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

Here are three to compare

Invisible Fence

ELECTRONIC DOG CONTAINMENT

DOG FENCE, Pet Stop Dog Fence Systems, Pet Stop

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:

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Originally Posted by shazamataz

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

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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

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.

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Originally Posted by rex123

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

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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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shazamataz

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.

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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

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Originally Posted by tickle

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

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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.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rex123

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.

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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