underground fence or wooden fence???

[phoebeann]

hi

we have about one acre of cleared land that we would like phoebe to be able to run on. my question is do we set up a fence (most likely 4 ft) within the acre? or do we get an invisible/underground fence? also is there a brand that you use/prefer? which in your opinion works best for labs?

people have told me that their dog has gotten out of the electric boundaries and are scared to come back because of the shock?

and let me add this....she wont be outside by herself...just for her to play.

thanks

[WeHeartLabs]

I prefer a wooden fence for a couple of reasons. One, you mentioned. I'm just not a big fan of e fences although some folks swear by them.

Also, want my dog safe from people. And with a wooden fence, you can keep them separated from the general public.

[Trickster]

Wooden fence for the reasons WeHeartLabs said.

Though I suppose it boils down to what you are more comfortable with. I prefer a wooden fence from a privacy point of view. With an electric fence anyone (human or critter) can enter your yard. Stray dogs would concern me, as would the potential for dog nappers. Although you say Phoebe won't be left alone we all have moments where our back is turned.

[luna]

I'd recommend a wooden fence for safety reasons. You don't want your dog to be attacked by animals or humans.

[Lexis Mom]

phoebeann:

I understand WeHeartLabs, Trickster & Luna reasons for preferring the wooden fence, especially the stray animals and pet nappers. Thankfully, I do not have any issues with stray animals. As for people entering the yard... I have a stay-at-home mom across the street, another neighbor works from home so he is always around & the people behind me are retired, so if Lexi is ever outside alone (which she is usually not) someone will see something. Besides, she is so enthusiastic about people coming on her property, they'd probably think twice about taking her after she jumps on and licks them.

In some cases, as it did in my case, it comes down to economics. I looked into plain old chain-link fences, the real nice vinyl fencing and e-fence (I have the Invisible Fence or IF). My yard is small, so any type of tall privacy fence was out of the question. Also, I took into consideration what kind of maintenance it would require.

Bottom line, the IF system was the best from a cost standpoint, just about half the cost of the chain link & would require virtually no maintenance on my part. In fact I cut part of the IF line by mistake with my lawn mower, IF sent out a splice kit & it was fixed in no time. (I have a small portion of the line which lies above ground behind my shed.)

Lexi is great on the IF, she learned very quickly to back up when her collar beeps. In the 18 months she's been on it she taken less than 10 corrections off it and generally she gives the property boundaries a wide berth. On those rare times that she gets close enough to get a beep, she hauls her furry butt back away from it.

This is merely my opinion, you need to look at your situation, finances, your dog, etc. and then decide what will work best for you.

Deb

[Labsrme]

Well, I have both types of fencing. When we built our new house we put Invisible Fence brand fencing in, separating the front and back yards into two different zones. That way, I can let my dogs play in the back yard but they can't get to the front yard unless they go through the house. I really don't like the idea of dogs being out in the front yard on IF unattended, both for their own safety and for the fact that so many dogs run and bark at walkers, etc., when out on IF.

After several years of using just IF, I put a six foot privacy fence around my back yard. I found that with IF anything, any dog, any body could walk right into the yard where the dogs were, so they were not very protected. Also, my younger dog is not as afraid of the IF as my older dog was, and with the right provocation will charge through it. This doesn't happen very often but it has happened, so I can't trust that they dogs will stay in the yard with the IF. The bottom line is that your dogs will be safer with a physical fence. I still use the IF in the front yard, so if I'm out gardening the dogs can come out front with me and I don't have to worry about them sneaking off. However, I would never depend on the IF to keep them safe alone.

[Samsmom1]

I say this every time this question comes up. A real fence is better than e-fence for the safety of your pet. I find at least 3 dogs every year with one of those collars on and YES, they are afraid to go back because of the shock. Also, the wooden, vinyl, whatever, real fence keeps people and other animals out of your yard.

When I first found my Newf/Huskiey mix and realized she loved to be outside, I put a big beware of dog sign and do not enter sign on the gate of our 4 ft fence. It was posts with wire. Apparently the electric meter reader thought that the sign center "Come On In" and came into the yard while my dog was out and got bit. We had to pay $3,000 out of our pocket for workman's comp and she sued, so our insurance paid her $10,000 and dropped us. We had to scramble to find new homeowner's insurance, which is next to impossible with a dog bite on record, but managed. We are now insured by Lloyds of London for dog bites and it isn't cheap.

I was home when this happened, but I didn't hear anything. No scream, no barking, nothing. She claims my dog bit "through" the heel of her shoe and left a scar so bad that she limps, but I can't prove a thing. And, because the electric company has equipment on my property, they are considered an "invitee" so they have permission to on my premises whether I'm home or not. (NOT ANYMORE)

After this happened, we put a combination lock on the gate so no one could get back there. Well, they started to jump over the fence instead. The lawn people, the electric company and the oil company. We now have a 6 foot stockade all the way around the yard and a lock on the gate.

[Labsrme]

so no one has had any problems with their dogs getting out with the invisible fence?

I didn't say that. What I said was that most of the time - probably more than 99% - my dogs will not run through the fence. But, and this is a big but, if something really attractive comes by they have very rarely gone through the fence. This means that I absolutely can not count on the fence to keep them in safely. That's why I put up a physical fence.

There are several dogs in my neighborhood that frequently room the neighborhood wearing IF collars. I assume they ran though the fence, although I don't know it for sure.

[SandieF]

I prefer a wooden fence for a couple of reasons. One, you mentioned. I'm just not a big fan of e fences although some folks swear by them.

Also,* want my dog safe from people. And with a wooden fence, you can keep them separated from the general public.

I totally agree with this. An underground fence may work in keeping your dog in, but it doesn't prevent people, or other animals from gettng near your dog.

[Jan]

At our last home, we had invisible fencing for our golden and springer spaniel. It was really the only option financially, on 1/2 acre, and it worked extremely well for us... we only had one collar for the two dogs, and most of the time neither had the collar on. Maybe they were just easy to train and not motivated to leave the property? I don't know. We were in a small hamlet in the country, and did have other loose dogs come visit, but we were OK with that, since we knew the dogs. (It's not like that anymore, in 15-20 years, attitudes have changed, and people don't leave their dogs loose anymore)

Where we live now in the city, on a 65X130' property, we were short a 50' stretch of vinyl chain-link fence, and that cost us this summer ~$900. A wood fence would have been more, so from a $ perspective, your wood fence will be pricey. If you will be out there with her most of the time she's out, I would go for the invisible fence. The other thing I liked about the invisible fence is that there wasn't that feeling of enclosure Finally, and what would be the deciding factor for me: 25x75' vs. 2.5 acres is a big difference, and I'd definitely go with the larger area. 25x75 is pretty small for serious running around & ball chasing.

Just my 2 cents! Good luck whichever your choice