Comment

Comment by Susan Stanton on April 28, 2009 at 11:07pm

I don't care for electric fences either. I'm probably over anthropomorphosizing my dogs -- but it seems a cruel trick to play on them. They can't see it, they go bouncing over to a part of the yard they've been to a thousand times, and zap! My neighbors have goats contained by an electric fence, and my older guy touched the fence with his nose (a larger shock than the fence you'd be getting, I believe). He leapt backwards about 6 feet -- and now he will not go near the goats (he doesn't mind going near the fence, he seems to associate the shock with the goats). I just don't like it. I also think some of my friends with the fence are too complacent -- their dogs are outside for long periods untended, their dogs have run through the fence, chasing things, and the fences and/or the collars have also not always functioned as expected (and the dogs have gotten loose). I'm looking into fencing, too -- and although more expensive, I'm going with a fence both the dogs and I can see. Also, the idea that it doesn't keep other animals out is a great point that concerns me, too.

Comment by Zach and Lisa on April 28, 2009 at 10:51pm

DON'T GET ONE!!! I once had a friend who had a dalmatian stay within the invisible fence and the poor dog went running after a squirrel. Unfortunately she ran too slowly and got stunned by the shock leaving her standing on the line of electricity. I remember her just twitching like crazy. Luckily we were playing outside and pulled her out. It was definitely scary, and I don't ever want to see that again. I can't imagine what that might feel like! Poor Molly. She was okay just a little shaken.

Comment by Lou Ann Lemaster on April 28, 2009 at 5:29pm

I have no experience with invisible fences, but my fear was more along the line of other dogs getting into the yard rather than having my dog leave the yard. That would be the biggest drawback on having an invisible fence.