containment systems (http://www.hiddenfence.com/)

Here are three to compare

Invisible Fence (http://invisiblefence.webexone.com/login.asp?loc=&link=)

ELECTRONIC DOG CONTAINMENT (http://www.hitecpet.com/invisible-dog-fence.html)

DOG FENCE, Pet Stop Dog Fence Systems, Pet Stop (http://www.getpetstop.com/index.asp)

One more question: The lady who wants to sell it to me said I would have to shve my dog's neck, because he was a husky. Is this true? I was always under the understanding that you were to never ever cut or shave a Sibe's hair!

Yes, his neck will need to be shaved, same as with shock collars.

While just the noise may be effective it's the little shock they get when they step out of the boundary that makes it most effective, if there's too much hair there he won't get a shock.

Apparently they are great for dogs that are well trained or naturally don't stray far from the home.

I have never used them, only read about them so other than that I'm not much help :)

I think she means shave a patch on his neck to ensure a good contact. Other than that I don't know enough to comment. Sorry Alex.

Yes, just a patch, not his whole neck, unless you are into that look :eek:

Yes, just a patch, not his whole neck, unless you are into that look :eek:

Oh God No!:eek: I'm scared to have his neck shaved even just a small patch...

Well I get to disagree on the dog board for once. I used one for years with several dogs. First they work good as long as the dog is trained, but also very smart dogs figure things out So you also have to train them.

If you ever take them out of the fence area you have to do it either "though a gate" or by taking the collar off, if not, they will figure out they can get past the shock.

Also if they run very very fast, they can actually get past the fense without a shock or the shock comes at the point they are already pasting the fence. And if they do run out, then guess what, they can't get back in.

I had one that would chase a cat out of the fence all the time. The rest were OK, till they saw the one dog do it, then guess what, well I had to retrain them all, starting with the flags and such.

That is how it works, so if you get the fence, make sure it comes with the flags, you set flags where the shock or beep area is, and they can "SEE" the boundary. Then you slowly start taking the flags down. When they learn the border.

Next on the collar, never had to shave one, they make different length probles that come out of the collar, A new collar will either be bought with certain lenghs or ones you can interchange.
Longer probe for long hair dogs,

Here's a handy site on 'shaving' dogs with double coats.
It does say not to do it but I don't see a small square on his neck causing any problems.

Dog-Gone Stylin Mobille Pet Grooming (http://www.doggonestylin.com/Shaving.html)

Thanks, Chuck. I've never used one. I'm an old fashioned believer in 4-6 foot fences.

I have two neighbors that use this. One has a husky... I never saw anything shaved then again I never looked. They have 2 dogs never had a problem, but you do need to train them about the fence.

the 2nd family has two dogs, the lab mix has a strong desire to be with family she escaped to see mommy in the next yard 2x in 1 day.

If you choose this system, I would not by a used one, get it directly from someone who will install and will instruct you. Make sure they give you the little flag markers.

I did a bit of research after reading this thread and a good portion of the Google results are people asking how to fix breaks in the circuit. I guess it must be a common problem with these fences.

They sell collars with a remote device. When I lived on forty acres fencing was not an option. The collars came with different prong different to insure use for all dog coats. My German Shepherd love to chase the deer ,turkeys, coyotes. The collars came with many settings for the level of shock. It did not take more than a few shocks and he always stayed near . After a while just putting the collar on worked.I did not even turn it on sometimes.The price was about 100.00 dollars. Which is way less than a underground fencing system.

What are all your opinions. Is this device cruel? Does it work or would my dog keep running and ignore the shock or citronella spray?

Thanx, Alee and Rex

Its called Invisible Fencing here in Ontario. I have used at two of my homes for both my dogs, Taffy a Walker Hound and a standard Schnauzer. There is no cruelty involved in this system or I wound not be using for ll years. It works, but expensive, they come in and lay a ground wire where you specify it and the dog wears a collar when outside. There is a junction box installed in your porch or garage with a flashing green light so you know its working. Uses minimal electricity (that is not expensive) and it has worked for me.

When it is installed, they set up small flags along the line and you train your dog, with collar on, so he/she knows where the boundaries are. It isn't a shock they get, per se, it is, I imagine, like a pin prick.

If this system can keep my 70 lbs. hound dog inside, then it will work for a husky.

They are expensive though, originally mine was $l500. And re-installed at my new home $700. Only because it was a smaller area.

Tick

I did a bit of research after reading this thread and a good portion of the google results are people asking how to fix breaks in the circuit. I guess it must be a common problem with these fences.

Had mine for a long time, in two places, and never experienced any breakage. Maybe these people did not have the system professionally installed.

Tick

Had mine for a long time, in two places, and never experienced any breakage. Maybe these people did not have the system professionally installed.

tick

Possibly, that just was the most common problem with them.
They could have been DIY jobs.

I'm wanting an underground fence more then ever now... Last night I got out of the shower and heard Rex crying on the step. I went to let him in and noticed he wasn't tied. I couldn't believe it. So I asked my mom if her or dad let him out by mistake and she said no. She had no clue how he got out.

I was glad he came back. Usually he doesn't go far, just in the tall grass in our backfield to dig for mice. He is usually gone for less then 20mins. But it is still scary knowing there is a chance he might not come back. I suppose I'm lucky though I 've heard of peoples huskies running away and not coming back, that would be horrible.

I've found a few sites on how to train your dog with the underground fence. I can't wait to start I love a chalenge. For all those who say I can't teach my husky to stay in the fence, ooh I love to prove them wrong.

I think the reason most people have problems with their dogs and these type of fences is because theu don't take the time to train them they just le them loose and the yard and expect them to figure it out themselves.

Yeah you have to train them. Walk them around the permiter of the inside of the yard where the fence is a few times. He will learn if you work with him and its better than just letting him loose to learn the hard way.

