Hi Everyone,

Early this summer I started using an E-collar with my 2 ½ GSD and have taught him property boundaries. Once he learned his boundaries (which only took a couple of zips) he’s been totally compliant. Here’s the question. What are your opinions of the e-fences, or invisible type fencing? I’m thinking about ‘fencing’ in the 1 acre back yard for him. I must say too, that he will not be in the yard unattended, if he’s out, so am I.

Thanks,

You`re the perfect candidate for an E-fence. Buy a quality fence, make sure you do the proper training with an occasional retraining and you`ll be able to enjoy the outdoors. I have been using e-fences reliably for years with all different GSD`s and all different levels of drive.

Cathy:

I have a different opinion about e-fences. We live on 3.5 acres that was not fenced for dogs (3 rail fencing) and we had a e-fence put in. Because we live in an area with a lot of wildlife we had problems with squirrels breaking the lines (chewing). Once there is a break in the line you have to find it (huge pain).

We ended up stapling chicken wire along the 3 rail fence to dog-proof it. SO much easier and more reliable.

If you live in an area where you don't have critters chewing on the wire (and yes, we buried it these are ground squirrels) then you might be OK. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Just my 2 cents.

Jennifer,
Thank you too for your feed back. It is very much appreciated. I didn't think the darn squirrels would chew up an electric line. Good point.

Roger,
Sorry my thank you for you is much later than it should have been. Thanks so much for your feed back. I'm thinking of an Innotec system and really appreciate your insite.

I`m in the Pocono Mountains, the wire is buried 2" underground and runs under my stone driveway(it is uncased in PVC under the drive) I back a tractor trailer over it every day. I have never had a break. Proper installation and training is the key.

Roger,
Again, many thanks. Especially regarding the pvc and drive. We'll have to do the same. So glad that hasn't been an issue in driving over the wire. =)

I’m not a big fan of in-ground fences. I know a lot of people use them and they work for their dogs.

For me, I see the fence as a potential problem for my dogs.
1. My dogs get zapped for going across it. Wildlife and my neighbor’s dogs do not. This puts my dogs at a disadvantage and possibly confuses them in a situation when the confusion may hurt them.
2. The fence does not do anything that good solid training will not do. With a couple of days of work (you have the e-colar), the dog will understand your (and the pack’s) territory and respect it.
3. A dog with a little bit of drive will “take the zap” to get to whatever is motivating it on the other side.
4. My dogs may need to leave the yard to: perform their pack protection duties, to avoid danger, etc. and I may not be able to turn off the fence or get them to understand that it is off in time.

In the end, I just know neither of my dogs would mind taking a zap to get to me on a basic “Come” command. So, the fence just would not work for them or for me.

This, of course, is my opinion and for others the in-ground fences work out well.

Chris,
Thank you too for your feed back. I really appreciate all points. Thankfully I've not encountered another problem animal. Excellent point well received. =)

When we got our pup last November, we had the same discussion about using a fence or not. My wife just wanted to let the dogs out and forget about them. After learning about how the fences worked and how dogs react to them. We both decided to spend a little training time on both dogs and now they've got it. I only wish I could say the same about the neighbor's.

Good luck on whatever you decide.