Petsafe wireless fencing

[Ann]

I know too many dogs who have run through the invisible fencing and then found themselves outside of their yard with no way to get back in. One of our neighbors had one, and their Golden used to always be in our yard because he had blown through the fence and couldn't get back in, so he'd some to us. Except for the time he got hit by a car.

The problem is if your dog wants to run after a squirrel, or a walker, or anything, they can blow out of the fencing. And it happens all too often. When you also factor in a Sheltie's sensitivity, it's a bad combination IMO. I wouldn't use one.

[Lightplum]

exactly...they may seem to work for some breeds, but in reality they dont work...My brother has 2 labs lives on 3 acres and has 1000 acre reserve behind his property..his labs would see a deer and bolt though that electric fence faster than you could say their name..and surprise they wouldnt come back though because theyd know they get zapped...nothing like searching in the dark though the woods for a choc lab...sigh...his neighbors dogs would also come "visit" daily..thank goodness they were friendly but still..annoying..

Shelties have thick fur which will soften the shock so you can not positively guarantee it will work..fine for say a lab with short coat you have the same results..but long hair breeds nope...

Also one last caveat..I had one here for when my brothers dogs would visit...word to the wise if lighting strikes your property near the line it will follow the line back into your home...and the insurance company doesnt like that!

[Winston's dad]

From my experience, which is eight plus years of usage, the trick is following the instructions. Max was an escape artist. He blew through the lower intensity levels. Once the collar was set on a level that got his attention, you couldn't drag him near the edge of his territory. You can't just install the transponder and expect the dog to honor the boundary line. It takes a little work.

The make of the no wire fence I use came with a collar with different length prongs designed for different fur types. I don't this will be an issue.

Can a dog bolt through the fence? Absolutely. Can a dog dig, jump, climb or wiggle out of a fenced area? Absolutely. The only secure methods I am aware of are concrete dog runs or staking the dog out. Neither are options for me. I don't want a fence in any area of my yard except for the pool area. I am satisfied with my choice to this point. We will see how Winston progresses and whether he will need a no wire collar.

[tofu pup]

Originally Posted by Sheltiemama

I am absolutely against them. For all the reasons above AND for this one: If an aggressive dog decides to come into your yard after your dog, he will and your dog has no escape.

Seconding this... one of the benefits of a secure, physical fence is that it keeps things OUT of your yard.

I'll also add that, as a runner, I HATE invisible fences. There is nothing scarier than running along the road and seeing a dog come at you at you from a house with no visible fence. (Yes, even a little dog like our beloved Shelties. Any dog that has teeth can do damage.) I have no idea if this is a loose, aggressive dog... or a dog that is going to hit the boundary of the wire and stop. So I go into high-alert, terrified of this dog that is headed right for me - and oops, false alarm, he's inside an invisible fence!

I'm sure that this is all very entertaining for the dog, and for the owner who is likely to be watching from inside the house. But it is frightening - and annoying - for me. If I can see a physical fence between me and the dog, I can just keep running, knowing that I'm very likely to be safe. But if I don't see a fence, I assume there isn't one, and perceive that barking, charging, unfenced fool of a dog as a threat.

[Eagle]

Originally Posted by tofu pup

There is nothing scarier than running along the road and seeing a dog come at you at you from a house with no visible fence. (Yes, even a little dog like our beloved Shelties. Any dog that has teeth can do damage.) I have no idea if this is a loose, aggressive dog... or a dog that is going to hit the boundary of the wire and stop. So I go into high-alert, terrified of this dog that is headed right for me - and oops, false alarm, he's inside an invisible fence!
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I am arguing both sides of the fence here (no pun intended), but that is because I have mixed feelings about them.

I wanted to add to your comment an experience I had with a neighbors dog. The dog was aggressive but behind an invisible fence, which was even marked, so people knew it. I walked by all the time, no problem the dog respected the invisible fence. One day the batteries were dead, but the owner did not realize it (the dog did). The dog charged out at my dog and I and my dog got bitten, fortunately not badly, but ....


That is why I commented that you have to be very careful about the batteries.

[dblock]

Also agree with Ashley about dogs associating these kind of remote devices with all kinds of different things other than what they are trying to advertise, it's also been known to make dogs reactive!
Victoria Stillwell had a dog on her show that didn't want to go out into his own backyard anymore!! Dogs get traumatized!
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I remember watching that episode, Victoria, herself got shocked on the thing, the purpose of having any fence is to keep your dog safe. They aren't safe if another dog, or any animal for that matter can still get at them.

If I had a yard and tried to use that on Beau, he would absolutely refuse to go out.

[celloyogi]

Originally Posted by tofu pup

Seconding this... one of the benefits of a secure, physical fence is that it keeps things OUT of your yard.

I'll also add that, as a runner, I HATE invisible fences. There is nothing scarier than running along the road and seeing a dog come at you at you from a house with no visible fence. (Yes, even a little dog like our beloved Shelties. Any dog that has teeth can do damage.) I have no idea if this is a loose, aggressive dog... or a dog that is going to hit the boundary of the wire and stop. So I go into high-alert, terrified of this dog that is headed right for me - and oops, false alarm, he's inside an invisible fence!

I'm sure that this is all very entertaining for the dog, and for the owner who is likely to be watching from inside the house. But it is frightening - and annoying - for me. If I can see a physical fence between me and the dog, I can just keep running, knowing that I'm very likely to be safe. But if I don't see a fence, I assume there isn't one, and perceive that barking, charging, unfenced fool of a dog as a threat.

I hate that. I used to run and had similar situations. Some owners I knew actually did laugh, out loud, at passers-by, myself included, who were startled/frightened by their dogs. If I see an 80lb+ dog charging at me, I'm going to be freaked out.

Some day those dogs will pop the fence. Nearly every single person I know with an invisible fence has had a dog escape, so really I think it's just a matter of time. Those dogs like the ones you mention seeing along your run, I hope they haven't just gotten themselves primed for aggressive behavior.

[BarbV]

I would add, that I would never just put a dog outside with an invisible fence and walk away as it if was a physical fence.

I think these are viable options for people in rural areas with large properties, but the dog must still be visually monitored while outside.

If the dog decides to stray, you need to be there to see him do it. And then employ proper recall techniques to bring him back.

It does allow you though to let the dog out for a bathroom run without having to to physically walk him everytime.

[Gina]

I haven't read through all the comments, so sorry if I'm repeating what others have said. But if you have a smart dog, it will get out and not come back in. Why would you want to get shocked twice?

[OntarioSheltie]

Originally Posted by Toffee's Mom

I 100% agree, I would never use nor recommend them. I believe in visible fences!

Also agree with Ashley about dogs associating these kind of remote devices with all kinds of different things other than what they are trying to advertise, it's also been known to make dogs reactive!
Victoria Stillwell had a dog on her show that didn't want to go out into his own backyard anymore!! Dogs get traumatized!

I know someone with a duck toller who developed anxiety issues due to an electric fence. He is afraid to be outside now, regardless of where he is because of being shocked by an invisible fence.

I would not use any type of shock device on a sheltie or other sensitive dogs.