I don't know how my grandmother did it but she had a cockapoo that she walked the perimeter of the yard a few times and the dog never left the yard once and that was before invisible fences.

I'm wanting an underground fence more then ever now... Last night I got out of the shower and heard Rex crying on the step. I went to let him in and noticed he wasn't tied. I couldn't believe it. So I asked my mom if her or dad let him out by mistake and she said no. She had no clue how he got out.

I was glad he came back. Usually he doesn't go far, just in the tall grass in our backfield to dig for mice. He is usually gone for less then 20mins. But it is still scary knowing there is a chance he might not come back. I suppose I'm lucky though I 've heard of peoples huskies running away and not comming back, that would be horrible.

I've found a few sites on how to train your dog with the underground fence. I can't wait to start I love a chalenge. For all those who say I can't teach my husky to stay in the fence, ooh I love to prove them wrong.

I think the reason most people have problems with their dogs and these type of fences is because theu don't take the time to train them they just le them loose and the yard and expect them to figure it out themselves.

Anyone in the house just has to remember to put on the special collar before they let him out.

Tick

I hope you will investigate the best people to advise you. That is Invisible Fencing and their number in the Martimes is 1-800-561-7986

Tick

I think she means that she doesn't want them to have to get shocked to learn the fence is there.

He will have to be shocked at some point, I mean it's probably good if he does when you are far away. Just make sure if he does get a shock you are not standing right next to him so he doesn't think you are the one that hurt him ;)

Learning the boundary before you even install the fence would be a very good idea, then he may not even stray outside it at all and you can just use the collar for your own peace of mind.

As I said folks. I have Invisble Fencing. The shock is nothing, it is positively low grade. You have to be with your dog when you are training them to know the boundaries.

Learning the boundary before installing the fence will do no good at all. That doesn't encompass the principle of the fence. That will only confuse the dog.

Tick

Yeah, the shock would be more of a warning, than an actual jolt.

I think learning the boundary before hand would be of some benefit if you put up a string line or flags.

You have used them before though so if you think it would confuse the dog then I will agree with you, it just made sense to me that way :)

The boundary is determined where the installer can easily put down the ground wire which is done with an appliance that looks likea groundmarker surveyors use.. The wire, which can hardly be seen, is installed about maybe one or two inches under the ground and cannot be detected after its done. If they have to go across driveways, they are equipped to do that two. Mine is across the driveway and back up to the garage.

You tell them where you want it, how big, and they try to accomplish that at the same time going around obstacles. So, my point is, although you walk your dog around a boundary that you think will work, it may end up not exactly as you imagine it. Don't forget, the installer is working by mechanical means that can't be bent to nature, per se.

I rest my case *bowing*

Tick

One more question: The lady who wants to sell it to me said I would have to shve my dog's neck, because he was a husky. Is this true? I was always under the understanding that you were to never ever cut or shave a Sibe's hair!

No, don't shave ! And how is she selling this system. Who will install the wire ? As for never ever shaving, I always had my Samoyed shaved in the summer. They have two coats same as Sibe's. So there is no difference. But no, don't shave a spot on his neck... what tripe

Let me know what kind of fence this is.

Tick

I'm definitely leaving this one for Tick, she knows her fences :D

She said the fence was a K-9 corral underground fence. She also said we would be able to put it up ourselves.

I've posted this before - if you dog has a high prey drive the fence will not stop him unless you shock him senseless. It did NOT stop my GSD and my second dog, a mix (both rescues) got the "light shock" once and was absolutely terrified to go outside. I'm not saying she's a genius (!) but she never, ever understood where the shock came from. We had the fence removed.

As far as shaving, yes, my GSD's neck had to be shaved. The collar either had to be tight enough for the prongs to reach her neck through her coat, causing her to gag, or she had to be shaved. As I said, it didn't work anyway. The shaving is right in the book provided by the installer.

AFTER we had the fence installed I wondered how high the "jolt" was so I tried it on my hand. That was the final straw. I can't imagine getting that voltage in my neck.

Keep in mind that the people selling fencing are doing exactly that - selling fencing.

Maybe it works for other people. I'm not saying that it doesn't. Maybe it didn't work on my dogs because they are rescues and I'm not exactly sure what they experienced before we got them.

But just be very, very careful with Rex!

(How are you otherwise? Miss seeing your name all the time.)

Hey guys sorry to bother you again. But I found a second hand underground fence on Kijiji. I just had another question. The collar that comes with it doesn't look like it would last too long. Is it possible to take the transmitter(device that delivers the correction) off that collar and put it on another one?

She said the fence was a K-9 corral underground fence. She also said we would be able to put it up ourselves.

Their website advises this system is no longer available. I would ask about that. It means some accessories may not be available.

Tick

I hope it's not too late for my advice, but first you can buy an above ground one that your dog can see and then know where the shock or pin prick is coming from. He will have a visual.

You make it yourself, two strands of wire, one high, one low and then grounded to a piece of rebar. The other end plugged in with low voltage.

You are still going to have a problem with him getting out and not being able to get back in. It happened to my dog a couple times. Having fun chasing a squirrel and them (not thinking) running over the boundary. *pin prick* and then he remembers, but is too scared to go back over it. I found my dog on the other side a couple of times.

It sounds like you are in a rural area if you have neighbors who may shoot your dog. Put some bells on his collar, so maybe they will hear the bells before they shoot.

If you are in the yard with him and there to reinforce when he starts to run, you probably won't have any problem with either method.

EDIT: and no collar on the second method, they just touch it and know.

Their website advises this system is no longer available. I would ask about that. It means some accessories may not be available.

tick


Actually there is a new one I'm looking into buying it is a PetSafe smart in-ground pet fencing system.